Worry or Worship

Luke 1:39-56

We are going through the Gospel of Luke verse by verse, and I have entitled this entire Series, Follow His Steps.

We haven’t gotten to the part where we have seen the feet of the one who we are to follow.

Instead as we work our way to meeting Him, we learn from those who would teach, guide and help the One whom we are to follow.

In the process we can learn some principles that we can use to follow Christ.

We have been introduced to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist and Elisabeth John’s mother.

Last week we were introduced to a maiden, Mary, who was told that she would give birth to the Messiah.

After hearing this wonderful news from Gabriel the Angel from the Lord, Mary takes a trip to see Elisabeth.

Mary was told by the angel that Elisabeth was already six months pregnant, even though she was beyond the child bearing years.

This was proof and encouragement for Mary’s faith, For with God nothing shall be impossible.

So Mary travels to see Elisabeth.

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

Mary would have walked roughly one hundred miles in scorching heat.

In verse 41 the Bible tells us that the Baby, John, lept in Elisabeth’s womb.

I think it is very worth mentioning that both babies are recognized as human personalities before their birth.

This confirms that the unborn are living, 100% human beings.

How we need to be careful to protect the lives that God has blessed this world with.

Jeremiah 1:5 KJV

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

God not only knows who we are even while we are still in our mother’s womb, but he calls and ordains us to do His will even from that womb.

John the Baptist, while still in Elisabeth’s womb made his first prophecy concerning the Son of God.

41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Elisabeth, upon feeling the baby leap, knowing from the Holy Spirit why the baby leaped…took the opportunity to encourage the young maiden, Mary, in her faith.

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Mary was obviously strengthened by her cousins words.

How powerful are right words, at the right time!

As these two first-time mothers are rejoicing in the goodness of God, Mary is confronted wiht a choice—to worry or worship.

For many, a pregnancy can be a real cause for concern.

But Mary faced a very unique situation with her pregnancy.

She was not yet fully married to Joseph.

She had not known Joseph intimately, but the assumption by everyone around her would be that she was.

Joseph would assume the worst.

Life would be very difficult for her and this young child.

Mary could have worried about her future, but in the midst of some incredible circumstances, Mary chose to worship God despite her circumstances.

Worship can be defined simply as “magnifying the Lord.”

Mary magnified the Lord through her song that we will study today.

And in this we can see how we ought to choose Worship rather than Worry

I. Magnify His Salvation

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Mary realized that this baby, no matter what circumstances that could cause worry, was the answer to many peoples prayers.

God had come and put within her, the One who would bring salvation to the world.

She may not have understood how that would happen, but there is no doubt she understood how significant this was.

We see that in her song Mary chose to:

A. Magnify Jesus as Lord

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

She had earlier expressed to the messenger of the Lord that she was yielding to God’s will.

She yielded to God as her Lord.

Luke 1:38 KJV

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Now she sings her Magnificat to the Lord and those around her that God is Her Lord.

Unfortunately many Christians songs today have become difficult to be certain who the singer is singing about.

Is it a romantic song about a human, or a song of worship and adoration about God?

Many songs don’t even mention Jesus at all.

The truth is man was created to worship.

We are built for it.

But sin has distracted us from worshipping the One who we were created to worship, to worshipping themselves.

This inspired song from Mary parallels Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2.

It is quite possible she may have been led by Scripture in her own song here.

God’s will for His people is that we would worship Him with our entire spirit.

When we sing together here in church it allows us to honor the Lord with greater intensity, and encourage others around us to worship Him more.

Psalm 108:1 KJV

1 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, Even with my glory.

There is something about private worship, but when we worship where others can see us, it shares the gospel to others.

Stuck on the expressway in traffic, singing not remembering my window was down.

Just let it loose!

Don’t worry who is listening…make a joyful noise!

Mary Magnified Jesus as Lord, but she did so much more, and something very theologically important! She...

B. Magnify Jesus as Savior

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Mary needed a Savior, just as much as anyone else in the world or throughout time.

Mary is not to be worshipped.

We can honor her, as she recognized that many for generations to come would bless her for her faithfulness.

…all generations shall call me blessed...

But we see from these couple of verses three wonderful truth’s about Jesus...

1. The Savior Cares Personally

48a For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:

God saw her need and saved her.

Mary recognized her own personal need for a Savior.

And she recognized that God cared individually about us.

Romans 5:8 KJV

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2. The Savior Comes Compassionately

Knowing that she was a lowly sinner, Mary realized that God, through His great compassion, chose to send the Savior anyways.

John 3:16 KJV

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God knew that we would fail many times, but yet he came anyways…while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Timothy 1:9 KJV

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

3. The Savior Blesses Generationally

48b ...For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Because God chose Mary to carry the Messiah and she willingly submitted to Him, every generation since (including us) has benefited.

