My sermon notes for Sunday, Dec 8th as we walk through the Gospel of Luke and the Songs of Christmas. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided to help follow as we walk through the Word each week. To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net
Luke 1:46-55 – Mary’s Praise
Intro/Thoughts:
Gabriel shares the news:
- To Zechariah and Elizabeth about John the Baptist
- To Mary about Jesus
Mary visits Elizabeth in the 6th month.
- The visit confirms to both the promises set for by Gabriel (by the presence of the Holy Spirit).
The word of her praise:
Mary would not have had a personal copy of Scripture, but she obviously was well versed in Hannah’s song in 1 Sam. There is also much from the Psalms throughout her praise.
Her praise points to her faith in God and her understanding of His grace and faithfulness not only to her but to His covenant people.
Her Praise – vv. 46-47
v. 47 – “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Her praise was a product of her heart.
Soul and Spirit – who we are.
- A true child of God
- Either born again or not. Either holy and set apart or not
Jesus himself would later teach this
- John 4:22–24 – [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (ESV)
- The Gospel changes in the inner man (Spirit and Soul) and will manifest itself through a changed life… OUR PRAISE.
- True praise is always manifested by truth and focused on God.
Magnifies the Lord
- makes large, makes great
Rejoices in God my Savior
- has joy of who SHE KNOWS SHE IS IN RELATIONSHIP WITH HER LORD.
- Her joy and her relationship are one in the same
- IN GOD HER SAVIOR. She knew she needed a Savior.
Her praise – She Understood God’s Grace – vv. 48-50
v. 48 – He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
THE GLORIES OF HIS GRACE – God’s unmerited favor!
Romans 3:24 – and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 5:17 – For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
His grace is revealed by His:
Power – v. 49 for He who is mighty has done great things for me.
- He is might and done great things for me
Holiness
- v. 49 – And Holy is His name
Mercy
- v. 50a – His mercy is for those who fear Him
Her praise – She Understood God’s faithfulness – vv. 51-55
v. 50b – From generation to generation.
- Past, Present, Future
vv. 51-53 – He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty
Mary knew all that God had done in the life of His people. He led, guided, protected, cared for, disciplined, and restored.
vv. 54-55 – He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.
The genealogy of Matthew 1 reminds us of God’s plan of redemption.
- Abraham, David
Throughout redemption history God has been faithful. He has kept His promises and accomplished His perfect will. From the very beginning this has been His plan. AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO ORCHESTRATE HIS PERFECT WILL UNTIL ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.
- Rahab, Ruth. (unlikely candidates)
- He is faithful and true. He keeps His promises
Scripture References:
Luke 1:46–55
[46] And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
[47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
[48] for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
[49] for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
[50] And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
[51] He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
[52] he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
[53] he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
[54] He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
[55] as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (ESV)
Romans 3:21–26 – [21] But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—[22] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (ESV)
Ephesians 1:7–10 – [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (ESV)
Ephesians 2:8–10 – [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV