WHAT YOKEFELLOWs SHARE—II—Luke 1:39-56
Attention:
Old man Woodruff loved golf, but his age was making it increasingly difficult for him to play. He complained to the clubhouse man about his eyesight.
"I can't play with my glasses on because they keep falling off," he said. "And I'm too darn nearsighted to play without them."
"Why don't you play with Hughes?" the clubhouse man suggested.
"Him?" Woodruff scoffed. "He's ninety-eight if he's a day, and he can't get around without a wheelchair!"
"True," said the clubhouse man, "but he's farsighted."
So the next day, Woodruff and Hughes played together. Woodruff took a tremendous swing and hit the ball well. "Boy, that felt good!" he exclaimed. "Did you see it?" he asked Hughes.
"Yes," the very old man replied.
"Where did it go?"
"I can't remember," Hughes sighed.
Woodruff & Hughes did NOT make very good yokefellows but they shared their the work with each other!
Need:
The Holy Spirit confirmed Elizabeth & Mary as yokefellows(partners) in God’s service.
The Holy Spirit confirms yokefellows(partners) in His service.
What do yokefellows in God’s service share?
Yokefellows in God’s service share...
Previously we discovered that...
Yokefellows in God’s service share...
1. EXCITEMENT(:39-40)
2. BLESSING(:41-45)
3—Yokefellows in God’s service share...
POWER(:46-55)
Explanation:(:46-55)
a. Regards the LOWLY(:46-49)
:46—“And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,”
Mary responded to Elizabeth’s proclamations in what is called the magnificat(from Latin for ‘exalt/magnify’).
Mary responded to Elizabeth’s praises by saying what follows thru verse 55.
What made Mary blessed of God was the fact that her soul “magnifies”/exalts the Lord. In the very depth & essence of her being( “soul”), Mary makes/grants/allows the Lord to reign & gives Him glory rather than herself.
“Soul”—quch—1) breath—1a) The breath of life—1a1) The vital force which animates the body & shows itself in breathing—1a1a) Of animals, 1a1b) Of men, 1b) Life, 1c) That in which there is life—1c1) A living being, a living soul; 2) The soul—2a) The seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.), 2b) The (human) soul in so far as it is constituted that by the right use of the aids offered it by God it can attain its highest end & secure eternal blessedness, the soul regarded as a moral being designed for everlasting life, 2c) The soul as an essence which differs from the body (distinguished from other parts of the body)Strong—Breath, i.e. (by implication) Spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only).
“Magnifies”—megalunw—1) To make great, magnify—1a) metaph. to make conspicuous; 2) To deem or declare great—2a) To esteem highly, to extol, laud, celebrate; 3) To get glory & praise. Strong—To make (or declare) Great,i.e. Increase or (figuratively) Extol:-- Enlarge, magnify, shew great.
“Lord”(See :43)—kuriov—1) He to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord. Applicable to the various ranks & relations of life & not suggestive of either property or of absolutism. Strong—Supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) Controller; by implication, Mr. (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
:47—“And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
Mary’s human spirit had rejoiced in her God,the one true God of Israel. This God Mary recognizes as her Savior. ?Does her statement of salvation being lodged in God reveal a need for personal salvation from the penalty of sin or a salvation from the oppression of her nation by other nations or fully both concepts?
She “has rejoiced” in that same God whom she exalts/magnifies. She had rejoiced at a particular time in the past which continues to carry its effects into her/the present (aorist—past).
“Spirit”—pneuma—Strong—A current of air, i.e. Breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, A spirit, i.e. (human) The rational soul, (by implication) Vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) An angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:-- Ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. “One need not press unduly the difference between "soul" (quch) in verse 46 & "spirit" here. Bruce calls them synonyms in parallel clauses. Vincent argues that the soul is the principle of individuality while the spirit is the point of contact between God & man. It is doubtful, however, if the trichotomous theory of man (body, soul, & spirit) is to be insisted on. It is certain that we have an inner spiritual nature”—RWP
“Rejoiced”—agalliaw—1) To exult, rejoice exceedingly, be exceeding glad. Strong—from agan (much) & allomai; properly, To jump for joy, i.e. Exult:-- Be (exceeding) glad, with exceeding joy, rejoice (greatly).
