Worship Preparation - October 26, 2025
Read the sermon text: Luke 1:26-38
Read the sermon summary: In the birth announcement of Jesus to Mary, we see many similarities with the birth announcement of John to Zechariah. The same angel, Gabriel appears. Both parents are "troubled." Both are encouraged not to fear. Both are given an announcement of a son. Both receive a name for their son. Both sons will be "great." Both are associated with the Holy Spirit and will have a future role in God's saving purposes. Both parents ask how it could happen, knowing pregnancy is humanly impossible. And in both cases, Gabriel gives an additional sign. Amidst all these similarities there are significant differences which emphasize the surpassing importance of Jesus over John. The author wants us to see from the very beginning that Jesus is of divine origin and the fulfillment of God's ancient promises to his people. In preparation for the sermon consider the following questions: What differences between the birth announcements do you see? How does the author connect the births of John and Jesus to the story and promises of the Old Testament? What is the difference between the responses of Mary and Zechariah to the angel's announcements?
Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon:
His Glory And My Good
Verse 1
I have seen my Father’s glory
Revealed in Jesus Christ
And the more that I behold Him
The more He satisfies
When I gaze upon His beauty
When I see Him as I should
Then my eyes are lifted upward
For His glory and my good
Verse 2
There is hope in every trial
For I can trust the Lord
He will turn my heart towards Him
And help me bear the thorn
So in faith I follow Jesus
On the road not understood
For I know that He is working
For His glory and my good
Chorus 1
To our God be the glory
To our God be praise
He alone the name above all names
I will boast ever only in the Lord my God
For I know His glory is my good
Verse 3
See the open arms of Jesus
Upon the cross that day
What they understood as weakness
Deserves my every praise
For the charge that was against me
It was nailed into the wood
Yes I know that He has saved me
For His glory and my good
Verse 4
Would I gladly be made nothing
That Christ would be made more
Would I seek the only kingdom
That far outweighs them all
I will stand before my Father
Where the faithful saints have stood
And with joy my heart shall praise Him
For His glory and my good
Chorus 2
To our God be the glory
To our God be praise
He alone the name above all names
I will boast ever only in the Lord my God
For I know His glory is my good
For I know His glory is my good
CCLI Song #7235691
Ben Fielding | Jonny Robinson | Rich Thompson
© 2024 Ben Fielding Publishing; CityAlight Music
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #11078052