1 00:00:00,520 –> 00:00:03,700 We’re calling the series in Advent this year 2 00:00:03,700 –> 00:00:05,980 Bearing Witness to Jesus. 3 00:00:05,980 –> 00:00:08,400 And we’re gonna pick up on characters 4 00:00:08,400 –> 00:00:12,420 in the Christmas story who directly spoke to Mary 5 00:00:12,420 –> 00:00:17,280 affirming the identity of the child that she bore. 6 00:00:17,280 –> 00:00:20,379 And we begin in verse 39, 7 00:00:20,379 –> 00:00:22,799 where we read in those days, 8 00:00:22,799 –> 00:00:25,600 Mary arose and went with haste 9 00:00:25,600 –> 00:00:27,440 into the hill country. 10 00:00:27,559 –> 00:00:30,520 Now those days were indeed remarkable days. 11 00:00:30,520 –> 00:00:33,299 The angel had visited Mary 12 00:00:33,299 –> 00:00:35,759 with this extraordinary announcement 13 00:00:35,759 –> 00:00:38,099 that we have in verse 31. 14 00:00:38,099 –> 00:00:40,040 The announcement had been made from heaven, 15 00:00:40,040 –> 00:00:42,060 you will conceive in your womb, 16 00:00:42,060 –> 00:00:46,240 you will bear a son and you will call his name Jesus. 17 00:00:46,240 –> 00:00:48,520 And Mary had asked the obvious question, 18 00:00:48,520 –> 00:00:49,740 how is this going to be, 19 00:00:49,740 –> 00:00:51,639 since I am a virgin? 20 00:00:51,639 –> 00:00:54,959 She asked and the answer of verse 35, 21 00:00:54,959 –> 00:00:56,919 this amazing statement. 22 00:00:57,000 –> 00:00:59,320 The Holy Spirit will come upon you 23 00:00:59,320 –> 00:01:02,919 and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, 24 00:01:02,919 –> 00:01:05,440 there for the child to be born will be called 25 00:01:05,440 –> 00:01:09,440 Holy, the Son of God. 26 00:01:09,440 –> 00:01:12,459 And Mary had responded to this announcement 27 00:01:12,459 –> 00:01:14,260 with extraordinary faith. 28 00:01:14,260 –> 00:01:17,680 She said, I am the servant of the Lord, 29 00:01:17,680 –> 00:01:21,040 let it be to me according to your word. 30 00:01:21,040 –> 00:01:23,940 So the announcement is made from heaven. 31 00:01:23,940 –> 00:01:25,239 Now, what I want us to see 32 00:01:25,239 –> 00:01:28,180 as we walk through the Christmas story again this year 33 00:01:28,180 –> 00:01:30,059 is that in what follows, 34 00:01:30,059 –> 00:01:32,099 the announcement that was made from heaven 35 00:01:32,099 –> 00:01:36,620 by the angel Gabriel is confirmed on earth 36 00:01:36,620 –> 00:01:39,900 by various people who were moved by God 37 00:01:39,900 –> 00:01:43,820 to affirm the word that had been spoken to Mary. 38 00:01:43,820 –> 00:01:46,239 So in Matthew’s gospel, for example, 39 00:01:46,239 –> 00:01:49,739 a revelation is given to Joseph later in the story 40 00:01:49,739 –> 00:01:53,820 and he comes alongside Mary giving her protection 41 00:01:53,839 –> 00:01:56,800 as he takes her to be his wife 42 00:01:56,800 –> 00:01:58,839 and later in Matthew’s gospel, 43 00:01:58,839 –> 00:02:01,779 you have the affirmation that comes from the wise men 44 00:02:01,779 –> 00:02:04,040 who are prompted by God through the star 45 00:02:04,040 –> 00:02:08,979 to come and to affirm that Jesus is the King. 46 00:02:08,979 –> 00:02:10,779 We’re going to follow the story 47 00:02:10,779 –> 00:02:13,399 particularly from Luke’s gospel 48 00:02:13,399 –> 00:02:15,000 and Luke draws to our attention 49 00:02:15,000 –> 00:02:17,160 three different characters. 50 00:02:17,160 –> 00:02:19,880 All of whom were moved by God 51 00:02:19,919 –> 00:02:24,860 to affirm the unique glory of the child that Mary bore. 52 00:02:26,220 –> 00:02:28,320 The first of these is Elizabeth 53 00:02:28,320 –> 00:02:29,979 who we’re going to see today 54 00:02:29,979 –> 00:02:33,860 affirmed that Jesus is the Lord. 55 00:02:33,860 –> 00:02:35,899 The second were the shepherds 56 00:02:35,899 –> 00:02:39,220 who affirmed that Jesus is the savior 57 00:02:39,220 –> 00:02:41,660 and then Simeon was the third 58 00:02:41,660 –> 00:02:45,860 and he affirmed, particularly that Jesus is the Christ. 59 00:02:45,860 –> 00:02:49,179 So all three of them then are bearing witness to Jesus, 60 00:02:49,199 –> 00:02:52,339 confirming the announcement that was made from heaven 61 00:02:52,339 –> 00:02:54,419 by the angel Gabriel, 62 00:02:54,419 –> 00:02:59,419 that the child Mary bore was indeed truly from God. 63 00:03:00,800 –> 00:03:03,059 And so this is the story we’re going to follow 64 00:03:03,059 –> 00:03:05,899 beginning from today. 65 00:03:05,899 –> 00:03:09,339 Now, the first witness there is this older woman 66 00:03:09,339 –> 00:03:12,000 whose name was Elizabeth. 67 00:03:12,000 –> 00:03:16,080 And back in verse six, she has been introduced to us 68 00:03:16,119 –> 00:03:18,080 along with her husband Zechariah 69 00:03:18,080 –> 00:03:20,919 as blameless, walking in the statutes 70 00:03:20,919 –> 00:03:23,419 and the commands of the Lord. 71 00:03:23,419 –> 00:03:26,660 This lady, older lady married to Zechariah 72 00:03:26,660 –> 00:03:29,559 and the two of them did not have children, 73 00:03:29,559 –> 00:03:33,919 they were advanced the bible tells us in years. 74 00:03:33,919 –> 00:03:36,039 Now the angel of the Lord had appeared 75 00:03:36,039 –> 00:03:38,600 to this lady’s husband Zechariah 76 00:03:38,600 –> 00:03:41,800 earlier in the story, verse 19, 77 00:03:41,800 –> 00:03:44,820 he was a priest serving in the temple 78 00:03:44,820 –> 00:03:47,759 and the announcement was made to him by Gabriel 79 00:03:47,759 –> 00:03:51,440 that his wife Elizabeth would bear to him 80 00:03:51,440 –> 00:03:52,899 a son. 81 00:03:52,899 –> 00:03:54,660 You will remember perhaps the story 82 00:03:54,660 –> 00:03:56,919 that Zechariah did not believe 83 00:03:56,919 –> 00:03:58,300 the promise. 84 00:03:58,300 –> 00:04:02,300 And so the power of speech was taken from him. 85 00:04:03,179 –> 00:04:07,300 The man’s a priest, nobody is helped by priests 86 00:04:07,300 –> 00:04:09,000 who do not believe the Word of God. 87 00:04:09,000 –> 00:04:10,240 Is that not right? 88 00:04:10,240 –> 00:04:13,699 And so, the power of speech is taken from this priest 89 00:04:13,720 –> 00:04:15,740 who does not believe the Word of God 90 00:04:15,740 –> 00:04:17,779 until the Word of God is fulfilled 91 00:04:17,779 –> 00:04:19,200 and then he sees it’s true 92 00:04:19,200 –> 00:04:21,540 and he’s given the power of his speech back 93 00:04:21,540 –> 00:04:24,220 and is able then to lead other people 94 00:04:24,220 –> 00:04:25,880 in the praise of God. 95 00:04:26,760 –> 00:04:28,559 Now try and think about this story 96 00:04:28,559 –> 00:04:31,179 from Elizabeth’s perspective. 97 00:04:31,179 –> 00:04:36,000 Ordinary day, your husband comes home from work 98 00:04:36,000 –> 00:04:37,940 and he’s not speaking. 99 00:04:37,940 –> 00:04:40,339 He’s making all kinds of gestures, 100 00:04:40,440 –> 00:04:43,820 trying to explain what can’t be explained. 101 00:04:43,820 –> 00:04:45,700 He’s asking for a writing tablet 102 00:04:45,700 –> 00:04:48,019 and trying to communicate 103 00:04:48,019 –> 00:04:49,380 and he doesn’t speak that day 104 00:04:49,380 –> 00:04:51,339 and he can’t articulate the next day 105 00:04:51,339 –> 00:04:54,260 or the next week or the next month. 106 00:04:55,059 –> 00:04:58,380 Then Elizabeth finds to her great joy 107 00:04:58,380 –> 00:05:00,140 that she is pregnant. 108 00:05:01,380 –> 00:05:03,380 Weeks and then months pass 109 00:05:03,380 –> 00:05:06,640 and then one day, there’s a knock on the door 110 00:05:06,640 –> 00:05:09,859 and it’s Mary, a relative from another branch 111 00:05:09,859 –> 00:05:11,179 of her family. 112 00:05:12,000 –> 00:05:13,720 And the visit of course, would have been 113 00:05:13,720 –> 00:05:17,720 a complete and utter surprise to Elizabeth. 114 00:05:17,720 –> 00:05:19,959 We live in a world of planning. 115 00:05:19,959 –> 00:05:22,359 Who is coming for Christmas? 116 00:05:22,359 –> 00:05:24,339 When are they coming? 117 00:05:24,339 –> 00:05:25,799 And probably just as important, 118 00:05:25,799 –> 00:05:27,380 when are they going? 119 00:05:27,380 –> 00:05:31,940 And the ancient world was very, very different. 120 00:05:31,940 –> 00:05:33,420 They didn’t live on plans, 121 00:05:33,420 –> 00:05:36,079 the ancient world was full of surprises. 122 00:05:36,079 –> 00:05:37,420 I mean, you’d got no cell phones, 123 00:05:37,420 –> 00:05:39,100 you’ve got no text, no email 124 00:05:39,619 –> 00:05:42,600 to make our endless arrangements that go on and on and on. 125 00:05:42,600 –> 00:05:45,540 They lived in a world where people just showed up 126 00:05:45,540 –> 00:05:47,820 and it was an amazing surprise. 127 00:05:47,820 –> 00:05:50,500 And so here we read in verse 39, 128 00:05:50,500 –> 00:05:52,920 in those days Mary arose, 129 00:05:52,920 –> 00:05:55,899 and she went with haste into the hill country 130 00:05:55,899 –> 00:05:57,059 to a town of Judah, 131 00:05:57,059 –> 00:06:00,059 and she entered the house of Zechariah 132 00:06:00,059 –> 00:06:02,100 and greeted Elizabeth. 133 00:06:02,100 –> 00:06:03,500 So try and picture the scene. 134 00:06:03,500 –> 00:06:06,100 Now, here are these two women, 135 00:06:06,200 –> 00:06:09,679 and they both have an extraordinary story to tell. 136 00:06:09,679 –> 00:06:11,540 Who’s gonna go first? 137 00:06:11,540 –> 00:06:15,059 Elizabeth had not anticipated this meeting, 138 00:06:15,059 –> 00:06:18,899 but she had, Elizabeth had a remarkable story to share. 139 00:06:18,899 –> 00:06:23,899 After all these years, Mary, I’m expecting a child, 140 00:06:24,059 –> 00:06:28,600 Zechariah and Elizabeth were like a new Abraham and Sarah. 141 00:06:28,600 –> 00:06:33,600 What would Mary think of Elizabeth’s amazing news? 142 00:06:33,820 –> 00:06:39,079 But Mary of course, had news of her own to share 143 00:06:39,079 –> 00:06:42,160 and her story would shine more brightly 144 00:06:42,160 –> 00:06:46,119 than Elizabeth’s by far. 145 00:06:46,119 –> 00:06:47,839 And here’s why, always remember this, 146 00:06:47,839 –> 00:06:49,220 it’s very important. 147 00:06:50,119 –> 00:06:55,119 Elizabeth had conceived in the usual way. 148 00:06:55,299 –> 00:06:58,119 God had blessed her union, 149 00:06:58,119 –> 00:06:59,880 even though it was in old age, 150 00:06:59,880 –> 00:07:02,320 God had blessed her union with Zechariah 151 00:07:02,980 –> 00:07:07,119 and had caused them to have a child in their later years. 152 00:07:10,019 –> 00:07:12,619 But Mary’s story was quite different in this way, 153 00:07:12,619 –> 00:07:14,859 Mary was a virgin. 154 00:07:15,779 –> 00:07:20,779 Jesus Christ was not conceived in the usual way. 155 00:07:21,760 –> 00:07:26,760 His life was not drawn from any human Father. 156 00:07:27,679 –> 00:07:30,720 God was taking human form 157 00:07:30,760 –> 00:07:35,760 in the life that was conceived in the womb of Mary. 158 00:07:36,260 –> 00:07:39,019 In the words that were spoken by the angel to Joseph, 159 00:07:39,019 –> 00:07:42,500 very significantly, Matthew one in verse 25, 160 00:07:42,500 –> 00:07:47,500 what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 161 00:07:50,859 –> 00:07:52,000 Now Christian family, 162 00:07:52,000 –> 00:07:54,019 let’s just ponder this for a moment 163 00:07:54,019 –> 00:07:55,619 as we’re approaching Christmas, 164 00:07:55,619 –> 00:07:59,980 this amazing miracle that causes us to wonder 165 00:08:00,019 –> 00:08:02,739 and to worship what was happening. 166 00:08:02,739 –> 00:08:07,739 God the son God, the eternal son was taking human nature 167 00:08:10,239 –> 00:08:15,239 from a young woman who became a mother 168 00:08:15,679 –> 00:08:19,380 through the creative power of the Holy Spirit, 169 00:08:20,200 –> 00:08:22,540 operating directly upon her, 170 00:08:22,540 –> 00:08:25,480 the phrase that the Bible uses very beautifully, 171 00:08:25,480 –> 00:08:29,820 the power of the Holy Spirit will overshadow you. 172 00:08:29,820 –> 00:08:34,080 The Holy Spirit by whose work the world 173 00:08:34,080 –> 00:08:39,080 as we know it was formed, He brooded over the waters 174 00:08:40,380 –> 00:08:42,700 so that in the story of creation, 175 00:08:42,700 –> 00:08:44,520 right at the beginning of the Bible, 176 00:08:44,520 –> 00:08:47,979 that which we see all around us was brought to be 177 00:08:47,979 –> 00:08:50,020 the Holy Spirit brooding over the waters. 178 00:08:50,020 –> 00:08:53,280 Here the Holy Spirit comes, overshadows Mary 179 00:08:53,280 –> 00:08:58,280 and brings to be this amazing unique glorious life 180 00:08:59,020 –> 00:09:04,020 in which God takes human flesh in Jesus Christ born of Mary. 181 00:09:09,080 –> 00:09:14,080 Nothing like this had ever happened anywhere 182 00:09:14,659 –> 00:09:18,140 in the entire history of the world before. 183 00:09:19,400 –> 00:09:22,880 Nothing else like it ever will happen anywhere 184 00:09:22,880 –> 00:09:27,299 in the entire history of the world or has happened. 185 00:09:28,580 –> 00:09:32,780 This is unique and glorious God, 186 00:09:32,780 –> 00:09:37,559 in the center of history taking human flesh 187 00:09:37,559 –> 00:09:42,559 coming among us and acting for us in Jesus Christ. 