“God”—yeov—Strong—A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, A magistrate; by Hebraism, Very:-- X exceeding, God, god[-ly, -ward].
“Savior”—swthr—N. m.—1) Savior, deliverer, preserver. Strong—From —swzw—V.—to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):-- heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
:48—“For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.”
“For”—Mary exalts this God because some action on God’s part has brought her to this conclusion.
Mary exalts God because...
He has shown regard for Mary who is His willing slave. God shows special regard to those who accept His will & offer themselves for His use. We must come to God in humility if we are to receive special regard from Him. We must recognize God as more than capable in all matters, including destruction/judgment.
Mary recognized that from this point in history all those who follow in the future will recognize Mary as having been the recipient of God’s special favor in bearing the Messiah of his people. Perhaps the wider range of the Messianic purpose is understood & felt within Mary as well.
Not the Catholic veneration of Mary at all!
“Regard”—epiblepw—1) To turn the eyes upon, to look upon, gaze upon; 2) To look up to, regard; 3) To have regard for, to regard. Strong—To gaze at (with favor, pity or partiality):-- Look upon, regard, have respect to.
“Lowly state/Low estate/Humble state”(See Adj. :52)—tapeinwsiv—N. f.—1) Lowness, low estate; 2) metaph.—2a) Spiritual abasement, leading one to perceive & lament his (moral) littleness & guilt. Strong—Depression (in rank or feeling):-- Humiliation, be made low, low estate, vile. Used 4X.
“Henceforth”—nun—At this time, the present, now. “Now”, marks a definite point or period of time, the (objective) immediate present. Strong— “Now” (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate:-- Henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time).
“Generations”(See :50)—genea—Strong—A generation; by implication, An age (the period or the persons):-- Age, generation, nation, time.
“Blessed”—makarizw—To pronounce blessed. Strong—To beatify, i.e. Pronounce (or esteem) fortunate:-- Call blessed, count happy. Used 2X.
:49—“For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.”
They will recognize Mary as greatly blessed because God, who is the only One who is mighty, has extended His might to include “Great Things” for Mary.
This Mighty One is indeed holy. His very name speaks of Holiness.
“Mighty”—dunatov—1) Able, powerful, mighty, strong; 2) To be able (to do something). Strong—Powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter Possible:-- Able, could, (that is) mighty (man), possible, power, strong.
“Great things”—megaleiov—1) Magnificent, excellent, splendid, wonderful.
“Holy”—agiov—1) Most holy thing, a saint. Agiov has probably as its fundamental meaning separation, i.e., from the world to God's service. If not the original meaning, this at any rate is a meaning early in use. This separation, however, is not chiefly external, it is rather a separation from evil & defilement. The moral signification of the word is therefore the prominent one. This word, rare & of neutral meaning in classical Greek, has been developed in meaning, so that it expresses the full N.T. conception of holiness as no other does. Strong— Sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):-- (most) Holy (one, thing), saint.
“Name”—onoma—1) Name: univ. of proper names; 2) The name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.; 3) Persons reckoned up by name; 4) The cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason.
b. Regards the FAITHFUL(:50)
:50—“And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.”
Mary’s God is merciful.
His “mercy” is evident & is poured out upon certain individuals. These individuals are not mechanically chosen but are instead those who have chosen to “fear Him.” The quality of this fear involves respect & love. It is a fear borne out of love manifested in an inward desire for appropriate service.
His “mercy” is evident & is expressed to every succeeding “generation.” Time is not a limiting factor with God. He is the same today as in the past & will be in the future forever as well(Heb. 13:8).
