A Touch of Christmas, P3
Touching God through Praise
Luke 1: 46-55
INTRODUCTION
Series Summary: even at a time that is as stress filled as Christmas,
• God wants to touch others THROUGH YOU, with His love and grace
• God has a Fresh Touch FOR YOU
• You can TOUCH GOD with your WORSHIP.
Prayer
Lowell Ogden tells the story of a little boy who lived out in the country around the turn of the century. He had never seen a traveling circus, and one was coming to his town on Saturday. The lad asked his father for permission to go and his dad said that he could, providing his chores were done early. Saturday morning came. Chores finished, the little boy asked his father for some money so he could go to the circus. His dad reached down in his overalls and pulled out a dollar bill, the most money the boy had ever seen at one time. Off the little wide-eyed fellow went. As he approached the town, he saw people lining the streets. Peering through the line at one point, he got his first glimpse of the parade. There were animals in cages and marching bands. Finally, a clown was seen bringing up the rear of the parade. The little boy was so excited that when the clown passed, he reached in his pocket and handed him the precious dollar bill. Thinking he had seen the circus when he had only seen the parade, the little boy turned around and went home. The observation is made as to how sad it is that some people come to church like this little boy who went to the circus? They may come with the intent to worship God, but all they see is the parade – the parade of hymn singing, prayers, communion and preaching. They peer through their pews at all the activity and then turn to go home at 12:00 noon; thinking they have been to God’s house, but yet they missed the main event – a personal encounter with Jesus Christ (Autoillustrator.com, "WORSHIP")
Christmas and music go hand in hand. Along with the presents, food family celebrations and church services, you cannot get away from the music.
I Googled “Christmas Songs” and came up with 80,300,000 sites. That’s a lot of music just for one season of the year.
I am sure that we all have our favorite Christmas songs. But if we only sing these songs at certain points of the church calendar, then we miss the point.
Christmas is not only making music, but it is giving worship. Worship is not just singing songs, it is having a personal encounter with the Lord
How many of you have ever had a surprise that knocked you off your feet? Last week, we learned how Zechariah was shocked by an angelic visitor.
During a once in a lifetime opportunity to serve in the temple, he has a once in a lifetime type of encounter. As he pours the incense over the hot coals, and the cloudy haze rises, he finds an unexpected visitor.
Surprise! It’s Gabriel!
While Zechariah is serving the Lord in the temple, he actually hears from Him.
And though that sounds like something that should be natural for a pastor, when it actually happens, he is shocked.
But he is not the only one to be surprised. His wife would also be shocked with the news Gabriel told him. For they were about to have a baby.
ILLUSTRATION: Slobodan and Lilliana expecting fifth child…4 have all grown and left for university
Elizabeth had to be a bit flabbergasted at the thought of being pregnant at her age.
Yes, she was finally going to have a son. Now, this was a bit on the weird side, because it wasn’t normal to have children at her age. But she is not the only one to be surprised.
She had a cousin, Mary, who also was getting some pretty shocking news.
Mary also received an angelic visitor with incredible news.
Mary is also visited by Gabriel who tells her that she is highly favored. And, as a result, she is going to have a son who is to be named, Jesus.
This son is going to possess the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will be an eternal kingdom.
Now that does sound like good news. She is going to become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit.
But here is the rub – she is engaged to be married to Joseph. She hasn’t been fooling around with him or anyone else. So, if she is going to be pregnant, this is not going to look too good.
How would you react to such news?
“Lord, this is rather inconvenient at this time.”
“We have no insurance.”
“As you know, Lord, Joseph and I are not fully married yet, and he is not going to be real happy about this.”
“Lord, the community is not likely to see this as a positive thing…they will probably be lining up the stones.”
“Lord, can I get a second opinion?
But Mary’s response is much different. She doesn’t ignore the Angels announcement, nor does she respond with fear and worry.
MARY RESPONDS WITH WORSHIP. Let’s read together from Luke’s Gospel Chapter 1…
Read 1 v. 46-56.
I want us to look at the song of Mary this morning, for there are important truths for us to understand here.
Mary’s song has been called The Magnificat from the opening word in the Latin translation, and it is full of quotes from the Old Testament.
Do you remember the story of Samuel and his mother Hannah? Hannah had no children and was abused by other women because of it and she prayed earnestly that the Lord would give her a son. And he did. Well in 1 Samuel 2 Hannah sings a song of praise which is very similar to Mary’s song:
READ 1 SAMUEL 2
Did you hear the parallel expressions and ideas? For example:
Hannah (1 Samuel 2) Mary (Luke 1)
v.1 "My heart rejoices in the LORD; … for I delight in your deliverance. v.46f "My soul glorifies the Lord 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
v.2 There is no one holy [b] like the LORD; v.49 Holy is His name.
v.4 The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. v.52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble..
v.5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. v.53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
The parallels are not word for word. What it reveals is that Mary was steeped in the WORD OF GOD. It was not expected that women, especially young teenage girls should take time to study God’s word. However, Mary gave herself to the word of God. Mary is so steeped in Scripture that when she breaks out in praise the words that come naturally to her lips are the words of Scripture.
