1. These verses teach us that women who fear the Lord deserve to be praised. 2. In our lesson we are concentrating on one particular woman who deserves to be praised -- Mary, the mother of Jesus. a. Mary is not to be worshipped (Matthew 4:10). b. Prayer is not to be offered to Mary (Matthew 6:9). c. Mary deserves to be praised because she feared the Lord. 3. To fully appreciate Mary, we first need to point out that . . . Discussion: I. GOD MADE A SPECIAL PROMISE IN GENESIS 3:15
A. This promise involved "the seed of woman." 1. When God spoke these words He was punishing the serpent for his part in the sin committed by Adam and Eve. 2. God indicated that the woman's seed would be victorious over the serpent. B. This promise was developed throughout the Old Testament. 1. After Cain killed Abel, Eve gave birth to Seth (Genesis 4:25). 2. (Genesis 5) The descendants of Seth are traced to Noah who had 3 sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 3. (Genesis 11) The descendants of Shem are traced to Abraham. 4. (Genesis 12:3) God said that "all families of the earth" would be blessed through Abraham. 5. Abraham had a number of children, but God renewed the promise He had made to Abraham to Isaac (Genesis 26:1-4). 6. Isaac had 2 sons, but God renewed the promise He had made to Abraham and Isaac to Jacob (Genesis 28:10-14). 7. Jacob had 12 sons, but Jacob indicated in Genesis 49:10 that a great lawgiver would come from Judah. 8. (Isaiah 7:14) God's promise would involve the miraculous birth of His Son -- a virgin would be involved. C. When the time was right, God fulfilled His promise (Galatians 4:4-5). D. With this information before us, let us see how . . . II. MARY PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S PROMISE
A. (Luke 1:26-31) God selected Mary to be the mother of His Son. B. Let us make some observations about Mary. 1. (Luke 3) Mary came from the right bloodline -- Judah, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Shem, Noah, Seth, and Adam. 2. Mary was a willing subject in God's service (Luke 1:38). 3. Mary was very wise -- she had selected a godly man who would be a good father to her children. 4. Mary was a virgin. a. She was saving herself for her husband to be. b. We need to appreciate Mary for remaining pure -- if she had not been a virgin she could not have been the mother of Jesus. C. Perhaps the greatest trial for Mary came when Jesus was crucified. 1. Mary was present on that occasion (John 19:25-27). 2. Mary never lost her faith because she was present with the Lord's followers after His resurrection (Acts 1:13-14). Conclusion:
1. Mary deserves to be praised because she feared the Lord. 2. Mary's fear of the Lord led her to be a woman of purity, a woman of wisdom, a woman of faith, a woman of strength, and a woman of dedication. 3. Let us be reminded of "the conclusion of the whole matter" for men and women (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
