Monday, January 08, 2024

#006 Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56) = January 8 = Life of Christ

Mary Visits Elizabeth (A city of Judah) 

Luke 1:39-56





Topics:
#Hashtags

Potential Sermon Titles: ??


Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39–56

39In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, 40where she entered Zachariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your offspring43How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me! 45Blessed is she who has believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!”

46And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord47and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name. 50His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. 51He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy, 55just as He spoke to our forefathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

56And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.[1]



[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 10–11). Holman Bible Publishers.


Intro Questions to get us thinking:

ESV Text with Highlights




A few days later Mary hurried to the highlands of Judea to the town where Zacharias lived, to visit Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.

She gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "You are favored by God above all other women, and your child is destined for God's mightiest praise. What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, the instant I heard your voice, my baby moved in me for joy! You believed that God would do what he said; that is why he has given you this wonderful blessing."



  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • Whom do you call first when you have good news to share?
  • How might Mary have felt when Elizabeth greeted her? How is she "blessed" and encouraged?




  • How is Mary's faith an example to you?
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.


Other YouTube Videos




Articles

Devotions



God Delivers
When told he would have a son, Zacharias had doubted the angel's word. From his human perspective, his doubt had been understandable—but with God, anything is possible. Although Zacharias and Elizabeth seemed long past the age of childbearing, God gave them a child! It is easy to doubt or misunderstand what God wants to do in our life. Even God's people sometimes make the mistake of trusting their intellect or experience rather than God. When tempted to think that one of God's promises is impossible, remember his work throughout history. God's power is not confined by narrow perspective or bound by human limitations. Trust him completely.


Apparently the Holy Spirit told Elizabeth that Mary's child was the Messiah because Elizabeth called her young relative "the mother of my Lord" as she greeted her. Elizabeth's greeting must have strengthened Mary's faith. Mary's pregnancy may have seemed impossible, but her wise relative believed in the Lord's faithfulness and rejoiced in Mary's blessed condition.

Mary Praises God

Mary responded, "Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation forever shall call me blest of God. For he, the mighty Holy One, has done great things to me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who reverence him.
"How powerful is his mighty arm! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has torn princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry hearts and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our fathers—Abraham and his children—to be merciful to them forever."
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.


Questions
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • For what does Mary praise God in this song? How would you summarize it? What contrasts does she make in verses 51-53? How do these reflect her feelings about God? About herself?
  • Who are the "proud," the "rulers" and the "rich," whose overthrow she celebrates? How will Jesus fulfill the themes of this song?
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I apply it to my life starting today?
  • Of the attributes of God celebrated in Mary's song, which do you appreciate the most? Which challenges you the most? Why?
  • Considering Mary, what level of social status do you need to fulfill God's purposes? Does that encourage you? Why?
  • Would you consider you God's humble servant or a proud, rich ruler?
  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links  at the bottom of this.
God's Good Gifts
When Mary said, "Now generation after generation forever shall call me blest of God," was she being proud? No, she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her. If Mary had denied her incredible position, she would have been throwing God's blessing back at him. Pride is refusing to accept God's gifts or taking credit for what God has done; humility is accepting the gifts and using them to praise and serve God. Don't deny, belittle, or ignore your gifts. Thank God for them and use them to his glory.

This song is often called the Magnificat, the first word in the Latin translation of this passage. Mary's song has often been used as the basis for choral music and hymns. Like Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Samuel 2:1-10), Mary praised God in song for what he was going to do for the world through her.




Other Resources:

Working Document for DBS

Title: My Soul Magnifies - Mother's Day

Opening Thoughts: As God enlists us into His work of bringing mercy and justice into the world, we should respond, like Mary, with glorious praise and humble participation. God is mindful of you; are you mindful of Him?

v  Song that defines your life is the #1 song on your 14th birthday.

Ø  Mary’s song in the Bible

 Text: Luke 1:26-33

v  How would you feel if God interrupted your life with His own plans?

o   These actions represent the revolutionary work of God’s kingdom!

