United in Worship

Introduction

Well, good morning!

If you have a Bible, and I hope that you do, go ahead and open it with me to Luke chapter 1, Luke chapter 1…we’re gonna start in verse 26 this morning.

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Now before we jump in to that, let me ask you something: Have you ever noticed how Christmas has this strange way of bringing people together? Sometimes people who haven’t spoken in months, they suddenly show up at the your table. Families who live states apart, they’re squeezed into the same living room. Old friends reconnect. New memories form, right?

For better or for worse, December has a way of drawing people into the same space.

But I think if we're honest…it’s not just the people who gather — it’s the mix of the gathering. Because Christmas has a way of bringing things together we don’t always expect to see side-by-side.

Joy and stress. Laughter and tension. Full tables and empty chairs. Hope and heartache — all wrapped in the same season.

It’s like the holiday itself reminds us that life isn’t always clean and tidy. It’s real. It’s layered. It’s messy.

And yet, in the middle of all that, something about Christmas pulls us together…which is why I’ve titled our sermon series “Christmas Together.”

… Listen as we start off this series, that’s exactly what we see happening in our passage this morning.

Because in Luke chapter 1, before angels fill the sky…before shepherds run to a manger…before wise men follow a star…we see something small, something quiet, something easily missed: We see the very first moment Jesus’s presence begins to unite people in worship.

A teenage girl named Mary…an elderly woman named Elizabeth…an unborn prophet named John…Three very different lives — three very different stories — drawn together by one thing: Christ has come near.

And the moment He does…worship erupts. [Mary believes. Elizabeth blesses. John leaps.]

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Listen, that’s where we’re going the next four weeks. We’re stepping into this Christmas story, not just to admire it, but to see how Christmas unites us — how the arrival of Jesus brings people together in ways the world never could.

This morning, we get to see that unity in Mary, and Elizabeth, and John — they’re united in worship. Next week, we’ll hear the angels — united in awe. Then the shepherds — united in worth. And then finally the wise men — united in mission.

But it all begins right here…in a small village, in an ordinary home, with two women and one unborn child…responding in extraordinary worship because Jesus has come near.

And so this morning, if you’re taking notes, we’re gonna look at three points in this passage:

Number 1, Worship Begins With Receiving God’s Word (We see that with Mary)

Number 2, Worship Deepens as We Recognize God’s Grace (We see this with Elizabeth)

And then, Number 3, Worship Erupts When Christ Draws Near (We see that with John)

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Listen, when Jesus steps onto the scene, even in the womb — hearts start to worship.

And so with all that in mind, let’s stand together for the reading of God’s Word — Luke chapter 1, beginning in verse 26. It says this:

Luke 1:26–45 ESV

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 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. 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. For nothing will be impossible with God.” 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. In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Thank you, you can be seated.

[Prayer]

Again our 3 points this morning…number 1, worship begins with receiving God’s Word…number 2, worship deepens as we recognize God’s grace…and number 3, worship erupts when Christ draws near.

And so with that, let’s look at this first section of the passage together.

I. Worship Begins With Receiving God’s Word (vv. 26-38)

Look back with me at verse 26…

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth…”

Now pause right there, because Luke wants us to feel the shock of this moment…This isn’t Jerusalem. This isn’t the temple. This isn’t a prophet or a priest.

This is Nazareth — a place most Jews avoided. This is Mary — a teenage girl with no title, no platform, no pedigree. And this is God’s Word — breaking into an ordinary life at an unexpected time.

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Guys, understand this: before Mary ever breaks into praise…before she sings the Magnificat (Mag-nif-fa-ca)…before she becomes an example of worship — she becomes a receiver of God’s Word.

Worship begins not with human expression, it always begins with divine revelation.

Again, listen to how Luke frames this encounter:

“Gabriel was sent from God.”

Mary didn’t go seeking God. God sought Mary.

That’s always the pattern of grace: God initiates — we respond. God speaks — we listen. God reveals — [and] we receive.

Calvin famously said, “Faith is the ear of the soul.” And listen, right here, in this passage, we see it. God speaks…and Mary listens.

Verse 29 says she was “greatly troubled…and tried to discern.”

She’s not shallow. She’s not thoughtless. Mary’s processing — she’s weighing — grappling.

