Mary’s Son

Intro:

Please be seated - Prayer

Good morning. If you have your bible turn with me to Luke 1 we will be looking at verses 26-56. As you turn Id like to point out that advent season has officially begun. For Christians it’s a special time of reflection. We look back at the coming of Christ and at the same time look ahead to his return with hope. Today we lit the first candle. The candle of Joy and this will be the topic of discussion this morning.

So what exactly is Joy?

1) It’s a term I rarely hear used outside of the church. At least not until we get close to the Christmas season. It’s the one time of the year that most people seem to be happier. Maybe a bit too happy. Anyone know that person who get’s annoyingly bubbly this time of year? It’s November 1st and they are putting up decorations, searching for that perfect gift, and have the Christmas music blaring. It’s almost like they’ve waited the entire year for this moment. Then suddenly January comes the season has ended and the cheerful attitude is gone. Why is that? I believe the reason is in how we as individuals view joy.

A) Secular culture defines joy as a feeling of happiness that comes from positive circumstances which lead to a sense well-being.

B) Religious culture defines it as following all the rules and trying to be a good person so that God blesses you and this is what brings happiness and a good life.

2) Both ideologies say that Joy is a feeling of happiness and well-being. While this is true, if this is all that Joy is then we are all stuck in a constant pursuit of ideal circumstances just to be happy people. This often creates bigger problems because those things we feel will bring happiness often times have the opposite effect.

A) You work hard and get that promotion yet the added workload robs time from other things like family, friends, and hobbies.

B) You earn more money to buy that nice house and car but eventually the newness fades and things start to break and need repairs.

C) You change who you are to gain the acceptance you’ve been seeking but then become depressed because the new version of you is a lie.

D) You attend church every time the doors open to serve, you pray, and try to be a good person but your still facing problems like broken relationships, financial strains, or addiction.

3) You see the problem is not primarily that we lack Joy. We all experience glimpses of it in life. The problem is that the feeling of Joy is fleeting and incomplete leaving us in a never ending cycle of trying to find lasting happiness. The reason for is simple, we view Joy in light of whatever our current situation is and those situations will and do change.

A) Friends, temporary happiness is not the type of Joy defined in scripture. The word for Joy in the original greek is “Chara”. “Chara” is not a happiness that’s dependent on our circumstances. Actually the Joy in scripture is a happiness and well-being that is meant to sustain us no matter the situation we are facing.

i: So how do we obtain this type of Joy?

ii: Well we need Good News! (It can’t be just any good news but it must good news that never changes and endures in all situations)

Point 1 - Good News

Luke 1:26–38 ESV

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

1) The God of the universe delivers good news that will not only be life altering, but world changing.

But look how He delivers it.

He doesn’t deliver this news to someone with authority, power, or prestige. No he delivers it to an unwed teenage girl who would have been considered one of the lowest in society.

It’s news that the people of Israel have been waiting on for hundreds of years. News that had been foretold from the beginning.

A) News of a savior, God’s gracious plan for redemption.

Genesis 3:15 “15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.””

B) Through a miraculous virgin birth.

Isaiah 7:14 “14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

C) News of the king we truly need.

2 Samuel 7:12–16 “12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ””

D) In the text we see Gabriel delivering this amazing news. Giving this young girl, Mary, insight as to exactly whom this child would be and what it will mean not only for her but for the whole world.

i: He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High.

ii: The Lord God will give to him the throne of David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.

No pressure Mary but you’re going to carry and give birth to the one and only son of God! The King of kings.

2) While this is indeed good news, please don’t miss two key facts. First the text gives us no indication that Mary is happy with this news. Second there is no mention that God is going to remove or resolve some very real problems that this news could create.

A) You see for Mary this could potentially destroy any marital plans and the happiness with those plans. In fact, submitting to God’s plan could cost her everything including her life.

i: First -She’s going to become pregnant and the man she’s betrothed to will not be the biological father. This troubles Mary and she even ask’s “how this could be since I am a virgin.” Yet, the only response is that nothing is impossible with God. Gabriel even point out that her barren cousin has become pregnant in her old age.

ii: Second - There is a very real possibility that Joseph could terminate the wedding contract on the grounds of adultery. Who would blame him? Nobody would ever believe the word of an unwed teenage girl telling this story.

iii: This situation could leave Mary and her family at best shamed and ridiculed.

iv: She could even be disowned by her family. Meaning she’d be homeless and unable to care for herself or the child.

v: Worst case scenario she could be put to death.

vi: But look at how she responds. (Read vs 38) Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

vi: There is indeed immediate circumstances in front of Mary that could be difficult and painful. Yet she chooses to trust God. Even if she isn’t happy about the situation.

This submission to the Good News will transform into Great Joy. Mary just doesn’t see or feel it yet. She is only seeing what’s immediately in front of her.

Point 2 - Great Joy

Luke 1:39–56 ESV

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

In the text we see Mary rushing to visit Elisabeth whom Gabriel said is 6 months pregnant. The baby Elisabeth is carrying will be John the baptist. The forerunner of Christ.

We won’t read it this morning but Luke 1:5-25 gives us the background of Gabriel’s visit to that family. In the encounter it was foretold that John would be filled with the spirit from the womb.

Interesting enough in verse 41 we are told that by the sound of Mary’s voice alone the baby in Elisabeth’s womb leaped with Joy and instantly Elisabeth was filled with the spirit.

1) The happiness that Mary should have felt over the momentous news about the fulfillment of Gods promise was experienced by Elisabeth first. But why?

Well Mary, like us, was unable to see past the situation directly in front of her.

With the help of the Holy Spirit Elisabeth could see the big picture. It took someone outside of the situation to see the Great Joy that this news would bring and this gave Mary the perspective she was lacking.

Mary was finally able to experience true Joy. A joy that surpassed the circumstances she could be facing and focused instead on the ultimate never ended happiness ahead. She then was able to give praise and thanks. To exhort the name of God whom is the tru source of complete Joy.

2) Church, we all face struggles. If your not dealing with something at this very moment be assured that you will in the near future.

James 1:2–3 “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

How many times do we find our Joy in less than ideal circumstances. We are all guilty.

Im guilty! To be transparent the last month has been a constant reminder of just how easily I find Joy in everyday situations and how that same Joy can quickly turn into sorrow.

The sad truth is that all of us fail to find Joy in the one who gives it. Jesus Christ. Instead our happiness is determined by situations that constantly change. Things like:

i: Our relationships with family and friends.

ii: Whether the kids are listening and making good choices.

iii: The amount of money in the bank.

iv: What social circles we are part of.

And when circumstances fail to bring us the happiness we need we become miserable and start searching for something else to make us feel good.

Sometimes that search for the next glimpse of happiness can lead us into situations that we never thought we’d be in:

i: My spouse isn’t bringing me happiness so I’ll find someone who does.

ii: I don’t feel accepted so I’ll create a new identity so that I can fit in.

iii: Or even worse. Some may say life is too hard so I’ll find something to take the edge off and maybe then I’ll be happy. Maybe that’s over indulging in food, maybe alcohol, becoming a workaholic, or turning to drug use.

Psalm 16:11 “11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Friends, your Joy will never be complete without Christ because He alone is the source. It is in His presence that we find true happiness and well-being.

This is the Joy that Mary found and why she was able to praise even in the face of difficult circumstances.

What are you facing today? Do you have this type of Joy and are your praising God for completing that Joy through his son Jesus Christ.