What does this mean for us today? I believe there is a biblical formula for experiencing an encounter with God.
The Word of God + Worship = an encounter with the Lord.
There are two extreme views that are prevalent within the Body of Christ which you need to caution yourself against.
One extreme view says, “Just give me the Word pastor.” These are people who would say, “I don’t feel I need to concern myself with expressing my worship. I am quiet and prefer contemplating my praise. …I prefer to worship in a DIGNIFIED manner.”
Let me ask you, are you DIGNIFIED or are you PETRIFIED?”
I know that many of you have memorized scripture, you have a love for the Word, and you honor the word. You take notes when the pastor preaches. However, that is only half of the equation.
Then there are those on the other extreme, who say, “Let’s not get concerned about the Preaching, let’s get into the Spirit.”
For many believers, Worship is all about the experience. It is the songs that are sung and how they draw you into the Lord’s presence.
That is great and I want that as well. Every time we gather ought to be a time where we together experience being in God’s presence.
However, that is only half the equation.
A full worship experience brings both the Word of God and praise together. They are not exclusive to one another.
You need both. To worship without the word leads to a shallow experience that will not secure you when the storms of life come.
To have the Word at the exclusion of expressing your worship will give you knowledge, but will not produce the kind of joy filled life that Jesus promised His followers.
Mary sets for us the example of how the Word [plus Worship results in alife changing encounter with God
Let’s look briefly at what she says in her praise to God.
In worship I,
1. REFOCUS MY PERSPECTIVE:
The first thing that Mary sang was: My soul glorifies ( magnifies ) the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Mary begins on a note of JOY. It is a joy that comes from the Holy Spirit and by what God is doing in her life.
Throughout this song of Praise God is the object of worship. ( He, His, He has done great things…) Worship always directs our attention on the Lord. That make sound simplistic, but it is an important reminder.
I have to wonder in our worship services, we spend so much time on perfecting the presentation, that our worship is no more than a performance, drawing our attention to the musicians rather than to the Lord.
But Mary’s praise is to God, and rightly so. God is worthy of praise, and the Holy Spirit prompts the praise of God.
So, worship refocuses my perspective of who I worship,and in addition I refocus on who I am.
Mary was probably between 13 and 15 years of age when Gabriel first appeared and announced that she would become the mother of the Messiah. Every women in Isreal had dreamed that she would be the one. Ever daughters’ mother prayed that her child might have this privilege.
Let’s be honest, given her age, social status, and her cultural background ( she was from nazereth, can anything good come from Nazereth?), the odds were that it would be a pipe dream. Why would God chose her. But God’s ways are not are ways. He constantly does the opposite of the world in order to counfound the world, and bring glory to God.
Mary knows her position before God. IN Verse 48, Mary recognizes her humble state and as God’s servent.
We are all agreed that Mary was a special person. Even the Angel aid that she was highly favored. While I do not wish to take away from the significance of her role in the Christmas drama, the fact remains even Mary recognized SHE NEEDED A SAVIOR.
Mary needed a savior like the rest of us. She did not say, “My spirit rejoices in God the Savior;” she said, “God, my Savior.” Sinless people do not need a savior. And in spite of the fact she was just like the rest of us, God not only became her savior, but declares that this gift and opportunity is extended to every generation!
THAT MEANS YOU AND ME TODAY CAN experience the joy of salvation when we receive Christ into our lives
Inspiried by the Holy Spirit, Mary continues to speak about God’s mighty works. Notice how in verses 51-55, she uses the past tense to speak of God’s deeds. She looks prophetically forward to what God WILL DO.
Mary is so certain of the things God will do that she speaks of them as though they were already accomplished.
The kind of power manifested by the sttegnth of His arm, He will now show through the brth of His Son. NO STREGNTH CAN MATCH HIS STRENGTH.
Psalm 89:13 makes this powerful declaration, Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
Here is the point: When you have a worship experience, you will experience a change of perspective. You will see yourself through a different set of eyes.
When I worship, I see myself through God’s eyes. As I behold the majesty, greatness and holiness of Almighty God, then I see how much I need God and how much He loves me, and is willing and able to save me.
There is nothing that God cannot do in and through My life.
This brings us to the second thing that worship does.
2. WORSHIP REALIGNS MY PRIORITIES
At the beginning of his gospel, Luke addresses this account of Jesus’ life to a man named Theopholis. He was a member of the Roman government. Rome was the supreme power of Jesus day. IN fact, so powerful, that Rome considered itself the center of the universe. No one could match wits with her. It was a government consumed by pride and arrogance. The belief was that everyone owed its life and livelihood to the Roman government.
Listen to what Mary says about the powers of this world as she sings about the Majesty of God;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
So many misunderstand Christmas because they misunderstand what God did when He sent His Son to earth. Jesus was not born to make us nicer people, or to somehow help us learn how to play nice with one another. He came to usher in God’s kingdom in a fallen world. He came to turn everything on its head, and show us reality is not defined by human reasoning, but by God’s standards- which are very different from our own. Mary recognizes this revolutionary way of thinking in these verses.
