← ArchiveSunday, December 20, 2015DateDecember 20, 2015Speaker—TextJohn 6Passages in this sermonPsalms 403:23Hebrews 13:55:12John 4:235:26John 178:45Psalms 1198:51Psalms 1608:51Psalms 1428:51Psalms 349:352 Samuel 229:45Isaiah 439:52John 6:4415:07John 615:071 Corinthians 1:2618:11Psalms 9820:42John 3:1624:51Romans 3:2325:19Romans 8:125:58Revelation 3:2026:53TranscriptMachine transcribed. Click any line to jump there.0:00that ain't bad girls i'm telling you that was pretty good stuff right there amen amen luke's gospel chapter one luke's gospel chapter one i saw a story recently uh posted that uh two young0:24boys were uh every year they it was kind of a traditional thing that they would go the weekend prior to christmas they would go to their grandparents house and uh the grandparents were very devout uh solid uh christians and so they would make those boys that they always did it at home as well but they always made those boys uh say their prayers before they went to sleep at night so they went to grandma's house and they were praying and uh one the little guy there was0:54two little boys and one's about 10 i think another was about eight so the eight-year-old was praying first and he was praying real loud he said lord please make sure i get that bicycle for christmas lord i want and he kept on and the older one leaned over and said you don't have to be so loud god's not death he said yeah i know but grandma is and i want you to know this today our text this text this text is1:19all about mary's song luke's gospel chapter one beginning with the 46 verse i want us to read this because it's very very it's called the magnificat uh it's a it's mary's song and i want us to read through it and then we're going to unpack it i want to give you a few thoughts for us to consider today and mary said my soul magnifies the lord my spirit rejoice in god my savior for he has looked on the1:49humble estate of his servant for behold from now on all generations will call me blessed for he who is mighty has come has done great things for me and holy is his name and his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation he has saw he has shown strength with his arm and has scattered the proud2:15in his thoughts of their hearts he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those who of humble estate he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty he has helped his servant israel in remembrance of his mercy as he spoke to our fathers to abraham and to his offspring forever let's pray father god we thank you so much that we have your word it's never it never2:44returns void and fathers we look at and celebrate your sovereignty today god we thank you so much because your word does never return void it is sharper than a two-edged sword it is a comfort blanket in time of need and it is a road map for daily living and father i thank you that we can rely on your word3:08today that we can look at your word as to be encouragement today to celebrate your name to worship you in spirit and truth and father as the psalmist said in psalms 40 verse 3 you have put a new song in my mouth a hymn of praise to our god we rejoice in that and father we love you and we praise you and thank you for what you're about to do in our midst today god do your work in this place reach down and save that one that3:36does not know you rekindle the fire that one that may be wayward here today and father i pray that we walk away from this place completely different than when we came and we give you all the praise and all the glory and all the honor in jesus name we pray and the church does say amen we pursue god because and only because he put first put an urging into our heart a wooing into our heart to put that4:03spurs us to pursue him we only pursue god because he woos us he draws us he spurs in our heart that desire to know him and know him more now this this particular text today we call it mary's magnificat4:25a mary song it's a song of the sovereign king and so it has several stanzas has actually three stanzas to it and we're going to look at that but the central theme of worshiping is god worshiping our savior is praise praise is our ultimate expression of god for who he is as i taught several months ago on worship what the big deal is it about it that worship is setting our minds attention our hearts affection4:55on god right we start thinking about it we'll put our hearts affection on him we'll worship him in spirit and truth and so worship to the lord is a central is the central theme is is praise the writer in the book of hebrews he exhorts us in hebrews chapter 13 verse 5 it says continue offering up sacrifice to praise to god for that is the fruit of the lips fruit of lips give thanks to his name the true worshiper is defined5:18by our lord in two real components in john chapter 4 verse 23 and 24 worship him in spirit and in truth and so it's two compiled uh components to worship in his classic work i read across ran across this quote just the other day in the existence and the attributes of god the english puritan the 17th century english puritan theologian stephen kardec said these words without the heart it is no worship5:47it is stage play an acting part without being that person who really which is an act by us a hypocrite in the notion of the word is a stage player we may be truly said may it truly be said that we worship god though we lack perfection but we cannot be said to worship him if we lack in security insincerity6:11we must be sincere in our worship worship is setting our minds attention and our hearts affection on god and so today you say dad this is a christmas story the christmas season well folks that everything about christmas is about worship everything about this celebration is about worshiping him and so the bible reveals to us these three prerequisites of worshiping in spirit and truth first of all the true worshiper must not be6:39controlled or empowered by anything other than the spirit of god a true worshiper must be controlled and empowered by the spirit of god to worship in spirit requires thoughts of focusing our mind and our hearts on him worship is the flows of an of of of an undivided heart meaning that we shouldn't divide our allegiance any way we must worship singly in our minds our minds attention and our hearts affection on him meditating7:08on the word of god singing praises unto him that is worship is collectively or privately and thirdly worship is in the spirit requires repentance repentance sin hinders us from worshiping and an unconfessed sin cannot worship in spirit and in truth is what i'm saying we must come clean before a holy god sin hinders our fellowship7:35and our communion with god the father so worship must be in spirit controlled and directed totally to god the father worship also must be in truth is what the bible says god rejects a self self-centered or self-centered focused of worship meaning we're not performers up here we are prompters of worship7:57you say wow that was a great solo yes we can magnify the lord because of their talent but they should be prompting us in worship and that's what these ladies in this praise team and band and all this this great choir is trying to do and so we we want to be prompters of worship so worshiping in truth means we focus our attention on god the father god rejects a self-styled worship uh person a person who8:22worships himself or a person who wants all the accolades about that i know i've said it time and time again of this whole preaching thing is not about me but yeah it is no it's not really it really isn't about us and if it is about us and if it's built around that then it's built around the person not the person that we should be preaching about or singing about or worshiping to right john 17 psalms 119 psalms 142 psalms 160 all of those sources of true worship are found in the word of god8:51so worship consists of scripture is acceptable only to one person that's a person to him so we focus our attention on him that's exactly what mary was doing when she pondered these things into her heart when she pondered all this she was fully devoted and completely understood the meaning of worship in spirit and in truth so in this text today mary began in verse 46 she said my soul exalts9:17thee i want you to look with me real quickly she said my soul magnifies or exalts the lord and my spirit rejoices in god my savior psalms 34 verse 2 my soul it my soul makes it boast in the lord her reference to god as her savior in verse 47 is reminiscent of the old passages in second timid 2 samuel chapter 229:45isaiah 43 and on and on and on church let me tell you something she was just echoing what this the prophets of old had already said to her she had pondered these things into her heart she was exalting king jesus this the savior of the universe mary was well versed in history and she understood the rich theological truth and the covenants she already knew those things she understood that10:12and her praise was an expression of her faith in her savior that ought to make a baptist shout hallelujah i'm telling you folks mary is the first portrait in the new testament to identify herself as the lord's slave she identified herself as the lord's save this ordinary girl from galilee the city of around nazareth10:34she demonstrated a proper attitude of worship she demonstrated a proper understanding and knowing that the coming of the messiah was completely the apex of everything of the redemption story she understood that verse chapter 1 of matthew's gospel verse 21 says for it is he who will save his people from her sins because of the purpose of his coming was to seek and save that which was lost folks that's why11:04we celebrate christmas is because the birth of the messiah set forth the redemption story for all of mankind and that's why we as a group of people can give tithes and offerings to an organization that can present the gospel around the world where we can't go we can give to go amen that's what this is all11:27that's why i'm so excited about this particular text today because this text sets into motion what we should be doing 365 days a year mary she pondered these beautiful things this thrilling account this thrilling song that mary was all focused on one person that was the messiah would be born and would be born into11:53the world prompted her to sing these praises to her redeemer when i started thinking about this mary knew what would happen she didn't know how it would happen but she knew it would happen in luke's gospel chapter 1 of verse 34 was that was not the evidence of unbelief but rather it was the expression of her faith she believed the promise but she did not understand the performance12:23gabriel the angel of the lord explained to her what what this indeed this miracle would take place with the the work the work of the holy spirit he said that's what's going to happen the holy spirit is going to impregnate you she didn't have any idea what that means she had no idea how all this was going to happen but she believed the promise jesus knew no sin in corinthian letter jesus didn't commit any sin and peter told us that and christ jesus had no sin he was perfect he knew no sin12:52we will never know how god did this but he did because his word is true he brought forth jesus christ through the virgin mary he just did it and we kind of continue to believe it because it is he who will save his people from their sins that's why that's why the psalmist in psalms 40 verse 3 is so important13:19he put a new song in my mouth a hymn of praise to our god church let me tell you something when i look at this beautiful portrait this beautiful song i see three stanzas three motions so to speak first one is this what god did for mary what did he do for us in verse 47 verse 47 and my spirit rejoices in god13:40write underline this my savior he saved her mary was in need of a savior she said wait a minute she was carrying the messiah does she not get a break no she doesn't get a break she needed a savior and so what god did for her he sent the messiah through her and she needed saving as well so what god did for14:07mary he saved her number two he chose her you say wait a minute there's that word he chose her he absolutely did and he looked and he has looked on the humble estate