OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 Mary’s Response to God’s Gift Luke 1:46-50 OIF 2013 Advent Sermon Series Sermon #1 Paul J. Bucknell

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 RESPONSE attitude words thoughts gestures belief/doubt action/lack of We say: “We love God.” But how do we know? By the way we respond to the Lord. Discerning our heart response “I (Jesus) am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds” (Rev 2:23). Do you really love the Lord?

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 How do you respond to a bad turn of events? A godly response An ungodly response Common: React to a situation, person, etc. without God’s purpose and grace in mind. Less common: Prayerfully respond to a situation, person, etc. by ascertaining what is being asked and seeking extra grace from God to rightly respond.

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 event undesired desired How do you respond? Mary’s intervening event surprise anticipated undesired desired Your intervening event

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.“And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-35) Luke 1:26-35

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 39 Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luke 1:36-44) Luke 1:36-44

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 45 “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” 46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50 “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. 51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. 53 “HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; AND SENT AWAY THE RICH EMPTY-HANDED. 54 “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his offspring forever.” (Luke 1:45- 55) Luke 1:45-55

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 event “And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’” (Luke 1:30-31) Mary’s event A. Personally Exalts God (Luke 1:46-47) B. Humbles Oneself before God (Luke 1:48) C. Clearly Believes God’s Word (Luke 1:49-50)

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 A. Personally Exalts God (Luke 1:46-47) “And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior’” (Luke 1:46- 47). True worship begins with faith asserting God and His plans are great, whether to our present personal liking or not, thus transcending above our problems to the throne of God. Great worship “exalts … rejoiced” Personal worship “my soul…my spirit…my Savior” Triumphs in God’s help “my Savior”

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 You cannot please God without faith Faith enables you to worship Him in troubling situations Welcome God to tinker with your earthly experiences (an open palm) Your challenging event “Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold, And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18). The extreme worship prayer

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 True humility before God means that we catch a true understanding of our weaknesses and accept with vigor and belief that God’s involvement in our lives is supremely rewarding. B. Humbles Oneself before God (Luke 1:48) “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.” (Luke 1:48). Acknowledge one’s humble status “humble state” Affirm one’s willingness to do what God wants “His bondslave” Attach positive value on one’s service to God “will count me blessed” - Trust Him

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 Our life with its challenges is the platform God works out His will in our lives. A godly hope is not attached to an instant reward but on God’s will. Hope swallows up all life’s circumstances and surrenders itself to God’s great and glorious purposes (comprehensive) “He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:27-28). The hope prayer Your challenging event

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 C. Clearly Believes God’s Word (Luke 1:49-50) “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’” (Luke 1:49-50). Adoration for God is not rooted in a self-discovery of a finicky God’s delight in us but in God who faithfully works in all His people in all circumstances and so fosters a deep trust in God’s will. God’s will involves “great things” God’s will is personal “for me” God’s will is to be respected “Holy is His name” God’s will is based on merciful treatment to “those who fear Him”

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 Your life will be but an event when looking back God’s work in your life forms the most significant parts Apart from God’s work, one’s life is empty and without promise God sovereignly weaves our lives into a great beautiful pattern Your life event “By this I know that Thou art pleased with me, Because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me. As for me, Thou dost uphold me in my integrity, And Thou dost set me in Thy presence forever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.” (Ps 40:11-13). The prayer of faith

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 Worship of God Humility Belief ✦S✦Situation doesn’t matter ✦T✦Truth is same I am God’s child God seeks to bless me God has His particular plan for my life God will oversee everything that it is worked out for good ✦R✦Response is similar

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 Mary’s intervening event angel We saw her worshipful response. God rewarded her worshipful response. Our intervening events What is an intervening event that you are facing? What will be your worshipful response?

OIF Advent Sermon Series 1 Mary’s Response to God’s Gift Luke 1:46-50 OIF 2013 Advent Sermon Series Sermon #1 Paul J. Bucknell