§   Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

v  How do you respond when God calls you to be His agent of love & liberation in his world?

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“GROWING IN CHRIST” WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

“Christ in You”

Luke 1:46-55 -- “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as He said to our fathers.’"

These are Mary’s words after Elizabeth prophesied to her about being the mother of the coming Messiah. Read this passage again by inserting you as the one saying and receiving these words.

Just as God came to Mary and blessed her with the birth of Jesus, every follower of Christ experiences new birth in Him. Your new birth resulted in God Himself being birthed in you through the Holy Spirit! In a way, Mary’s response to the confirmation of the Christ child in her could be your response. Your soul can rejoice in God’s work in you as you glorify God for what He has done for you. God has uplifted you as his child!

John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. Can you fully appreciate God’s gift to you this Christmas? Can you find inexpressible joy that results in glory to God that He has chosen you as His child to experience Christ in you? God has great plans, wonderful deeds, and great abundance awaiting you not only this Christmas, but also for the eternity of your life. May you fully embrace His gift to you that you might experience more of Him!

1 Peter 2:9‐10 ‐‐ “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

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Friday, January 05, 2024

#005- An Angel Promises the Birth of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-38) = January 5 = Life of Christ

An Angel Promises the Birth of Jesus to Mary

Luke 1:26-38




Luke 1:26-38 (Nazareth) Mary Told of Conception


Topics:
#Angels
#Faith
#Gabriel
#God: Power
#God: Sovereignty
#God: Trinity
#Holiness
#Holy Spirit
#Jesus: Birth
#Jesus: Humanity
#Kingdom of God
#Marriage
#Mary (mother of Jesus)
#Miracles
#Nazareth
#Obedience and Disobedience
#Prophecy: Jesus
Potential Sermon Titles: ??

Announcement of the Birth of Jesus

Luke 1:26–38

26In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth27to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”

29But she was deeply troubled by this statement and was wondering what kind of greeting this could be.

30Then the angel told her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name JESUS32He 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 David33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

34Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?”

35The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the holy child to be born will be called the Son of God. 36And consider Elizabeth your relativeeven she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.”

38Consider me the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.[1]



[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 9–10). Holman Bible Publishers.

Intro Questions to get us thinking:

ESV Text with Highlights







  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • How does Gabriel's word to Mary compare with His word to Zechariah (vv. 13-17)?
  • How does Mary (vv. 34 38) respond differently than Zechariah (vv. 12, 18)j?
  • What truths about Jesus are emphasized here? What expectations must have been raised in Mary?
  • Why is the virgin birth important to the Christian faith?




  • What would it mean to doubt and fear God? When were you recently fearful but believing? How did God meet you?
  • In what area of your life do you need to believe that nothing is impossible with God? What keeps you from believing this?
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.


Other YouTube Videos

Articles

Devotions

The Virgin Birth of Jesus

The miraculous conception of Jesus and His birth to a virgin mother was just as puzzling for Mary as it is for most of us today (see Luke 1:34). But God did not give Mary—or us—a medical explanation. In some strange and mysterious way, God would “overshadow” Mary by His Spirit to bring about a miraculous conception. Once formed in Mary’s womb, Jesus was born through the normal process that brings children into the world.

Thus, from the beginning Jesus had two natures. His divine nature as God’s Son was joined with a human nature, in Mary’s womb, by a direct act of the Author of all creation. God is not limited in His work by our human understanding.



Feeling Inadequate
Mary was young, poor, and female—all characteristics that, to the people of her day, would make her seem unusable by God for any major task. But God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience he has ever demanded of anyone. You may feel that your ability, experience, or education make you an unlikely candidate for God's service. Don't limit God's choices. He can use you if you trust him.

 Nazareth, Joseph's and Mary's hometown, was a long way from Jerusalem, the center of Jewish life and worship. Located on a major trade route, Nazareth was frequently visited by Gentile merchants and Roman soldiers. Jesus was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth. Nevertheless, the people of Nazareth would reject him as the Messiah (Luke 4:22-30).


