Big Idea: God is abundant in his mercy and grace and he bestows upon his creation many gifts, both physical and spiritual. The ultimate gift is the Lord Jesus Christ. Mary serves as the vessel to bring the fullness of God into the world, that is the Jesus, the savior and redeemer of mankind.
God is a God of infinite resources and gives to His creatures good and glorious things for us to enjoy out of His abundant mercy and grace.
Genesis 1:28 (ESV) — 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Revelation 22:12–14 (ESV) — 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
What does it mean to be __________________________?
The blessing of God is seen in a __________________ of provision, either _____________ or _____________________, that comes as a ________________ or _________________ result of God’s favor toward humanity, based solely on His loving grace.
Psalm 89:11 (ESV) — 11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
1 Chronicles 29:11 (ESV) — 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
Gen. 1:20-23, 1:26-28, 9:1, 12:1-3, 13:2, 13:5-6, 15:5-6, 24:1
Proverbs 10:22 (ESV) — 22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
In what way is Mary _________________________?
Luke 1:42 and she (Elizabeth) exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
As a movement of sheer grace and favor, the Lord choses Mary to bring the savior of the world, into the world, not because she is worthy of such an honor, but because the Lord is abundant in his kindness and mercy.
Galatians 3:16 (ESV) — 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
Jesus was the promised seed (singular) that would come from Abraham’s many offspring (plural).
1 Timothy 6:17–19 (ESV) — 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Philippians 4:11–13 (ESV) — 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Questions to Consider
In what ways have you been blessed by God? How should this lead you to worship?
Think of the many spiritual blessings that come to you in Christ. Why should Jesus be at the center of your worship this Christmas season?