Faith doesn’t require the absence of questions. Faith requires the surrender of those questions to God’s Word.

And then we see Gabriel begin announcing what generations have longed to hear:

“You’ll conceive…You’ll bear a Son…He’ll be great…He’ll be called the Son of the Most High…He’ll reign forever…His kingdom will have no end.”

I mean this is the covenant story reaching its climax. Every promise — from Genesis (we’ve been looking at that, right?) to Isaiah — it all lands right here in this unlikely Galilean home.

And Mary responds with a simple, honest question: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Not “Can You do this?” Not “Are You sure?” But “Lord, how will You work?”

This isn’t the doubt of Zechariah — this is the humility of a believing heart.

As Spurgeon put it, “Faith isn’t the absence of thought, but the quieting of thought under the hand of God.”

Mary feels the weight of what God’s saying here — and she bows before it.

And then, after hearing God’s explanation — that the Holy Spirit would do this miraculous work — Mary responds with one of the greatest statements of faith in all of Scripture:

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Guys…this right here. That’s worship. Not dancing. Not singing. Not even rejoicing yet.

Worship begins here — in the quiet surrender of the heart to God’s revealed Word.

“Lord, whatever You say — it’s yes.” “Whatever You will — I obey.” “Whatever You command — I trust.”

That’s the posture where true worship starts.

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Let me give you a picture of this.

If you grew up around farming communities, you learn something about dependence, right? A farmer can prepare the soil…he can plow, and plant, and fertilize, and labor over that field…but at the end of the day, he can’t make the rain fall.

He can’t command the clouds. He can’t schedule the storm. He can’t control the sky.

All he can do is receive what only God can give.

And every farmer knows this: when the rain finally comes — he doesn’t take credit. He doesn’t boast in his strength. He doesn’t say, “Look what I produced.”

He lifts his eyes and says, “Lord…thank You.”

Worship begins with receiving what God alone can provide.

Mary’s that farmer. She brings no power. She has no ability to produce what God’s promised. But when the Word comes — she receives it with humility.

That’s where her worship begins. And that’s where ours begins as well.

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And so let me ask you — how do you receive God’s Word?

Do you approach Scripture ready to hear what God has to say? Ready to be shaped…Ready to surrender?…Or listen, do you approach it ready to resist or be confirmed? Ready to negotiate?

J.I. Packer once said, “The Word of God isn’t simply to be heard, but to have the final say.”

Mary treats God’s Word that way. “Lord, Your word decides the direction of my life.”

And maybe today, before you enter into the rest of this Christmas season…God’s calling you back to that simple, quiet, foundational place: “Lord…let it be to me according to Your Word.”

Not according to my fears. Not according to my plans. Not according to my preferences.

According to God’s Word.

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Here’s the good news: God speaking to Mary isn’t a burden — it’s a gift. The God of heaven broke silence. He stepped toward His people. He revealed His heart. He announced His salvation.

And listen, the same Word that came to Mary, its now come to us — in Scripture, in the gospel, in the very person of Jesus. Worship begins with receiving God’s Word…because God’s Word always brings us to God’s Son.

That’s why Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they [the Scriptures] that bear witness about me.”

Church — when we receive God’s Word the way Mary did…surrender follows. Faith follows. Worship follows.

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But listen, it doesn’t end there…as we experience the presence of Christ, it deepens our worship. Which moves us into our second point.

II. Worship Deepens as We Recognize God’s Grace (vv. 39-43)

Worship deepens as we recognize God’s grace.

Look with me again at verse 39:

“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country…”

Now let’s stop there — because the story begins to shift.

Mary’s just received God’s Word, and now she’s acting on it. She travels nearly a hundred miles south to the Judean hills — not for a vacation, not for clarity, but for confirmation. This would’ve been in the Hebron area that we’ve been seeing in Genesis.

And listen, who does she go to see?…Elizabeth — the only person on the planet who can understand what God’s doing in her life.

Mary walks into this house — she’s tired, anxious, overwhelmed, maybe even unsure — and instantly something happens here. Elizabeth greets her…John leaps within Elizabeth…and we see the Holy Spirit fill the room.

And what Luke wants us to see is this: All of this is grace. God’s multiplying grace on top of grace — grace spoken to Mary, grace embodied in Elizabeth, grace experienced through John.

