Preached on 12.14.08 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” 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.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Luke 1:39-56 ESV
“the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” Relatives. Also miraculous conception.
“the baby leaped in her womb” Fulfilling the promise of Luke 1:15.
“was filled with the Holy Spirit” How she knows what she knows.
“And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” See below.
P: Elizabeth provides a great example of humility.
Are we walking in this kind of humility today? If not, why not?
P: It is the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes to the truth about Jesus.
Do I stop to think and give thanks? Am I praying that God would open others’ eyes?
“My soul magnifies the Lord”
To show the greatness of God.
“God my Savior” Mary recognizes she needs a savior and God is her only hope.
“humble estate of his servant” Her low position in society.
“all generations will call me blessed” She recognized the ramifications of her calling.
P: Mary provides a great example of a healthy perspective.
Do I have a healthy perspective of my identity in Christ?
“for he who is mighty…and holy is his name.” Highlighting his might and holiness.
P: God is strong and acts on the behalf of His people.
Am I in the habit of seeing and sharing what God has done in my life?
“mercy” Lovingkindness, covenant faithfulness love.
“those who fear him”
Reverential awe, honor and respect.
P: God’s mercy is for those who fear Him.
Am I walking in the proper fear of God in my life?
“he has scattered the proud…brought down the mighty…exalted those of humble estate…filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” See below.
P: Even though God is great, He loves the lowly.
Am I showing His love to the lowly in my life?
P: God fills the hungry with good things.
What hunger do I need God to fill in my life?
“He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” See below.
P: God keeps His promises to His people.
What promises do I need to remind myself of in this season?
Other Promises God Keeps (For Further Study):
- He will save anyone who calls upon His name. Rom. 10:13
- He will keep us eternally secure. 2 Tim. 1:12, Jn. 10:27-28
- He will finish what He started within us. Phil. 1:6, Rom. 8:29-30
- He will never leave us. Mt. 28:19-20
- He will always bring some good out of bad situations for His people. Rom. 8:28, the story of Joseph in Genesis, etc.
- He will meet all of our needs. Phil. 4:19
- He has plans for our good. Jer. 29:11
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Works Cited: The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, The John MacArthur Study Bible, Messages by John Piper, Matt Chandler
