HEBRON CHURCH OF CHRIST Don’t Forget: Pew 5:45 Elders/Deacons meeting May 9, 2010

Mary: Mother Of My Lord Mary: bitterness, sorrow —Ruth 1:20; Ex.15:23 I.Her Bitterness II.Her Blessedness

Her Bitterness 1)Her circumstances –She was in poor circumstances Leviticus 12:1-8 –She was in suspicious circumstances Matthew 1:18-24 –She was in an inconvenient circumstances Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:12-15

Her Bitterness 2)Her early experiences –Simeon foretold of her sorrow: Luke 2:34-35 …Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also)… –Her young son foretold of her sorrow: Luke 2:49, 51 …wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?...but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart (vs.19)

Her Bitterness 3)Her later experiences –She dealt with her husband dying Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3 –She dealt with her son leaving John 2:4 …Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine our is not yet come. –She dealt with her son dying John 19:25-27

Her Blessedness 1)Blessedness in opportunity –Opportunity to give birth to the Son of God Luke 1:28 …Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women (Luke 1:42-45; cf. I Peter 1:12) –Opportunity to rear the Son of God Luke 2:51-52 He…was subject unto them... –Opportunity to see the plan of God (Acts 1:14)

Her Blessedness 2)Blessedness in foundation –Mary had faith to deal with her bitterness Luke 1:30-38 …How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?...Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word… –Mary had religion to deal with her bitterness Luke 2:21-24, 39, 41; 4:16

To our mothers: For many, there is bitterness attached to motherhood: –Bitterness of change –Bitterness of growth –Bitterness of sin –Bitterness of loss But please do not lose sight of the blessedness of motherhood: –Blessedness of opportunity –Blessedness of foundation

Consider During the Lord’s Supper: Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.