4: God’s Promises (Luke 1:39-55)

In just a few minutes we are going to have communion. If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, or don’t know what that’s all about, let me explain. We will pass out bread and grape juice to all who want to receive it. If you or your child is not yet a follower of Jesus, this is not for you. While there is nothing mystical about this bread of juice - it will not mystically cleanse you - what it represents - the broken body & spilt blood of Jesus - is intended for those who have turned from their sins & live for Him. If you are not comfortable receiving this because you are not yet a follower of Jesus, you have 2 options - either let the plates pass without taking the bread or juice...or slip out during the countdown.

ME When I went to college I met the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. The only problem was, my girlfriend didn’t appreciate that I had given that title to someone else - Tonya Morton. My girlfriend had noticed my attraction to her and asked, “Are you attracted to Tonya?” “I cannot tell a lie...I did chop down the cherry tree.” That night we decided to no longer date exclusively we walked into a Christian Student Union meeting. Sitting next to that girlfriend of 3 years - a wonderful lady - it is time for someone to sing...and guess who it was...Tonya Morton! She sang, “My soul desire” by Babby Mason:

My soul desire is to be usedAn empty vessel longing to be filled by YouMy soul desire is to serve You LordTo do your perfect willTo work each day and build Your Kingdom,

this is my soul desire

I was in worship when I heard a voice: “That’s the one.” I looked around and no one that I knew was sitting beside me except my girlfriend...and I was pretty sure she didn’t say it. I left that evening pondering what I heard...was my mind playing tricks on me? I had couldn’t believe it. She was so far out of my league. We weren’t even dating. I really struggled with his cause it wasn’t easy to see. But if this WAS God...I was taking Him at His word!

For example, I forget my book everyday to a class we had together...so I could look on with her. We began dating and within 2 months we knew marriage was coming...but I never told her the story about the night she sang...until a year later, when I asked her to marry me.

And on June 12, 1993 - What I had heard - what God said was going to happen became reality when Tonya Morton took my last name. So now you know WHY she married me. It took an act of God!

WEThere are some other promises God has made to me...to YOU, that aren’t so easy to see. For example:

God promised never to leave those who belong to Him. But have you struggled to believe God is near when the circumstances are unclear?

To those who have repented and live for Jesus, God has promised that your sins are forgiven. But does your past still haunt you...”After all I’ve done, how can He REALLY see me as blameless, pure, & righteous?”

Jesus promised to return and restore all things. But as of yet...He hasn’t. Can He be trusted?

Today we journey back into Luke’s Gospel to discover what we can learn about trusting

God’s Promises.

Last week you’ll remember that God promised Mary - this young girl - likely 13 years old - a virgin - that she was going to birth the King of all kings, whose “kingdom will never end.”(Luke 1:33) The angel reminded Mary that nothing is too difficult for God, and he pointed to a pregnant senior adult for evidence that this was true. Mary responded...

left6350Luke 1:38–40 (NIV)38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.Luke 1:38–40 (NIV)38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.Luke 1:38–40 (NIV)38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.Luke 1:38–40 (NIV)38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.Picture this young girl, Mary walking from Nazareth down to Judea, a journey that would likely have taken 3-4 days. Does anyone go with this young girl? Luke doesn’t say, but she goes to see what the angel has spoken. Can you imagine as she gets near the home - Zechariah sees Mary first... still unable to talk he runs inside to signal to Elizabeth. As Elizabeth emerges, Mary sees her protruding belly - 6 months into her pregnancy. God has kept his word to Elizabeth...and Mary is immediately assured that God would keep His word to her as well.

Luke 1:38–40 (NIV)

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:38–40 (NIV)

Mary approaches Elizabeth and warmly greets her...can you imagine the smiles exchanged in that moment!

left6350Luke 1:41–42 (NIV)41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Luke 1:41–42 (NIV)41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Luke 1:41–42 (NIV)41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Luke 1:41–42 (NIV)41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Being filled with the Holy Spirit was not an everyday occurrence for these people. Now how does Elizabeth KNOW know who Mary is carrying in her womb? The Holy Spirit who filled her had revealed this to her. Out of all the women in the world, this young girl from Nazareth is the most blessed among all women of all time.

Luke 1:41–42 (NIV)

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

Luke 1:41–42 (NIV)

Then Elizabeth makes this most incredible statement:

left6350Luke 1:43–44 (NIV)43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke 1:43–44 (NIV)43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke 1:43–44 (NIV)43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke 1:43–44 (NIV)43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Think about the significance of this - the mother of my Lord - She doesn’t know this because of Mary’s belly - Mary isn’t showing yet. Mary hasn’t told her anything yet. But the Holy Spirit who has filled her has.

Luke 1:43–44 (NIV)

43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Luke 1:43–44 (NIV)

43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Elizabeth, like most Jews, would make a trip to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship the Lord - the place where the Holy of holies is - the place where God’s presence was considered to be most powerful ...but NOW...the Lord comes to her! Warren Wiersbe writes that “Mary’s womb became a holy of holies for the Son of God!” This is the great message of the Gospel - God has put on skin - the Creator clothed Himself in humanity. The infinite One became an embryo. You don’t have to come to Him. He comes to YOU!

And now Elizabeth and the unborn prophet in her womb, both sense the joy of this moment. The promise that at Israel had been waiting for was now hidden in Mary’s womb, in the mother of my Lord.

Up until this point, every use of Lord by Luke is in reference to Yahweh God. (Luke 1:6, 9 , 11, 15, 16, 17, 25, 28, 32, 38).

