Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of faith, I am so glad that we are gathered here today under the banner of His love. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. It's a wonderful day to bask in the light of God's Word, to let its truth seep into our hearts, and to allow it to transform us from the inside out.

Let us open our hearts today to the joy that is found in the Lord. We will be turning our attention to the first chapter of Luke, verses 26-38, a passage that is so full of joy and wonder that it dances off the page and into our hearts. Allow me to read it for you now [read text].

Isn't it wonderful? Isn't it inspiring? Isn't it just like our God to bring joy into the world in such a miraculous way?

As we ponder over this passage, I am reminded of the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, "The Word of God is always most precious to the man who most lives upon it." And so, we live upon it today, we feast upon God's word, and we find in it a richness and a depth that nourishes our souls.

We will be focusing on three main points today: The Joyful Journey of Mary, The Joyful Joining with Elizabeth, and The Joyful Jesus Announcement. These points, my dear friends, will guide us as we seek to understand more fully the joy that is found in Jesus, the joy that is found in obedience to God's will, and the joy that is found in fellowship with one another.

Let us bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We ask that You would open our hearts and minds today, that we might understand Your Word and apply its truths to our lives. Fill us with Your joy, Lord, as we learn from Mary and Elizabeth, and as we celebrate the announcement of Jesus. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.

Joyful Journey of Mary

Mary's story is a testament to the joy that comes from trusting in God's plan, even when it seems impossible to understand. She was a young woman, engaged to be married, when she was visited by an angel with news that would change her life forever. She was to become the mother of the Son of God. Imagine the shock, the fear, the uncertainty that must have filled her heart. Yet, she responded with faith and obedience. She chose joy in the midst of the unknown.

The angel's announcement to Mary was not an easy one to accept. She was a virgin, betrothed to Joseph, and the news of her impending pregnancy would surely bring scandal and shame upon her. Yet, she did not let fear dictate her response. Instead, she trusted in the Lord, believing in His promise and His plan. This is the first aspect of Mary's story that we can learn from. Her faith in the face of fear is a testament to the joy that comes from trusting in God, even when His plans are beyond our understanding.

Mary's response to the angel's announcement is also noteworthy. She didn't question the angel out of disbelief, but out of a desire to understand. She asked, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" This question was not a challenge to God's power or a doubt of His promise. It was a genuine inquiry, a desire to comprehend the miraculous work that God was about to perform in her. Her curiosity and desire to understand God's plan is a testament to the joy that comes from seeking to know God more deeply.

The angel's response to Mary's question explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. This was not a natural conception, but a divine intervention. The child to be born would be holy, the Son of God. This is another aspect of Mary's story that we can learn from. Her acceptance of the miraculous is a testament to the joy that comes from believing in God's power, even when His ways are beyond our comprehension.

Finally, Mary's willingness to submit to God's plan is a powerful example for us. She said, "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." She accepted God's plan with humility and obedience, despite the personal cost. This is another aspect of Mary's story that we can learn from. Her submission to God's will is a testament to the joy that comes from obeying God, even when His commands are difficult to follow.

Transition. In each of these aspects of Mary's story, we see a common thread: joy. Joy in trusting God, joy in seeking to understand Him, joy in believing in His power, and joy in obeying His commands. This is the joy that comes from a relationship with God, a joy that is not dependent on circumstances, but on the unchanging character of God. This is the joy that Mary experienced, and it's the joy that we can experience too, as we trust in God, seek to understand Him, believe in His power, and obey His commands.

Joyful Joining with Elizabeth

As we continue to immerse ourselves in this passage, we consider the meeting of these two women, both carrying children of promise, is a testament to the divine orchestration of God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO