THE PROMISE OF HOPE

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”  (Luke 1:35)

We live in an age of doubt—sick with skepticism and plagued by pessimism.  Our generation echoes the cynical question Pilate posed to Jesus, “What is truth?”  Most seem to believe the only absolute truth is that there is no absolute truth!  That is a bleak outlook on life and leads to hopelessness.  But, really, is there any hope?  Our text shouts, “Absolutely!” 

We see CERTAINTY IS GROUNDED IN GOD’S PURPOSE (Luke 1:26-29).  Despite the evolutionists claim, our world isn’t a result of a cosmic explosion and our existence isn’t the result of random processes and mutations.  There is a providential plan God is pursuing.

This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth,

And this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. 

For the LORD of hosts has purposed,

And who will annul it?

His hand is stretched out,

And who will turn it back?”  (Isa.14:26-27) 

God’s purpose will be fulfilled!

·        DESPITE SOCIAL DEPRAVITY GOD HAS A PLAN.  The area of Galilee and city of Nazareth were held in contempt by the Jews.  In the time of our text, the location was overrun by Gentile sinners.  Nazareth stood on a hillside overlooking a highway traversed by Roman soldiers and Greek merchants.  These men stopped at Nazareth looking for a good time.  It was a den of iniquity.  But, I want to remind you that “where sin abounds grace does much more abound.”  In these dark days in which we live, our light can shine brighter than ever!

·        DESPITE SPIRITUAL DEGENERACY GOD HAS A PEOPLE.  Gabriel wasn’t sent to the religious leaders with the announcement.  They wouldn’t have believed it.  Later, when Jesus presented Himself to them, they rejected Him.  But, God always has a people to accomplish His purposes—even if it is a poor young girl named Mary.

CERTAINTY IS GIVEN IN GOD’S PROMISES (Luke 1:30-33). We human beings have problems with promises—we break them!  But Scripture says that “God is not a man that He should lie.”  Consider these promises.

·        THE PROMISE OF CHRIST’S GRACE. Jesus means, “Jehovah is salvation.”  For centuries the promise of a Savior had been unfulfilled—that was about to change!  Jesus came to bridge the gulf between holy God and sinful man.

·        THE PROMISE OF CHRIST’S GREATNESS.  There have been many great men who have walked the stage of human history, but Jesus towers above them all, for He was more than the Son of Man; He was the Son of God!

·        THE PROMISE OF CHRIST’S GOVERNMENT.  This promise has yet to be fulfilled—but as the promises connected to Christ’s first coming were fulfilled, we may rest assured those of His second coming will be!

CERTAINTY IS GRANTED BY GOD’S POWER (Luke 1:34-38). The Bible testifies repeatedly that “with God nothing will be impossible.” 

·        THE SOURCE OF POWER is the Triune God. He is with us!

·        THE SCOPE OF POWER. Mary’s faith is strengthened by the report concerning Elizabeth.  What do you need?  Come boldly to the throne of grace!

·        THE SUBMISSION TO POWER.  Experiencing God’s power requires submission to His will.  That isn’t easy.  It cost Mary her reputation.  It almost cost her the man she loved.  It cost her the pain of watching her Son die, yet she submitted.  Have you?