2024 Christmas Series – Part 1
Sermon 1 – Mary’s Testimony of God’s Work
Luke 1:39-55
Introduction
- This morning, we enter the season historically called Advent
-- Might ask, “What is Advent?” Comes from Latin word, “Adventus”
-- In its original form, Advent means "coming" or "arrival"
-- In the Greek, it is the word “parousia” – both meaning the same thing
- It is the fulfillment of God’s desire to restore our relationship with Him
-- Prophecy began in Genesis 3:15 and throughout the Old Testament (+300 times)
-- For the Christian, it is a wonderful reminder of what God has done
-- We celebrate one simple truth: the arrival of the Messiah, the Redeemer
- Setup: Mary, the mother of Jesus, was pregnant & visiting her cousin, Elizabeth
-- Elizabeth was also pregnant with the cousin of Jesus: John (the Baptist)
-- This is literally, her song of praise or how she reacted to God’s calling
-- Note: Examine story out of sequence, but there is a purpose for this …
- Read Luke 1:39-55 / Pray
Point 1 – Mary’s testimony is one of praise! (praise)
- (v46) Mary was animated by Elizabeth's greeting and praises God for it
-- She had to rejoice in what God was doing: Elizabeth was moved to praise!
- Don’t Miss: When we encounter presence of God, we too should respond
-- We must be willing to testify of who He is – it’s our calling (ref: Acts)
-- Who can stand in His presence and not? See Elizabeth’s experience v42
- APP: Christmas is the season to adore God; to worship His work
-- Realizing what God was doing moved her to cry out; to praise; to shout!
- Consider who you might encourage by your praise of Christ?
-- CH: Could your testimony help lead others to know Him this Christmas?
- Mary praises God, and confesses that it is God who knows everything about her
-- Key: Her soul rejoices at who God is - at how wonderful/marvelous He is
-- Greek: megalunó; to magnify, or extol; proclaim (see v46)
- Does your soul cry out to the One who has paid it all for you?
-- Do we intentionally seek to let others know that the reason we live is for God?
- TR: To glorify God privately is one thing …
-- But (don’t miss) to declare who He is – this is what we see Mary exemplify!
Point 2 – Mary demonstrates that we must testify about God’s purpose
- v50, “He shows mercy, from generation to generation, to all who fear Him.”
-- This is a VERY important and pivotal verse for us to realize & learn from
- FACT: Jesus Christ came into this world to forgive sin; redeem God’s creation
- 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
-- Because of that, we are gifted with an opportunity to praise Him (REPEAT)
-- Discipleship Moment: Christianity has become far too much about our comfort vs. His work … we must never substitute God’s work for our desires or wants
- APP: We must take the time to teach it to the generations before and after us
-- Not for selfish reasons or personal recognition; but to honor who God is to YOU
• … are you praying about opportunities to invite others?
• … are you looking for ways to serve for Jesus?
• … are you demonstrating to everyone who it is you live for?
-- Mary exclaims that the mercy of God is for all; it extends to all who hear it (v50)
- Why is it important that we declare who Jesus is?
-- Our faith is rooted in who Jesus is – it’s our reason for celebration
-- John 8:58, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!”
-- It is in this proclamation we see who our hope is – because He is everything!
-- APP: When we truly realize life isn’t about us, our priorities/focus change
- TR: When we understand how we’ve been redeemed, our wants become smaller
-- This is the true application of the words found in John 3:30, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” He is greater than us!
-- APP: When He lives within us, we get to testify about His mercy for us
Point 3 – Mary’s proclamation of God’s work is adoration
- Adoration is the declaration of who we serve because of who He is
-- It is found in our telling others, “I used to be this way, but God changed me!”
- SEE: God has performed mighty deeds with His own mighty arm (v51)
-- Who can look at the creation and not stand in awe of His work?
-- Consider the world around us, our or own design, or even the work of the cross
-- Mary proclaims 5 things in which only God could, and did, do!
1. God has removed rulers from places of power (v52a)
-- Why? When leaders rebel against Him, God will remove them (in His timing)
-- God will not allow continued rebellion, even though there might be for a season
2. God has exalted the humble (v52b)
-- Never forget the work of Jesus in changing the lives of those He encountered
-- Consider what Jesus did for one thief on the cross who was crucified with Him
-- The thief submitted himself to Jesus, and Jesus promised to redeem Him
3. God has filled the hungry with good things (v53)
-- Matthew 5:6, (the Beatitudes) “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.”
-- God will not exalt the proud, the self-righteous, the “look what I’ve done”
-- He willingly desires to bless those who choose to live for Him
4. God has never forgotten His love, Israel (v54)
-- How could anyone argue that Israel is not protected by God?
-- Consider the wars, the hatred, and the violence pointed at them
- If it were not FOR God, this nation (size of Rhode Island) would be long gone
-- (God’s promise of mercy) Exodus 6:6-8, “Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’”
5. God promises to be merciful to Abraham’s descendants (v55)
-- Friends, that would be all those who continue to follow and worship God
-- Not a manmade image (fake) of who God is, but the Creator of everything
-- Not Allah, not Buddha, not what who we think Jesus is …
-- But those who seek to follow Him: Elohim, Jehovah, Adonai, El Shaddai
-- IMP: Why? God is faithful to Himself; therefore, He cannot deceive Himself
-- His promise of what He will do comes from who He is! It unchangeable truth!
BIG IDEA
- Mary’s response is because of what God has accomplished
- Let’s make this personal this morning … don’t miss this:
-- When Mary arrived, Elizabeth shouted for joy! (re-read Luke 1:45) …
-- Elizabeth couldn’t have known about the angel’s promise in v35 (few weeks)
-- Why? Because v39 tells us this is only a few days after that happened!!
-- Mary did not email or text her that this happened before she arrived!
-- SEE: Mary does not get caught up in the compliment Elizabeth gives (v42)
-- WHY? She knows that this is not about her … because she knows the truth
-- IMP: She praises the Lord & humbles herself to what God is doing! (v46-55)
-- HUGE: Her praise is about how great God is!!! What He has done! (Advent!)
- For us: We must live to show others who He is to us, to show what He is doing!
-- Christmas is the PERFECT opportunity to show people God’s mercy & love
-- His mercy for what He has done for you; His love for how He feels about all!
- Perfect time to celebrate; to choose to be cheerful; to be happy; to rejoice
-- Will we take this time to do it? Will dig deeper over next few weeks on it …
- Pray for three things:
1. salvation (we must be dependent on Jesus),
2. repentance (being restored to living for Him),
3. offering yourself this year (serving others to show Him)
