Many laws instructed Israel about the worship of God only. Let's look at how a Christian might apply the spirit of the worship laws in the Old Testament.
“then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.” (Deuteronomy 6:12-13 NKJV)
The spirit of this law leaves not much to the imagination. Is fear of God still a Christian thing? Is it something we find in the New Testament?
“And His mercy is to generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.” (Luke 1:50 NASB)
Fear means a reverential dread, afraid to disobey. Too many Christians today have no fear in disobeying God, making excuses and taking His mercy for granted. What about worship? In Deuteronomy 6:13 above worship means to serve by labor. Does that mean that we cannot work for our employers? No, what it does mean is that we don’t work for our employers in the first instance, but for God and our employers only secondarily.
Sometimes we begin to worship our church buildings, our programs, our saints, our pastors, our patriarchs, our popes, our traditions or our church’s founders. At times like these we have figuratively turned the bronze snake on a pole into an idol that should be destroyed. This can also be the same with any of our church pictures or statues when we turn honor (veneration) into worship (idolatry). Even John was tempted to bow down to an angel. What did the angel say?
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” (Revelation 22:8-9 NIV)
What about rightly using the name of God in a Christian context? Some avoid using God’s name altogether, afraid they will dishonor His name, while others use it flippantly as a byword. What does the law say about this?
And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you (Leviticus 22:32 ESV)
How do we apply this law against blasphemy in a Christian, spirit-of-the-law manner? The Christian answer is to focus on the opposite of taking the Lord’s name in vain, by honoring God, hallowing God’s name. Jesus gave us the principle in the “Our Father,” the “Lord’s prayer.”
Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (Matthew 6:9 NASB)
We can’t hallow God’s name by avoiding it. Hallowed be your name means use it, but in a manner that brings honor to God’s holy name. When our hearts are set on hallowing God’s name, we will not take it in flippant expressions of surprise, or use it as a curse word, but seek to give the name of God all the honor it is due.
Many people avoid God’s name by giving a fictitious “Mother Nature” credit for the world, but wouldn’t we want to give God our creator positive credit and thanks? Will we no longer want to hear God treated like a tooth fairy or an automated teller machine, but give Him thanks for everything we have, and teaching our families to be satisfied instead of incessantly chasing the gods of materialism and worldly pleasures?
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NKJV)
Teaching our children about the things of God throughout the day is still a good idea for Christians. Will we want to follow Jesus’ curriculum primarily? Most Christians do not even understand that Jesus gave us instructions about the curriculum that we should teach above all else.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)
What did Jesus teach the disciples? Where is that found? Most of it is found in the Gospels. This is something that many churches, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant do obey. Every week a Gospel text is read and very often a Gospel sermon is given. This is the spirit of Deuteronomy 6 in a New Testament context.
Showing posts with label Luke 01. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luke 01. Show all posts
Mary's Faith
Prelude: What can we learn from a teenager? What can we learn from her faith? Purpose: Let’s learn about the simplicity of trust in God. Plan: Let’s look at Mary’s faith in Luke 1:26-38
Luke 1:26-28 Gabriel
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
This was Elizabeth’s 6th month of pregnancy with John. It is the only indication we have that John was 6 months older than Jesus. Mary and Elizabeth were related. Some translations of verse 36 say they were cousins, but the original Greek word simply means a relative. Highly favored one is sometimes translated “full of grace” and portrays Mary as a receiver of grace not the “Mother of Grace.”
Luke 1:29-30 Favor with God
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Mary was a virgin engaged to Joseph. It was common custom, so it’s possible that Mary was probably a teenager. She was greatly troubled at the words of the angel. So he comforted her. How great an example of faith can a teenager be? To be an unwed mother during her engagement period would have been a great scandal. What would her parents think? What would her groom think? What would the neighborhood gossip be? Would her child forever be called illegitimate? How could this be favor with God? The reassuring words of the angel were puzzling.
[Philip King & Lawrence Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, 2001. 37.]
Luke 1:31-33 Endless Kingdom
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Imagine being a teenage girl engaged to be married in a year. An angel appears to you in your parents’ home and tells you that you will bear the Savior of the world while a virgin. You are young and inexperienced in life. You are unsure of yourself. You are in a quandary whether your betrothed will still want to marry you. You wonder if people in your village will reject you. You are unsure what your own parents will say, but you have that innocent faith of young people. What will Mary say?
Luke 1:34-38 Let it Be
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary chose to have faith instead of unbelief or complaining as Israel did. When we complain we are looking to visible circumstances instead of our invisible God. Instead of letting God be in control, we want to take control instead of waiting on his mighty hand. Do we complain or simply accept God at His word like Mary did?
Postlude: Mary found favour with God and had the faith to say, Let it be to me according to your word. May we also say as Jesus did, not my will but yours.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Luke 1:26-28 Gabriel
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
This was Elizabeth’s 6th month of pregnancy with John. It is the only indication we have that John was 6 months older than Jesus. Mary and Elizabeth were related. Some translations of verse 36 say they were cousins, but the original Greek word simply means a relative. Highly favored one is sometimes translated “full of grace” and portrays Mary as a receiver of grace not the “Mother of Grace.”
Luke 1:29-30 Favor with God
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Mary was a virgin engaged to Joseph. It was common custom, so it’s possible that Mary was probably a teenager. She was greatly troubled at the words of the angel. So he comforted her. How great an example of faith can a teenager be? To be an unwed mother during her engagement period would have been a great scandal. What would her parents think? What would her groom think? What would the neighborhood gossip be? Would her child forever be called illegitimate? How could this be favor with God? The reassuring words of the angel were puzzling.
[Philip King & Lawrence Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, 2001. 37.]
Luke 1:31-33 Endless Kingdom
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Imagine being a teenage girl engaged to be married in a year. An angel appears to you in your parents’ home and tells you that you will bear the Savior of the world while a virgin. You are young and inexperienced in life. You are unsure of yourself. You are in a quandary whether your betrothed will still want to marry you. You wonder if people in your village will reject you. You are unsure what your own parents will say, but you have that innocent faith of young people. What will Mary say?
Luke 1:34-38 Let it Be
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary chose to have faith instead of unbelief or complaining as Israel did. When we complain we are looking to visible circumstances instead of our invisible God. Instead of letting God be in control, we want to take control instead of waiting on his mighty hand. Do we complain or simply accept God at His word like Mary did?
Postlude: Mary found favour with God and had the faith to say, Let it be to me according to your word. May we also say as Jesus did, not my will but yours.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Ode of Mary
What do mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss the Ode of Mary, the Latin Magificat, the Greek Megalynalion in Luke 1:39-55.
Luke includes three canticles or songs, written like Psalms, Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, and Simeon’s Song. In Latin: the Magnificat (“magnifies”, often sung at Vespers or evening prayer), the Benedictus (“blessed”, often sung at Lauds or morning prayer), and the Nunc Dimittis (“now you dismiss”, often sung right after Communion).
Elizabeth
Luke 1:39-41 “Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Biblical descriptions of evidence of being spirit-filled varies. Elizabeth prophesied in her own language (Luke 1:39-56). Others were given craftsmanship skills (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), or leapt in a mother’s womb (Luke 1:15), uttered a prophecy (Luke 1:67-68), were led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1).
Others spoke in known tongues (Acts 2:4), received wisdom (Acts 6:3-5), saw visions (Acts 7:55), had healing (Acts 9:17-20), did missionary feats (Acts 11:24), experienced insight (Acts 13:9-10) and joy (Acts 13:52). Non-Christian religions experience tongues. It’s not always evidence of being spirit-filled.
Luke 1:42-43 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?”
Mary’s long journey to Elizabeth in the hill country was dangerous for a bride-to-be. Once there, John the Baptist filled with the Holy Spirit before birth leaped in his mother’s womb, and Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit prophesied. Elizabeth the older of them, humbly addressing Mary in deferential terms.
Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah the high priest, doubted Gabriel and was speechless until his son, John the Baptist was born. Mary believed Gabriel about Christ’s birth. She said, let it be according to your word. She believed and was blessed. The message of Christmas includes mercy, humility and feeding the hungry.
Mary
Luke 1:44-48 “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord. And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.’”
Although Luke says nothing about Mary speaking this by the Holy Spirit, almost everything she said was from the Scriptures. It is heartfelt public praise to “the Lord”, a common Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew word for God, YHWH. In this context, soul and spirit mean the same thing.
Mary’s outrageous faith dares to believe that the poor will be saved, a message of hope in continuing oppression by the world’s powerful. Riches are empty but humility brings us good things. Our Savior born in a stable to poor people continually reminds us that God turns things upside down.
Luke 1:49-51 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.”
The immaculate deception presumes Mary was born without sin. The truth is God did great things through an ordinary human being. Only one human being has ever been described in the Bible as sinless (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5), Jesus.
Luke 1:52-55 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
There is a hunger that physical food cannot satisfy, but Jesus can. There is a wealth that Christmas commercialism cannot satisfy, but God can. Let’s go against the culture and teach our children the excitement of giving, not just getting. Let’s not teach our children to become spiritually empty materialists.
Jesus was not born among the wealthy and powerful but in humble circumstances. Mary was not a celebrity, but a modest peasant girl. Mary’s ode praises God for his acts of mercy, lifting up the humble and filling the hungry with good things. This is a real theme of Christmas.
Luke 1:39-55; Luke 1:39-56; Exodus 31:3; 35:31; Luke 1:15; Luke 1:67-68; Luke 4:1; Acts 2:4; Acts 6:3-5; Acts 7:55; Acts 9:17-20; Acts 11:24; Acts 13:9-10; Acts 13:52; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Luke includes three canticles or songs, written like Psalms, Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, and Simeon’s Song. In Latin: the Magnificat (“magnifies”, often sung at Vespers or evening prayer), the Benedictus (“blessed”, often sung at Lauds or morning prayer), and the Nunc Dimittis (“now you dismiss”, often sung right after Communion).
Elizabeth
Luke 1:39-41 “Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Biblical descriptions of evidence of being spirit-filled varies. Elizabeth prophesied in her own language (Luke 1:39-56). Others were given craftsmanship skills (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), or leapt in a mother’s womb (Luke 1:15), uttered a prophecy (Luke 1:67-68), were led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1).
Others spoke in known tongues (Acts 2:4), received wisdom (Acts 6:3-5), saw visions (Acts 7:55), had healing (Acts 9:17-20), did missionary feats (Acts 11:24), experienced insight (Acts 13:9-10) and joy (Acts 13:52). Non-Christian religions experience tongues. It’s not always evidence of being spirit-filled.
Luke 1:42-43 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?”
Mary’s long journey to Elizabeth in the hill country was dangerous for a bride-to-be. Once there, John the Baptist filled with the Holy Spirit before birth leaped in his mother’s womb, and Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit prophesied. Elizabeth the older of them, humbly addressing Mary in deferential terms.
Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah the high priest, doubted Gabriel and was speechless until his son, John the Baptist was born. Mary believed Gabriel about Christ’s birth. She said, let it be according to your word. She believed and was blessed. The message of Christmas includes mercy, humility and feeding the hungry.
Mary
Luke 1:44-48 “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord. And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.’”
Although Luke says nothing about Mary speaking this by the Holy Spirit, almost everything she said was from the Scriptures. It is heartfelt public praise to “the Lord”, a common Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew word for God, YHWH. In this context, soul and spirit mean the same thing.
Mary’s outrageous faith dares to believe that the poor will be saved, a message of hope in continuing oppression by the world’s powerful. Riches are empty but humility brings us good things. Our Savior born in a stable to poor people continually reminds us that God turns things upside down.
Luke 1:49-51 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.”
The immaculate deception presumes Mary was born without sin. The truth is God did great things through an ordinary human being. Only one human being has ever been described in the Bible as sinless (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5), Jesus.
Luke 1:52-55 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
There is a hunger that physical food cannot satisfy, but Jesus can. There is a wealth that Christmas commercialism cannot satisfy, but God can. Let’s go against the culture and teach our children the excitement of giving, not just getting. Let’s not teach our children to become spiritually empty materialists.
Jesus was not born among the wealthy and powerful but in humble circumstances. Mary was not a celebrity, but a modest peasant girl. Mary’s ode praises God for his acts of mercy, lifting up the humble and filling the hungry with good things. This is a real theme of Christmas.
Luke 1:39-55; Luke 1:39-56; Exodus 31:3; 35:31; Luke 1:15; Luke 1:67-68; Luke 4:1; Acts 2:4; Acts 6:3-5; Acts 7:55; Acts 9:17-20; Acts 11:24; Acts 13:9-10; Acts 13:52; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Blessed Because you Believed
Intro
What do mercy, exalting the humble and filling the hungry with good things have to do with the birth of our Savior?
Goal
Are some of the most important aspects of Christmas acts of mercy, elevating the humble and caring for the poor?
Sermon Plan
Let’s discuss Mary’s song praising God for mercy, lifting up the humble and filling the hungry with good things in Luke 1:39-56.
Luke 1:39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Luke 1:46 Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. 52 He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. 54 He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. 55 For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”
Luke 1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
1. Why did Jesus Come? (vs. 39-44)
Mary’s long journey to Elizabeth in the hill country was dangerous for a bride-to-be. Once there, John the Baptist filled with the Holy Spirit before birth (Luke 1:15-17) leaps in his mother’s womb, and Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit prophesies. Elizabeth the older of the two reveals her humility, by addressing Mary in quite deferential terms. Her husband, Zechariah the high priest, lacked faith, doubting Gabriel’s message and was struck speechless until his son, John the Baptist was born. When Gabriel foretold Christ’s birth to Mary she said, let it be according to your word. She was an ordinary working-class girl, but she believed and was blessed. The message of Christmas includes mercy, humility and feeding the hungry.
2. What do the Spirit-Filled Do? (vs. 41)
The evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit varies. Elizabeth prophesied in her own language (Luke 1:39-56). Others were spirit-filled and given craftsmanship skills (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), or leapt in a mother’s womb (Luke 1:15), uttered a prophecy (Luke 1:67-68), were led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1), spoke in known tongues (Acts 2:4), received wisdom (Acts 6:3-5), saw visions (Acts 7:55), had healing (Acts 9:17-20), did missionary feats (Acts 11:24), experienced insight (Acts 13:9-10) and joy (Acts 13:52). Tongues experiences exist among non-Christian religions and may not always be evidence of being spirit-filled. When the Holy Spirit fills us, the evidence is not self-promotion, but glorifying God.
3. What do the Proud and Haughty Do? (vs. 51)
Don and Sally had a wealthy business but constantly belittled their sons. Matt handled his mistreatment by disappearing from the family and John stayed trying hard to appease his abusive parents. The business will probably not survive. [1] In the US a 2009 study found that “most of the medical bankrupt were middle class… homeowners… had gone to college… [and] had health insurance.” [2] Some few people profit immensely from a failed system. In America 33% of the elderly live in poverty. The OECD average is 13.5%. The worst European states have elderly poor of 20-27% and only around 2% in the Netherlands and New Zealand. Causes of poverty include economic inequality, poor education, divorce, sickness, greed and corruption.
[1] Ruth Mcclendon, Leslie B Kadis. Reconciling Relationships and Preserving the Family Business: Tools for Success. Haworth Press, Inc. 2004. 60.
[2] 111th Congress. Medical Debt: Is Our Healthcare System Bankrupting Americans? US government Printing Office. 2009. 19.
4. What is Mary’s Song? (vs. 46-55)
Mary’s ode became one of the church’s first hymns, perhaps written during her stay with Elizabeth during her pregnancy. The contrast between the exalted of this world and faithful, humble people characterizes the Magnificat. Mary sings with outrageous faith. She dares to believe that the poor will be saved, even though they continue to be trodden down, even in our day. It is a message of hope in present and continuing oppression by the world’s powerful. It dares to claim that the rich are really empty and that the humble are filled with good things. The birth of the Savior of the world in a stable to poor working-class people is a continual reminder of God turning things upside down.
Outro/Take Home
Jesus was not born among the wealthy and powerful but in a shelter for livestock. Mary was not one of the celebrities of her day, but a poor lower-class girl. Mary sings an ode praising God for his acts of mercy, lifting up the humble and filling the hungry with good things. Should we join God and do likewise?
Good News for a Humble Virgin
Intro
The Bible tells us that we can learn a lot from a child, the innocence and faith that belongs to the kingdom of heaven. What can we learn from a teenager? We can also learn something valuable from a teenager as we will see from the example of Mary.
Purpose
I hope we will learn something of the simplicity of trust in God.
Plan
We will look at the so-called Annunciation, the announcement to Mary of her pregnancy with the Christ child and its lessons for us and our walk of faith.
How Old was Mary
Mary was a virgin (Luke 1:27), engaged to Joseph. It is strange to our culture that girls were betrothed at age twelve to fourteen [Philip King & Lawrence Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, 2001. 37.] and would have married about a year later. But, is our society really superior? Young males produce the most testosterone around 18. Young females reach sexual peak a few years later. Do we expect them to wait and be abstinent during their peak sexual years until they finish their education, their career is developed and they can prepare for marriage? It is a very difficult request and most young people in our culture are not able to comply. At the same time our businesses and media profit by placing sexual temptation before the young. Our culture leads the young into unwed sex and all the problems associated with that. How dare we judge their culture?
