SERIES: CHRISTMAS
TEXT: LUKE 1:46-55
The months between the announcement of the birth and actual arrival were months of hard decisions and anxious waiting on the part of Mary and Joseph. Mary made a journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also expecting a very special baby, John the Baptist.
As Mary and Elizabeth met, Mary breaks into a song of celebration. It is called “The Magnificat.” “Magnificat” is a Latin word meaning celebration. The church of Jesus Christ is a celebration Centre!! This morning we have actually come to celebrate Jesus Christ. We celebrate what He had done for us. Let us join the virgin Mary as she celebrates the Lord because of what God did for her is exactly what He has done for you and me. Let us learn:-
MARY CELEBRATES THE LORD FOR PERSONAL GRACE-Luke 1:46-49.
- In these first verses of the “Magnificat” Mary expresses her personal praise to the Lord for His blessings to her own life.
- Mary is setting a good example for you and me to follow.
She has been redeemed-Vs. 46-47.
- The first thing Mary praises God for is for salvation.
- Mary realizes that she was born in sin and stood in need of a savior.
- In Vs. 47, Mary declares her dependence upon God in heaven for salvation.
- She is simply praising God for the salvation she possesses.
- Mary was born again by the Grace of God through faith alone.
- Mary could remember a day, a time, a place when she surrendered her life to God.
- Mary could remember a moment of encounter with the Living God.
- Your life may be falling apart this morning, but if you have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, then you have a reason to praise God.
- According to Luke 10:20, simple salvation is a good reason to praise the Lord.
- Because you are saved, you will never go to hell, you will never stand in judgement, you have been eternally saved, never to suffer.
- You ought to offer sacrifices of praise unto the Lord for salvation today-Heb. 13:15.
- When you are saved you know it, you have the blessed assurance Jesus Christ is yours!!
- Mary had a personal relationship with God and she expressed it in song.
She has been regarded-Vs. 48.
- To “regard” is to turn the eyes upon.
- Mary is telling Elizabeth that she is a nobody but she has experienced the Grace of God first hand.
- Mary is crying that she did not deserve the grace and favor of God but she has received His grace anyway.
- We who are saved have been chosen, called and saved by pure grace.
- There was nothing in us then and there is nothing now that would commend us to the Lord.
- But by His grace alone, He loved us, reached down to us and saved us when we responded to His love by FAITH ALONE.
- Dear friends, to be regarded by God is a tremendous thing-Eph. 2:8-9!!
- Even the Apostle Paul was a product of pure grace-1st 15:10-11.
- Praise God this morning that He “regarded you.”
She has been rewarded-Vs. 48-49; Heb. 11:6.
- Mary realizes that she has been rewarded by God through faith. She realizes that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
- Mary is now going to be the means by which the God of eternity enters human history.
- Just think how God has rewarded you through faith.
MARY CELEBRATES THE LORD FOR PERPETUAL GRACE-Luke 1:50-53.
Permanence of His grace-Vs. 50.
- Mary knows that she is not the only one who has received Grace from God.
- She understands that God is the God of all generations until the return of Christ to this earth.
- The grace of God is operating even today!! There is God’s grace to save sinners, grace to reclaim backsliders, grace for battles, grace for trials, grace for valleys, Grace for every situation we face in life-2nd 12:9-10.
The performance of His grace-Vs. 51-52.
- Mary praises God that He did not come to reach out to the proud and the mighty.
- God chose to reveal Himself to the poor and humble.
- God has put to shame all those who thought they had Him figured out-1st 1:27.
- God has reversed the order of society, those who are considered great by men will be brought low, while the poor and humble will be exalted by their faith in the Lord.
- Salvation comes through Grace on to those who are willing to admit sin and need.
The promise of His grace-Vs. 53.
- Mary tells us that those who realize their lack can come to the Lord and be filled.
- While those who think they have need of nothing can expect nothing from God.
- The people who have the Laodicean mentality-Rev. 3:14-22 cannot receive from God.
- Jesus Christ had the same words to say to those who are lofty-Mark 8:36-37; John 15:5.
MARY CELEBRATES THE LORD FOR PERFORMED GRACE-Luke 1:54-55.
God remembers His promises-Vs. 54.
- Jesus Christ was the promised deliverer of Israel. God had now remembered His promise to Israel.
- God keeps His promises to us-Romans 4:17-21.
- God will keep His promise concerning salvation-2nd Timothy 1:12, daily provision-Phil. 4:19, His promises come to pass-2nd Peter 3:9.
God remembers His people-Vs. 55.
- Mary rejoices that God has not forgotten His people-Israel.
- God remembered His children-Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5.
- God did not save you to desert you on the way. He will take you home with Him-praise His name.
CONCLUSION
- Mary is a good example, although she has no grace to give to us, she points us to Him who is full of grace-The God of all grace.
- You don’t have to pray to Mary, she cannot save anyone, but she points us to Him who is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Jesus Christ.
- Today and every other day, let us celebrate Jesus Christ for the grace He has bestowed upon us.
- Today, come to Jesus Christ, let Him have His way in your life.
The following two tabs change content below.
Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.
Latest posts by Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso (see all)
- MSAADA WA MUNGU WAKATI WA MATESO. - September 21, 2025
- GOD GUIDES OUR DESTINIES. - September 21, 2025
- GOD OF THE BREAKTHROUGHS - September 10, 2025