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December 15, 2024
Favored
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Luke 1:26-27NIV
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
Luke 1:28 NIV
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:29-30 NIV
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”
Luke 1:31-33 NIV
“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 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, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:34 NIV
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Mary’s purity has positioned her well to be used by the Lord.
Luke 1:35 NIV
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.”
Luke 1:36-37 NIV
“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. For no word from God will ever fail.”
Luke 1:38 NIV
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Mary’s faith has prepared her to receive the Lord’s blessing.
Luke 1:39-40 NIV
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
Luke 1:41 NIV
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:42NIV
In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
Luke 1:43-45 NIV
“But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:56 NIV
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Mary’s consistency with the Lord has allowed her to proclaim among the greatest!
Luke 1:46-48 NIV
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,”
Mary needs a savior as much as the rest of us.
“God my Savior”: This is a familiar Old Testament phrase (e.g., Hab. 3:18). In view of the exaggerated place that has been given to Mary in some Christian traditions, even describing her as “co-redeemer” with her son, it is salutary to notice that in this song she appears only as the grateful recipient of God’s saving work. She is a model of faith (1:45) rather than the object of it, and it is as such that she is to be congratulated for all generations (1:48).” - Luke, Teach the Text Commentary Series, R.T. France, M.Strauss, & J. Walton
Luke 1:49 NIV
For the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
Luke 1:50 NIV
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
Luke 1:51 NIV
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
Numbers 11:23 NIV
The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”
Luke 1:52-53 NIV
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.
Jesus has inaugurated an upside-down Kingdom!
Which of these ways do you need to most align your heart with God’s:
- In your purity
- In your faith
- In your consistency