188 00:09:43,919 –> 00:09:45,520 Now try and picture the scene then 189 00:09:45,520 –> 00:09:47,479 these two women both with remarkable 190 00:09:47,479 –> 00:09:49,619 but very different stories to share. 191 00:09:50,479 –> 00:09:55,479 And Mary arrives at the front door of the home of Elizabeth 192 00:09:55,919 –> 00:09:58,799 and I want simply to make three observations 193 00:09:58,799 –> 00:10:02,960 from what I think is just a beautiful scene 194 00:10:02,960 –> 00:10:06,460 from the Christmas story. 195 00:10:06,460 –> 00:10:10,020 And the first of these is I want us to see today 196 00:10:10,020 –> 00:10:14,960 Elizabeth confessing, Elizabeth confessing. 197 00:10:14,960 –> 00:10:16,760 And notice verse 43. 198 00:10:18,080 –> 00:10:21,719 She says, why is this granted to me 199 00:10:22,559 –> 00:10:27,219 that the mother of my Lord 200 00:10:27,219 –> 00:10:29,979 should come to me? 201 00:10:29,979 –> 00:10:31,059 I want you to notice this. 202 00:10:31,059 –> 00:10:32,460 Don’t pass over it. 203 00:10:32,460 –> 00:10:36,940 Elizabeth confesses the unborn Jesus 204 00:10:37,940 –> 00:10:41,340 as my Lord. 205 00:10:41,340 –> 00:10:44,780 It’s a remarkable, remarkable statement. 206 00:10:44,780 –> 00:10:48,039 And what is so striking to me about it 207 00:10:48,039 –> 00:10:51,200 is how little she actually knew 208 00:10:51,260 –> 00:10:56,260 at this point, when she made this remarkable confession. 209 00:10:57,119 –> 00:10:59,640 You remember at the end of John’s Gospel, 210 00:10:59,640 –> 00:11:03,080 after the resurrection, you have Thomas, 211 00:11:03,080 –> 00:11:06,119 who has been a disciple of Jesus for three years. 212 00:11:06,119 –> 00:11:07,559 He’s seen all the miracles. 213 00:11:07,559 –> 00:11:11,479 And now he’s in the very presence of the risen Christ, 214 00:11:11,479 –> 00:11:14,159 whose wounds he can touch. 215 00:11:14,159 –> 00:11:16,159 And when he’s confronted with all of that, 216 00:11:17,119 –> 00:11:19,760 he falls on his knees and you remember what he says? 217 00:11:19,799 –> 00:11:24,280 My Lord and my God. 218 00:11:24,280 –> 00:11:28,640 And Elizabeth is making exactly the same confession, 219 00:11:28,640 –> 00:11:33,640 but she’s making it before Jesus was even born. 220 00:11:34,599 –> 00:11:38,239 Now that raises this very important question. 221 00:11:39,280 –> 00:11:44,280 How much do you need to know about Jesus 222 00:11:45,080 –> 00:11:48,059 before you submit to him as Lord? 223 00:11:48,679 –> 00:11:52,140 You know, some of us are stuck with an endless learning 224 00:11:52,140 –> 00:11:53,659 and we’ve been doing it for years, 225 00:11:53,659 –> 00:11:58,479 and we still have not submitted to him as our Lord. 226 00:11:58,479 –> 00:12:00,859 And I want you to think about Elizabeth’s position 227 00:12:00,859 –> 00:12:02,580 as she makes this confession. 228 00:12:02,580 –> 00:12:04,760 She had not heard any of Jesus’ teaching. 229 00:12:05,619 –> 00:12:07,539 She knew nothing about his miracles 230 00:12:07,539 –> 00:12:09,020 or the impact of his life, 231 00:12:09,020 –> 00:12:11,440 about the baptism and transfiguration 232 00:12:11,440 –> 00:12:15,179 in which he was announced as the Son of God from Heaven. 233 00:12:15,179 –> 00:12:17,580 She knew nothing about his death on the cross 234 00:12:17,599 –> 00:12:21,260 in which he became the sacrifice offered for sinners 235 00:12:21,260 –> 00:12:23,219 to bring us peace with God. 236 00:12:23,219 –> 00:12:25,659 She knew nothing about his mighty resurrection 237 00:12:25,659 –> 00:12:28,820 from the dead or his appearances to the disciples 238 00:12:28,820 –> 00:12:30,500 who walk with him and speak with him 239 00:12:30,500 –> 00:12:33,419 and eat with him over a period of 40 days. 240 00:12:33,419 –> 00:12:36,219 She knows nothing about his ascension into Heaven 241 00:12:36,219 –> 00:12:38,099 in which they see him go 242 00:12:38,099 –> 00:12:39,799 and his hands are raised, 243 00:12:39,799 –> 00:12:42,580 blessing them still as he ascends 244 00:12:42,580 –> 00:12:44,239 to the right hand of the Father. 245 00:12:44,239 –> 00:12:46,520 She did not have the New Testament. 246 00:12:47,400 –> 00:12:49,219 And she’d never have an opportunity 247 00:12:49,219 –> 00:12:51,820 to attend a church service like this. 248 00:12:53,020 –> 00:12:58,020 All she had was one simple life changing truth. 249 00:13:02,340 –> 00:13:07,340 God became a man in the child, Jesus, 250 00:13:07,380 –> 00:13:10,679 who was born of Mary. 251 00:13:11,539 –> 00:13:16,619 And Elizabeth was very quick to realize 252 00:13:16,619 –> 00:13:20,820 that if this child is God 253 00:13:20,820 –> 00:13:23,979 he must be Lord of all. 254 00:13:24,859 –> 00:13:29,859 And if he is Lord of all he must be Lord of me. 255 00:13:32,239 –> 00:13:36,599 And so on the basis of this single, simple 256 00:13:36,599 –> 00:13:38,820 and yet life transforming truth, 257 00:13:38,820 –> 00:13:43,820 she confesses the unborn Jesus as her Lord. 258 00:13:47,799 –> 00:13:50,159 Now this is so important. 259 00:13:50,159 –> 00:13:53,359 Remember always the incarnation 260 00:13:53,359 –> 00:13:57,559 that is the miracle in which God becomes man in Jesus. 261 00:13:57,559 –> 00:14:01,099 This is the miracle that makes sense 262 00:14:01,099 –> 00:14:04,520 of everything else in the New Testament. 263 00:14:05,400 –> 00:14:10,119 If Jesus is God in the flesh, 264 00:14:10,119 –> 00:14:13,640 who would be surprised that he would perform miracles? 265 00:14:13,640 –> 00:14:15,340 I mean it’d be amazing if he didn’t, 266 00:14:15,340 –> 00:14:17,159 if he’s actually God with us. 267 00:14:18,320 –> 00:14:20,159 If he is God in the flesh, 268 00:14:20,159 –> 00:14:22,380 who would be surprised that he would rise from the dead? 269 00:14:22,380 –> 00:14:24,059 What would really be surprising 270 00:14:24,059 –> 00:14:26,599 would be that he would enter death in the first place, 271 00:14:26,599 –> 00:14:28,679 how would it be possible for death to hold Him? 272 00:14:28,679 –> 00:14:30,400 That’s why he takes flesh, 273 00:14:30,400 –> 00:14:33,559 so that he can go in and do that on our behalf. 274 00:14:35,500 –> 00:14:39,179 If he really is the eternal word, 275 00:14:39,179 –> 00:14:42,340 who would be surprised at him saying, 276 00:14:42,340 –> 00:14:45,880 I am the way, the truth, and the life, 277 00:14:45,880 –> 00:14:50,880 and no one comes to the Father except by me. 278 00:14:52,760 –> 00:14:56,679 Of course he would say that because of who he is. 279 00:14:57,719 –> 00:15:01,440 If he is indeed the one by whom the world was made, 280 00:15:01,440 –> 00:15:05,700 the creator himself entering into the creation, 281 00:15:06,840 –> 00:15:09,640 then who would be surprised that he would lay claim 282 00:15:09,640 –> 00:15:13,359 to the love, the life, the loyalty, the faith, 283 00:15:13,359 –> 00:15:16,000 the worship, the service, the obedience 284 00:15:16,000 –> 00:15:19,880 of every person who ever lives on the face of the planet 285 00:15:19,880 –> 00:15:21,919 because he’s the creator of the planet 286 00:15:21,919 –> 00:15:23,780 and he’s the creator of every life 287 00:15:23,780 –> 00:15:25,820 and he has come into the creation. 