Gtcotr/ss121717
Last
Sunday we learned three principles of life from Mary as we reviewed the
beginning of the Christmas story from Luke 1:26-38 …
1.
Purity of spirit, soul and body is critical to achieving God’s best
for our lives.
2.
One moment of favor is worth a thousand days of labor.
3.
If we will give God’s Word a chance it will change our lives.
Luke
1:39-56 Mary’s account continues with her traveling to visit Elizabeth. Mary’s
conclusion is: “God has filled the hungry with good
things and those who imagine they are self-sufficient go away empty handed”
(Luke 1:53)
The
heart of our message today is found in Luke 1:45-47. (The setting …)
Luke 1 NKJV
45 “Blessed is she who
believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her
from the Lord.”
46 And Mary said: “My soul
magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced
in God my Savior.”
·
Lord
in verse 45 = Greek: “Kurios” which means owner;
master; the one to whom I belong and who has power over me; my sovereign.
·
My
soul in verse 46 = Greek: “Psuche” – the mind, will and emotions of an
individual mortal man; that part of man that must be born again or if not, then
we live with the consequences and within the confines of eternal damnation and
death.
·
Magnifies
in verse 46 = Greek: “Megaluno” – comes from the
root word “Megas” and means to make great; esteem highly; praise, celebrate and
make known.
·
“My
soul magnifies the Lord” – Greek – “Mou psuche megaluno Kurios”
·
My
spirit in verse 47 = “Pneuma”
which means the spark of life within me that gives me breath and governs my
soul.
·
Rejoiced
in the Greek denotes the expression of one who has been made joyfully happy and
exceedingly glad.
·
God
in verse 47 = Greek “Theos” – herein referring
to the one true living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … Jehovah the Creator of
all things.
·
My Savior
= Greek “Soter” – the one who rescues, delivers,
saves, sets free and keeps me safe from all harm.
Luke 1 NKJV
45 “Blessed is she who
believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her
from the Lord.”
46 And Mary said: “My soul
magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced
in God my Savior.”
Have
you ever considered who Mary represents in the Christmas Story? God pays
attention to detail in His all-encompassing plan to save rebellious mankind.
Adam and Eve did not just get lost and separated from God. They sinned …
willful and intentionally … Adam and Eve rebelled against God when they
disobeyed Him and His Word. Every descendant of Adam was born into sin because
of the rebellious nature of man.
God
sent Jesus to put down the rebellion, (1 John 3:8b), by defeating sin, forgiving
sinners, delivering lives and saving the souls of those who believe on His
name. Jesus purchased our souls and offered us forgiveness. He paid for the
rebellion in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly.
(Romans 5:8) He loved us first … when we were rebellious …
God
leaves nothing to chance but divinely orchestrates every detail even sending
His Son to be born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem. The virgin’s name is
Mary.
·
Mary
= Greek – “Maria” or “Mariam” --- In Hebrew – “Miryam”
~ Both have the same meaning … “Rebellion”
God
sent the Savior to a world and a people who were lost and hurting because of their
rebellion. Mankind refused to trust, serve and worship Jehovah Almighty.
Instead of destroying mankind, God offered the rebellious a chance to see His
goodness, trust His Word, turn to Him and be Born Again. God’s plan for His
children is “out of this world!”
Mary
teaches again this week that:
1.
Blessed is the one who believes … they shall see the promise of God.
2.
We should see God bigger than our thoughts, our wants, and our
feelings. “Mou psuche megaluno Kurios”
3.
Theos mou Soter! (God is my Savior … my only hope in all things.)
Rejoice and be glad … every day is Christmas for the Believer!