Putting Ourselves in Mary’s Shoes
Imagine being a young teenage girl, twelve or thirteen years old, engaged to be married in a year. An angel appears to you in your bedroom in your parents’ home. You are initially frightened. The angel tells you not to be afraid. He tells you that you are highly favored and will bear the Savior of the world while a virgin (Luke 1:26-38). You are young and inexperienced in life. You are unsure of yourself. You are unsure if your betrothed will still want to marry you. You are unsure if people in your village will reject you or stone you. You are unsure what your own parents will say, but you have that innocent faith that young people often exhibit, who have not yet faced life’s faith-destroying trials and disappointments. She says, let it be as you said.
Unexpected Grace
What does it mean that Mary found favor with the Lord (Luke 1:30)? It was an unexpected grace from God. The word “Rejoice!” translated here as “Greetings!” was used in the prophets to the daughters of Zion. Mary represents of all the daughters of Zion. Then we have the greeting we know from our liturgy, the Lord is with you. It had a double meaning. Mary was troubled by this greeting. Like Peter recognized after the catch of fish that he was a sinner and told Jesus to go away (Luke 5:8), so too Mary recognized that she was a sinner and was afraid in the presence of a holy angel from God. The angel gave her the equivalent of an absolution from her sins telling her not to fear and that she had found favor with God.
Logos and Rhema
Some Christians make a big deal over the Greek word rhema. Some even go so far as to say that a rhema (supposedly a spoken word) is for today and that the logos (supposedly the written word) is for yesterday. This leads some to put more faith in a so-called “word of knowledge” than the Bible. The whole idea is a word of ignorance and not knowledge at all because the words rhema and logos are often used interchangeably. One such instance is in Luke 1:29, 38 where Mary was troubled at the spoken word (logos) of an angel and then after the angel finished, she expressed her faith in his spoken word (rhema). Ignorance aside, Mary has become for us the model of someone who waits for the advent of our Lord, not in fear but in faith.
Mary’s Faith
How great an example of faith can a woman be? How great an example of faith can a teenager be? Imagine how the angel’s news (Luke 1:26-38) would have seemed to Mary. Here she was a virgin in her early teens. To be an unwed mother during her engagement period would have been a great scandal. What would her parents think? What would her groom think? What would the neighborhood gossip be? Would she be stoned as a sinner? Would her child forever be called a bastard? Yet, the angel reassured her that she had found favor with God. Would she believe the promises that her son would be great and his kingdom would never end? The faith of this young teenage girl is an example for all women and men as we wait for the Lord’s Coming.
Mary’s Two Choices
Mary chose faith (Luke 1:26-38) but she had another choice. She could have chosen unbelief. She could have chosen, as the Israelites did, to complain. We too have the same choices in front of us. Faith or unbelief. Complaining is one of the evidences of a lack of faith. When we complain we are looking to circumstances around us instead of God. We are looking to the visible instead of the invisible. We are really a mixture of both. Instead of letting God be in control, we want to take control. We want to hurry God and try to manipulate circumstances instead of waiting on his mighty hand. We want to call God a liar instead of waiting on him to save us in his good time. Do we complain or simply accept God at his word like Mary?
Mother of our Lord
Elizabeth called Mary the mother of our Lord (Luke 1:43). Jesus is God the Son and it was natural to call her the mother of God. However, some went further than that and elevated Mary to virtual God by claiming that she remained a perpetual virgin and never sinned, yet if Mary never sinned, why did she need to sing of her need for a Savior (vs. 47)? So, the Church has struggled with Mary. Catholics have tended to idolize her and Protestant have overreacted and ignored her. Luke 1:26-38 helps us find the balance, correcting both Catholics and Protestants. In a manner similar to the original creation story (Genesis 1:1-2), the Holy Spirit would come over Mary and the Son of God would be in her and her faith would be an example to us all.