Thus also succeeding generations can & are expected to possess this reverential fear of God, & in so doing they too will, like Mary, experience “His mercy.” No generation is exempt.
Ps. 103:17-18—“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.”
Ps. 31:19—“Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!”
Ps. 147:11—“The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.”
“Mercy”(See :54)—eleov—1) Mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable & the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. Eleov manifests itself chiefly in acts rather than words. Strong—Compassion (human or divine, especially active):-- (+ tender) mercy.
“Fear”—fobew—V.—1) To put to flight by terrifying (to scare away). “To fear”, the general term; often used of a protracted state. To frighten, i.e. (passively) To be alarmed; by analogy, To be in awe of, i.e. Revere:-- Be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
“Generations”(See :48)—genea—Strong—A generation; by implication, An age (the period or the persons):-- Age, generation, nation, time.
c. Regards the WEAK(:51-53)
:51—“He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.”
Mary’s God has shown Himself to be deserving of her deep respect because of His mighty deeds(:49) of the past which were not done in a corner. He had performed these deeds with His very arm, thus needing no aid from others. God is fully capable of performing with no intervention from anyone. His arm is the one which designed, initiated & accomplished the deeds.
God has “scattered”/divided/dispersed those who are in fact “proud.” All pride originates, is lodged in & is decided/resolved/deliberated/rationalized in the hearts of men. Ironically the heart is also where men should harbor a reverential fear—as did & as that of Mary.
For those who have built their lives on self-pride rather than godly reverence, God has seen to it that they are “scattered.” Such scattering is brought about thru having given men the freedom to exercise “the imagination” untethered to God.
“Shown”—poiew—Strong—To make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct).
“Strength/Mighty deeds”—kratov—1) Force, strength; 2) Power, might: mighty with great power—2a) A mighty deed, a work of power; 3) Dominion. Might, relative & manifested power -- in the NT chiefly of God. Strong—Vigor ["great"] (literally or figuratively):-- Dominion, might[-ily], power, strength.
“Arm”—braciwn—1) The arm—1a) The arm of God is a Hebrew idiom for the might & the power of God. Strong—properly, comparative of braciwn[(short (of time, place, quantity, or number):-- few words, little(space, while)], but apparently in the sense of brassw(to wield); The arm, i.e. (figuratively) Strength:-- Arm.
“Scattered”—diaskorpizw—1) To scatter abroad, disperse, to winnow. Strong—To dissipate, i.e. (genitive case) To rout or separate; specially, To winnow; figuratively, To squander:-- Disperse, scatter (abroad), strew, waste.
“Proud/Haughty/Arrogant”—uperhfanov—1) Showing one's self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent; 2) with an overweening estimate of one's means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty. Describes one who thinks too highly of himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with others. Strong—Appearing above others (conspicuous), i.e. (figuratively) Haughty:-- Proud. Used 5X.
“Imagination”—dianoia—1) The mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring; 2) Understanding;3) Mind, i.e. spirit, way of thinking & feeling; 4) Thoughts, either good or bad. Dianoia meant originally activity of thinking, but has borrowed from nouv its common meaning of faculty of thought. It is more common than nouv, & has largely replaced it in its usual meanings. Strong—Deep thought, properly, The faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, Its exercise:-- Imagination, mind, understanding.
“Hearts”—kardia—1) the heart—1a) That organ in the animal body which is the centre of the circulation of the blood, & hence was regarded as the seat of physical life, 1b) Denotes the centre of all physical & spiritual life—2a) The vigour & sense of physical life, 2b) The centre & seat of spiritual life—2b1) The soul or mind, as it is the fountain & seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, 2b2) Of the understanding, the faculty & seat of the intelligence, 2b3) Of the will & character, 2b4) Of the soul so far as it is affected & stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions, 1c) Of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate Strong—The heart, i.e. (figuratively) The thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) The middle:-- (+ broken-)Heart(-ed).
:52—“He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.”
