2017 Christmas Series (December 3, 2017)
Sermon 1 – Mary Glorifies the Lord
Luke 1:39-55
Introduction
- This morning, we enter the season of Advent
-- Our Advent series is simply, called “Come, let us adore Him”
- We are celebrating the arrival of the Christ, the Messiah
-- APP: It is a special time to glorify God; and celebrate all He has done
- Obvious question: “What is Advent?”
-- Advent means "coming" or "arrival"
-- Focus is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ
- Advent is far more than marking a 2,000-year-old event
-- It is celebrating the truth of God, it’s the unveiling of God in Jesus
-- Advent’s one purpose: That all of creation might be reconciled to God
- Today we begin discussing Mary’s praise of the Lord
-- Mary, the mother of Jesus, was pregnant & visiting her cousin Elizabeth
-- This is literally, her song of praise (APP) or how she reacts to God’s leading
- Read Luke 1:39-55 / Pray
- In order to adore Jesus, we must understand who we are talking about
Point 1 – Mary praises the Lord (46-49)
- (46) Mary was animated by Elisabeth's greeting and praises God in it
-- She had to rejoice; in what God was doing
- When we come in contact with the Holy Spirit we must praise
-- We must be willing to proclaim/testify who He is to anyone we meet
- Friday night, Chris Tomlin: I wasn’t expecting God’s spirit to fall (sin);
-- “What a wonderful opportunity to worship”; repented when it did!
-- Why? B/C who can stand in His presence and not? Elizabeth experience (42)
- Christmas is the best season to adore; to worship God for all He has done
- Consider who you might help know Christ today
-- Isn’t there someone that you know who needs Jesus? Or is it you?
- Mary praises God, but confesses that God knows everything about her
-- Her soul rejoices at who God is, at how wonderful/marvelous He is (46)
-- Deeper: She has in her womb the Savior who one day will redeem her …
- Mary declares, “My soul glories the Lord”
-- APP: Does your soul cry out to the One who has paid it all for you?
- TRANS: To glorify God privately is one thing
-- But to testify about Him is something we are all commanded to do
Point 2 – Mary testifies about the Lord (50)
- v50, “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.”
- This is a VERY important and pivotal verse
-- FACT: Jesus Christ was born into this world to save all
-- There is no division of races, or economic value, or social status in Heaven
-- In God’s eyes we are ONE race – created for one purpose: to worship Him
- We are gifted with the opportunity to worship
-- Note the phrase “from generation to generation”: IMP: Someone told YOU too!
- (Discuss) We must take the time to teach it to the generations around us
-- Not for selfish reasons or personal recognition; but to honor God
- Mary exclaims that the mercy of God is for all; it extends to all who hear it
-- APP: At this time of year, what better time to declare Him to everyone!
- Re: In the face of our own wickedness, we’re reminded of God’s profound love
-- Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (expound)
- Let’s personalize why we must declare and adore Him …
-- Why is it important that we declare who Jesus is? It is our VICTORY song!
-- Rev 12:11, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
- It is the declaration of Him we get to testify about; we get to share with others
- See, when we declare our testimony, we have God’s truth supporting us
• Romans 3:23, “… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
• Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• Romans 9:9-10, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
- (50) “His mercy extends to those who fear Him” … to those who honor & revere
-- APP: When we realize life isn’t about us, our priorities change
- When we live fully for Him, we are able to testify to His mercy towards us
-- IMP: Must stress: The saving/forgiving work has always been HIS, not ours!
-- Jesus was never lost, we didn’t find Him, He found us … that is humbling
- TRANS: Notice how Mary’s testimony leads to her to declare God’s works
Point 3 – Mary declares what God has done (51-55)
- Look at the profession of God’s accomplishments from the words of Mary:
-- He has already performed mighty deeds with His arms (51)
-- Who can look at the creation and not stand in awe of all He has done?
-- Consider the respiratory system, or a sunset, or the cross endured for us …
- He has removed rulers from places where they shouldn’t be (52)
-- Isaiah 24:21, “In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below.”
-- APP: When leaders continue to rebel against Him, He removes them
- He has lifted up the humble (52)
-- Consider what Jesus did for one man who was with Him at the cross
-- The thief submitted himself to Jesus, and Jesus promised to redeem Him
-- He has filled the hungry with good things (53)
-- Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
-- God has already given to those who desire Him; who live for Him
- He has helped His servant Israel (54)
-- How could anyone argue that Israel is not protected by God?
-- Consider the wars, the hatred, and the violence pointed at them today
- If it were not FOR God, this nation (size of RI) would be long gone
-- God’s promise to His people is eternal; His mercy is continually upheld
- Lastly, He is merciful to Abraham’s descendants (55)
-- Friends, that would be all those who follow Jehovah as the only God
-- Not Allah, not Buddah, not mother earth, not today’s “hot button religion”
-- But those who follow Jehovah, Adonai, El Shaddai, Yahweh
-- The world belongs to Him, and we must declare it – look at what He has done
- IMP: God is faithful to Himself, therefore He cannot lie or deceive Himself
-- If He says He is going to do something, he does it; it is in this we find comfort
- Mary adores the Lord because of what He has done
-- He has already promised to care of His own – so why do we avoid Him?
Big Idea – Mary adores because God is God!
- Mary’s response is because of all that God has accomplished
-- CHALLENGE: We cannot live in a way that glorifies ourselves
- Let’s make this really personal this morning: Re-Read Luke 1:41-45
- Elizabeth exclaimed (Luke 1:45), “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
• This morning, can we exclaim the same?
• Can we give thanks and adore Him who promises to be faithful?
- Note: Mary did not get caught up in the compliment that Elizabeth paid her
-- IMP: Instead, she magnified the Lord and humbled herself to Him
- Mary, the mother of Jesus, proclaimed and adored how great her God is
- HUGE: Not how great she is … but how great God is!!!
- We must adore Him and show Him to everyone; Christmastime is PERFECT
- Pray for three things: 1) salvation, 2) repentance, 3) offering yourself this year