Galatians 4:4–5 KJV

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Jesus still saves today!

Through Mary’s example we can Magnify the Lord’s Salvation!

But she gives in this song another way we can worship Him.

We should...

II. Magnify His Character

Not just what He has done, but for Who He is!

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him From generation to generation.

What a mighty God we serve!

Mary magnified Him based upon Who God was.

A. She Magnified His Power

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things...

Mary had personally experienced God’s power!

Luke 1:35 KJV

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Jesus was conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit within her.

Mary was very familiar with the awesome power of God.

What is impossible for us, is only the beginning for God!

Luke 18:27 KJV

27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

B. She Magnified His Holiness

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.

A.W. Tozer is a great author.. He said in his book, The Knowledge of the Holy, “We cannot grasp the true meaning of the divine holiness by thinking of someone or something very pure and then raising the concept to the highest degree we are capable of. God’s holiness is not simply the best we know infinitely bettered.”

We cannot even comprehend true holiness.

We are so stained by sin, that it is impossible to understand God’s holiness.

Isaiah 64:6 KJV

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

We need to Worship God for His holiness!

Psalm 30:4 KJV

4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

C. She Magnified His Mercy

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him From generation to generation.

God in His holiness could have dusted his hands off and walked away.

But God had mercy on this world, and upon us as sinful men.

He sent his Son to pay the penalty for our sin.

Jesus lived a life ath twas in touch with the common man.

He lived as one of us, and yet without sin.

In the mid-1990’s Sam Walton was named as one of the richest men in America. But one could never tell be seeing the way he lived. Walton drove a pickup truck and lived like a regular person. Once, when asked why he didn’t drive a Rolls Royce, he responded, “Where would I put my dogs?” He was successful at least in part because he connected with the common man.

Much more Christ lived and connected with common men…he didn’t just come to save the kings, he came to save everyone, from the streets to the penthouse.

Salvation is available to all because of the great mercy of God.

Charles Spurgeon said, “God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.”

Mary Magnified the Lord for His Salvation

She Magnified the Lord for His Character...

III. Magnify His Works

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, And exalted them of low degree.

In this part of her song, Mary included the great works that God had done.

A. His Works through His Plan

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

Perhaps Mary called to her mind how God delivered Israel from Pharaoh, or how He removed Nebuchadnezzar from his throne, or how He had returned His people back to their land.

Whatever came to Mary’s mind in the midst of her song of worship…we are reminded that God is sovereign in teh affairs of men.

He is in control of history, from start to finish.

And He is in control of elections!

B. His Works through His Son

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, And exalted them of low degree.

All throughout history God’s power is seen.

He puts down the mighty from their seat

Those who think they will thwart the plans of God, will soon find themselves without a seat of power.

God puts down the mighty, but he exalts the humble.

Those of low degree are exalted.

Matthew 23:12 KJV

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

But one day the ultimate completion of God’s Plan will be seen as finished when Jesus takes the throne.

Philippians 2:9–11 KJV

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Ultimately Jesus will be exalted above everyone else…in His rightful place.

Mary Magnified God’s Works...

IV. Magnify His Faithfulness

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, In remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers, To Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

All through the years, God has been faithful to His people.

Mary concludes her song by magnifying the faithfulness of God, seen in His provision for mankind.

A. His Temporal Provisions

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.

Those in physical and spiritual hunger usually have a greater appreciation for the filling that God gives.

When we keep our eyes open to the goodness of the Lord, there is never a shortage of things to be thankful for.

If you want God to fill you with His provisions, you must come to Him empty of self, and hungry for God.

If you are already filled with the world, you cannot be hungry for God.

Matthew 5:6 KJV

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

B. His Eternal Provision

54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, In remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers, To Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Mary was thankful for the Temporal provisions here on this earth, but she was more thankful for the eternal provision provided by her Son — Jesus Christ.

God did not and will not forget Israel.

His mercy will not allow Him to forget Israel.

The promise that He made to Abraham has been fulfilled in part and will be fully fulfilled one day through Jesus!

Genesis 12:1–3 KJV

1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

One day all families of the earth will be blessed when Jesus, the Son of Abraham, sits on the throne and rules and reigns the entire earth.

But praise the Lord, it is not just Israel that He will remember…it is all of us...

He will remember the promise made to us, who have chosen to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

Before salvation, we were separated from God.

But now, because of Christ...

Colossians 1:20–22 KJV

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

One day we will be presented before the Lord as holy in His sight!

Conclusion

We all have the same opportunities that Mary had.

Instead of focusing on the difficult circumstances around her, she chose to trust in the Lord and worship Him in spite of those circumstances.

She magnified the Lord for who He is, for the great things he has done, and for the miraculous way He had provided a Savior for the World.

In many difficult situations or trials we are confronted with the choice to worry or to worship God.

Mary chose to worship.

Will You?