WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980 Hey, my name is Daniel, and I am one of the community group leaders here at Christ Family, 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:12.400 ! And I'm honored to be given the pleasure to preach to you this morning on the subject of Advent love. 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:21.019 Our goal in celebrating Advent is to adore Jesus and to think on the themes of Advent together. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:26.839 And those themes are hope, joy, and peace. And today we're going over love. 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:32.000 This morning we are looking at the theme of love and how it is expressed in Advent. 00:00:32.179 --> 00:00:36.840 And particularly what I mean by that is that we are going to examine the love of God for the lowly. 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:47.539 Because the truth is that we're all lowly, whether or not we're willing to admit to that or we've come to grips with that, 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:50.140 whether we believe that to be true of ourselves. 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:58.399 Yet we all have nothing to offer God for Him to find lovely or acceptable in us. 00:00:59.260 --> 00:01:03.140 Yet God has said, as He says to us this morning, as He once said to Mary, 00:01:03.780 --> 00:01:05.599 greetings, O favored ones. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:09.879 So, I'm excited to preach on this subject this morning. 00:01:10.240 --> 00:01:12.379 My hope is that we would ask the question together, 00:01:12.379 --> 00:01:15.859 why does God find favor in me, a sinner? 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:20.840 And then my hope is that we would marvel together at God 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:23.579 and His great love for us. 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:26.759 But first, I need to pray for our morning. 00:01:26.920 --> 00:01:28.319 I need to ask you to pray for me. 00:01:28.699 --> 00:01:31.919 And as we're going through this, I pray that you pray for your hearts. 00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:34.359 I pray that the words that would come out of my mouth 00:01:34.359 --> 00:01:37.079 would be edifying and they would be clear. 00:01:37.679 --> 00:01:39.780 So, just join me in a moment of prayer for this morning. 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:48.820 God, I am a sinner and in need of your grace 00:01:48.820 --> 00:01:51.780 and to be reminded of your love for us. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:57.120 God, thank you that you give us the privilege of knowing you. 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:01.900 God, thank you that you invite us into your love. 00:02:02.180 --> 00:02:06.620 And God, it's my prayer that our hearts would be more captivated by your love 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:09.680 after this morning, that you would use me, such a great sinner, 00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:12.360 to deliver such a great message. 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:14.699 God, I pray that you would pierce our hearts, 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:20.060 that you would maybe shake off some of the staleness and the coldness 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:22.680 that we have acquired through the years. 00:02:22.920 --> 00:02:27.319 And God, I pray that this message would pierce the hearts of some here. 00:02:29.020 --> 00:02:30.400 God, we love you. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:35.920 And I just pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart 00:02:35.920 --> 00:02:38.580 would be acceptable and pleasing in your sight. 00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:41.000 We love you and we ask this in Christ's name. 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:41.460 Amen. 00:02:42.980 --> 00:02:43.340 Okay. 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:46.159 So, many of you are aware that we're in this series of Advent. 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:48.740 It's a topical series and not a text. 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:51.080 I mean that we don't just go through one book of the Bible 00:02:51.080 --> 00:02:52.420 or one chapter of the Bible. 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:55.400 And so, for some of you, that can be a little anxious 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:57.939 because you're wondering, where do I turn my Bible? 00:02:58.099 --> 00:02:58.560 You're talking. 00:02:58.659 --> 00:02:59.319 Just tell me where to go. 00:02:59.379 --> 00:02:59.879 Give me a home. 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:03.360 And so, our main text that we're going to be going through 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:05.159 is Luke 1 through 2. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:08.319 And the main part that I'm going to concentrate on 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:09.759 is the prayer of Mary. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.159 So, if you want to turn your Bibles, 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:13.060 that's where you can turn this morning. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:20.699 It is in the prayer of Mary that we will get a closer glimpse of God 00:03:20.699 --> 00:03:22.599 who is the lover of the lowly. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:28.500 But I think that it would be helpful to define the word love 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:30.879 when we say it in the context of God. 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:35.199 How is love any different than all these other emotions 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:37.840 that we've, or these themes that we've talked about so far? 00:03:37.900 --> 00:03:40.680 How is it different than hope or peace or joy? 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:41.980 Aren't they all emotions? 00:03:41.979 --> 00:03:44.959 Don't they evoke, or don't they all evoke similar emotions? 00:03:46.219 --> 00:03:47.979 Don't they seem to be all connected? 00:03:48.679 --> 00:03:49.780 And if you had to, my question is, 00:03:49.799 --> 00:03:51.479 if you had to define love to someone, 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:54.599 someone asked you, okay, you say that word love, God loves you, 00:03:54.759 --> 00:03:55.879 how would you define it? 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:58.759 You had to describe it to someone. 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:02.399 How would you say, this is what love is? 00:04:03.459 --> 00:04:05.659 Okay, then how would you define divine love? 00:04:06.519 --> 00:04:08.799 Or as the Greeks called that, agape love. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:12.380 They had a separate word for the divine love. 00:04:12.480 --> 00:04:14.540 They had love for so many different categories, 00:04:14.660 --> 00:04:17.120 but then they had a separate category for divine love. 