God With Us: Responding to Immanuel

Luke 1:46–56 NASB95

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 descendants forever.” 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.

INTRO: Do you believe God will do what He said He would do?

This question is something that Christians must answer and a question that men and women have wrestled with throughout history.

If you think back through Scripture, we see both positive and negative examples:

David was anointed as king over Israel as a boy, yet struggled to believe God in the difficult season before He became the King.

Gideon did the whole fleece experiment with God before believing that God would go ahead of him and bring victory in the battle.

Positively, Abraham “believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Rom. 4:3, Gen. 15:6)

Moses believed God and led the captive Israelites from Egypt.

In our passage today, we look at the young Mary’s response to God’s presence. Mary was given a promise - not just a promise of a child, but of THE CHILD- the promised Messiah of which all the Scriptures point, the fulfillment of the law and the prophets; the Prince of Peace; Immanuel, - “God with us” in the person of Jesus.

This is the promise fulfilled that we celebrate each Christmas. We celebrate God’s faithfulness looking back, that God came to be with us. Friends, let me candidly ask you - Do you believe that God really came?

Let me first point you to the verse just before where we began, to Luke 1:45. Here we see Mary’s cousin Elizabeth speaking encouragement to Mary.

Luke 1:45 NASB95

45 “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

Mary believed the word of the Lord- that it would be fulfilled, - that’s not to say Mary didn’t struggle to believe, but the angel reminded her that with God all things are possible. IOW, we serve a supernatural God and supernatural events are kinda His specialty!

And in this, she did believe and Elizabeth knew that Mary would be blessed. What did this blessed life look like?

Well, we know that Mary did not live a life free from hardship or hurt. We know that she would endure the ridicule of family and neighbors. At some point, she became a widow, grieving the loss of her husband. She would sit helplessly at the foot of the cross watching Jesus as He suffered and died.

But, to be blessed is to transcend the pains of life because of something greater; it is to receive favor from God; to be recipients of His grace and love.

When we believe God, we too are blessed; recipients of His grace, trusting that the promise delivered will be fulfilled in our life, just as Mary believed God and the words of the angel which said:

(Matthew 1:21–23 “21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”” )

This morning, we will focus on Mary’s reflection of this truth. The sermon is entitled “God With Us: Responding to Immanuel” We are going to note 3 specific responses to God with us in Mary’s song.

It is my prayer that as we walk through the text together, your own response to “God with us” is developed and brought to light. If you picked up a bulletin, I encourage you to make use of the enclosed sermon guide as you follow along.

Let us begin: The first response to Immanuel in Mary’s song is:

Authentic Worship (46-47)

I want to point out that Mary was so overjoyed that she felt the need to sing… has that ever happened to you? I don’t know that she broke out in song immediately, but I do believe this section is a song that God placed in her heart as she pondered the good news of the Word of the Lord.

Let’s read 46-47 (READ)

Allow me to point out a few observations here:

Mary’s worship originated in her soul. (46a)

This wasn’t simply an emotional response though I am sure her emotions were engaged.

This wasn’t simply a physical response- though she obviously used her voice- maybe even lifted her hands!

Her soul - the essence of her being - exalts or makes a big deal of the Lord.

That’s what worship is isn’t it? Jesus told the Samaritan woman that true worshippers would worship in spirit and in truth. Mary didn’t need a cool worship band or the right style of music in order for her to worship- No, Mary believed God’s Word and thus, even as no song existed that could articulate her praise, she worshipped!

2. Mary’s Worship was joyful. (47a)

a. This was not an obligation, but a response.

b. She was genuinely joyous because she understood the value of God’s promise and indeed perhaps even the magnitude of His presence.

c. I imagine that the wonder of God’s mercies were so overwhelming for Mary that she just could not contain it… words alone aren’t enough, it must be sung joyfully and loudly!

Have you ever sang a song that was so connected with your soul that you just couldn’t help but lose yourself in it? Everything else disappears as your spirit communes with God in worship… talk about joy!

3. Mary’s Worship was focused. (46b, 47b)

a. The object of our worship, the recipient of our praise is the Lord our God.

b. I don’t think Mary’s song was to impress Elizabeth or us… it was intended to bring glory to God.

When we acknowledge the reality that God is with us, it will result in authentic worship too. Our songs, our service, our love for one another - will all be in response to God; to His Word, His promise, and His presence. He promised Mary that she would bear the Messiah, and He’s promised us adoption and belonging through the sacrifice of Christ.

Christian brothers and sisters, God is With US! Do you believe Him? Then let our worship be an honest, authentic response!

The second response to “God with us” that we note in Mary’s song is:

Humble Gratitude (48-50)

(READ)

Mary knew that she had not earned nor deserved God’s grace. She was poor and had nothing to offer. She was humble, not simply in attitude, but in reality. She wore no flashy clothing. She didn’t sport and nice jewelry. She didn’t even have a smartphone.