The Most Important Thing in Life
We marvel that God chose a virgin (Luke 1:26-38) that she gave birth in a stable. We may have selected a palace. Our priorities are all wrong. We believe that homeownership is so important. King David was a nomad, but later had a palace and a house. He wanted to build God a house (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16). God does not need one. God promised to build David a different kind of house, a dynasty which would last forever. Jesus is David’s descendant, a king whose kingdom will last forever. We are just nomads passing through. Our homes change hands. Even our bodies are only temporary homes. We await a permanent spiritual body from heaven. Buying land and owning a house is not really the most important thing in life. Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is.
Mary’s Song of Hope for the Poor
Modern interpreters love to spread doubt, such as claiming that the Magnificat was not written by Mary. Mary’s song could have easily been written down while she spent three months at Elizabeth’s home during her pregnancy. The introduction clearly states, “And Mary said” (Luke 1:39-56) and is supported by many scholars.* It is a song of outrageous faith that dares to believe that the poor will be saved, even though they continue to be trodden down, even in our day. It is a message of hope in present and continuing oppression by the powerful. It dares to claim that the rich are in reality empty and that the humble are filled with good things. The birth of the Savior of the world in a stable to poor peasants is a continual reminder of God turning things upside down.
* Henry, Hugh. "Magnificat." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 22 Dec. 2012 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09534a.htm>.
Mary’s Song of Faith
Zechariah may have been a high priest but Gabriel said that he lacked faith, doubting the angel’s message. So, he was struck speechless until his son, John the Baptist was born. Gabriel also foretold Christ’s birth to Mary and she said, let it be according to your word. She was an ordinary peasant girl, but she believed and was blessed. This contrast of faith between those exalted in this world and those of humble backgrounds is a backdrop to the Magnificat, Mary’s Song of Faith (Luke 1:39-56). Mary sang that God is mindful of humble people. She sounded out, my soul magnifies God who favors those who honor him. She caroled that God scatters the proud and brings down rulers, but he exalts the humble. Mary sang that God fills the hungry but sends the rich away empty.
Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled Experience
Speaking in an unknown language is not necessarily the “initial evidence” of being filled with the spirit. Elizabeth’s experience contradicts that theory. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in a known language (Luke 1:39-56). She said what is now a famous expression repeated often as a prayer: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Others were spirit filled and evidenced craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), movement in a mother’s womb (Luke 1:15), prophecy (Luke 1:67-68), being led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1), known tongues (Acts 2:4), wisdom (Acts 6:3-5), saw visions (Acts 7:55), healing (Acts 9:17-20), missionary feats (Acts 11:24), insight (Acts 13:9-10) and joy (Acts 13:52). Tongues experiences exist but are not always evidence of being spirit-filled.
Conversations with Gabriel
Luke records two conversations with Gabriel the archangel, one with Zechariah the father of John the Baptist and one with Mary the mother of Jesus. Zachariah and Elizabeth were praying a long time for a child, but when Gabriel announced the answer to their prayers Zachariah did not believe. And so he was mute because of his unbelief until John was born. In Mary’s conversation with Gabriel she also had questions but responded by saying that she is the servant of God and to let it be according to His will. Like the Old Covenant old and expiring, Elizabeth bore John in her old age. Like the New Covenant, Mary was in her youth. Like ancient Israel under the Old Covenant, Zachariah approached the situation in disbelief. Like the New Covenant, Mary approached the situation in faith (Luke 1:38).
Outro
We can learn a lot from a child and we can learn a lot from the faith of a young teenage girl who bore the Christ child.
Advent's Messages: faith and hope
Intro
I have some questions for you today: Who is the most popular Christian inside of the Bible apart from Jesus, and what do faith and hope for the poor have to do with Christmas?
Goal
I want us to understand that some of the most important messages of Advent are faith and hope.
Sermon Plan
We will discuss faith and hope for the poor.
Advent’s message: faith
Zechariah may have been a high priest but Gabriel said that he lacked faith, doubting the angel’s message. So, he was struck speechless until his son, John the Baptist was born. Gabriel also foretold Christ’s birth to Mary and she said, let it be according to your word. She was an ordinary peasant girl, but she believed and was blessed. This contrast of faith between those exalted in this world and those of humble backgrounds is a backdrop to the Magnificat, Mary’s Song of Faith (Luke 1:39-56). Mary sang that God is mindful of humble people. She sounded out, my soul magnifies God who favors those who honor him. She caroled that God scatters the proud and brings down rulers, but he exalts the humble. Mary sang that God fills the hungry but sends the rich away empty.