288 00:15:26,919 –> 00:15:30,559 Here’s the very heart of the miracle of Christmas 289 00:15:30,559 –> 00:15:34,179 and Elizabeth discerns it right at the beginning. 290 00:15:34,179 –> 00:15:37,179 If he is God he is Lord of all 291 00:15:37,179 –> 00:15:41,619 and if he is Lord of all he has to be the Lord of me. 292 00:15:41,619 –> 00:15:43,619 So she says why should I be so honored 293 00:15:43,619 –> 00:15:48,619 that the Mother of my Lord should come and visit me? 294 00:15:49,419 –> 00:15:52,820 J.I. Packer says this very, very helpfully. 295 00:15:52,820 –> 00:15:57,820 “‘The incarnation is in itself an unfathomable mystery 296 00:15:58,400 –> 00:16:00,700 but it makes sense of everything else 297 00:16:00,700 –> 00:16:03,219 that the New Testament contains.’ 298 00:16:03,219 –> 00:16:04,640 That’s very helpful. 299 00:16:04,640 –> 00:16:05,739 Because he’s saying look, 300 00:16:05,739 –> 00:16:07,359 if you’re wanting to try and explain 301 00:16:07,359 –> 00:16:09,940 exactly how God can become man in Jesus Christ 302 00:16:09,940 –> 00:16:11,479 you will find yourself amazed 303 00:16:11,479 –> 00:16:14,140 and lost in wonder and love and praise forever and ever. 304 00:16:14,140 –> 00:16:16,179 You will never fully be able to explain that, 305 00:16:16,179 –> 00:16:19,539 it’s an unfathomable mystery, God becoming man. 306 00:16:20,440 –> 00:16:22,020 But this one thing makes sense 307 00:16:22,020 –> 00:16:24,200 of everything else in the New Testament. 308 00:16:24,200 –> 00:16:25,799 Everything else falls into place 309 00:16:25,840 –> 00:16:28,599 and when you see who He really is, 310 00:16:29,580 –> 00:16:31,460 makes sense of everything He says 311 00:16:32,460 –> 00:16:36,020 and of everything that He has done. 312 00:16:37,039 –> 00:16:38,960 And so the single truth 313 00:16:39,919 –> 00:16:43,780 that Mary’s child is the son of God 314 00:16:44,719 –> 00:16:46,419 was given to Elizabeth 315 00:16:47,320 –> 00:16:49,320 and on that basis 316 00:16:49,320 –> 00:16:51,919 she confesses Jesus 317 00:16:51,919 –> 00:16:54,840 as her Lord. 318 00:16:56,599 –> 00:16:58,239 My question to you then would be 319 00:16:58,239 –> 00:17:00,599 very simply this, 320 00:17:00,599 –> 00:17:02,140 since she made that confession 321 00:17:02,140 –> 00:17:04,040 on the basis of this revelation 322 00:17:04,040 –> 00:17:05,040 given to her, 323 00:17:05,040 –> 00:17:07,439 how much more with all the revelation 324 00:17:07,439 –> 00:17:09,540 of scripture that has been given to you 325 00:17:10,599 –> 00:17:12,319 should you not confess this One 326 00:17:12,319 –> 00:17:14,459 who is God and therefore is Lord of all, 327 00:17:14,459 –> 00:17:15,920 therefore as Lord of me, 328 00:17:15,920 –> 00:17:16,959 as Lord of you? 329 00:17:18,359 –> 00:17:19,619 What are you waiting for? 330 00:17:20,719 –> 00:17:22,839 What more can God say 331 00:17:22,839 –> 00:17:24,939 than to you He has already 332 00:17:26,060 –> 00:17:27,079 said? 333 00:17:27,079 –> 00:17:27,959 That’s the first thing, 334 00:17:27,959 –> 00:17:28,920 confessing 335 00:17:29,760 –> 00:17:31,079 my Lord. 336 00:17:32,400 –> 00:17:34,479 Second thing is this, 337 00:17:34,479 –> 00:17:35,479 rejoicing. 338 00:17:36,439 –> 00:17:39,160 And the whole scene is full of joy, 339 00:17:39,160 –> 00:17:41,199 notice this in Verse 41, 340 00:17:41,199 –> 00:17:44,479 the baby’s joy when Elizabeth 341 00:17:44,479 –> 00:17:45,760 heard the greeting. 342 00:17:45,760 –> 00:17:49,579 The baby leaped in her womb. 343 00:17:50,439 –> 00:17:51,619 Every mother knows of course 344 00:17:51,619 –> 00:17:52,959 that in the sixth month 345 00:17:52,959 –> 00:17:54,719 of carrying a baby 346 00:17:54,719 –> 00:17:56,800 you’re gonna get some movement 347 00:17:56,800 –> 00:17:58,280 but this is much more than a kick 348 00:17:58,280 –> 00:18:00,780 or even a turn. 349 00:18:00,780 –> 00:18:02,439 Elizabeth says in Verse 44, 350 00:18:02,439 –> 00:18:03,839 When the sound of your greeting 351 00:18:03,839 –> 00:18:04,800 came to my ears, 352 00:18:04,800 –> 00:18:09,180 the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 353 00:18:10,199 –> 00:18:11,380 It’s a fascinating thing, 354 00:18:11,380 –> 00:18:13,439 the Holy Spirit 355 00:18:13,439 –> 00:18:16,359 mediating joy 356 00:18:16,359 –> 00:18:18,880 to an unborn child. 357 00:18:18,880 –> 00:18:20,660 By the way that should play into 358 00:18:20,660 –> 00:18:23,319 our view of the unborn child. 359 00:18:23,339 –> 00:18:27,140 That the Holy Spirit can mediate joy 360 00:18:27,140 –> 00:18:32,140 into the life of an unborn child. 361 00:18:33,479 –> 00:18:34,800 And there is joy here 362 00:18:34,800 –> 00:18:37,160 not only for Mary and Elizabeth 363 00:18:37,160 –> 00:18:38,719 but there is joy there for surely 364 00:18:38,719 –> 00:18:40,000 this is telling us this, 365 00:18:40,000 –> 00:18:41,020 there is joy for those 366 00:18:41,020 –> 00:18:42,540 who are yet to be born 367 00:18:42,540 –> 00:18:44,719 in the coming of Jesus. 368 00:18:44,719 –> 00:18:49,060 And that of course includes all of us. 369 00:18:49,060 –> 00:18:50,239 And then Elizabeths joy, 370 00:18:50,239 –> 00:18:51,900 she has filled Verse 41 371 00:18:51,900 –> 00:18:53,000 with the Holy Spirit. 372 00:18:53,000 –> 00:18:55,479 How much joy is there in that 373 00:18:55,479 –> 00:18:57,260 and moved by the Holy Spirit 374 00:18:57,260 –> 00:19:00,000 she pronounces blessing over Mary. 375 00:19:00,000 –> 00:19:01,140 Verse 42, 376 00:19:01,140 –> 00:19:03,000 blessed are you among women, 377 00:19:03,000 –> 00:19:05,020 blessed is the fruit of your womb. 378 00:19:05,020 –> 00:19:06,180 And then Verse 44, 379 00:19:06,180 –> 00:19:10,060 blessed is she who believed. 380 00:19:10,060 –> 00:19:14,079 Where blessed is all over these verses. 381 00:19:14,439 –> 00:19:16,439 And it is repeated in a way 382 00:19:16,439 –> 00:19:19,000 that indicates rhythm 383 00:19:19,000 –> 00:19:20,920 and therefore some scholars think 384 00:19:20,920 –> 00:19:22,319 that these words of Elizabeth 385 00:19:22,319 –> 00:19:24,339 were actually a song 386 00:19:24,339 –> 00:19:25,979 and that moved by the Holy Spirit 387 00:19:25,979 –> 00:19:27,699 she bursts out into this poem 388 00:19:27,699 –> 00:19:30,079 or perhaps even into a song 389 00:19:30,079 –> 00:19:31,739 as Mary does of course 390 00:19:31,739 –> 00:19:34,219 in the verses that follow. 391 00:19:34,619 –> 00:19:35,979 If that is the case 392 00:19:36,300 –> 00:19:38,660 this is in fact the first of 393 00:19:38,660 –> 00:19:41,160 five songs in Luke’s Gospel 394 00:19:41,160 –> 00:19:42,780 that all celebrate the birth 395 00:19:42,780 –> 00:19:44,520 of Jesus Christ. 396 00:19:44,520 –> 00:19:46,280 There’s the song of Elizabeth, 397 00:19:46,280 –> 00:19:48,420 then of course the song of Mary, 398 00:19:48,420 –> 00:19:50,459 then there’s the song of Zachariah 399 00:19:50,880 –> 00:19:52,900 and then finally when the miracle 400 00:19:52,900 –> 00:19:55,099 of His and Elizabeth’s child 401 00:19:55,099 –> 00:19:55,920 came to pass 402 00:19:55,920 –> 00:19:57,780 He gets His voice back 403 00:19:57,780 –> 00:19:59,880 and actually uses it to praise God 404 00:19:59,880 –> 00:20:01,479 which is a wonderful thing 405 00:20:01,479 –> 00:20:03,099 to do with your voice. 406 00:20:03,099 –> 00:20:04,900 And then there’s the song 407 00:20:04,900 –> 00:20:05,560 of the angels 408 00:20:05,560 –> 00:20:06,979 and the song of Simeon. 409 00:20:06,979 –> 00:20:08,239 These five. 410 00:20:08,239 –> 00:20:09,780 Five songs to celebrate 411 00:20:09,780 –> 00:20:11,020 the birth of Christ. 412 00:20:11,020 –> 00:20:13,020 Five carols. 413 00:20:13,680 –> 00:20:15,699 I think that allows Elizabeth 414 00:20:15,699 –> 00:20:16,959 to lay claim to having sung 415 00:20:16,959 –> 00:20:19,040 the first ever Christmas carol. 416 00:20:19,119 –> 00:20:20,160 What do you think eh? 417 00:20:20,160 –> 00:20:21,140 I think she did. 418 00:20:21,140 –> 00:20:22,699 I really think she did. 419 00:20:22,699 –> 00:20:27,199 And she rejoiced in Her Lord 420 00:20:27,199 –> 00:20:29,280 and pronounced blessing 421 00:20:29,280 –> 00:20:32,959 with regards to the Son of God. 422 00:20:32,959 –> 00:20:33,880 Now notice then 423 00:20:33,880 –> 00:20:35,359 that the one who sings with joy 424 00:20:35,359 –> 00:20:36,260 at the birth of Christ 425 00:20:36,260 –> 00:20:38,040 is the one who has proclaimed Jesus 426 00:20:38,040 –> 00:20:39,439 as Her Lord. 427 00:20:39,439 –> 00:20:41,479 And this is very significant 428 00:20:41,479 –> 00:20:43,000 because it reminds us 429 00:20:43,000 –> 00:20:44,920 that confessing Christ as Lord 430 00:20:44,920 –> 00:20:47,199 will always increase your joy. 431 00:20:47,680 –> 00:20:49,920 And this is really important 432 00:20:49,920 –> 00:20:50,900 because there will be some 433 00:20:50,900 –> 00:20:52,079 in this congregation 434 00:20:52,079 –> 00:20:53,319 and you would say 435 00:20:53,319 –> 00:20:55,939 that you believe in Jesus. 436 00:20:55,939 –> 00:20:57,400 But somewhere deep in your heart 437 00:20:57,400 –> 00:20:58,560 what you really feel 438 00:20:58,560 –> 00:21:00,160 is that the way to happiness 439 00:21:00,160 –> 00:21:01,680 will be for you to remain 440 00:21:01,680 –> 00:21:02,599 the Lord and Master 441 00:21:02,599 –> 00:21:04,599 of your own life. 442 00:21:04,599 –> 00:21:06,140 That if you retain the sense 443 00:21:06,140 –> 00:21:07,040 that you are the one 444 00:21:07,040 –> 00:21:08,160 who is in control 445 00:21:08,160 –> 00:21:10,640 that will make you really happy. 446 00:21:10,640 –> 00:21:11,719 And so although you would say 447 00:21:11,719 –> 00:21:12,959 that you believe in Jesus 448 00:21:12,959 –> 00:21:14,880 you know that you’re really holding back 449 00:21:14,880 –> 00:21:16,280 from actually putting your life 450 00:21:16,280 –> 00:21:17,219 in his hands 451 00:21:17,219 –> 00:21:18,479 or being able to say 452 00:21:18,479 –> 00:21:19,560 with Elizabeth 453 00:21:19,560 –> 00:21:21,800 that he is your Lord. 454 00:21:21,800 –> 00:21:22,979 You want to be your own Lord 455 00:21:22,979 –> 00:21:23,880 because you think that’s 456 00:21:23,880 –> 00:21:26,079 the happiest way to be. 457 00:21:26,079 –> 00:21:27,160 And if you’d like that 458 00:21:27,160 –> 00:21:29,380 I want you to look long and hard 459 00:21:29,380 –> 00:21:31,680 at these two women. 460 00:21:31,680 –> 00:21:33,920 Picture them standing at the doorstep 461 00:21:35,000 –> 00:21:36,540 and look at them smiling 462 00:21:37,540 –> 00:21:39,219 and hear them laughing. 463 00:21:40,079 –> 00:21:41,819 And as you ponder these verses 464 00:21:41,819 –> 00:21:43,439 just take in the joy 465 00:21:43,439 –> 00:21:45,359 that is flowing over them 466 00:21:45,359 –> 00:21:47,640 and running in them. 467 00:21:47,640 –> 00:21:51,079 Confessing leads to rejoicing 468 00:21:51,079 –> 00:21:53,040 and you will find greater joy 469 00:21:53,040 –> 00:21:55,040 with Jesus Christ as your Lord 470 00:21:55,040 –> 00:21:57,599 than you can ever ever find 471 00:21:57,599 –> 00:22:00,680 if you seek to go through life 472 00:22:00,680 –> 00:22:03,479 as your own Lord and master. 473 00:22:03,479 –> 00:22:04,959 Here’s how Jesus put it. 474 00:22:06,239 –> 00:22:08,160 If you try to save your life 475 00:22:08,160 –> 00:22:09,160 here’s what happens 476 00:22:09,160 –> 00:22:10,239 you lose it. 477 00:22:11,160 –> 00:22:12,160 But, says Jesus, 478 00:22:12,160 –> 00:22:13,719 if you lose your life 479 00:22:13,719 –> 00:22:15,319 for my sake and for the Gospel’s 480 00:22:15,400 –> 00:22:16,680 sake, here’s what you discover. 481 00:22:16,680 –> 00:22:18,560 You find it, you keep it 482 00:22:18,560 –> 00:22:21,199 and you do so for everlasting life. 483 00:22:23,439 –> 00:22:25,280 Confessing leads to rejoicing. 484 00:22:27,160 –> 00:22:28,280 If you look at your life 485 00:22:28,280 –> 00:22:29,359 and ask the question 486 00:22:29,359 –> 00:22:32,079 am I really finding joy 487 00:22:32,079 –> 00:22:34,160 in trying to be my own lord and master, 488 00:22:34,160 –> 00:22:36,599 you will have to come to this conclusion 489 00:22:36,599 –> 00:22:40,239 the real joy is found not in keeping 490 00:22:40,239 –> 00:22:42,319 what you call the control and mastery 491 00:22:42,319 –> 00:22:43,319 of your own life 492 00:22:43,359 –> 00:22:46,199 but in laying it as best you know how 493 00:22:46,199 –> 00:22:47,439 as Elizabeth did 494 00:22:47,439 –> 00:22:51,540 in the hands of Christ, my Lord. 495 00:22:51,540 –> 00:22:52,540 That’s worthwhile. 496 00:22:54,079 –> 00:22:55,160 Then thirdly believing, 497 00:22:55,160 –> 00:22:57,160 Confessing, rejoicing, believing 498 00:22:58,500 –> 00:22:59,439 verse 45 499 00:22:59,439 –> 00:23:02,719 blessed is she who believed 500 00:23:02,719 –> 00:23:04,680 that there would be 501 00:23:04,680 –> 00:23:06,119 or if you look at the footnotes 502 00:23:06,119 –> 00:23:06,959 it could be, 503 00:23:06,959 –> 00:23:09,880 will be a fulfillment 504 00:23:09,959 –> 00:23:11,500 of what was spoken 505 00:23:11,500 –> 00:23:14,920 to her from the Lord. 506 00:23:16,199 –> 00:23:18,660 When I was studying theology in London 507 00:23:18,660 –> 00:23:20,979 we had an old professor 508 00:23:20,979 –> 00:23:23,280 who liked to say 509 00:23:23,280 –> 00:23:26,119 if you find a variant reading 510 00:23:26,119 –> 00:23:26,959 in the Bible, 511 00:23:26,959 –> 00:23:28,280 one of these little footnotes 512 00:23:28,280 –> 00:23:31,239 not quite sure how to translate this. 513 00:23:31,239 –> 00:23:33,339 If you find a variant reading 514 00:23:33,339 –> 00:23:34,560 in the Bible 515 00:23:34,560 –> 00:23:37,400 just receive both readings 516 00:23:37,479 –> 00:23:40,380 and enjoy a double blessing. 517 00:23:40,380 –> 00:23:42,560 And I’ve always enjoyed that. 518 00:23:42,560 –> 00:23:44,660 So that’s what I’m going to do here today. 519 00:23:44,660 –> 00:23:46,400 I’m just going to go with both. 520 00:23:46,400 –> 00:23:47,819 Mary believed that the 521 00:23:47,819 –> 00:23:50,959 promise would be fulfilled. 522 00:23:50,959 –> 00:23:53,079 Elizabeth comes alongside Mary 523 00:23:53,079 –> 00:23:53,640 and says, 524 00:23:53,640 –> 00:23:57,959 Mary, the promise will be fulfilled. 525 00:23:57,959 –> 00:23:59,060 God has fulfilled. 526 00:23:59,060 –> 00:24:00,000 Elizabeth would be saying 527 00:24:00,000 –> 00:24:02,300 his promise to me. 528 00:24:02,300 –> 00:24:03,000 And he will fulfill 529 00:24:03,000 –> 00:24:04,520 his promise to you. 530 00:24:04,520 –> 00:24:05,140 What he has said 531 00:24:05,160 –> 00:24:08,280 will always be accomplished. 532 00:24:08,280 –> 00:24:09,579 Now what is happening here 533 00:24:09,579 –> 00:24:11,280 as I describe that to you 534 00:24:11,280 –> 00:24:13,300 is here you have two women 535 00:24:13,300 –> 00:24:15,060 who are helping each other 536 00:24:15,060 –> 00:24:16,119 to believe. 537 00:24:16,119 –> 00:24:17,500 It’s a beautiful picture. 538 00:24:17,500 –> 00:24:18,760 They are strengthening 539 00:24:18,760 –> 00:24:20,459 each other in faith. 540 00:24:20,459 –> 00:24:21,280 Mary has spoken 541 00:24:21,280 –> 00:24:22,780 the words to Elizabeth 542 00:24:22,780 –> 00:24:23,520 that has led her 543 00:24:23,520 –> 00:24:25,660 to confess Christ as her Lord, 544 00:24:25,660 –> 00:24:26,319 and now Elizabeth 545 00:24:26,319 –> 00:24:28,060 is coming alongside Mary 546 00:24:28,060 –> 00:24:28,880 and affirming 547 00:24:28,880 –> 00:24:30,060 that God is always 548 00:24:30,060 –> 00:24:33,099 the one who keeps his promises. 549 00:24:33,099 –> 00:24:34,839 The beautiful picture, 550 00:24:35,000 –> 00:24:37,380 helping one another to believe, 551 00:24:37,380 –> 00:24:39,599 strengthening one another in faith, 552 00:24:39,599 –> 00:24:41,699 these two women. 553 00:24:41,699 –> 00:24:42,160 These must have been 554 00:24:42,160 –> 00:24:45,839 such lonely days for Mary. 555 00:24:45,839 –> 00:24:46,420 Now she’s received 556 00:24:46,420 –> 00:24:48,959 this Visitation from Heaven, 557 00:24:48,959 –> 00:24:50,400 this amazing news. 558 00:24:50,400 –> 00:24:51,060 Who in the world 559 00:24:51,060 –> 00:24:52,959 would believe what she had received? 560 00:24:52,959 –> 00:24:57,040 Who could possibly understand? 561 00:24:57,040 –> 00:24:59,219 Only later was it revealed to Joseph 562 00:24:59,219 –> 00:25:01,219 what was happening by the angel, 563 00:25:01,219 –> 00:25:02,339 but at this early point 564 00:25:02,339 –> 00:25:03,319 in the story, 565 00:25:03,359 –> 00:25:06,239 to whom could she go? 566 00:25:06,239 –> 00:25:06,859 And of course, 567 00:25:06,859 –> 00:25:07,680 it was the angel 568 00:25:07,680 –> 00:25:08,959 who gave her the hint 569 00:25:08,959 –> 00:25:09,800 and pointed her 570 00:25:09,800 –> 00:25:11,439 in the right direction. 571 00:25:11,439 –> 00:25:13,020 Back in verse 36, 572 00:25:13,020 –> 00:25:13,800 the angel said, 573 00:25:13,800 –> 00:25:15,300 your relative Elizabeth 574 00:25:15,300 –> 00:25:16,859 is in her old age 575 00:25:16,859 –> 00:25:19,859 and has also conceived a son. 576 00:25:19,859 –> 00:25:20,760 Ah says Mary, 577 00:25:20,760 –> 00:25:22,959 I know who might be in a position 578 00:25:22,959 –> 00:25:26,839 to understand what’s happening here. 579 00:25:26,839 –> 00:25:27,239 And therefore, 580 00:25:27,239 –> 00:25:29,439 it’s not surprising that in verse 39 581 00:25:29,439 –> 00:25:32,439 we’re told that Elijah goes with haste 582 00:25:32,560 –> 00:25:34,699 straight away off to, 583 00:25:34,699 –> 00:25:36,680 I got to be with someone 584 00:25:36,680 –> 00:25:38,680 who in someway can understand 585 00:25:38,680 –> 00:25:40,219 and can share with me 586 00:25:40,219 –> 00:25:46,000 in believing this remarkable promise. 587 00:25:46,000 –> 00:25:47,040 And here’s a wonderful thing 588 00:25:47,040 –> 00:25:47,760 that God does. 589 00:25:47,760 –> 00:25:48,719 He brings people 590 00:25:48,719 –> 00:25:51,280 who confess Jesus as Lord together 591 00:25:51,280 –> 00:25:53,500 so that we can encourage 592 00:25:53,500 –> 00:25:55,180 each other in believing. 593 00:25:55,180 –> 00:25:56,339 That’s one of the great things 594 00:25:56,339 –> 00:25:57,079 that we have to do 595 00:25:57,079 –> 00:25:57,920 as a fellowship, 596 00:5:57,920 –> 00:26:00,979 a church of God’s people. 597 00:26:01,060 –> 00:26:03,300 Fellowship is a gift of God 598 00:26:03,300 –> 00:26:06,199 and it is a means of grace. 599 00:26:06,199 –> 00:26:07,339 That is, it’s one of the ways 600 00:26:07,339 –> 00:26:08,839 that God gives help 601 00:26:08,839 –> 00:26:11,180 and God gives strength to us 602 00:26:11,180 –> 00:26:14,140 through our brothers and sisters in Christ 603 00:26:14,140 –> 00:26:17,680 as we do more than social chit-chat. 604 00:26:17,680 –> 00:26:18,599 You see we’re not just another 605 00:26:18,599 –> 00:26:21,400 kind of social group in the community. 606 00:26:21,400 –> 00:26:22,500 The purpose of God 607 00:26:22,500 –> 00:26:23,699 bringing us together 608 00:26:23,699 –> 00:26:26,719 with regards to each other’s lives 609 00:26:26,719 –> 00:26:27,939 is that we should help 610 00:26:27,939 –> 00:26:29,699 and encourage and strengthen 611 00:26:29,839 –> 00:26:31,400 one another in regards 612 00:26:31,400 –> 00:26:33,040 to our believing, 613 00:26:33,040 –> 00:26:34,699 just like these women are doing 614 00:26:34,699 –> 00:26:36,619 there on the doorstep 615 00:26:36,619 –> 00:26:37,439 and in the weeks and months 616 00:26:37,439 –> 00:26:41,760 that follow that they shared together. 617 00:26:41,760 –> 00:26:43,180 Bishop Riles says that 618 00:26:43,180 –> 00:26:45,359 the nearest approach 619 00:26:45,359 –> 00:26:47,099 that we can make to the joy of heaven 620 00:26:47,099 –> 00:26:49,239 where we are still on earth 621 00:26:49,239 –> 00:26:51,520 is the experience of believers 622 00:26:51,520 –> 00:26:53,459 who really love one another 623 00:26:53,459 –> 00:26:55,560 and really encourage each other 624 00:26:55,560 –> 00:26:58,079 and strengthen each other in faith, 625 00:26:58,079 –> 00:26:59,280 because this is one of the means 626 00:26:59,339 –> 00:27:01,800 of God’s grace 627 00:27:01,800 –> 00:27:04,119 in which He draws near to us 628 00:27:04,119 –> 00:27:06,099 and strengthens us 629 00:27:06,099 –> 00:27:09,540 and helps us and increases our joy. 630 00:27:09,540 –> 00:27:11,540 So there it is 631 00:27:11,540 –> 00:27:13,099 Confessing 632 00:27:13,099 –> 00:27:13,680 Rejoicing 633 00:27:13,680 –> 00:27:15,680 Believing 634 00:27:15,680 –> 00:27:20,819 Three questions, just simply to end. 635 00:27:20,819 –> 00:27:21,680 Number one. 636 00:27:21,680 –> 00:27:24,280 Do you confess Jesus as your Lord? 637 00:27:24,280 –> 00:27:26,680 Could you stand with Elizabeth today 638 00:27:26,680 –> 00:27:27,800 and say of Jesus 639 00:27:27,800 –> 00:27:31,500 He is My Lord. 640 00:27:31,500 –> 00:27:33,540 What that would mean 641 00:27:33,540 –> 00:27:35,300 is that you are no longer 642 00:27:35,300 –> 00:27:37,280 your own Lord and Master. 643 00:27:37,280 –> 00:27:38,760 Your life is no longer your own 644 00:27:38,760 –> 00:27:42,439 you just don’t see it that way. 645 00:27:42,439 –> 00:27:44,099 All that you are 646 00:27:44,099 –> 00:27:44,900 all that you have 647 00:27:44,900 –> 00:27:46,739 all that you ever hoped to be 648 00:27:46,739 –> 00:27:48,939 belongs to Christ. 649 00:27:48,939 –> 00:27:51,439 You are His 650 00:27:51,439 –> 00:27:53,199 servant 651 00:27:53,199 –> 00:27:54,219 You belong to Him 652 00:27:54,219 –> 00:27:57,199 and He is your Lord. 653 00:27:57,239 –> 00:27:58,839 When that is the position 654 00:27:58,839 –> 00:28:00,540 and the confession of your life 655 00:28:00,540 –> 00:28:02,680 you will find that the path 656 00:28:02,680 –> 00:28:05,119 on which your Lord leads you 657 00:28:05,119 –> 00:28:06,239 May not be the one 658 00:28:06,239 –> 00:28:07,979 that you would have chosen. 659 00:28:07,979 –> 00:28:08,819 It may not be the one 660 00:28:08,819 –> 00:28:10,479 that you would have expected. 661 00:28:10,479 –> 00:28:11,479 But it will be the path 662 00:28:11,479 –> 00:28:12,719 on which you will find 663 00:28:12,719 –> 00:28:13,359 great joy 664 00:28:13,359 –> 00:28:14,500 because it will be the path 665 00:28:14,500 –> 00:28:17,099 on which He will walk with you. 666 00:28:17,099 –> 00:28:18,479 And it will be the path 667 00:28:18,479 –> 00:28:19,579 on which every one 668 00:28:19,579 –> 00:28:21,500 of His purposes regarding you 669 00:28:21,500 –> 00:28:24,380 will be fulfilled. 670 00:28:24,380 –> 00:28:25,300 And there is a freedom 671 00:28:25,300 –> 00:28:26,180 and there is a release 672 00:28:26,199 –> 00:28:27,660 there is a joy 673 00:28:27,660 –> 00:28:29,500 that comes to every person 674 00:28:29,500 –> 00:28:31,099 who is able to say 675 00:28:31,099 –> 00:28:35,180 Jesus is MY LORD. 676 00:28:35,180 –> 00:28:35,839 And more than that 677 00:28:35,839 –> 00:28:37,739 the Bible tells us very clearly 678 00:28:37,739 –> 00:28:39,300 that when Jesus is your Lord 679 00:28:39,300 –> 00:28:40,520 here is something wonderful 680 00:28:40,520 –> 00:28:41,739 if you confess 681 00:28:41,739 –> 00:28:42,900 the Bible says 682 00:28:42,900 –> 00:28:45,760 that Jesus is LORD 683 00:28:45,760 –> 00:28:47,219 and if you believe in your heart 684 00:28:47,219 –> 00:28:48,660 that God raised Him from the dead 685 00:28:48,660 –> 00:28:51,400 you will be SAVED 686 00:28:51,400 –> 00:28:52,780 that is you will be delivered 687 00:28:52,780 –> 00:28:55,459 from the Devil’s power. 688 00:28:55,660 –> 00:28:57,000 Your sins will be forgiven 689 00:28:57,000 –> 00:28:59,180 and you will not see condemnation 690 00:28:59,180 –> 00:29:00,640 instead you will be brought 691 00:29:00,640 –> 00:29:02,520 into a wonderful new relationship 692 00:29:02,520 –> 00:29:05,079 in which you are a child of God 693 00:29:05,079 –> 00:29:07,739 and God Himself is your Father. 694 00:29:07,739 –> 00:29:09,260 All this is true 695 00:29:09,260 –> 00:29:10,400 of the person who says 696 00:29:10,400 –> 00:29:13,280 Jesus is my Lord. 697 00:29:13,280 –> 00:29:15,859 It is wonderful. 698 00:29:15,859 –> 00:29:16,640 And then I want to ask you 699 00:29:16,640 –> 00:29:17,420 this question 700 00:29:17,420 –> 00:29:18,959 Are you rejoicing 701 00:29:18,959 –> 00:29:21,819 in Christ’s coming? 702 00:29:21,819 –> 00:29:22,099 You say, well, 703 00:29:22,099 –> 00:29:23,880 I have a lot going on in my life 704 00:29:23,880 –> 00:29:24,900 if you knew all the troubles 705 00:29:25,160 –> 00:29:27,439 I was facing. 706 00:29:27,439 –> 00:29:28,420 Well, think of all the troubles 707 00:29:28,420 –> 00:29:31,699 these two women were facing. 708 00:29:31,699 –> 00:29:32,819 Both of them were pregnant 709 00:29:32,819 –> 00:29:37,839 and both of them were really poor. 710 00:29:37,839 –> 00:29:39,839 One of them is not married 711 00:29:39,839 –> 00:29:42,119 and the other has a husband 712 00:29:42,119 –> 00:29:43,680 who is not believing 713 00:29:43,680 –> 00:29:46,520 and cannot even speak. 714 00:29:46,520 –> 00:29:47,359 And if you began to think 715 00:29:47,359 –> 00:29:48,660 about the rest of the story 716 00:29:48,660 –> 00:29:50,040 and everything that Mary 717 00:29:50,040 –> 00:29:51,119 must have endured 718 00:29:51,119 –> 00:29:53,760 in all of her travels 719 00:29:53,880 –> 00:29:57,079 you want to talk about troubles? 720 00:29:57,079 –> 00:29:58,819 But these women have joy 721 00:29:58,819 –> 00:30:01,739 in the extraordinary pressures 722 00:30:01,739 –> 00:30:02,900 that they were facing. 723 00:30:02,900 –> 00:30:05,060 They have joy. Why? 724 00:30:05,060 –> 00:30:06,219 Because in the middle of all 725 00:30:06,219 –> 00:30:09,260 that they were facing 726 00:30:09,260 –> 00:30:12,579 they found joy in the coming of Jesus. 727 00:30:12,579 –> 00:30:15,400 They found joy in the promise of God. 728 00:30:15,400 –> 00:30:17,000 Their joy was… 729 00:30:17,000 –> 00:30:21,400 that however difficult life may become 730 00:30:21,400 –> 00:30:24,560 God is for us and God is with us 731 00:30:24,560 –> 00:30:26,739 in Jesus Christ. 732 00:30:26,739 –> 00:30:30,020 And that joy can be yours. 733 00:30:30,020 –> 00:30:33,260 Are you confessing that Jesus is Lord? 734 00:30:33,260 –> 00:30:33,760 Are you? 735 00:30:33,760 –> 00:30:35,520 Whatever is going on in your life 736 00:30:35,520 –> 00:30:37,540 and the pressures may be very great 737 00:30:37,540 –> 00:30:39,979 are you rejoicing that God is for you 738 00:30:39,979 –> 00:30:41,920 and with you in them 739 00:30:41,920 –> 00:30:44,819 as these women did? 740 00:30:44,819 –> 00:30:45,839 And then the last question 741 00:30:45,839 –> 00:30:49,140 will you encourage others in believing? 742 00:30:49,199 –> 00:30:52,579 Now I’ll leave you simply with this thought. 743 00:30:52,579 –> 00:30:55,400 I’m very struck that when in verse 40 744 00:30:55,400 –> 00:30:57,040 it says, 745 00:30:57,040 –> 00:31:00,819 Mary entered the house of Zechariah 746 00:31:00,819 –> 00:31:03,939 and greeted Elizabeth 747 00:31:03,939 –> 00:31:06,599 you know Mary is there for these months 748 00:31:06,599 –> 00:31:08,739 and that’s the only time Zechariah is mentioned 749 00:31:08,739 –> 00:31:10,119 it’s the house of Zechariah 750 00:31:10,119 –> 00:31:14,800 and she greets Elizabeth. 751 00:31:14,800 –> 00:31:16,479 I’ve just been very struck 752 00:31:16,479 –> 00:31:18,640 by how much Zechariah is out of the picture 753 00:31:18,760 –> 00:31:19,560 for obvious reasons 754 00:31:19,560 –> 00:31:24,180 he can’t speak and he hasn’t been believing 755 00:31:24,180 –> 00:31:27,099 he’s on the sidelines of the whole story 756 00:31:27,099 –> 00:31:29,880 here’s this man who professed faith 757 00:31:29,880 –> 00:31:31,380 and actually worked in the church 758 00:31:31,380 –> 00:31:37,380 well he’s a priest in the temple so to speak 759 00:31:37,380 –> 00:31:39,680 but although everyone says 760 00:31:39,680 –> 00:31:40,959 oh yeah, of course, he’s a believer 761 00:31:40,959 –> 00:31:42,599 and even a leader 762 00:31:42,599 –> 00:31:46,280 he’s not mixing the Word of God with faith 763 00:31:46,280 –> 00:31:50,040 in practice in his own life 764 00:31:50,040 –> 00:31:53,319 and so when this great work of God happens 765 00:31:53,319 –> 00:31:55,680 he’s actually on the sidelines of it 766 00:31:55,680 –> 00:31:58,040 he’s got nothing to contribute to it 767 00:31:58,040 –> 00:31:59,680 it’s the women who are strengthening 768 00:31:59,680 –> 00:32:00,800 one another in faith 769 00:32:00,800 –> 00:32:02,520 this man’s not able to strengthen 770 00:32:02,520 –> 00:32:03,719 his wife in faith 771 00:32:03,719 –> 00:32:07,199 because he’s not practicing faith himself 772 00:32:07,199 –> 00:32:08,660 this man is able to welcome 773 00:32:08,660 –> 00:32:09,839 Mary into his home 774 00:32:09,839 –> 00:32:11,199 and give hospitality 775 00:32:11,199 –> 00:32:12,880 but he’s not able to minister 776 00:32:12,880 –> 00:32:13,839 to her in any way 777 00:32:13,839 –> 00:32:15,760 why? 778 00:32:15,760 –> 00:32:20,040 because he hasn’t been believing himself 779 00:32:20,040 –> 00:32:22,839 and he’s a priest 780 00:32:22,839 –> 00:32:27,859 if that could happen to Zechariah 781 00:32:27,859 –> 00:32:29,839 it does strike me that’s the sort of thing 782 00:32:29,839 –> 00:32:33,140 that could happen to people like us 783 00:32:33,140 –> 00:32:35,400 working in the church 784 00:32:35,400 –> 00:32:38,319 committed to serving 785 00:32:38,319 –> 00:32:41,040 professing faith 786 00:32:41,040 –> 00:32:42,979 but somehow in a habit of 787 00:32:42,979 –> 00:32:45,400 not mixing the word of God 788 00:32:45,599 –> 00:32:47,619 with faith 789 00:32:47,619 –> 00:32:49,859 and therefore whatever else we’re able to do 790 00:32:49,859 –> 00:32:52,359 not actually contributing to building up 791 00:32:52,359 –> 00:32:55,260 the faith of other people 792 00:32:55,260 –> 00:32:58,959 not really exercising it 793 00:32:58,959 –> 00:33:01,760 ourselves 794 00:33:01,760 –> 00:33:03,839 and I end here 795 00:33:03,839 –> 00:33:05,920 I have come to this thought 796 00:33:05,920 –> 00:33:10,199 Lord, I so much do not want 797 00:33:10,199 –> 00:33:13,300 to become that guy 798 00:33:13,300 –> 00:33:15,300 who wants to be that guy 799 00:33:15,300 –> 00:33:16,760 who wants to be that guy 800 00:33:16,760 –> 00:33:19,880 that has a reputation for believing 801 00:33:19,880 –> 00:33:23,060 but is actually sidelined from the real work of God 802 00:33:23,060 –> 00:33:25,579 because he is not mixing 803 00:33:25,579 –> 00:33:29,540 the word of God that he receives with faith 804 00:33:29,540 –> 00:33:33,540 Why would you want to be that guy 805 00:33:33,540 –> 00:33:37,680 when you could share in the joy 806 00:33:37,680 –> 00:33:40,260 of these women? 807 00:33:40,260 –> 00:33:42,660 Well thank God that’s not the end of Zechariah story 808 00:33:42,660 –> 00:33:45,000 he has a wonderful deliverance 809 00:33:45,000 –> 00:33:47,540 and let’s pray that that deliverance 810 00:33:47,540 –> 00:33:52,280 would be ours today will you join me in prayer please 811 00:33:52,280 –> 00:33:54,219 Lord deliver me from the great 812 00:33:54,219 –> 00:33:59,560 sin of living as my own Lord and master 813 00:33:59,560 –> 00:34:03,780 Save me from being so absorbed in the challenges and difficulties of my own 814 00:34:03,780 –> 00:34:09,360 life that I miss the joy of your coming 815 00:34:09,360 –> 00:34:14,439 Guard me from the kind of unbelief that makes me a religious person 816 00:34:14,439 –> 00:34:20,979 with nothing useful to say for building up the faith of others 817 00:34:20,979 –> 00:34:22,600 gladly 818 00:34:22,600 –> 00:34:29,199 I bow to confess your son jesus as Lord of all that i am and all that i have 819 00:34:29,199 –> 00:34:33,080 and all that i ever hoped to be 820 00:34:33,080 –> 00:34:37,120 gladly I come before you with joy and thanksgiving for the gift of your son 821 00:34:37,120 –> 00:34:41,360 in whom all my good is found 822 00:34:41,360 –> 00:34:45,879 gladly I ask that you would fill me with your spirit 823 00:34:45,879 –> 00:34:48,699 and open my mouth 824 00:34:48,699 –> 00:34:54,080 that words will be given to me that will be useful 825 00:34:54,080 –> 00:34:59,520 in building up the faith of others 826 00:34:59,520 –> 00:35:05,040 make of us then dear Lord 827 00:35:05,199 –> 00:35:10,560 a fellowship of confessing and rejoicing and believing people 828 00:35:12,800 –> 00:35:18,719 through Jesus Christ our Lord in whose name we pray and all God’s people said, amen.