of his servant but for behold verse 48 for behold from now on all generations will call me blessed folks not only did he save her he chose her14:28that's the person that's who god said that's who i want to portray this this is where this all begins with her folks let me tell you something god did something for her he saved her he chose her and then he showed her how mighty he was to her verse 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me14:51and holy is his name folks let me tell you something jesus was always always there turn with me quickly to john chapter 6 john chapter 6 verse 44 john chapter 6 verse 44 jesus was always previous he was always there no one can come to me unless the father who has sent me draws him and i will receive15:15him up on the last day folks let me tell you something he's going to draw those when i got saved at 17 years old i had been a baptist for nine months before i was born but i came a believer that day in april 1971 why because the holy spirit drew me out of that mid-section center section at first baptist trustful he drew me out to the left center aisle and i walked down and received christ as my15:43personal savior lord i had heard the gospel my whole life but it became prevalent to me became apparent that i had heard the gospel but i had not received the gospel you see he drew me that and that's exactly what he's doing to some of us in this room today some of us in this room today he may be reaching down and he may be drawing into your heart right now a need of him as your savior and your lord16:07you see he draws us to himself jesus was always singular he's only one messiah the work his he worked a miracle in order to bring salvation to the world not just to her but to the entire world for it is he who will save his people from their sins so what he did for mary was he saved her he chose her and he showed mighty to her and second stanza he what god did is for us god was merciful to the16:36helpless pick it up in verse 51 and he's shown strength with his arm and he scattered the proud through the thoughts of their hearts he's showed merciful to the helpless he showed merciful to the humble pick it up in verse 42 i mean 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate folks let me tell you something he will make you humble amen17:04sometimes he gets our gets our humility going before he gets our holiness going amen sometimes he gets us humble then we get holy amen i don't know about you but he does that sometimes he just cuts me right off with the knees to make me more humble folks let me tell you something god is merciful to the helpless he is merciful to the humble he is merciful to the hungry look at verse 53 he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he's the rich he sent away empty now stop17:33right there it's not that he doesn't love rich people the point is is that he's going to fill the hungry first he's going to meet the need of those who need the need met first those who are wealthy he's already met your need amen he's met your need in a magnet magnificent way so god is merciful to the helpless17:56merciful to the humble and merciful to the hungry god is always confronting us and to this day he will continue to front us he confronts us to change us first corinthians chapter 1 verse 26 tells us the grace of god works contrary to the thoughts and ways of the world system the world system said it's all about me but god says no it's all about me and when we put our focus back on him set our minds attention our18:24hearts affection on god if you're here today and you are not a christ follower today is the day of salvation we have lifted high the banner of jesus christ through musical worship through giving tithes and offerings in a moment and through the teaching of his word we're here today to present to you that the messiah has come and he's here drawing your attention drawing your heart to be saved it is he18:48who has come to save his people from their sins today is the day of salvation for you so what he did in stanza one is that what he did for mary is what he's also done for us he's given us that opposite opportunity to have that redemption story into our lives that leads us to the third stanza what god did for the nations what god did for the nations would you pick it up with me in verse 54 in verse 54 he pack19:16it up back up to verse 54 he says he has helped his servant israel or the nations he's helped his servant israel in remembrance of his mercy as he has spoke to our fathers to abraham and his offspring forever folks let me tell you something the word of god will get out there it's a part of us getting it out there and we have the part of this great commission we have part of this great story to present the word around the world many of us in19:45this room will never have the opportunity to go to the nations but you can go by giving you can go by getting the word out by giving of your ties and your offerings as you continue i challenge you as you launch into this brand new season of church life say it be be it said of this church that this church is not just a going church but it is a giving church not just a giving church but a going church this is what we're20:13about this is what god is saying we want to get the word to the nations get the word to the nation god will save his people from their sin and see god not only will he save their people from the sin but god was on the side of the nations every tongue every tribe needs to hear the gospel of the of the lord jesus christ pick it up in psalms 98 turn with me i want you to notice this making a joyful noise you can20:42make a joyful noise by presenting the gospel around the world what god did for mary what god did for us and what god did for the nations is the third stanza psalms 98 oh sing to the lord a new song for he has done marvelous things his right hand and his and his holy arm have worked salvation for him the lord has made known21:02his salvation he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations he has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of israel and to the ends of the earth has seen the salvation of our god folks let me tell you something every tongue every tribe must hear the gospel of jesus christ 1.621:26billion have not heard the name that bothers me that troubles me that takes me to my knees and prayer and say god am i giving enough am i doing enough am i going enough if it were not for israel there would be no jesus christ right if it were not for israel they would not christ would not have been born folks let me tell you something jesus is always there for the nations but he's given us this beautiful privilege of being a part21:55of presenting the gospel to the nation so what god did for mary was he saved her he chose her he was completely mighty mighty strong for her what god did for us was he he helped us the helpless he made the humble the proud humble and he also fed those that were hungry but what he did for the nations it is he who saved his22:20people from his people from their sin now to mary he wasn't just a son to mary he wasn't just a son he was the savior of the universe can you imagine being the person22:38that was tapped that was tapped to bring forth the messiah she couldn't help his praise he put a new song in her womb he put a new song in her heart should we be the way the same way shouldn't we23:01be as excited as mary was should we not write our own magnifica a song of praise unto our savior because at that point in time where he reached down from the halls of heaven and said i draw you i draw you to salvation today i am wooing you for that moment of salvation for it is he who will save his people23:32from their sins maybe today is a day of salvation for you maybe you came today and this is the time that you've you come to church you come to a worship gathering like this because it's it's christmas it's the christmas season well i want to i want to extend to you the opportunity to let the holy spirit work in your life today i want to extend an opportunity for you to confess your sin and receive24:01him as your personal savior lord i would be derelict in my duty as a minister of the gospel of jesus christ as a pastor of this glorious message to not extend to you today the day of salvation today he may be wooing you that power holy spirit may be working today to draw you unto him today the wooing of the holy spirit may be working in your life right now and we're not asking you to join this church we're24:30asking you to join the kingdom we're asking you to join the greater body of christ today the day is a day of salvation for some of you i believe in an audience of this side brad i think there's somebody in here today if we extend that opportunity to you you will stand up and say i want to confess my sin and i want to receive christ as my savior and my lord john 3 16 says for god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have24:57everlasting life so right now in this room he has chosen you he is giving you the gift of eternal life how do you do that you got to confess with your mouth that jesus is lord and god raised him from the dead believe in your heart you got to confess your sin how does that happen because everyone in this room is sin the bible tells us in romans chapter 3 verse 23 said all is sin and comes short of the glory of god that simply means that everybody every one of us even this old baptist preacher every one of us25:24has sinned and fallen short of god's glory the wages of sin is death but the gift of god is eternal life through jesus christ our lord that means that we transfer our understanding ourselves that we're separated from god's love because of our sin and so he woos us and we receive the gift of eternal life the wages of sin is death but the gift of god is eternal life through jesus christ our lord the bible says believe on the name of the son of god and now shall be saved one of my favorite verses of scripture is25:52romans chapter 8 verse 1 there is there now no condemnation for those who are in christ jesus you say wait a minute how do you put that into a gospel presentation well let me ask you the question are you condemned there is there now no condemnation for those who are in christ jesus if you're not in christ jesus then you're condemned if you're in christ jesus there's no condemnation that's the question that begs today today so see that's why mary could rejoice in her heart that's why she pondered26:18she was birthing the messiah she had the savior of the universe what a joyous thing to know that we have a savior the bible says for by grace you've been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of god that is a result of works should one boast so today is the day of salvation for you26:43and you say well how does that happen well he may be knocking at the door of your heart revelation chapter 3 verse 20 says behold i stand at the door and knock if anyone hear my voice and open the door i will come in and be with him you see he may be knocking that's that wooing he may be knocking at the door of your life right now he might be knocking at the door of your life right now and he said i'm not forcing my way in but if you will gladly open your life to me i will come in and i will be with you and i will give27:12you the gift of eternal life in heaven for your very own for all of eternity so the question begs today the messiah has come over 2 000 years ago we celebrate that today the messiah came and he came for one purpose to build buildings nope to start new life groups absolutely not what did he do he came for one27:34statement it is he who came to save his people from their sins so today you might be that person that he reaches down from the halls of heaven today and said today i'm drawing you to salvation now you have an opportunity to say yes or to say no be it said today that you walk away from this place completely28:04understanding christmas in a different meaning by saying yes to him today would you bow your heads and close your eyes with heads bowed and eyes closed our deacons are to come into the altar pastors will be here at the front our musicians are getting into place my question to you today is this will you come28:28and invite him into your life28:58you youMore sermons on John →
