1. “Encounter With the Risen Christ” John 20:11-23 “A Precious Gift”

2. I. The Challenges Mary Experienced

3. 1.The challenge of a tarnished reputation

4. I. The Challenges Mary Experienced 1.The challenge of a tarnished reputation 2.The challenge of poverty

5. I. The Challenges Mary Experienced 1.The challenge of a tarnished reputation 2.The challenge of poverty 3.The challenge of people’s hatred of her Son

6. I. The Challenges Mary Experienced 3.The challenge of people’s hatred of her Son “…an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him’” Matthew 2:13

7. I. The Challenges Mary Experienced 3.The challenge of people’s hatred of her Son “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3

8. I. The Challenges Mary Experienced 3.The challenge of people’s hatred of her Son “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44

9. I. The Challenges Mary Experienced 4.The challenge of being a single mom

10. II. The Resources Mary Employed

11. 1.A solid foundation

12. II. The Resources Mary Employed 1.A solid foundation “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.”

13. II. The Resources Mary Employed 1.A solid foundation “And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.”

14. II. The Resources Mary Employed 1.A solid foundation “He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” Luke 1:46-55

15. II. The Resources Mary Employed 2.A strong commitment to doing God’s will

16. II. The Resources Mary Employed 2.A strong commitment to doing God’s will “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35

17. II. The Resources Mary Employed 2.A strong commitment to doing God’s will “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

18. II. The Resources Mary Employed 3.An obedient child

19. II. The Resources Mary Employed 3.An obedient child “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

20. II. The Resources Mary Employed 4.A supportive husband

21. II. The Resources Mary Employed 4.A supportive husband “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,” Matthew 1:24

22. II. The Resources Mary Employed 4.A supportive husband “…behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,” Matthew 2:13-14

23. II. The Resources Mary Employed 5.A close friend who encouraged her

24. II. The Resources Mary Employed 5.A close friend who encouraged her “Then she (Elizabeth) spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Luke 1:42

25. II. The Resources Mary Employed 5.A close friend who encouraged her “Exhort (encourage) one another daily, while it is called ‘Today’, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13