Sermon Tone Analysis
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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-
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.
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:
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.
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.
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