Now, the One who will be born to Mary is referred to as Lord. In fact, more than any other Gospel, Luke describes Jesus as Lord (κύριος 1:76; 2:11; 7:13, 19; 10:1, 39, 41; 11:39; 12:42; 13:15; 17:5f.; 18:6; 19:8, 31, 34; 20:42, 44; 22:61; 24:3, 34)

This is HUGELY significant. Elizabeth is old - yet Elizabeth is humble. She recognizes that her hope, the hope for her people, is found in this unborn child - the child who is her superior - the One who is to be named ‘Yeshua’ - Jesus - ‘Yahweh is salvation’.

Elizabeth completes her blessing with these words:

left6350Luke 1:45 (NIV)45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”Luke 1:45 (NIV)45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”Luke 1:45 (NIV)45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”Luke 1:45 (NIV)45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”Mary had believed what Gabriel had said. Now Elizabeth’s words & belly further confirm that what God has said will come to be. At this point Mary is bubbling over with joy and erupts with these powerful words of praise.

Luke 1:45 (NIV)

45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Luke 1:45 (NIV)

45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

left6350Luke 1:46–49 (NIV) 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.Luke 1:46–49 (NIV) 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.Luke 1:46–49 (NIV) 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.Luke 1:46–49 (NIV) 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.Mary is a humble servant grateful for God’s grace to her. Mary is the kind of person you love to be around. She is righteous, but NOT self-righteous. Mary is quick to give God the credit for what He has done. This is why God has chosen her.

Luke 1:46–49 (NIV) 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

She understands the story is bigger than her. She is not the star of the show - HE is. As the moon only reflects the glory of the sun, so this humble servant gives the credit to her Gracious God.

Long before Gabriel’s visitation or Elizabeth’s encouraging words, Mary heard the stories of God’s faithfulness in the past. Listen to her prayer that is littered with OT teachings.

Mary had no personal copy of the Scriptures like we have, left6350Luke 1:50–55 (NIV)50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. [from Deut. 5:9-10] 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. [Nebuchadnezzar - went crazy and ate grass like a cow in the field] 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble [like David the shepherd]. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” [God had promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through His family...and now it is about to happen. God promised that the Messiah would rule on King David’s throne forever, and now the countdown has begun...at 9 months.]Luke 1:50–55 (NIV)50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. [from Deut. 5:9-10] 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. [Nebuchadnezzar - went crazy and ate grass like a cow in the field] 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble [like David the shepherd]. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” [God had promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through His family...and now it is about to happen. God promised that the Messiah would rule on King David’s throne forever, and now the countdown has begun...at 9 months.]Luke 1:50–55 (NIV)50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. [from Deut. 5:9-10] 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. [Nebuchadnezzar - went crazy and ate grass like a cow in the field] 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble [like David the shepherd]. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” [God had promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through His family...and now it is about to happen. God promised that the Messiah would rule on King David’s throne forever, and now the countdown has begun...at 9 months.]Luke 1:50–55 (NIV)50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. [from Deut. 5:9-10] 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. [Nebuchadnezzar - went crazy and ate grass like a cow in the field] 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble [like David the shepherd]. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” [God had promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through His family...and now it is about to happen. God promised that the Messiah would rule on King David’s throne forever, and now the countdown has begun...at 9 months.]but God’s words & works saturated her soul!!!

Luke 1:50–55 (NIV)

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. [from Deut. 5:9-10] 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. [Nebuchadnezzar - went crazy and ate grass like a cow in the field] 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble [like David the shepherd]. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” [God had promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through His family...and now it is about to happen. God promised that the Messiah would rule on King David’s throne forever, and now the countdown has begun...at 9 months.]

Luke 1:50–55 (NIV)

Her words echoes those of Hannah’s prayers (1 Sam. 1:11; 2:1–10) as well as prayers throughout the Law, Prophets, & Psalms. This young girl has a deep appreciation for God’s Word.

Oh teenagers...and adults...that we would read & treasure God’s Words as Mary did. Again, what a great example to us!

She knew of the Exodus & how God rescued the Jews from 430 years of slavery. She knew of how God overthrew powerful kingdoms, raised up & destroyed mighty kings, & how God honored His humble servants.

Oh may we learn this lesson from humble servant...

BIG TRUTH Behave like you Believe God’s promises are trueBIG TRUTH Behave like you Believe God’s promises are trueBIG TRUTH Behave like you Believe God’s promises are trueBIG TRUTH Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true

BIG TRUTH

Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true

BIG TRUTH

Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true

But, is that WHY many of us don’t trust God with the future - because we don’t know or believe what God has done in the past?

If you believe God promises to show grace to the humble - Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true

If you believe God promises destruction to those who are impure & dishonest, and protection to those who are pure & honest, - Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true.

If you believe that God honors those who honor Him - Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true

Mary could trust God with the future, because she knew of His faithfulness in the past.

She behaved like she believed God’s promises were true. She was grateful for what was about to happen...even though it hadn’t happened yet. As Elizabeth had said, “she believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.”

So too, God has made us some promises that we have yet to see fulfilled, promises we can either question...or trust. Will you, like Mary, Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true? Have you genuinely turned from sin & trusted Jesus with your life?

Your Sin is forgiven. Sometimes we still FEEL guilty for sin in our rear view mirror. Will you trust your feelings that wax & wane or trust God’s promises which are true?

Jesus will never leave you...even when you can’t feel him. He has promised you His presence. Will you trust your feelings or God’s promises?

Jesus will return. His people have been waiting for 2000 years...and could be waiting much longer. Jesus promised to return and restore all things so we BELIEVE the words the Lord has promised. Will you Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true?

Would you check your life this week:

Words, Actions, Thoughts, Attitudes, Relationships...

If WE believed WE were REALLY forgiven, we REALLY believed He was with us, We REALLY believed Jesus will return!

BIG TRUTH

Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true

BIG TRUTH

Behave like you Believe God’s promises are true

PRAY

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