This past weekend we continued our series “Family Tree” at Eastbrook Church. This is the fourth week in the first part of our extended journey through the Gospel of Matthew. During Advent, we will focus on the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew, chapters 1 and 2. It was a joy to co-preach this message about Mary with my wife, Kelly. The message is largely drawn from Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-38.

You can view the message video and outline below. You can follow along with the entire series here and the devotional that accompanies the series here. You could always join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“’The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).”  (Matthew 1:23)

The Obedience of Mary

• Her place in the genealogy
• Contrast with Eve

The Role of the Holy Spirit

• God is fully holy and Mary is honored
• Parallel with Genesis
• Dignity of the body in the incarnation

Mary the Virgin Mother

• This is something new and different through God’s power and initiative alone
• Fulfillment of Isaiah 7:9-11
• Significance of Immanuel

Mary the Highly Favored One

• Although she has no position, she is the “favored one”
• She responds with bold faith, surrender, and humble obedience

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper into the life of Mary in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize Mary’s words in Luke 1:38 and/or 1:46-55
• Consider reading about Mary in all of the New Testament accounts of her:
  • Matthew 1:16, 18-25; 2:9-12, 13-23; 12:46-50; 13:55
  • Mark 3:31-35; 6:1-3
  • Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-52; 8:19-21; 11:27-28
  • John 2:1-12; 6:41-42; 19:25-27
  • Acts 1:12-14
• If you want to dig deeper into the life of Mary, consider reading St. John Chrysostom’s Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, accessible online here
• Consider watching the Bible Project’s video on the first two chapters of Luke here