Sunday Bulletin December 7 2025

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Sunday Bulletin November 23 2025

Sunday Bulletin November 16, 2025

Craig A. Brittingham
Hillside Baptist Church
December 7, 2025

“Mary Believed God” – Luke 1:34-45

1A. Mary believed God’s promise of a son while Zachariah failed to believe a similar promise (vv. 34-38, cf. vv. 18-20).
1b. Mary was a virgin and so asked, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
1c. The promise was against everything she knew about reproduction.
2c. Mary’s question did not signal unbelief, for her faith was demonstrated in her submission to God’s will as revealed in the promise (vv. 31, 38).
3c. Gabriel informed Mary as to how it could be that a virgin would conceive (vs. 35).
2b. Zachariah did not believe the promise God gave him.
1c. He had even prayed for a son!
2c. He seemed to ask for a sign, “How shall I know this?”
3c. It seems God gave him a sign which was also a rebuke for his unbelief.
4c. God had acted numerous times in the past to grant barren women children!
3b. It seems that God granted Mary a sign though unlike Zachariah, she did not ask for one (vv. 36-37).

2A. With haste, in response to Gabriel’s announcement of Elizabeth’s pregnancy Mary went to see her (vv. 39-45).
1b. Gabriel’s announcement of Elizabeth’s conception was meant to strengthen Mary’s faith in the God with whom nothing is impossible.
2b. There is no indication that Elizabeth knew of Mary’s conception until she visited her.
1c. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby, John the Baptist, leaped in her womb!
2c. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke of the blessedness of Mary and the fruit of her womb.
3c. She then identified Mary as the mother of her Lord!
3d. Elizabeth also pronounced this beatitude upon Mary, “Blessed is she who believed! (vs. 45, cf. vs. 20)

Questions…
1. Was Mary’s response to the angel’s announcement, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” an indication of unbelief? Please explain your answer.
2. What is the significance of the virgin conception and birth of Jesus?
3. Did Zachariah believe the similar promise which was given to him? Please explain your answer.
4. What was the difference between Mary’s question and Zachariah’s question in response to the birth announcements?
5. Was Zachariah asking for a sign? Can asking for a sign signal unbelief?
6. What sign did God give him?