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:21.319 And there are so many Christians out there who have differing opinions of what love is. 00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:25.680 If you asked probably ten different Christians how to define love, 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:28.199 they would probably give you ten different definitions, right? 00:04:28.199 --> 00:04:33.439 So, we say those words, God loves you, to all sorts of people. 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:37.519 And we know the verse in John 3.16, that for God so loved the world. 00:04:37.779 --> 00:04:39.159 So we're very familiar with these verses, 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:42.800 but isn't it important to have a very similar definition of love? 00:04:43.659 --> 00:04:44.919 And the answer is yes. 00:04:44.920 --> 00:04:50.439 Because having a proper and right understanding of the love of God 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:52.360 affects so much of our lives. 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:56.140 It affects the way that we view ourselves. 00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:57.520 It affects the way that we view others. 00:04:57.640 --> 00:04:59.879 It affects the way that we go throughout our daily lives. 00:05:00.640 --> 00:05:03.600 J.I. Packer, the author of the book Knowing God, 00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:07.759 said this about trying, about this understanding the love of God. 00:05:07.840 --> 00:05:10.400 And it's, I'm going to read you a quote, and it's kind of lengthy and wordy, 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:14.560 and I'm just asking you to just concentrate and hear what he's trying to say. 00:05:14.659 --> 00:05:17.679 And then I'll paraphrase it in a second. 00:05:19.719 --> 00:05:21.099 Okay, so he says, 00:05:21.539 --> 00:05:26.039 Revival means the work of God restoring to a more abundant church 00:05:26.039 --> 00:05:27.759 in a manner out of the ordinary, 00:05:28.239 --> 00:05:30.879 those standards of Christian life and experience 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:34.379 which the New Testament sets forth as being entirely ordinary. 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:38.839 And a right-minded concern for revival will express itself 00:05:38.839 --> 00:05:40.479 not in hankering after tongues. 00:05:40.919 --> 00:05:43.739 Ultimately, it is of no importance whether we speak in tongues or not, 00:05:43.959 --> 00:05:48.799 but rather in a longing the Spirit may shed God's love abroad in our hearts 00:05:48.799 --> 00:05:50.039 with greater power. 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:54.620 For it is with this to which the deep exercise of soul about sin 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:56.000 is often preliminary, 00:05:57.179 --> 00:05:59.000 that personal revival begins. 00:05:59.459 --> 00:06:02.620 And by this, that revival in the church, once begun, is sustained. 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:06.959 So let me just paraphrase that if you missed some of those words 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:07.559 that he was saying there. 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:09.740 So what J.I. Packer is saying is he's saying 00:06:09.740 --> 00:06:14.180 extraordinary revival that God brings to a dead or dying church 00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:17.600 in a similar fashion to what he did in the early church in Acts 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:22.420 will not look like an obsession with metaphysical workings, 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:24.639 tongues, healings, raising the dead, etc. 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:27.459 No, that will not be our aim and goal. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:31.139 But instead, it will be a longing for the Spirit 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:35.839 to make our hearts obsessed with the love of God with greater power. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:40.180 Now, of course, this comes with a greater understanding of our sin 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:41.300 and our need for God. 00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:44.019 Yes, but Packer is saying that this is where personal, 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:47.639 you, us, or church-wide revival, it begins. 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:54.459 He's saying that we need to have our hearts obsessed with the love of God. 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:57.859 That's where personal and church-wide revival begins. 00:06:57.860 --> 00:07:02.240 So for the sake of our time together this morning, 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:06.220 I want us to come together on one definition of what love is. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:10.560 And where I'm getting that is from 1 John 4.10, 00:07:11.020 --> 00:07:13.199 which Wes kind of quoted this morning a little bit. 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:16.500 1 John 4.10, it reads, 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:30.939 So, from that verse, here's how I'm defining love for our time together. 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:33.459 Don't write this down, because it's wordy, 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:36.160 but just listen, just concentrate on what I'm saying 00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:37.660 for how we're going to define love, 00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:38.939 because I want you to hear it. 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:44.379 Okay, so what we're saying for the definition for love is 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:47.519 God's love is an exercise of His goodness 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:49.159 towards individual sinners, 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:52.319 whom He has given His Son to be their Savior, 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:56.379 and now brings them to know and enjoy Him in covenant relation. 00:07:56.699 --> 00:07:57.259 Did you catch that? 00:07:57.579 --> 00:07:58.560 I'll say it one more time. 00:08:01.159 --> 00:08:03.740 God's love is an exercise of His goodness 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:05.560 towards individual sinners, 00:08:06.459 --> 00:08:08.699 whom He has given His Son to be their Savior, 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:13.360 and now brings them to know and enjoy Him in covenant relation. 00:08:14.379 --> 00:08:15.759 That's a lot to work with, 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:18.519 and we could spend so much time unpacking that truth this morning, 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:19.860 but for the sake of brevity, 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:22.300 let's move on towards our text, 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:24.680 and let's talk about how God loves the lowly 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:26.540 and how that's manifested in the text. 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:31.699 And we're super close at the text that we're going to be going through. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:33.519 So, we're really close to Mary's prayer, 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:37.500 but first I want to move on to the main characters 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:39.700 of our setup this morning, of our text. 00:08:39.700 --> 00:08:42.460 So, turn, if you're already there, Luke 1. 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:47.200 I believe that God wants us to look at His Word 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:49.320 and see how in the birth story of Jesus, 00:08:50.160 --> 00:08:51.620 God loves the lowly. 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:53.800 Namely, the main characters, 00:08:54.040 --> 00:08:55.020 Zechariah and Mary, 00:08:55.140 --> 00:08:55.740 and later on, 00:08:56.060 --> 00:08:57.240 the shepherds, the magi, 00:08:57.400 --> 00:08:58.040 Simeon and Anna. 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:09.439 And as much as I'd like to read through all of Luke 1 and 2, 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:10.980 we won't have time to read all of it, 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:12.059 but we will read some of it. 00:09:12.099 --> 00:09:13.279 We'll read a couple of verses from it. 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:16.500 So, I'm going to assume that you know the story. 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:19.039 If you don't, go back and look at it later on, 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:21.339 but that's kind of where I'm going to be working from. 00:09:22.319 --> 00:09:26.679 So, looking at Luke chapter 1 with the story of Zechariah, 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:29.379 and we're going to be kind of starting in verse 13. 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:31.739 Background, the angel, 00:09:31.939 --> 00:09:35.579 he comes to visit Zechariah 00:09:35.579 --> 00:09:39.199 when Zechariah is offering sacrifices in the temple. 00:09:40.479 --> 00:09:41.959 And picking up in verse 13, 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:44.439 But the angel said to him, 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:46.500 Do not be afraid, Zechariah, 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:48.699 for your prayer has been heard, 00:09:49.079 --> 00:09:50.759 and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son. 00:09:51.199 --> 00:09:52.839 And you shall call his name John, 00:09:53.459 --> 00:09:55.359 and you will have joy and gladness, 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:57.680 and many will rejoice at his birth. 00:09:58.120 --> 00:10:00.220 For he will be great before the Lord, 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:03.659 and he must not drink wine or strong drink, 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:05.320 and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:06.980 even from his mother's womb. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:10.180 And he will turn many of the children of Israel 00:10:10.180 --> 00:10:11.980 to the Lord their God. 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:15.159 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:17.620 to turn the hearts of their fathers 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:20.560 to the children and the disobedient, 00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:23.239 to the wisdom of the just, 00:10:23.339 --> 00:10:25.599 to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.779 And Zechariah said to the angel, 00:10:27.979 --> 00:10:28.859 How shall I know this? 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:30.259 For I am an old man, 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:32.099 and my wife is advanced in years. 00:10:32.819 --> 00:10:34.219 And the angel answered him, 00:10:35.219 --> 00:10:35.979 I am Gabriel. 00:10:36.119 --> 00:10:37.619 I stand in the presence of God. 00:10:37.779 --> 00:10:39.019 I was sent to speak to you 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:40.399 and to bring you this good news. 00:10:40.619 --> 00:10:43.139 For behold, you will be silent and unable to speak 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:45.339 until the day that these things take place, 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:47.139 because you did not believe my words, 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:49.379 which were fulfilled in their time, 00:10:49.420 --> 00:10:50.680 which will be fulfilled in their time. 00:10:51.540 --> 00:10:54.860 And so, okay, so what happens there is, 00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:56.519 you know, he gets this vision. 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:58.960 Zechariah tells him this news. 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:00.120 It's this really big news. 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:01.940 I mean, think about the context of this. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:03.960 They have not heard a word from God, 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:06.500 from a prophet or an angel in over 400 years. 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:09.480 So there's been this silence in Israel, 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:11.500 and they're kind of wondering what is going on. 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:14.780 And so the angel appears to him. 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:16.199 And Gabriel says, he basically says, 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.179 hey, you're going to have a son. 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:20.259 He will go before the long-awaited Messiah, 00:11:20.839 --> 00:11:22.319 and he will prepare the way for him. 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:25.100 He will turn the hearts of Israel back to God. 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:27.620 Now, if you're a parent in this room, 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:30.319 you know probably what it's like 00:11:30.319 --> 00:11:33.600 to pray for the salvation of your children daily, 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:36.120 because you know that really you don't have any control 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:38.679 of whether or not their hearts turn to God. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:40.740 So can you imagine being told this news 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:42.399 before you even have a child 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:44.860 that your son is going, 00:11:44.959 --> 00:11:45.860 not only are you going to have a son, 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:47.079 but he's going to be righteous. 00:11:48.980 --> 00:11:50.360 This is huge news. 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:52.600 This is like, this is Gabriel saying, 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:53.539 hey, you're going to have a son. 00:11:53.579 --> 00:11:54.899 He's going to go before the Messiah. 00:11:56.399 --> 00:12:00.059 And I can just imagine the elation on Gabriel's face, 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:01.699 like him appearing before Zechariah 00:12:01.699 --> 00:12:02.819 and him telling this news, 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:05.379 hey, not only are your prayers answered 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.220 and you're going to have a son, 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:07.539 but he's going to be significant. 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.299 He's going to be important. 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:10.299 He's going to prepare the way for the Messiah 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:12.419 who you've all been fasting and praying for. 00:12:13.219 --> 00:12:16.179 And it's like, I imagine just him being so excited 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:17.339 and delivering this message 00:12:17.339 --> 00:12:18.859 and just being like, this is what's going on. 00:12:19.319 --> 00:12:21.740 And then like Zechariah's response is like, 00:12:21.859 --> 00:12:23.459 hmm, prove it. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:26.559 And like, I can just imagine like at that point, 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:28.939 like the cosmic universe joins as one 00:12:28.939 --> 00:12:30.699 as like face slap. 00:12:30.859 --> 00:12:32.419 Like, no, you missed it. 00:12:32.719 --> 00:12:34.359 Like you're so close, but you missed it. 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:36.659 Um, how could that be? 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:42.659 And so he, he misses it. 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:44.580 He asked for a sign and Gabriel responds. 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:45.659 I mean, look at his response. 00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:47.680 What he says is, how will I know this? 00:12:47.800 --> 00:12:48.960 And it seems, if you know the story, 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:50.639 it seems very similar to Mary's response, 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:52.180 which is how is this going to be? 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:54.639 But what Zechariah is doing is he's asking 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:56.200 for a sign in this moment. 00:12:57.159 --> 00:13:00.000 Um, and is that, is he, is he punished? 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:02.340 Is he silenced for asking a question? 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:03.620 He's not. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:07.000 Gabriel reveals to him why he's silenced. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.000 Look at verse 20. 00:13:10.060 --> 00:13:12.679 For behold, you will be silent and unable to speak 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:14.960 until the day that these things take place. 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:17.500 Because you did not believe my words, 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.860 which will be fulfilled in their time. 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:22.560 So what Gabriel is saying to Zechariah 00:13:22.560 --> 00:13:24.560 is that his issue is not questioning, 00:13:25.060 --> 00:13:26.379 but his issue is a heart issue, 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:27.639 that he does not believe. 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.879 God loves Zechariah. 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:33.539 And so he gives him this great news, 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:38.240 but Zechariah does not believe in his heart. 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:41.519 And God disciplines in that way by silencing him. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:47.259 So, but we see a very similar story happen with Mary, right? 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:50.740 Um, in a similar way, Gabriel visits Mary 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:52.659 and announces this great news to her. 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:55.279 Just pick it up in verse 28. 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:59.779 And he came to her and said, 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:02.019 Greetings, O favored one. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:03.339 The Lord is with you. 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:05.480 But she was greatly troubled at the saying 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:08.419 and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:09.699 And the angel said to her, 00:14:09.839 --> 00:14:10.959 Do not be afraid, Mary, 00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:12.919 for you have found favor with God. 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:16.979 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:19.059 and you shall call his name Jesus. 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:22.779 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:26.860 The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father, David. 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:30.240 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:32.599 and his kingdom there will be no end. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:34.659 And Mary said to the angel, 00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:36.740 How will this be since I am a virgin? 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:39.139 And the angel answered her, 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:41.840 The Lord, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:44.620 and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:47.379 Therefore, the child to be born will be called Holy, 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.800 the Son of God. 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:52.399 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:53.899 has also conceived a son, 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:58.379 and in this the sixth month with her who is called barren. 00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:01.000 For nothing will be impossible with God. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:02.100 And Mary said, 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.779 Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:05.940 Let it be according to your word. 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:07.480 And the angel departed from her. 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.519 So Gabriel comes to her and he says, 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:12.139 Hey, you found favor with God. 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.539 You will give birth to a son, 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:14.820 and he will be great, 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:16.659 and he will be called the Son of God. 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:19.659 And he will inherit the throne of David 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.580 and will reign forever. 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:23.279 And Mary gives a very similar response to Zechariah 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:23.779 and says, 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:25.039 How will this be? 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:27.539 But Gabriel's response is much, much different. 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.480 Instead of judgment, 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:31.360 Gabriel answers graciously. 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:34.740 What is the difference between Mary's response 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.920 and Zechariah's response? 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:38.120 There's a couple things that you could hone in on 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:38.420 and say, 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:40.519 Okay, well, maybe this is what's different in that. 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.980 And those things are true. 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:44.139 But the main things that I want you to see 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:46.399 is that Mary's response 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:48.300 is one of lowliness and belief, 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:50.039 where Zechariah's response 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:52.039 is one of pride and unbelief. 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:55.899 We know that Mary believes 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:57.539 from the exchange that we read 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.699 from Mary and Elizabeth 00:15:58.699 --> 00:16:02.279 in verses 42 through 45. 00:16:04.299 --> 00:16:05.679 I'm going to pick it up in verse 39. 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.679 In those days, 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:08.439 Mary arose and went with haste 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:09.279 into the hill country 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.860 to a town in Judah, 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:13.079 and she entered the house of Zechariah 00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:14.120 and greeted Elizabeth. 00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:17.299 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:19.759 the baby leapt in her womb. 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:22.139 And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:24.940 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:27.179 Blessed are you among women, 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:29.460 and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:31.899 And why is this granted to me, 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:33.340 that the mother of my Lord 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:34.560 should come to me? 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.460 For behold, 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:37.000 when the sound of your greeting 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.919 came into my ears, 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:40.159 the baby in my womb leapt for joy. 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.519 And the baby in the womb, 00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:45.319 and blessed is she who believed 00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:46.579 that there would be a fulfillment 00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:48.379 of what was spoken to her from the Lord. 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.879 So Elizabeth points out, 00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:51.100 hey, Mary believes. 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:54.219 We kind of get that insight from that part, 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:57.279 but isn't it funny to think 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:59.620 that as Mary entered the home of Elizabeth, 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:02.319 it's likely that Zechariah is also there. 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.720 And after Elizabeth calls Mary blessed, 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:05.960 she points out that 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:08.099 when the angel of the Lord visited Mary, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:10.039 she believed his message. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.000 Unlike her husband, 00:17:11.120 --> 00:17:12.600 who is likely in the same room, 00:17:12.800 --> 00:17:13.500 but is mute, 00:17:13.580 --> 00:17:14.980 so he can't say anything to defend himself. 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:20.560 But then we get this clear picture 00:17:20.560 --> 00:17:22.740 of how Mary expresses her humility. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.460 Let's look at verse 46. 00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:26.519 This is our main text 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.600 that we're going from. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.480 And Mary said, 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:32.759 My soul magnifies the Lord, 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:35.519 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:39.060 For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.319 For behold, 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.579 from now on, 00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:43.579 all generations will call me blessed. 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.099 For he who is mighty 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.980 has done great things for me, 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.679 and holy is his name, 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:52.319 and his mercy is for those who fear him 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.679 from generation to generation. 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:56.419 He has shown strength with his arm. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:57.899 He has scattered the proud 00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:59.099 in the thoughts of their hearts. 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:01.399 He has brought down the mighty 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:02.259 from their thrones 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:04.460 and exalted those of humble estate. 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:07.500 He has filled the hungry with good things, 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:10.500 and the rich he has sent away empty. 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:15.559 He has filled his servant Israel 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:17.000 in remembrance of his mercy, 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.920 as he spoke to our fathers, 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:20.819 to Abraham and to his offspring forever. 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:23.819 What is the content of Mary's prayer? 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:26.880 She says that she magnifies the Lord, 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.779 and what she means by that is, 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:30.980 Lord, I see you for who you really are. 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:33.519 I see you for how powerful you are. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:35.660 She says that God has looked upon her. 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.940 She calls herself a servant. 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:38.940 She says that God shows mercy 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:40.920 to those who are in awe of him, 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.200 to those who fear him. 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:45.019 She says that God rejects the proud 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.559 and the mighty 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:47.660 and those who trust in their own strength 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:49.860 and their power 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:51.319 and their ability to get things done. 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:54.160 She says that God sends away those empty, 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:56.799 those who think they can sustain themselves. 00:18:56.799 --> 00:19:01.059 And she declares how God has remembered 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.879 his covenant to his people. 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.659 Wow. 00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:06.720 What an incredible prayer for Mary. 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:09.319 I just really want to marvel at the faith 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:11.559 and the response of Mary's prayer. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.419 Just for a minute. 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.919 We can often see the problem 00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:15.059 in other people's theology 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:17.720 that is so far to the left or to the right 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:19.119 that makes an idol out of Mary. 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.279 And in response, 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:23.019 we can kind of swing too far to the left 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.799 or to the right on the other side. 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:26.700 And we miss this great truth 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.500 that God is saying 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.919 and trying to teach us. 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.839 God uses Mary, 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:32.480 who's this seemingly insignificant woman, 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:35.619 but she believes and trusts God, 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:37.960 even though she doesn't understand 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:39.000 and probably was misunderstood 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.919 by other people 00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:41.220 and was even slandered 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:42.539 for being pregnant 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.859 before she was married to Joseph. 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:47.139 But wow, 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:48.019 like her response 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.440 is really, really incredible. 00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:51.180 Now, I do want to say 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.019 that Zechariah, 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:53.519 he later on does repent. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.460 And you can see that 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:56.759 as evidence by his response 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.799 to when John is actually born. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.440 And he names him John. 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.639 And then after that, 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:04.160 he declares the Lord's glory. 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:07.259 So we see Zechariah repent later on 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.720 and believe, 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.859 and he does show humility. 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:12.980 And God shows love to Mary and Zechariah, 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:14.819 but then he goes to show his love 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:16.359 to these minor characters, 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.259 the shepherds, 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:17.779 the magi, 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.279 Simeon, 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:18.700 and Anna. 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:21.200 And they're seemingly, again, 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.279 insignificant characters, 00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:24.240 but God loves them 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.960 by revealing to them his son. 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:28.680 He knows that when Jesus grows up, 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:30.080 or we know that when Jesus grows up 00:20:30.080 --> 00:20:30.620 to be a man 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.960 and he begins his ministry, 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:32.819 who are the people 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:34.220 that Jesus associates with? 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.519 He associates with the lowly, 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.440 the lowly in heart. 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:39.160 We see that Jesus' disciples 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:41.799 are composed of mostly humble fishermen. 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:44.879 And those who are drawn to him 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:46.159 are sinners who are aware 00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:47.200 of their lowly state 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:48.819 and are aware that they have nothing 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:50.139 to bring to the table of Jesus, 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:53.359 but their need for his healing, 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.359 for his touch. 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:56.859 You see, 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.779 God shows his love 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:59.119 to all types of people 00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:00.059 in the story, 00:21:00.159 --> 00:21:02.139 regardless of what they bring to the table. 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.200 Their age doesn't matter. 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.500 Their sex doesn't matter. 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:07.500 What stage of life they're in. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.899 It doesn't seem to matter. 00:21:09.399 --> 00:21:10.359 Their financial status, 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:11.500 whether it's rich or poor, 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.619 it doesn't matter. 00:21:12.919 --> 00:21:13.680 The shepherds are poor, 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.680 the magi are rich, 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:16.119 but they're both lowly 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:17.200 and humble in heart, 00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:19.059 and they believe in God. 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.279 You see, 00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:23.720 God shows his love 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:25.079 to all those types of people, 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.279 and God loves them 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:27.619 and shows their grace to them, 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:29.059 regardless of what their response 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.659 is going to be. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:30.639 And case in point, 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.879 it's Zechariah, right? 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:33.819 He doesn't have the right response, 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:36.419 but God still shows love to him. 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:38.720 He still showers them with grace. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:40.579 He still blesses them with a son 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:42.659 who is going to be great and righteous. 00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:48.179 And I want to hone in on this, 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.599 that it's not that these characters 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.359 were lowly 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:51.500 and they had great faith, 00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:53.759 and that's why God chooses to love them. 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.619 This is a huge thing to get. 00:21:55.699 --> 00:21:56.960 It has nothing to do with, 00:21:57.179 --> 00:21:58.539 that's the response 00:21:58.539 --> 00:22:01.000 to when God does show his love 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.899 and his grace to them. 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:03.799 They respond out of humility 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:05.460 and lowliness and belief, 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:07.480 but that's not why God chooses 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.400 to love them. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.340 It's not that they 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:13.299 had something to offer God. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:15.200 God loves them first, 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.500 and then they rightly respond 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.799 with lowliness and belief. 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.360 God loves them 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:21.759 regardless of their actions, 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.799 whether it's good or bad. 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.880 And so it is with you and me 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:28.740 according to God's word. 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:28.819 Lord, 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:31.660 you and I are loved right now 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:33.099 and right here in this moment 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.339 with no conditions. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:37.759 I've struggled with the ability 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:39.039 to kick habitual sins, 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:39.880 and I've had days 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.819 where I know the truth, 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.720 but I still decide 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:43.220 to rebel against my Savior 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.740 and my friend. 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.900 And I know that he has 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:47.259 given himself for me, 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:49.339 but time and time again, 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:51.380 I turn my back on him. 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.319 I know that I'm no longer 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.400 a slave to sin, 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:55.420 but I still rebel 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.200 against my Savior. 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:58.420 And I look at myself 00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:59.259 in the mirror sometimes, 00:22:59.360 --> 00:22:59.779 disgusted, 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.380 and I wonder 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:01.940 how anyone could love me 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.980 or call me a friend. 