Mary’s God has been proven to her in that He has laid low rulers of kingdoms. He has literally removed them from their thrones. This removal has not in every case been openly miraculous, yet it has been wrought of God.
Mary’s God has, in contrast & contradiction, to those who are of the mind that they are rulers, “exalted”/lifted up those who were humble before Him rather than those are proud in themselves. God has taken down entire dynasties/authority, which men consider too powerful to move or effect.
2Cor. 10:4— “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”
Humility overwhelms pride by means of God’s hands, because the humble (“lowly”) allow God to work thru them. The humble therefore possess God’s power as He works directly & indirectly thru them. And God’s power dwarfs even the potentates of earth making them seem miniscule & anemic.
“Put down/Brought down”—kayairew—1) To take down—1a) without the notion of violence: To detach from the cross, one crucified, 1b) with the use of force: To throw down, cast down; 2) To pull down, demolish—2a) The subtle reasonings (of opponents) likened to a fortress, i.e. to refute, to destroy. Strong—To lower (or with violence) Demolish (literally or figuratively):-- cast (pull, put, take) down, destroy.
“Mighty”—dunasthv—1) A prince, a potentate; 2) A courtier, high officer, royal minister of great authority. Strong—A ruler or officer:-- Of great authority, mighty, potentate.
“Thrones”—yronov—Strong—A stately seat ("throne"); by implication, Power or (concretely) A potentate:-- Seat, throne.
“Exalted”—uqow—1) To lift up on high, to exalt; 2) metaph.—2a) To raise to the very summit of opulence & prosperity, 2b) To exalt, to raise to dignity, honor & happiness. Strong—To elevate (literally or figuratively):-- Exalt, lift up.
“Lowly”(See N.f. :48)—tapeinov—Adj.—1) Not rising far from the ground; 2) metaph.—2a) As a condition, lowly, of low degree, 2b) Brought low with grief, depressed, 2c) Lowly in spirit, humble, 2d) In a bad sense, deporting one's self abjectly, deferring servilely to others.
:53—“He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.”
God “has” thruout man’s stay on this earth, “filled” those who are “hungry.” He has filled them with “good things.” “Good things” is relative to the context of the particular need, as God also provides our need in other areas as well.
Hunger can & is experienced by God’s people. We do not live in a perfect world because sin exists. God takes us thru it with “good things”, which only He can provide.
Js. 1:17—“Every good thing bestowed & every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.”
In contrast to those who are hungry, there are others who are “rich.” The “rich” can, by their own means & at the expense of others, provide for themselves. This is a choice the rich make. It is characteristic of pride to curb sharing one’s wealth with those less fortunate. Thereby, to force the sharing is tantamount to stealing.
God “has”, thruout man’s stay on this earth, “sent away” those who are rich empty-handed. This, like putting down the mighty & exalting the lowly(:52), highlights both God’s power but also the preciousness of man’s voluntary humility over his pride.
“Filled”—empiplhmi—V.—1) To fill up, fill full; 2) To take one's fill of, glut one's desire for, satisfy, satiate. Strong—To fill in (up), i.e. (by implication) To satisfy (literally or figuratively):-- Fill. Used 5X.
“Hungry”—peinaw—1) To hunger, be hungry—1a) To suffer want, 1b) To be needy; 2) metaph. To crave ardently, to seek with eager desire. Strong—To famish (absol. or comparatively); figuratively, To crave:-- Be an hungered.
“Good things”—agayov—1) Of good constitution or nature; 2) Useful, salutary; 3) Good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; 4) Excellent, distinguished; 5) Upright, honourable. Strong—A primary word; "good" (in any sense, often as noun):-- benefit, good(-s, things), well.
“Rich”—ploutew—1) To be rich, to have abundance—1a) of outward possessions; 2) metaph. To be richly supplied—2a) Is affluent in resources so that he can give blessings of salvation to all. Strong—To be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively):-- Be increased with goods, (be made, wax) rich.
