Praise Chapel Of Anaheim
“A Model To Follow”
A MOTHER’S DAY SERMON
Pastor Albert Garcia
Sunday, May 10, 2009

TEXT: Luke 1:26-38

INTRODUCTION: Today I want to use the life story of Mary the mother of Jesus as a model for all to follow.

Ø My sermon is entitled: “A model to follow”

Ø We will look at two areas in the life of Mary.

o The ordinariness of Mary.

o The model to follow.

I. THE ORDINARINESS OF MARY.

a. Although some have made Mary superhuman, she was an ordinary woman was an ordinary woman.

b. She was not an infallible superwoman. (She was just like you and I)

c. She had real problems being the mother of Jesus.

d. She made mistakes just like you and I.

1. At the wedding of Canaan Jesus had to correct her because she did not understanding God’s plan and timing.

a. John 2:3-4 “When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”⁴“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied, “My time has not yet come.”

2. There was a time when she and her family thought Jesus was crazy.

a. Mark 3 (Don’t Read!)

e. Even though Mary was an ordinary woman, she lived her life in an extraordinary way.

1. She was a model to follow.

II. THE MODEL TO FOLLOW.

a. She lived a life of holiness.

1. Kept herself morally pure. (Not because she was extraordinary but because she made a choice!)

2. She kept herself a virgin.

a. Luke 1:34

Application: She sets an example for every woman & man to follow.

1 Corinthians 6:13 “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

b. She was submissive to the Lord.

1. She chose to obey God’s messenger. (And not rebel)

a. Luke 1:38

Application: Today many come to church faithfully but rebel against God’s messenger. (Their pastor)

Romans 13:1-2 “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

c. She was a worshiper.

1. Luke 1:46-47

Application: Today many come to church but do not worship.

NOTE: God saved us in order that we would praise Him!

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

d. She was humble in spirit.

1. She consciously chose the path of humility rather than the path of pride.

a. Luke 1:48

b. Luke 1:52

James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

e. She was a student of God’s Word.

1. She understood the Holy Scriptures.

2. She understood the promises of God.

3. She understood the religious history of Israel.

a. Luke 1:54-55

NOTE: The only way she could have known this was by faithfully attending the synagogue and listening to the Rabbis speak and or learning it from her parents. (NO ONE HAD BIBLES!)

John 119:16 “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

f. She was a responsible mother who deeply cared for the spiritual and the physical well being of her son.

1. She took Jesus to the house of God and dedicated Him to the Lord at an early age.

a. Luke 2:22

Application: Every parent ought to faithfully take their children to church.

2. She frantically searched for Him three days when He stood behind on their visit to Jerusalem.

a. Luke 2:41-50

3. She was one of the few at the feet of the cross when all Jesus disciples had scattered in fear.

a. John 19:25

A mother’s secret love outlives them all.

Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894)

Psalm 127:3 “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from

him.

g. She continued to serve God faithfully even after experiencing the tragedy of life. (Losing a son.)

1. Acts 1:14

IN CLOSING: Mary was an ordinary woman who chose to live an extraordinary life for God.

Ø She chose to live a life of holiness.

Ø She chose to be obedient and submissive to the Lord.

Ø She was a worshiper.

Ø She was humble in spirit.

Ø She was a student of God’s word.

Ø She was a responsible mother who deeply cared for the physical and spiritual well being of her son.

Ø She continued to serve God faithfully even after experiencing the tragedy of losing her son.

“Thank you, God,

For pretending not to notice that one of

Your angels is missing and for guiding her to me.

You must have known how much I would need her, so

You turned your head for a minute and allowed her to slip away to me.

Sometimes I wonder what special name you had for her.

I call her “Mother.”

Bernice Maddux