Meaning of Suddenlies

• an unexpected occurrence (Merriam Webster)
• without warning (Dictionary.com)

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38; Matt 1:18-25

I. Mary's Encounter with the Suddenlies of Life

A. A Surprise Visit By Angel Gabriel

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. (Luke 1:26-29)

B. A Shocking Message From Angel Gabriel

³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. ³¹ Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son and shall call His name JESUS. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, ³³ and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:30-33)

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man? (Luke 1:34)

• bewildered but not skeptical

C. A Consoling / Comforting word from Angel Gabriel

³⁵ The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. Therefore, the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.” ³⁶ Listen, your cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. And this is the sixth month with her who was declared barren. ³⁷ For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:35-37)

II. Mary's Response of Faith and Obedience

A. Her Unwavering Faith Led Her To Be Willing

Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

B. Her Resolute Obedience Brought About God’s Vindication

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). ²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵ But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Matt 1:18-25)

Conclusion

Let us remember what the Angel Gabriel said to Mary in her “how can it be moments”:

• You are highly favoured.
• The Lord is with you.
• For with God nothing will be impossible.
• For the word of God will never fail.

Let us remember what Mary said to the Angel in her “how can it be moments”:

• “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according to your word.”
• We are all servants of the Lord, let us know His Word so that we can fulfil His will whilst on earth.