IT’S OBVIOUS WEEK 2
Pastor Chuck Allen // @achuckallen // chuck@sugarhillchurch.com
Luke 1:46-1:55
The Story of Mary
Can you remember being 15 years old? What were you doing at 15? Fifteen is an awkward age – isn’t it? You are no longer a little child but you’re not close to being an adult. Your hormones are doing all sorts of weird things in your body. Peer pressure is important at that age. Wanting to be independent is important at that age.
Bible Scholars and Historians tell us that FIFTEEN was the about age of Mary when the angel came and visited her and told her she was pregnant. In all likelihood she was between the age 13 and 16. If you were that age – and received news like this how would you respond?
Can you imagine the ruckus that you would have caused —It seems so obvious to see it from 2000 years later – But let’s look and see how Mary did.
“Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones 52 He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. 54 He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. 55 For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”
Luke 1:46-1:55
Mary’s Response is Filled with Praise – That Part is Obvious!
Mary’s response is a song of praise to God. It was a verbal offering from her heart – through her words to a Holy God. The focus of praise is not on Mary! She gives us every reason to see that the reason for praise is on Jesus! The focus of the virgin birth is not on Mary but on the power of God. It seems so Obvious doesn’t it?
If we were to take a magnifying glass and examine these words – we would see nothing less than a song of praise to God. We would see adoration – we would see exaltation – and praise to God.
This is a song of worship. This is a song of praise. Praise is a verbal offering to God from your HEART.
An orchestra once presented Handel’s “Messiah” so beautifully that the applause was thunderous, and everyone turned toward the composer. Handel stood up and with his finger pointing upward, silently indicated that the glory should be given to God rather than to himself.
Mary was Tebowing before her time – You see – That’s what Mary did. It is as if she were saying, “Don’t praise me, but magnify the Lord who is my savior – who is IN ME” She makes it so Obvious!
Mary’s Response is Filled with Praise, and…
Mary’s Heart is Filled with Humility
There are three key elements to humility:
1 – REALIZE you’re not in Charge.
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life??” Matthew 6:27
There are things that you can change – there are some things that you can’t change – what you can’t change –those things that are beyond your pay grade – hurricanes, wars, cancer, disease – put those things in God’s hands. It seems so Obvious!
2 – ACCEPT your position as Servant.
“The greatest among you must be a servant.” Matthew 23:11
Mary accepted and reveled in her role as a servant- While Mary plays a significant role in the story of the Gospel – She herself recognized that she was chosen – NOT TO BE QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE – But the MOTHER OF THE SERVANT OF ALL!
3 – SURRENDER yourself to God.
“6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you..” James 4:6-7
Humility is not thinking less of yourself – it is thinking of yourself less.
Mary knew that she would now live her whole life under a cloud of suspicion from her family and neighbors. Embedded in her decision to be fully surrendered to God’s call was the willingness to suffer possible ridicule, loneliness and contempt .It’s so Obvious!
But God chose her and she Surrendered to His will.
Mary accepted God’s will. Then Mary said,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.” Luke 1:38
There is no evidence of Mary thinking that she was any different than anyone else. In fact she speaks of being a servant of the Lord and how she lived in a lowly state. She realized that among all women she was fortunate to be the one to bear the Christ child.
Mary submitted – Mary Surrendered – Mary Served – Mary Sacrificed – But only Jesus Saves.
It is taught throughout the scriptures that God is no respecter of persons. Do you think that when we are ushered into Heaven, God will give wealthy folks the first class seats of honor – when it is taught in James that it is wrong to be a respecter of people because of their wealth? It’s so Obvious!
Do you think God will allow kings and presidents to stand before Him without bowing their heads and bending their knees? – when the Bible says; Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Christ as Lord.
No – absolutely not – God is not a respecter of people. He looks on the humble and the meek and He smiles with pleasure. In Mary He found a humble vessel that He could use for His glory.
God can take a nobody and make a somebody out of them. God is not looking for rank, wealth or power. He is looking for people who have a humble heart. He is looking for one who displays true humility – like Mary. It’s so Obvious!
Mary’s Response is Filled with Praise – Mary’s Heart is Filled with Humility and Mary’s Soul is Filled with Hope!
Mary put her hope in the promises of God. She knew God was faithful. Look at what she said in verse 55: He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.” She realized that she had been chosen – of all the women who had ever lived – to be the mother of that child.What humility to recognize the honor and yet pass all the glory to God! She makes it seem SO OBVIOUS!
The first coming of Jesus brought hope to the world.
But so will His second coming. Jesus has promised that one day He will return…and the government will be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace – He will come riding on a white horse to rescue His church.
Jesus will come to take His family home.That’s you and me if we are in Christ – if we have allowed Him to be our Lord – Our Savior – Our King. Jesus is coming back for us. You can have hope for an eternal future. Because He loves you. If you don’t know Him that can change right here – right now. Here is what you do.
ADMIT that God has not had first place in your life and that you have made some poor choices.
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9
BELIEVE that Jesus died for your sin and your selfishness
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
RECEIVE God’s free gift of life in abundance an dlife eternal.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9
INVITE Jesus to come into your life and take control.
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:12-13
Christ has come to give you hope. Christmas – Hope.
It’s so obvious!
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?The sleeping Child you’re holding is the Great, I Am.