He has shown strength with His arm= He has bared His arm. The image is God baring His muscle to use His power. What is He doing?
Putting down the proud and lifting up the humble. Those who sit on thrones of pride God pulls down and lays low. Those who humble themselves, He lifts up. No matter how high the proud sit, they are headed for a tumble; no matter how low the humble stoop, they are destined for higher ground. God turns the world of the proud and the humble upside down.
Starving the rich, and satisfying the hungry. Mary’s words remind me of Jesus’ words in Lk 6:21, 25 21Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled…25Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger… Those who are hungry God satisfies. Those who eat high off the hog God sends away hungry. God turns the world of the full and the hungry upside down.
The images here in Mary’s song of praise celebrate God’s power to change the status quo. People like to think that selfishness and pride are what it takes to get to the top; but God says that is just a detour to the bottom. The real way to climb higher is to humble yourself before God. People like to think that the self- satisfied and self-sufficient are those who have it made in life; but God says it is those who hunger and thirst for righteousness that will find real satisfaction in life. The world says the happiest people are those who serve and satisfy themselves, but God says these are the real failures. The truly successful people in life are those who are humble and hungry enough to be used by God. Mary celebrates the fact that God’s power can put this upside down world right-side up again.
It is strange to think that the road to joy is open only if you are humble and hungry, but that’s what Mary is telling us. Only when you step off the throne and fall at the feet of Jesus will you ever find true joy.
Only when you are starving for the Bread of Life and the Water of Life will your soul truly find satisfaction. Are you bowed at the feet of Jesus this morning? Are you hungry and thirsty to know Him more?
This brings us to the final lesson of worship. When we worship,
3. WE REAFFIRM GOD’S PROMISE
The third thing she said in her song was: He has helped his servant Israel. In the song, she said God had: “helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers” (Luke 1:54-55).
Christmas is the fulfillment of God’s promises made over 1900 years earlier to an old man named Abraham. Wrapped up in His Word to the father of the faithful was this pledge:
Ge 12:3 …in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
For almost 2000 years Israel would hold on to God’s promise through their stormy history. They would go into slavery, be liberated from bondage, only to rebel against God and almost be destroyed. He would forgive them, and give them a king, but then their unfaithfulness would lead them into exile. Some would hold on to God’s promise made by the prophets of a Messiah, a Savior and King Who would be born to finally fulfill Gods promise made to Abraham. Some would wonder if God has forgotten His promise. But Mary sings about God’s …remembrance of His mercy.. To Abraham and to his seed forever. (v. 54, 55)
Mary believes in the God Who keeps His promises. Her song proclaims God will not forget His mercy. God will not forget His people. God will not forget His promise. My Son will be proof that God always keeps His promises.
What a marvelous thing a promise is! When a person makes a promise, she reaches out into an unpredictable future and makes one thing predictable: she will be there even when being there costs her more than she wants to pay. When a person makes a promise, he stretches himself out into circumstances that no one can control and controls at least one thing: he will be there no matter what the circumstances turn out to be. With one simple word of promise, a person creates an island of certainty in a sea of uncertainty.
That’s what a promise is supposed to be. But too often, people don’t keep their promises and you end up wondering if anybody ever keeps them. Mary sings out loud and clear for everyone to hear: God always keeps His promises
Because of what God has done, we worship him for his forgiveness, his victory over the world and his covenant with us. The Bible says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Our response should be patterned after Mary’s: “Lord, here is my life. I will do whatever you want me to do. I will go wherever you want me to go. Make me your servant.”
CONCLUSION ILL Notebook: Love (sunshine) From Woman’s Day Magazine
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-oId son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy’s tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.
In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes. Every three...every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor.
Finally, after a long struggle, Michael’s little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.
Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. "I want to sing to her," he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in intensive care.
Karen made up her mind, though. She would take Michael whether they liked it or not! If he didn’t see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket.
But the head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed.” The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse’s face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!"
Karen towed Michael to his sister’s bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray…”
Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes.
"You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don’t take my sunshine away…" As Michael sang to his sister, the baby’s ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten’s purr.
Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don’t, take my sunshine away..."
The next day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home! Woman’s Day Magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother’s Song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God’s love!
The miracle of God’s love continues…
Jesus came as God’s love song to you.
For Christmas is God saying, “You matter to me.”
Maybe this is a surprise to you, but Jesus came to tell you that you are His sunshine.
When you discover this, you will discover the true spirit of Christmas.
For… The true spirit of Christmas is worship.
SOURCES:
The New International Version, 1978
Eugene Peterson, THE MESSAGE
Full Life Bible Commentary on the New Testament
Sermon, A Song Worth Singing, Paul Decker sermoncentral.com
Sermon Mary’s Song, Rodney Buchanan Sermoncemtral.com