Worship deepens not when life gets easier…but when we recognize the grace that’s been there the entire time.

Verse 40: “She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.”

And then verse 41: “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Now notice here — even before Mary explains anything…before she says one word about angels or promises or the Holy Spirit…God confirms His Word.

Again, John leaps. Elizabeth’s filled. The Spirit speaks through Elizabeth.

This is God putting His signature on everything Mary had just heard.

One of the sweetest truths in the Christian life is this: God doesn’t just speak to us — He confirms what He says in us.

Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit…”

God strengthens His Word with His presence.

Elizabeth’s experience becomes God’s gracious affirmation to Mary: “Mary, you’re not imagining this. You’re not alone in this. This is real. God’s really with you.”

Grace doesn’t erase our questions — grace steadies our heart as we carry those questions.

And then we see Elizabeth cry out in verse 42: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

And then she asks the question every worshiper asks when they realize God’s kindness in their life: “Why is this granted to me…that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (v. 43)

Guys, that’s the voice of a woman overwhelmed by grace. Elizabeth isn’t jealous here. She isn’t competing. She isn’t trying to one-up Mary. She’s stunned and humbled. She’s undone by the thought that God has come near to her.

And that’s what grace does. It melts our pride. It shatters comparison; silences boasting. It makes us say with David: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?” (2 Sam. 7:18)

Elizabeth doesn’t see Mary as a threat — she sees Mary as a reminder of God’s mercy.

As Charles Spurgeon said, “Grace puts us in the dust, that God may lift us to the heavens.”

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And listen, pay attention here…Elizabeth isn’t worshiping Mary — Elizabeth, she’s worshiping the God whose placed His Messiah in Mary. That’s grace recognized. That’s worship deepened.

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Think of it like this.

Have you ever had a doctor give you a diagnosis that just felt overwhelming? You hear it, but it’s heavy, confusing, maybe even a little scary.

And so what do you do? You go and get a second opinion, right? You go to someone you trust — someone qualified — someone who can confirm whether what you heard is real.

And when that trusted voice says, “Yes…this is true,” the fear doesn’t disappear, but something inside you settles. You suddenly feel steadier…or clearer…more prepared.

That’s what’s happening here.

Mary received God’s Word. But God, in His kindness, gives her a “second opinion” — not because His word was unclear, but because Mary’s heart needed strengthening.

Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled voice here, it becomes God’s gracious confirmation to Mary.

Grace doesn’t just speak — grace surrounds. God doesn’t just give Mary a promise — He gives her a person to help her carry that promise.

Again, that’s grace recognized. That’s worship deepened.

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And so, let me ask you this morning — are you seeing the grace God’s placed around your life?

Because God still sends “Elizabeths” into our stories:

That believer who encourages you at the exact moment you were ready to quit.

That verse that jumps off the page right when you needed it.

That sermon that addresses the fear you haven’t told anyone about.

That friend who speaks truth right when lies start whispering in your ear.

Those aren’t coincidences. Those are confirmations. Its grace confirming grace.

James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” Meaning — there is no blessing in your life that didn’t pass through God’s hands first.

Maybe like Elizabeth, God’s calling you to be a voice of grace to someone else — to speak blessing, and encouragement, and faith over another believer.

Because listen, when we recognize grace… when we receive grace…when we reflect grace…worship always deepens.

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And guys, don’t miss this — Elizabeth isn’t just rejoicing over Mary. She’s rejoicing over Mary’s Lord.

Verse 43 — “the mother of my Lord.”

Elizabeth’s the first person in the entire New Testament to call Jesus “Lord.” Before He’s born. Before He performs any kind of miracle. Before He speaks a single word.

That’s what grace reveals: Jesus is Lord long before we understand Him. He’s Lord long before we recognize Him. Jesus is Lord long before we ever worship Him.

The grace that comes into Elizabeth’s home is the same grace that comes into ours.

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Worship deepens as we see what Elizabeth saw — that the presence of Jesus is the greatest grace we’ll ever receive.

Which leads us into our final point this morning.

III. Worship Erupts When Christ Draws Near (vv. 41-45)

Worship erupts when Christ draws near.

Look back with me at verse 41: “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Guys…don’t rush past this. Because Luke, he’s making a theological point that echoes through all of Scripture: Life responds to Jesus. Life recognizes Jesus. Life worships Jesus — even in the womb.

