The Promise Fulfilled - Luke 1
Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv
Introduction
Today, we begin our Christmas message series entitled: The Arrival: Jesus Enters Our World.
For centuries, Israel had lived in anticipation of the Messiah’s arrival. But after the last words of the prophet Malachi, a profound silence fell on the nation. No prophetic voice, no new revelation, no sign from God for over 300 years. The silence weighed heavily on the hearts of God’s people as they waited.
To make matters worse, Israel was under Roman occupation. The people lived as subjects in their own land, yearning for freedom and a renewed relationship with God. Despite the silence and oppression, the Jewish people turned to the promises of a coming Redeemer.
First, the prophet Isaiah had spoken of a miraculous sign that would mark the Messiah’s arrival:
Isaiah 7:14 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
The Messiah would not come through natural means, but through the power of God. He would be born of a virgin, emphasizing that the child would be no ordinary human, but God with us.
Second, the Messiah was foretold to come from the royal line of David, a promise that carried immense weight for Israel:
Jeremiah 23:5 (ESV): “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”
The promise reminded the people that God’s covenant with David had not been forgotten. The Messiah would not only restore the throne but reign as a righteous King. He would bring justice, peace, and the salvation they longed for.
Finally, the prophet Micah pinpointed the Messiah’s birthplace with stunning precision:
Micah 5:2 (ESV): "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."
The prophecy assured Israel that even in a small, seemingly insignificant town like Bethlehem, God’s grand plan would unfold. The Messiah would come as a humble yet eternal ruler. He would fulfill God’s promise to save His people.
For generations, these promises sustained the faith of Israel through silence and suffering. They believed that God would remain faithful to His word. But they had no idea how or when these promises would be fulfilled.
Then, in the fullness of time, God broke the silence. Our message today is entitled: “The Promise Fulfilled.”
This morning, we’re going to enter the story of God fulfilling these ancient prophecies through Mary. It’s a story that shatters the silence, brings light to the darkness, and reminds us that God’s promises are always trustworthy.
The question is: Will we respond to God’s faithfulness with the same faith and obedience that Mary displayed?
Trust That God Keeps His Promises
Luke 1:26 (ESV): "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,"
God’s faithfulness is evident in how He chooses unlikely people and places to accomplish His plans. Nazareth was a small, obscure town that God visited to initiate His plan of redemption. God’s plans and the fulfillment of His promises are not limited by human expectations of importance. God works through unexpected places.
Luke 1:27 (ESV): "To a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary."
Mary and Joseph’s connection to David’s lineage fulfills God’s promise of an eternal kingdom through David, prophesied by Jeremiah. We see God’s faithfulness over generations of time. Mary, the chosen one to bear Jesus, was a virgin, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah of a virgin who would conceive. No matter how difficult it may seem for God to fulfill His promises, we must believe that for God all things are possible. God always fulfills His covenant promises.
Application
Mary had no idea how God was going to use her to bring about the arrival of the Messiah. In the same way, God is working in unexpected areas of our lives. Ask God to show you how He is working in your life and give Him thanks.
Has God given you promises, either through His Word or a prophetic word? Trust in God’s faithfulness to keep His promises, even when His timing feels delayed. Trust that God keeps His promises.
Trust That God’s Power Overcomes the Impossible
Luke 1:28–29 (ESV): "And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!' But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be."
God’s unmatched power is shown by how He brings salvation and establishes His eternal kingdom through the most unlikely of people. Mary’s favor with God was not earned but given by God’s grace. God had chosen Mary to show how His power could use the humble for His purposes. At this point, Mary really had no idea what was going on and was troubled. God’s power brings favor to the humble.
Luke 1:30 (ESV): "And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.'"
Gabriel’s words reassured Mary and confirmed that God’s favor was on her. God’s power removes fear when we trust in Him. Then the angel tells Mary how she was going to participate in God’s plan:
Luke 1:31–33 (ESV): "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
Even though a virgin, Mary was going to conceive and give birth to a son. Her son was to be named Jesus and would be the Son of God. Her son would sit on David’s throne and rule over an eternal kingdom forever. Her son Jesus would be the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus’ birth fulfills God’s promise of salvation and His eternal kingdom. God’s power established a reign that will never fail. We must trust that God’s power overcomes the impossible in our lives as well.
Application
What areas in your life do you have uncertainty about or fear of the future? Bring those fears to God, trusting in His power to bring peace and reassurance. God’s power makes a way for His plan for your life, even when it seems impossible. Look back on your life and reflect on how God’s grace, not your merit, has worked in your life. Let’s give God thanks for what He has done in our lives and what He will do in the future. Share these truths with someone who needs encouragement. Share your story of how God has been there with you through every season. Trust that God’s power overcomes the impossible.
God Invites Us to Respond with Faith and Obedience
Luke 1:34 (ESV): "And Mary said to the angel, 'How will this be, since I am a virgin?'"
Mary’s response to the angel teaches us to trust God, even when His plans seem beyond understanding. Faith asks honest questions. It’s OK to ask God questions. Mary’s question shows that faith seeks understanding without rejecting God’s plan. Even amid uncertainty, we must trust God.
Luke 1:35 (ESV): "And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.'"
The angel answers Mary’s question and gives her deeper insight into God’s plan. Gabriel reassures Mary that the fulfillment of God’s plan depends on His power, not on human effort. Faith relies on God’s power.
Luke 1:36–37 (ESV): "And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God."
Gabriel tells Mary about Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy as proof of God’s ability to do the impossible. God is building Mary’s faith each step of the way. Faith is strengthened by evidence of God’s work.
Luke 1:38 (ESV): "And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her."
Faith surrenders fully to God’s plan even when it is not fully understood. Mary’s response shows her complete surrender to God’s will, trusting Him even when the path is unclear.
Application
Consider areas in your life where you’ve been hesitant to obey God. Pray for the courage to take the first or next step of faith this week. Remember stories of God’s work in others to strengthen your faith in what He is doing in your life. Give thanks for God’s past guidance in your life to build your faith for the future. God invites us to respond to His plan with faith and obedience.
Conclusion
As we consider the story of Mary and the fulfillment of God’s promises, we’re reminded of how faithfully God works in His perfect timing. The centuries of silence that Israel endured were preparation for the unfolding of God’s plan. In the same way, the delays and uncertainties we face in life are not evidence of God’s absence. They are part of His careful, intentional plan unfolding in ways we often cannot see.
The message of Mary’s encounter with Gabriel challenges us to trust God in three profound ways. First, it calls us to believe that God is faithful to His promises, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. The same God who sent the Messiah to a waiting world is at work in our lives. He will fulfill every promise to guide, protect, and provide for us.
Second, Mary’s story encourages us to trust God in the midst of the impossible. What situations in your life feel beyond hope? The God who brought life into the womb of a virgin is the same God who can bring healing, restoration, and renewal into your most difficult circumstances. Your limits are not God’s limits.
Finally, we’re invited to respond to God with the kind of faith and obedience Mary displayed. Mary did not have all the answers, but she said yes to God’s plan. What is God asking of you today? Is there a step of faith He’s calling you to take or an act of surrender that you’ve been avoiding? Like Mary, we don’t need to understand everything, we just need to trust the One who does.
As we leave today, let the story of the promise fulfilled in Jesus remind you of God’s unfailing love and perfect plan. In this Christmas season, may you find hope in the certainty that God is at work. He is keeping His promises, breaking through impossibilities, and inviting you to say yes to His will. He is not finished with you. The same God who fulfilled His promise to Mary is working in your story, right here and now. Trust Him, follow Him, and let your life become a testimony to His glory.
