Ask Mary, She’ll Go!
(Mid-week message for House Church and individual use: preached 11/29 – 12/5/2020)
Who does not feel love for and perceive the honor of Mary of Nazareth, the mother of the Son of Man, the virgin who gave birth to him who was called “Jesus”, because he would “save his people from their sins?”
Who indeed? Yes, who saw her first? Who loved her first? Who knew her first? Who knew that she would be obedient “unto the heavenly vision?” Who knew that she would keep “all these sayings?” Who knew that she would go, and do, and believe, and act upon her faith in God, like a child of God should truly and always do?
There is a rare glimpse into the throne room of God, given before the great battle in which wicked King Ahab was to die. In it, we see how God, who could so easily command an order to be obeyed, instead asks, “Who will go?” (1 Kings 22:19-22) God is no tyrant! God is, and God seeks a soul who will go; who will do, who will seek, who will find, who will believe, who will endure, who will not listen to the opposition (whether in her inward heart or her outward ear)! God seeks someone who will rise up out of the dust of cowardice. God seeks a woman who will open her arms and embrace the mission. God seeks! God seeks in you! God seeks another Mary.
I. Ask Mary, She’ll Do It for Him!
A. Mary will listen!
“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” (Luke 1:30)
B. Mary will believe!
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38)
C. Mary will do it!
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.” (Luke 1:46-48)
II. Ask Mary, She’ll Find Him!
A. She lost his presence!
“And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.” (Luke 2:45)
B. She got him back!
“And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.” (Luke 2:46)
C. She grew from the experience!
“And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:48-49)
III. Ask Mary, She’ll Listen to Him!
A. She had been looking unto Jesus!
“And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” (Luke 2:50-52)
B. She pointed people to Jesus!
“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, ‘They have no wine.” (John 2:1-3)
C. She had them respond to Jesus!
“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” (John 2:4-5)
IV. Ask Mary, She’ll Go for Him!
A. To the Cross…
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.” (John 19:25-27)
B. Through the pain, and…
“And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)
C. Into the Upper Room!
“And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts 1:13-14)
Conclusion
The last words of Mary, not on her deathbed but, more importantly, in the Bible, are as follows.
“His mother saith unto the servants, ‘Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” (John 2:5)
OUTLINE:
Ask Mary, She’ll Go!
(A Message to Members of the Body of Christ)
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38)
I. Ask Mary, She’ll Do It for Him!
A. Mary will listen!
B. Mary will believe!
C. Mary will do it!
II. Ask Mary, She’ll Find Him!
A. She lost his presence!
B. She got him back!
C. She grew from the experience!
III. Ask Mary, She’ll Listen to Him!
A. She had been looking unto Jesus!
B. She pointed people to Jesus!
C. She had them respond to Jesus!
IV. Ask Mary, She’ll Go for Him!
A. To the Cross…
B. Through the pain, and…
C. Into the Upper Room!
“His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” (John 2:5)
WORSHIP:
Barbra Streisand – Ave Maria (Lyrics)
Magnificat – A virgin Mary Hymn
Opening:
Chris Tomlin – What Child Is This? (Live/Lyrics And Chords)
Message: