Mary’s Song - The Magnificat

SERMON OUTLINE:

• (1). Salvation (vs 46):

• (2). Victory (vs 49-53)

• (3). Covenant (vs 54-55):

SERMON BODY:

ill:

• In the secular world;

• Happy Birthday is the best known song in the English speaking world,

• The song’s base lyrics have been translated into at least 18 languages.

• It was written in 1893 by 2 sisters;

• Mildred J. Hill came up with the tune,

• Her sister patty added some words.

• They were nursery & kinder-garden teachers in Kentucky, USA.

• It was published in the songbook Song Stories for the Kindergarten.

• Originally the words were:

• “Good morning to you, good morning to you,

• Good morning dear children, good morning to you”.

• The children enjoyed singing the song so much;

• That they began spontaneously singing it at birthday parties,

• Changing the lyrics to "Happy Birthday”

One of the most famous songs in Christianity is Mary’s song:

• It has been whispered in monasteries,

• Chanted in Cathedrals,

• Recited in small churches by evening candlelight,

• And set to music with trumpets and kettledrums by Johann Sebastian Bach.

• This song of prise is known as the ‘Magnificat’,

• Because in the Latin Vulgate translation, the first word is ‘magnificent’,

• Which means ‘praise’ or ‘magnify’.

This morning we are looking at the song of Mary,

• There are three important truths I want to highlight from the song,

• Three gold nuggets for us to mine.

• Three key statements that Mary made.

(1). Salvation (vs 46)

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”.

• The keyword here is ‘saviour’

• Mary’s first response to the message of the angelic being was to worship.

• The first thing Mary sang about was words of praise to God for his salvation.

• “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”.

Ill:

• Salvation of course is always our greatest blessing;

• Whatever else happens in our lives it has to come second to our salvation.

Ill:

• You might recall the incident in the gospels (Luke chapter 10 verses 17-24);

• Where the disciples are excited about being able to perform the supernatural;

• They are able to carry out miracles and exorcisms etc.

• Jesus replied to their enthusiasm by saying:

• That’s good, but there is something much better to get excited about!

• “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven”

Salvation is of course is always our greatest blessing;

• 2 Reasons why salvation is our greatest blessing:

• First it was planned out even before the beginning of the world;

• (Ephesians chapter 1 verse c4).

• Second it cost the very blood of the Son of God!

• (1 Peter chapter 1 verse 18).

• Salvation may be free but it is never cheap!

In this song Mary sang about was words of praise to God for his salvation:

• N.I.V.: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”.

• K.J.B.: “Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,”

Ill:

• When you use a magnifying glass,

• It doesn’t change the size of what you look at. It changes your perception.

• Mary’s perception has been enlarged;

• Aand so she is telling others how great she thinks God is.

Mary had an enlarged, an immense appreciation of the Lord:

• Some of that was due to her experience;

• I think if you spoke face to face with an angelic being you would be on a spiritual high!

• I think if you had a personal message via an angelic being you would be on a spiritual high!

• I think if you realised you were chosen for a special purpose you would be on a spiritual high!

• Now her supernatural experience may have helped;

• But this song reveals a much deeper reason for her appreciation of God!

• God is her saviour!

• Notice this song is saturated with quotes from the Old Testament.

• And is especially kin to Hannah’s song of praise (1 Samuel chapter 2 verses 1-10).

• She also quotes or alludes to the Psalms, Isaiah, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Job & Genesis.

• One commentator suggests that every line of this song has an Old Testament reference.

Ill:

Remember that Mary was probably about thirteen years of age at this point.

• For Jewish girls in New Testament times;

• Betrothals commonly took place when a girl was thirteen,

• And the marriage took place about a year later.

• For a thirteen year old girl;

• Mary has amazing maturity and spiritual depth for her age.

• The Holy Spirit does not magically insert Bible verses into our minds or on to our lips;