John isn’t kicking. He’s not stretching. He’s not repositioning here…The word Luke uses — skirtan — it means “to leap, to spring up in exaltation.” This is the language of worship. This is prenatal praise.

In other words: The first person to rejoice at the arrival of Jesus…is an unborn child.

And church — that matters. It matters for theology. It matters for worship. It matters for how we see the unborn today.

John’s leap here, its literally the first Christmas worship service.

Think about it — of all the choirs that could’ve welcomed Jesus…all the voices that could’ve started the song of Advent…God chose a baby that wasn’t even born yet.

Why?

Because Jesus’s presence demands worship. Because hearts awakened by grace respond — whether they’re fully formed, or they’re still forming.

Psalm 22:10 says, “You made me trust You at my mother’s breasts…from the womb You have been my God.”

Jeremiah 1:5 — “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”

David in Psalm 139 — “You knit me together…in the secret place.”

And then right here — Luke 1 — God opens a window into the womb, and what do we see?

A child made by God…known by God…filled with the very Spirit of God…responding in worship to the Son of God.

Life doesn’t begin at birth. Life doesn’t begin at viability. Life doesn’t begin at heartbeat. Life begins at God’s breath, and God’s design, God’s declaration.

Guys I want you to hear this gently, but firmly: You can’t read Luke chapter 1 with an open Bible and an honest conscience and then walk away believing that the unborn are anything less than fully human image-bearers of God.

This isn’t political. This is biblical. This is worship.

The value of life in the womb isn’t an opinion issue. It’s not a political preference. It’s a core, non-negotiable biblical truth. God forms life, God knows life. God calls life. And God assigns worth to life.

And listen—if you find yourself wrestling with that, it doesn’t mean you’re the enemy. But it does mean your heart needs to be shaped by the heart of Christ. Because the closer you get to Jesus, the more you learn to treasure what He treasures—especially those made in His image.

Listen, this is one of the reasons we’ve separated ourselves from certain ‘churches’ in our area that claim the name of Jesus while denying the value of the very lives He knits together. You can’t devalue life and then claim to love Jesus who is the Author of life.

This isn’t about winning an argument. It’s about aligning our hearts with His.

Because if an unborn child can worship…Then an unborn child has worth. Because if an unborn child can respond to Jesus…Then that child belongs to Jesus. Because if an unborn child is filled with the Spirit…Then that child is recognized by heaven.

Amen?

John’s leap is God’s declaration: Life in the womb isn’t potential — it’s precious. It’s not tissue — it’s testimony…Life in the womb’s not optional — it’s ordained.

And listen — as God’s people, it’s essential we see life the way God sees life.

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Listen, what we see here, in this passage, we’re witnessing a miracle. We’re seeing the first sparks of worship erupt when Christ draws near.

Look at verse 41 again — “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit…”

Meaning — what she says next isn’t her opinion. It’s divine revelation.

Verse 44 — “For behold…the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

The Spirit interprets John’s action: Not random movement. Not maternal emotion. Not coincidence.

Joy. Spirit-awakened joy. Worshiping joy.

Elizabeth becomes the prophet, John becomes the worshiper, Mary becomes the bearer of Christ, And the whole house becomes a sanctuary.

Again, No angels. No choir. No spotlight. Just two women and one unborn prophet…and Jesus quietly entering the room. And guys — that’s enough for worship to explode.

When Jesus draws near, neutrality disappears. Indifference dissolves. Silence breaks…Some might fear. Some resist. Some bow. Some rejoice. But everyone responds.

If you continue on in the story…Simeon responds (Luke 2). Anna responds. The angels respond. The shepherds respond. The wise men respond. Herod even responds. Jerusalem responds.

But listen, pay attention here, the first to respond…The first to rejoice…The first to leap…is John — still in the womb.

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Can you see the pattern here? Jesus doesn’t wait until you’re ready. He doesn’t wait until you’re informed. Or until you’re mature. He doesn’t wait until you’re educated, or grown, or steady, or stable, put together.

He comes. And hearts awaken…He draws near. And worship erupts…He steps into the room. And everything moves.

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And so what’s this mean for us? It means this:

Worship doesn’t begin with a band — it begins with Jesus’s presence. Worship doesn’t require age — it requires grace. Worship doesn’t wait for circumstances — it erupts when Jesus shows up.

And so, the question isn’t, “Are you gifted in worship?” Or “Do you have a good voice?” Or “Do you feel like worshiping today?”

The the real question this morning is this: Has Jesus drawn near?

Because when He does — Your heart leaps. Your soul stirs. Your spirit awakens. And joy, it breaks open inside you.

You may not physically leap like John — But if Jesus comes near, something in you must move.

Elizabeth felt it. John felt it. Mary felt it.

The presence of Jesus pulls praise out of ordinary people in ordinary homes…just as easily as it does from angels in the heavens.

Guys — this is what Christmas does. Jesus draws near…and the world erupts in worship.

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Closing

Listen, in closing, as we step back from this passage…here’s what we can’t miss: Again when Jesus draws near, no one stays the same. Not Mary. Not Elizabeth. Not even John in the womb.

Every heart responds. The only question this morning is: How will you respond?

Because if Christmas means anything at all, it means God’s come near. He’s not distant. Not silent. Not hidden…Near. Near enough to speak. Near enough to save. Near enough to awaken dead hearts to life.

And listen, if Jesus really has come near…then worship isn’t optional. It’s inevitable.

But here’s the truth: you can’t worship the Jesus you’re still resisting. You can’t celebrate the birth of the Savior while refusing to bow to Him as Lord.

And so I want you to hear this—whether you’ve grown up in church, or this is your first time in a long time—Christmas confronts every one of us with the reality of the gospel.

Listen, the gospel always begins with bad news: You and I, we’re all sinners—by nature and by choice. Not “mistakers.” Not “trying our best.” We’re sinners.

We’ve broken God’s law, we’ve rejected His word, rebelled against God’s holiness. And Scripture says the wages of sin is death.

The worse news: There’s absolutely nothing you and I can do about that. You can’t save yourself. You can’t clean yourself up. You can’t erase your past or outweigh your guilt. Your very best day, it’ll never be enough to bridge the gap between you and a holy God.

That’s the worst news a person can hear.

But praise God—that’s not where the gospel ends.

The good news is this: Jesus came. God put on flesh. The eternal Son entered the womb of Mary, He stepped into our world, lived the life you couldn’t live, He died the death you should’ve died.

He took your sin on Himself—every lie, every thought, every failure—and He paid for it all in full at the cross. And the Bible says three days later, He walked out of the grave so He could walk into your life.

And listen— the best news is this: Salvation isn’t earned. Salvation isn’t achieved. It isn’t handed over to the strong, or the moral, or the polished. It’s a gift—a free gift—given to anyone who’ll turn from their sin and trust in Christ alone for their salvation.

Church, that’s why Christmas matters. That’s why Jesus came near. So your heart could awaken… So that your soul could live…So that your life could finally worship.

And so again, let me just ask as plainly as I can— Has Jesus drawn near to you? And if He has… How have you responded?

To the believer in the room—maybe God’s calling you this morning to surrender again to His Word like Mary…To recognize His grace like Elizabeth…To let joy erupt in your heart like John. Maybe your worship’s grown cold, or casual, convenient—but Jesus is drawing near again today, asking you to remember your first love. Don’t walk out the same way you walked in.

To the unbeliever this morning—or to the one who isn’t quiet sure—maybe today’s the day God’s awaking your heart. Maybe today’s the day the Spirit’s stirring in you what you’ve never felt before. Maybe today’s the day Jesus steps into the room for you.

Don’t ignore that. Don’t suppress it. Don’t walk away from that.

Today could be the day you receive the greatest gift you’ll ever be offered—the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus.

In a moment, I’m gonna pray, but before we do that if you’d bow your heads and close your eyes with me, the praise team’s gonna come back up and lead us again in worship.

Listen—if you need someone to pray with you, if you need to talk with someone, if you feel God drawing you and you don’t wanna leave without dealing with that—there’s gonna be men right here at the front ready to receive you.

Or listen, if you’d rather talk privately, I’ll be in the back—I would love to meet with you there.

But guys, don’t wait. Don’t push this off. Don’t quiet what the Spirit’s stirring inside you. If Jesus is drawing near—respond to that.

And so listen, you take this time…respond to the Spirit of God…and I’ll close us in just a moment. This is your time.

[Prayer]