But, look here- God met her where she was. He came to her. She had nothing, but God came and offered her everything!

BTW- I know you and I might wonder “Why did He choose Mary?” and the only answer I can give is that He alone is God!

- there was no woman deserving of this honor. Not the queens of the mighty empires, not the pastor’s wives or daughters of the day, not anyone! God chose Mary because He is God.

Mary knew that this was a once-in-history event. She would have the honor of carrying the Son of God in her womb and indeed Christians over the last 2 millennia have called Mary “blessed”.

And I want you to notice- she isn’t boasting about how God is using her for great things, but rather she is boasting that God has done great things FOR her!

This is the mindset that Jesus taught his followers. If you remember, they were so amazed at how they could cast out demons and heal lepers, but Jesus reminded them not to rejoice in these things, but rather rejoice because their name was written in the Lamb’s book of life!

Rejoice and be thankful not only because God can use you, but most of all because God would make you a recipient of His mercy. Romans 5:8 “... while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” WE were enemies, but now are friends with God! We were dead, but now are alive! He came into our brokenness and our filth; He came to us in our tears and fears; our insecurities and our failures. He came to deliver mercy to you and to me, just as He did Mary.

Mary knew that this event that she got to be a part of was as much for her as it was through her. And so we see that she is humbly grateful to God.

In .v 49, Mary says, “And holy is His name”

Holy means set apart- belonging and devoted to God alone. Here in v. 50 of this song of Mary’s, she expresses that the One who is set above all creation reaches down in mercy upon generation after generation!

He has reached down to her generation, delivering Himself in the flesh, and He reaches down in our generation, extending His great mercy. God is with us!

Mary didn’t deserve it, and neither do we. But because we believe God’s Promises - that He has come to give us life and life abundantly, you and I too respond in humble gratitude. Oh what a Savior!

When we believe God is with us, it is evident in our authentic worship and humble gratitude.

Finally, we can respond to Immanuel through:

Faithful Testimony (51-55)

(READ)

Mary takes time to reflect upon God’ faithfulness in the past.

He has brought justice to the people; No king could compare to His great might!

He has provided in impossible situations - food literally falling from the sky, water coming out of a rock in the middle of the desert; There is nothing too difficult for God!

He has, because of His great name, given help to the nations- battles won, land provided, blessing upon blessing.

He has spoken to us; revealed Himself to us through prophets and His Word, now through the person of Jesus Christ.

Hey, if God has been faithful in every promise He has made, will He not be faithful now?

Mary’s song tells of the wondrous works of God throughout history, but with an eye forward because she knows that He isn’t done yet! She knows that He has promised to bring forth the Messiah (all through the OT, we see this) and NOW she gets to see it, be a part of it, and benefit from it!

I can just hear her- Hey! Have you heard the news!?!? Mary lived 9 months in the “already reality” of what was not yet realized. The Messiah has come!

And she would go back to her hometown and bear the disgrace of being a pregnant, unmarried woman. Her family likely wouldn’t all believe her… her dad probably had a real tough time! She would bear all of this because she believed God, and her testimony would reveal just how blessed Mary was.

If we believe God, we ought to see where He has intervened in our life too. Do you see how the Messiah has radically changed our situation? As Paul proclaimed it is not I who lives, but CHRIST IN ME! (Gal. 2:20)

Jesus came to free us from the penalty and bondage of our sins; We have a testimony!

Folks, have you heard the news? God is with us! We are in the midst of God’s story!

Look at what He’s done! I am forgiven, free, and in the family of God! I cannot not speak of what He’s done! And folks, He’s not finished with me yet! Christ will return and until then, I have a testimony!

Friend, do you want a life that has a greater purpose?

Do you want a life that is filled with joy?

Do you want a life that is not so filled with the pressure of you having to earn it?

Jesus said, John 3:16-18

John 3:16–18 NASB95

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Do you believe?

Maybe you are here and you have heard that God is with us, but you’ve never believed that He really is… maybe you just thought it was an expression or romanticized ideal… maybe you just have never been able to come to grips with “Immanuel” - maybe that’s why you find yourself dissatisfied with church or God..

Folks- the incarnation of Christ was a supernatural event and so is salvation. It is only b/c God is a God of the impossible that He can save us from our sins!

As we close this morning, I want to invite you to put your faith in Jesus. Believe in the One who came to bring salvation- put your trust in Him and Him alone, and He will give you His Holy Spirit to live in you.

Or perhaps this morning, you have grown unimpressed with Jesus or have lost the sense of awe and wonder at His coming- will you respond by coming forward and asking God to put within your a renewed sense of God’s presence in your life?

[PRAY]

Discuss: What response does “God with us” elicit in you?

Discuss: Mary quotes a portion of Ps. 103. Read this Psalm and discuss how this may have influenced her own song.

Discuss: When was the last time you shared your testimony of God? How can you be intentional over the Christmas holiday to do so?