“Sent away”—exapostellw—Strong—To send away forth, i.e. (on a mission) To despatch, or (peremptorily) To dismiss:-- Send (away, forth, out). From—apostellw(verbal of ‘apostle’)—set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively.
“Empty”—kenov—1) Empty, vain, devoid of truth.
d. Regards the CHOSEN(:54-55)
:54—“He has helped His servant[child] Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,”
God has indeed “helped” His people, Israel. God has raised up Israel that they would be His “servant.”....that He would have a witness & help among men. Therefore Israel cannot get away from the fact that God “has” & will use them to declare His “mercy” thru their spiritual wellness & neglect.
Acts 14:17— “& yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good & gave you rains from heaven & fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food & gladness."”
God’s “help” toward His people Israel is a statement/witness to His “mercy.” God’s “help” toward Israel affords others a “rememberance”/recollection of such “mercy” in both His people & others as well.
God Himself also remembers His “mercy” promised to His people & therefore has given “Israel” “help.”
If Israel is here intended to be designated a ‘child’(paiv— “servant”), then they would definitely be the recipients of God’s “mercy”, as all children are helpless to some degree. & God did in fact will/call/bring this nation/people/child into existence.
“Helped”—antilambanomai—1) To lay hold of, hold fast to anything; 2) To take a person or thing in order as it were to be held, to take to, embrace; 3) To help, to be a partaker of, partake of (the benefits of the services rendered by the slaves). Strong—To take hold of in turn, i.e. Succor; also to participate:-- Help, partaker, support. Used 3X.
“Servant”—paiv—1) A child, boy or girl—1a) Infants, children; 2) Servant, slave—2a) An attendant, servant, spec. a king's attendant, minister. Paiv as well as teknon emphasizes the idea of descent, but gives especial prominence to age, denoting a child as one who is young. Paiv is also often used of a servant. The number of years covered by the term paiv is quite indefinite. Its diminutives paidion & paidarion are used without appreciable difference to denote a young child. (Paidiskov in classical Greek &) paidiskh, in which the diminutive force is largely lost, cover the years of late childhood & early youth.
“Remembrance”—mnaomai—1) To remind. Strong—To bear in mind, i.e. recollect; by implication to reward or punish:-- Be mindful, remember, come (have) in remembrance.
“Mercy”(See :50)—eleov—1) Mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable & the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. Eleov manifests itself chiefly in acts rather than words. Strong—Compassion (human or divine, especially active):-- (+ tender) mercy.
:55—“As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham & to his seed forever.””
This informs :54 in that God’s “mercy” was partly(& foremost in Mary’s thinking & experience) in His speaking to the patriarchs. Particularly to Abraham & “his seed” for all ages. Thus the oral & subsequent written word of God is vital for Abraham’s “seed”(here Jews). Did Mary speak better than she knew, that all those of faith would also be the seed of Abraham?
Indeed God’s merciful helps toward Israel were voiced directly to the patriarchs & recalls specifically the initial calling of Abram (& reiterated in the Abrahamic covenant(Gen. 15) & subsequent encounters(Gen. 18:18; 22:18; 26:4)) where Abraham(‘Father of a multitude’) is told that in him “all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”(Gen. 12:2-3).
God spoke in times past to the patriarchs of Israel.
The patriarchal beginnings are lodged in Abraham & thus in his offspring, the result being the people of Israel.
Gal. 3:8—“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.””
Rom. 9:6-8—“But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.”
Rom. 4:13-14—“For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void & the promise made of no effect,”
Gal. 3:18, 28-29—“For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”.....“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, & heirs according to the promise.”
Gal. 3:16—“Now to Abraham & his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.”
“Spoke”—lalew—Strong—To talk, i.e. Utter words:-- Preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.
“Seed”—sperma—1) From which a plant germinates; 2) The semen virile. Strong—Something sown, i.e. Seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, Offspring; specifically, A remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting):-- Issue, seed.
