The Birth of a Hero

Set the Stage

Christmas is a busy season full of twinkling lights, giving, and quality time with family. It almost seems that during this particular season, the harsh reality of the world that we live in pauses for a brief moment, and subsides to the reality of Christianity thanks to the celebrations of a King’s birth.

But sandwiched on either side of Christmas is more mass shootings, loved ones dying to cancer, and the constant threat of war.

2000 years ago, the climate of the middle east looks similar to climate of today’s culture, especially in Israel.

- Israel was under the command of the Roman empire and had to bow to Cesar.

King Herod ruled over the Jewish nation, but answered to Roman Rule.

- Israel was racially divided. Jews and Gentiles.

- After the death of King Herod, who died just before Jesus was born, the nation fell into disarray.

The Israelite people were hurting for deliverance in the form of freedom and unity, but they were not prepared for the way that it happened.

Read

Luke 1:46–55 HCSB

46 And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48 because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. 51 He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy, 55 just as He spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever.

Luke 1:46-

Passage Overview

Luke chapter 1 begins with the angel Gabriel predicting the birth of John, who would become one of Jesus’ best friends and encouragers.

Then in verse 26, Gabriel appears to Mary, a virgin who was engaged to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. When Mary first learned that she was going to give birth to a son, she was scared out of her mind. (Sometimes when God calls us to do something, it’s so big that it scares us. That is how we know it is from God.)

Gabriel tells Mary that Elizabeth, her cousin, was with child as well, and to chill out because nothing is impossible with God.

After Mary talks to Elizabeth, she realizes the magnitude of her situations and her worry turns to worship.

Message Points

1. Worship over Worry (v.46-50)

Notice that there is a massive difference in Mary’s thought process in this passage than their was in verses 26-38.

Sometimes when God calls you to do something, it can seem big and scary and that’s okay! beings nervous of a mission that God gives you isn’t a bad thing, it just means you are human.

In fact, I think God calls us to do things that are outside of our physical, emotional, and mental ability so that we can’t claim the praise when He empowers us to accomplish it.

How many of you have ever been to Destin, Panama City, or Gatlinburg and seen the giant sling shots?

Well here is my story...

I was terrified to get on this thing because I am deathly afraid of heights,

when I go off, I was the tough guy.

Sometimes when we are extremely nervous, scared, or worried, the only choice we have is to worship.

Your worry will NEVER advance your situation, but your worship ALWAYS will.

Psalm 27:1–3 HCSB

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom should I be afraid? 2 When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army deploys against me, my heart is not afraid; though a war breaks out against me, still I am confident.

Mary understood that the road to holding her baby in her arms was going to be difficult, but she also knew that she was the vessel in which Old Testament prophecies like and 11 would come to pass.

2. Presence over Presents (v.51-55)

I want to highlight the political climate one more time for the sake of this point.

The Israelites were looking for a big and loud answer to all of their problems. They thought that the Messiah would look a lot more like

Revelation 19:11–16 HCSB

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and He judges and makes war in righteousness. 12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on His head. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself. 13 He wore a robe stained with blood, and His name is the Word of God. 14 The armies that were in heaven followed Him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. 15 A sharp sword came from His mouth, so that He might strike the nations with it. He will shepherd them with an iron scepter. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. 16 And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:

But the answer that they were receiving was a Spiritual Presence, not a Physical Present.

The first appearing of the Messiah was one of a spiritual nature. He came to bring freedom in the form of Salvation.

Mary writes in verses 51-55 about physical issues that will be solved by the spiritual gift of the cross.

There are real issues that are going down in your life right now that could be eased or even erased if you would get your relationship with Jesus right.

1 Peter 2:24 HCSB

24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; you have been healed by His wounds.

Response

As we have walked through the very beginning of Jesus’ time on Earth tonight, I want you to know that if you read the end of book of Luke, or the end of Revelation, the outcome is the same. God’s Kingdom is alive and well. Not too long in the future, it will be here for all of eternity.