A message shared by Pastor Nicholas Tsakis and Pastor Anne Ioannou at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 9 May, 2010:
Part 1 - BIRTH (Pastor Nicholas Tsakis)
In Luke 2, from verse 6, we read about Christ's birth. That one occasion has altered calendars, being such a significant time. His birth is, in reality, good news. Isaiah 7:14 foretells us about God being with us in the person of Jesus Christ.
Why so significant?
The purpose of Christ's birth was to save humanity. His presence fulfilled prophecy, establishing the Kingdom of God. See Isaiah 9, from verse 6, in which Christ is described. Take note how there is no end to His peace and His Kingdom. God's plan began with His birth and was accomplished through Jesus Christ.
It is such a simple but profound fact.
In Psalm 20:4, we read how Christ's birth resulted in the fullness of God in our lives.
He was born to reign and be King. He is King of our lives, 'redeeming' us from a sinful nature.
As for Mary, she was blessed. There was no sinful nature in the seed placed within Mary thanks to the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 1:16, Joseph was the legal father only by adoption rather than by conception. This was truly divine conception.
Part 2 - MARY (Pastor Anne Ioannou)
Mary descended directly from King David. That's the genealogical trace that Romans 1:3 refers to.
Girls in those days had less significance than boys. In fact, her faith was strong but not something that would have stood out among the men folk.
A good husband was found for her in Joseph. In Luke 3:26-28, we read how conception occurred before she could be formally married. She was a virgin, and yet pregnant. How blessed she was to carry the Son of God.
Telling Joseph about her pregnancy must have been difficult. The Angel of the Lord intervened to confirm she was truly blessed of God.
During her life, Mary watched Jesus grow, and ultimately join the path of ministry that He was destined for.
Mary knew that, as He neared the time of His death, Jesus was truly the Son of God. She witnessed His death and His resurrection. What joy! An amazing thing to see.
What do we learn from Mary? Trust. Belief. Obedience.
She was so blessed and so honoured.
Image source: By Ben Steed, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org
Part 1 - BIRTH (Pastor Nicholas Tsakis)
In Luke 2, from verse 6, we read about Christ's birth. That one occasion has altered calendars, being such a significant time. His birth is, in reality, good news. Isaiah 7:14 foretells us about God being with us in the person of Jesus Christ.
Why so significant?
The purpose of Christ's birth was to save humanity. His presence fulfilled prophecy, establishing the Kingdom of God. See Isaiah 9, from verse 6, in which Christ is described. Take note how there is no end to His peace and His Kingdom. God's plan began with His birth and was accomplished through Jesus Christ.
It is such a simple but profound fact.
In Psalm 20:4, we read how Christ's birth resulted in the fullness of God in our lives.
He was born to reign and be King. He is King of our lives, 'redeeming' us from a sinful nature.
As for Mary, she was blessed. There was no sinful nature in the seed placed within Mary thanks to the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 1:16, Joseph was the legal father only by adoption rather than by conception. This was truly divine conception.
Part 2 - MARY (Pastor Anne Ioannou)
Mary descended directly from King David. That's the genealogical trace that Romans 1:3 refers to.
Girls in those days had less significance than boys. In fact, her faith was strong but not something that would have stood out among the men folk.
A good husband was found for her in Joseph. In Luke 3:26-28, we read how conception occurred before she could be formally married. She was a virgin, and yet pregnant. How blessed she was to carry the Son of God.
Telling Joseph about her pregnancy must have been difficult. The Angel of the Lord intervened to confirm she was truly blessed of God.
During her life, Mary watched Jesus grow, and ultimately join the path of ministry that He was destined for.
Mary knew that, as He neared the time of His death, Jesus was truly the Son of God. She witnessed His death and His resurrection. What joy! An amazing thing to see.
What do we learn from Mary? Trust. Belief. Obedience.
She was so blessed and so honoured.
Image source: By Ben Steed, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org
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