“Forever”—aiwn—1) For ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity; 2) The worlds, universe; 3) Period of time, age. “Aiwn is usually better expressed by age, it is the world at a given time, a particular period in the world's history.” It can also carry the meaning of “the spirit of the age, often in an unfavorable sense.” Strong—properly, An age; by extension, Perpetuity (also past); by implication, The world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):-- Age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end).
Argumentation:
Mat. 6:13—“...For Yours is the kingdom & the power & the glory forever. Amen.”
Mat. 9:6—““...the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”....””
Mat. 22:29—“Jesus answered & said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
Mat. 26:64—“Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, & coming on the clouds of heaven.””
Mk. 6:7—“And He called the twelve to Himself, & began to send them out two by two, & gave them power over unclean spirits.”
Lk. 9:1—“Then He called His twelve disciples together & gave them power & authority over all demons, & to cure diseases.”
Acts 1:8—““But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; & you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, & in all Judea & Samaria, & to the end of the earth.””
1Cor. 15:42-43—“So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.”
2Cor. 4:6-7—“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God & not of us.”
2Cor. 12:9—“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
1Cor. 4:18-20—“Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, & I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”
Eph. 1:15-21—“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus & your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom & revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, & what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead & seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality & power & might & dominion, & every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”
Eph. 3:20-21—“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever & ever. Amen.”
Eph. 6:10—“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord & in the power of His might.”
Illustration:
Power worthy of praise:
Robotics—Mechanized Laser cutters for sheet-metal parts/Gives a business the means to enter a larger, global market/POWER
Removing a tight jar lid/Hand it to the one capable/POWER
Likewise, it is impossible for you to ‘save’ yourself from spiritual(or physical) death.
Application:
?You a yokefellow sharing The POWER of God’s service?
?You a confirmed yokefellow in God’s service?
5—Yokefellows in God’s service share...
PLACE(:56)
Explanation: (:56)
:56—“And Mary remained with her about three months, & returned to her house.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth for around 3 months. Thus she could have witnessed John’s birth if born in Elizabeth’s 9th month of pregnancy(:26,36).
Mary returned to her home in Nazareth.(:26).
Yokefellows share wherever God plants, calls, equips & leads them
A work of God is specific to each of us. Eventually we must accomplish His work in the absence of our yokefellow, just as they must do without us. We must accomplish the personal work to which God has called us, every moment of every day.
“Remained”—menw—1) To remain, abide; 2) To wait for, await one. Strong—To stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):-- Abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.
“Returned”—upostrefw—1) To turn back—1a) To turn about; 2) To return. Strong—To turn under (behind), i.e. To return (literally or figuratively):-- Come again, return (again, back again), turn back (again).
Argumentation:
Php. 4:10-14—“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, & I know how to abound. Everywhere & in all things I have learned both to be full & to be hungry, both to abound & to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.”
Paul had learned his place, that he must conform to each situation according to God’s will. The church at Philippi did the same...they responded to needs as given opportunity & equipped.
Jn. 14:12-18—““Most assuredly, I[Jesus] say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; & greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, & He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you & will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
The Spirit is present no matter where you are or who you are with or who you are not with, whether alone or in a chaotic situation.
Mat. 6:5-6—““And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues & on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, & when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; & your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Illustration:
In congregational worship we get pumped up to serve God/Surrounded by others of like belief/Driven by the same Spirit, message & desire/Then we walk out to serve Christ in our own PLACE
After an inspirational-motivational meeting we always have to return to our reality/To do our individual part—Pull our own weight/PLACE
Application:
?You a yokefellow sharing The PLACE of God’s service?
?You a confirmed yokefellow in God’s service?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Woodruff & Hughes did NOT make very good yokefellows but they shared their the work with each other!
Action:
Yokefellows in God’s service share...
3. POWER(:46-55)
4. PLACE(:56)
1. EXCITEMENT(:39-40)
2. BLESSING(:41-45)
Presented 02/13/2011am to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
