THE SONG OF MARY
LUKE 1: 39-56
DECEMBER 8, 2002
INTRODUCTION: Singing is what the Holidays are all about. The Choir is hard at work as well as our children’s ministries preparing a cantata and play. But why do we sing? Why do we celebrate freely in this month of December? I have been listening to a radio station 98.9 FM. All they play is Christmas Music. And do you know what most Christmas music is all about? It is about Jesus – The Savior of the World!! Yes we sing of a baby but we also sing of the salvation of the World. We sing of God’s intervention in the scheme of the human reality. We sing of those who no longer have to walk in darkness but have seen a great light! But more than just context of the singing, WE SING!! Yes, We sin in Celebration and Celebrate we do!!
TRANSITION THOUGTH: Our Text for today speaks of the reality of uncontrolled singing. Mary sings and rejoices in song and teaches us much about our God and just how He breaks in on our reality! The call is to sing! Yes to sing with Mary, TO SING, To Celebrate, and to worship. It is a call to be other minded than to focus on our circumstances in which we find ourselves. It is a call to see a new reality breaking forth before our eyes and to sing, a song of celebration.
THESIS: Mary calls us to sing HER SONG!
SO what is Mary’s Song??
I. MARY’S SONG IS A SONG OF PRAISE (VV. 46-49)
A. A song of praise moves out of the negatives
1. Mary have been told she will bear a child and this will come about by the Holy Spirit (vv. 26-35)
2. And engaged women to be found pregnant without yet being married! 3. A 14-16 year old pregnant without a husband in a culture—very much unlike our own – who would be utterly appalled at such a reality!
4. How on earth could you explain this to Mom and your Fiancée?
5. Vs. 38 – “I am the Lord’s servant… May it be to me as you have said.”
B. A song of Praise focuses on the positive (vv. 46-49)
1. Vs. 46, “My soul glorifies the Lord.”
2. Let the singing begin!
3. I don’t have to defend God!
4. I don’t have to explain it all!
5. I don’t have to understand it all!
6. I just can’t help myself, I’ve got to sing and PRAISE THE LORD!!
7. Vs. 47, “And my spirit Rejoices in God my Savior.”
8. Mary states, “I get it if no one else does!”
9. Vs. 48, “For he has been mindful…”
10. Vs 49 “For the mighty one has done great things for me… Holy is his name.” 11. There is no Scandal!!
12. There is no Shame!!
13. All fear is gone!!
14. Faith makes me sing a song of Praise!
II. MARY’S SONG IS A SONG OF PURPOSE
A. Purpose is God’s Plan/ Activity
1. It’s about something new!
2. It’s about change!
3. It’s about a different reality!
4. It’s about God’s intervention within the reality of humanity.
5. It about believing God so much you call it done!!
6. It’s about all things being Possible VS. 37
ILLUSTRATION: Gen. 18: 1-15
Mary knew God’s word – Scholars say chapters 1 &2 bear out that Mary and Joseph followed the torah – the first 5 books of the Bible. Gen. 18 1-15 tells of a similar story of a child to come within strange circumstances and laughter, even denied laughter.
ILLUSTRATION: I SAM. 2: 1-11 is another situation concerning a child to be born to an unlikely person and the result in celebratory prayer, sounds like singing to me!!
B. Purpose is God’s Grace
1. God’s initiative reveals His favor.
2. Notice verses 28 and 30!
3. This is not about Mary!
4. This is about Our God breaking in!!
5. God takes the initiative: this reveals His love for us!!
C. Purpose is God’s power
1. Power is revealed when the unable become able!
2. Remember Sarah? Hannah? Even Elizabeth was well beyond child bearing. And what of an unmarried virgin!!
3. Power is verse 35: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”
4. Vs. 37 “For nothing is impossible with God.”
God has a purpose and a plan and nothing can hinder it!!
AN ASIDE: What If Mary had said “NO WAY”? Do you believe in free will??
III. MARY’S SONG IS A SONG OF PROMISE
A. PROMISE MEANS IT WILL HAPPEN!
1. The language in our text is Greek of course and it is in the Aorist tense. This means that it speaks of past action that has not ended!
2. Mary’s Faith was so strong, note verse 45, that she considered God’s promise as done! A completed action!
3. God said it; I believe it; that settles it!
B. Promise Means things will be different
1. Role reversal is the key thought here!
2. Vs. 51 – 53 speak strange truth
3. Not only is the Language seemingly backwards, the whole story is strange. 4. Women were of lesser consideration than Men! And yet the Angel came to a woman??
5. God is not bound by cultural norms! He doesn’t answer to “We’ve always done it that way!”
6. God turns the world’s realities upside sown! And institutes a whole new reality.
C. Promise Means Israel is Remembered!
1. Again this is not about Mary! It is about our God and Cause for Singing. 2. Vs. 54 & 55 are reminders of the promised covenant of Gen. 18!
3. God promised Abram in Gen 12: 1-3 He would bless him and verse 54 and 55 continue this truth!
4. What our God starts He can sure enough finish.
5. God doesn’t forget!
6. Also note again the past tense! “He has helped”!
7. Believe it and sing it!
8. “To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
CONCLUSION: It is time to sing! It is time to celebrate. God is to be praised. God has a purpose. God will fulfill his promise. He Already has! Are you singing! Are you rejoicing?? Focus on what God is up to! And you will sing!! Sing Mary’s Song!!
BENEDICTION: COLOSSIANS 3: 15 – 17