Elizabeth’s spirit-filled experience
Speaking in an unknown language is not necessarily the “initial evidence” of being filled with the spirit. Elizabeth’s experience contradicts that theory. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in a known language (Luke 1:39-56). She said what is now a famous expression repeated often as a prayer: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”[1] Others were spirit filled and evidenced craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), movement in a mother’s womb (Luke 1:15), prophecy (Luke 1:67-68), being led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1), known tongues (Acts 2:4), wisdom (Acts 6:3-5), saw visions (Acts 7:55), healing (Acts 9:17-20), missionary feats (Acts 11:24), insight (Acts 13:9-10) and joy (Acts 13:52). Tongues experiences exist but are not always evidence of being spirit-filled.
Advent’s message: hope for the poor
Modern interpreters love to spread doubt, such as claiming that the Magnificat was not written by Mary. Mary’s song could have easily been written down while she spent three months at Elizabeth’s home during her pregnancy. The introduction clearly states, “And Mary said” (Luke 1:39-56) and is supported by many scholars.[1] It is a song of outrageous faith that dares to believe that the poor will be saved, even though they continue to be trodden down, even in our day. It is a message of hope in present and continuing oppression by the powerful. It dares to claim that the rich are in reality empty and that the humble are filled with good things. The birth of the Savior of the world in a stable to poor peasants is a continual reminder of God turning things upside down.
[1] Henry, Hugh. "Magnificat." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 22 Dec. 2012 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09534a.htm>.
Outro/Take Home
Jesus was not born among the wealthy and powerful but in a stable. Mary was not one of the celebrities of her day, but a poor peasant girl. Some of the great messages of Christmas are faith and hope for the poor.
Advent's message: two women of faith
Intro
Mary’s experience of expectation of the birth of Christ is written down and summarized in what is called Mary’s Song, the Magnificat. What can we learn from two women of faith, Mary and Elizabeth?
Goal
Let us understand that Mary’s message and Elizabeth’s words are relevant for Advent today.
Sermon Plan
We will look at Advent’s message of faith, a spirit-filled blessing and hope for the poor.
Advent’s message: faith
Zechariah may have been a high priest but Gabriel said that he lacked faith, doubting the angel’s message. So, he was struck speechless until his son, John the Baptist was born. Gabriel also foretold Christ’s birth to Mary and she said, let it be according to your word. She was an ordinary peasant girl, but she believed and was blessed. This contrast of faith between those exalted in this world and those of humble backgrounds is a backdrop to the Magnificat, Mary’s Song of Faith (Luke 1:39-56). Mary sang that God is mindful of humble people. She sounded out, my soul magnifies God who favors those who honor him. She caroled that God scatters the proud and brings down rulers, but he exalts the humble. Mary sang that God fills the hungry but sends the rich away empty.
Elizabeth’s spirit-filled experience
Speaking in an unknown language is not necessarily the “initial evidence” of being filled with the spirit. Elizabeth’s experience contradicts that theory. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in a known language (Luke 1:39-56). She said what is now a famous expression repeated often as a prayer: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”[1] Others were spirit filled and evidenced craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), movement in a mother’s womb (Luke 1:15), prophecy (Luke 1:67-68), being led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1), known tongues (Acts 2:4), wisdom (Acts 6:3-5), saw visions (Acts 7:55), healing (Acts 9:17-20), missionary feats (Acts 11:24), insight (Acts 13:9-10) and joy (Acts 13:52). Tongues experiences exist but are not always evidence of being spirit-filled.
Advent’s message: hope for the poor
Modern interpreters love to spread doubt, such as claiming that the Magnificat was not written by Mary. Mary’s song could have easily been written down while she spent three months at Elizabeth’s home during her pregnancy. The introduction clearly states, “And Mary said” (Luke 1:39-56) and is supported by many scholars.[1] It is a song of outrageous faith that dares to believe that the poor will be saved, even though they continue to be trodden down, even in our day. It is a message of hope in present and continuing oppression by the powerful. It dares to claim that the rich are in reality empty and that the humble are filled with good things. The birth of the Savior of the world in a stable to poor peasants is a continual reminder of God turning things upside down.
[1] Henry, Hugh. "Magnificat." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 22 Dec. 2012 http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09534a.htm.
Outro/Take Home
Mary and Elizabeth teach us a message of faith, spirit-filled blessings and hope for the poor. As we prepare for Christ’s Advent let us remember the lessons taught by these two women of faith.
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