 Willing Obedience
A young unmarried girl who became pregnant risked disaster. Unless the father of the child agreed to marry her, she would probably remain unmarried for life. If her own father rejected her, she could be forced into begging or prostitution in order to earn her living. Mary, with her story about being made pregnant by the Holy Spirit, also risked being considered crazy. Still Mary said, despite the possible risks, "May everything you said come true." When Mary made that statement, she didn't know about the tremendous opportunity she would have. She only knew that God was asking her to serve him, and she willingly obeyed. Don't wait to see the bottom line before offering your life to God. Offer yourself willingly, even when the outcome seems difficult.


Jesus was born without the sin that entered the world through Adam. He was born holy, just as Adam was created sinless. In contrast to Adam, who disobeyed God, Jesus obeyed God and was thus able to face sin's consequences in our place and make us acceptable to God (Romans 5:14-19).


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Document for DBS

Series: King Jesus “Submitting to the Reign of Christ”

The circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus do not seem consistent with that of royalty, and the kingdom he described does not sound like an empire of politics and power. Perhaps Jesus is a different kind of king and his kingdom is not of this world. What does it mean to let King Jesus reign in your life?

Title: Long-Awaited King” (Luke 1:26-38)

Bookmark: Click Here

Opening Thoughts: Prophecy pointed to the one who would occupy the throne of David, but the coming King received a mixed reception by the people. What is your response to the long-awaited King of Kings?

v  Who is the King?

o   Is it okay to listen to Christmas before Thanksgiving?

§  Joy to the World Song Background

v  Expectations of Jesus

o   Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,

    ‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

·         Matthew 2:1-3 The Magi Visit the Messiah

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

o   Earth struggles to receive her true King when there’s someone else occupying the throne.

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Text: Luke 1:26-38

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

 

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Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.

v  Review and retell the story.

Reflections for applications:

v  Isaiah 9:1-7

o   The prophecy of the King

o   The birth of the King

o   The arrival of the King

§  But how did earth receive her King?

§  Have you received your King?

·         Prepare your heart for the King

o   The long-awaited King will have one more arrival

 

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Digging Questions:

·         How will you respond to God “As King Jesus”? What transformative move needs to be made?

·         What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?

·         What is God calling us (me and you individually) to do?

Take Away Challenges

·         What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

·         Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

·         What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?

Hashtags #KingJesus #Await

Sunday sermon link https://youtu.be/LZJRywAIxO4

Kevin’s Blog Link to more resources:       Click here for Kevin’s Blog Notes

Comments and resources with some more resources:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A26-38&version=NIV

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“GROWING IN CHRIST” WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Live the Impossible!

Luke 1:29‐30, 34, 35, 37 ‐‐ “‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son.’ ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.’"

There is no more wonderful experience than living in the presence and purpose of God. No matter how much you desire and believe this truth, you can still fall short of what God has for you. Mary questioned God as she was being filled with a revelation from Him. She even gets a double confirmation with the news about her cousin, Elizabeth, and her pregnancy. Mary finds herself faced with the overwhelming challenge of believing that God is on the verge of doing what sounds impossible.

You too will often be faced with stretches of your faith. These stretches expose a gap between where God is calling you and where your physical world/reality is. This gap becomes the divide between your ability to experience God or to live and be controlled by the world. God does not want you to live to the edge of your world – He wants you to live the impossible by stepping out in faith to experience what He has for you.

Abraham did this in Hebrews 11:19 ‐‐ “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” Living the impossible with Christ fills your life with His presence, power, and love. Do not allow your life of faith to be restricted by the limitations of this world – allow it to be filled with the presence and work of Christ in you!

Mark 9:23‐24 (NEB) ‐‐ “‘If it is possible,’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible to one who has faith.’ ‘I have faith,’ cried the boy’s father, ‘help me where my faith falls short.’” Matthew 17:20 (NIV) ‐‐ “He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’"


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