The Heart Touched by Grace: 2016 Gospel of Luke #04
This is an exposition of Luke 1:46-56. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 6, 2016.
Intro:
Have you ever been overwhelmed? I mean you just have so much happen to you and it happens so fast your head is spinning and you’re just in a fog? It doesn’t have to be something bad. It might be something very good. It’s just you weren’t ready for it and it hit you like a ton of bricks. That must have been what it was like for Mary. Minding her own business. Like most of the other girls her age, excited about the future. Optimistic about what life would bring. She was engaged to be married. The family was busy with wedding plans then it happened. Suddenly and without warning, her life was turned upside down!
She was alone in her room when all of a sudden there stood an angel. An angel with an extraordinary message. “You are highly favored. The Lord is with you.” Mary was confused. What was this all about? But she hadn’t heard anything yet. The angel went on to tell her that she was to give birth to the Messiah. She, a virgin, would conceive and that child was to be named Jesus and he would be called the Son of the Most High. Then just as suddenly as he had com, he was gone. Excited. Confused. Confident. Frightened. All were appropriate in describing how she felt. As proof that nothing was impossible with God the angel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was now in her sixth month of pregnancy. Mary decided to pay her a visit. That’s where we pick up the story in Luke Luke 1 and Luke 1:41.
Text: Luke 1:41-56
Dr. Luke is writing to Theophulis.
This is volume 1 of the 2-volume history.
An orderly account of the life and ministry of Jesus.
Jesus the universal Savior.
God’s grace embraces the world.
Remember the angel Gabriel had already appeared to Zechariah during his service at the Temple in Jerusalem. Though they were past the normal years of child bearing God had wonderfully blessed them. Not only were they to have a son but this son was to be the forerunner of the Messiah. The one in the spirit and power of Elijah.
Now six months later Mary arrives and note Elizabeth’s reaction.
[Read the text]
The baby leaped in her womb the word means to skip or leap for joy!
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
This filling gave her great insight.
She burst forth in a prophetic song before Mary said a word.
Note Elizabeth’s testimony – 1:42-45.
God graciously confirmed again His message.
Mary is stunned, she doesn’t know how to react.
Her cousin who is considerable older calls her, “The mother of my Lord.”
Now it’s Mary’s turn to sing.
Theologians have referred to this song as “The Magnificat” – taken from the opening word in the Latin text.
As we look at this song from the heart of Mary we discover:
Thesis: The heart touched by the grace of God humbly reflects on the goodness and the greatness of God.
This is quite a song. And yet it is not exactly what you might expect from someone who has experienced what Mary has experience. Think with me about what has gone on:
An angelic visitor.
An extraordinary message.
Highly favored by God.
Giving birth to the Messiah – the Son of God.
Elizabeth has just called her the mother of “my Lord”.
Yet there is not a hint of arrogance in this song. Instead it is a song of humility and thoughtfulness. This is the song of the heart touched with grace. Grace doesn’t puff you up. Grace exalts God. Mary knew that this was all due to the grace of God. She hadn’t earned this right. She was not “qualified” to give birth to the Savior. God gifted her by grace.
I want to note four characteristics of the heart touched by grace.
- The heart touched by grace gratefully acknowledges God’s mercy. (1:46-48)
- The heart touched by grace joyfully extols the character of God. (1:49)
- The heart touched by grace reverently bows before God’s mercy and His judgement. (1:50-53)
- The heart touch by grace humbly rejoices in God’s faithfulness. (1:54-55)