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:08.539 And especially after I have 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:10.620 chosen to slap Christ 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:12.100 in his face with my sin 00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:13.380 time and time again, 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.720 and while my sin 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.900 is still a very serious thing 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:17.460 and it's not to be downplayed 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.720 or ignored, 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:21.640 I am loved by God. 00:23:23.580 --> 00:23:25.380 You are loved by God. 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:28.980 We can see from this text 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:31.500 that God loves these people 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.960 regardless of what they have 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.259 to offer or bring to the table. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.580 He has sent his Son for us 00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:38.420 in full knowledge 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.400 of who we are 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.299 and what we did yesterday 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.819 and what we will do tomorrow 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.980 and how we will turn our back on him. 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:46.080 He's fully aware of that. 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:47.160 So if you are in Christ, 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:49.519 if you believe in Christ, 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:51.900 if you are accepted in Christ, 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:53.019 it has nothing to do 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:54.880 with our actions. 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.780 It has nothing to do 00:23:55.780 --> 00:23:57.200 with what we bring to the table. 00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:01.020 You see, our joy, 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:01.620 our peace, 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.060 our hope, 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:02.640 our righteousness 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:04.520 does not come from our performance 00:24:04.520 --> 00:24:06.760 or what we can do for God today, 00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:08.160 but instead it comes 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.680 from the finished work of Christ. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.760 If you are accepted in Christ, 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:15.020 you are dearly loved. 00:24:16.040 --> 00:24:17.320 Yes, regardless of your performance 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:18.600 of your sin yesterday 00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:20.200 or this morning 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:20.820 or later on today, 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:21.900 you are loved by God, 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:24.620 and this is not a cheap emotional love. 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.960 No, this is a deep love 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.420 from God 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.460 who remembers his covenant. 00:24:30.040 --> 00:24:32.160 Look at the prayer of Mary. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.440 He says, 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.019 or Mary says that 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:42.100 after all these things 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:43.480 that she praises God for, 00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:44.259 what is the one thing 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.740 that she says 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:46.019 at the very, very end there? 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:50.660 Or at the very beginning, 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.059 I'm sorry. 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:54.639 That God 00:24:54.639 --> 00:24:56.400 has helped Israel 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.039 in remembrance 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.980 of his mercy 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.940 as he spoke 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.700 to our fathers, 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.259 to Abraham 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.619 and to his offspring 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.160 forever. 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.599 So God has remembered 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.559 his covenant, 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.400 and that is the thing 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.299 that Mary is 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:10.200 praising God for. 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:10.799 Again, 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.340 this is not 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:15.720 a cheap emotional love 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.220 that God 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.360 is loving Mary with 00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:19.220 that instead 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.380 is a deep love 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.160 that flows 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:22.000 from his covenant 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.819 to us. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:24.759 So, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.539 and I'm thinking 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.400 more about 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:27.920 the idea 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.059 of covenants lately, 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.259 especially as 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.039 I'm engaged 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.259 to be married soon. 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:35.200 And I'm learning 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:35.940 about how marriage 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.319 is a covenant, 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.840 or at least 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:37.680 it's supposed to be. 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.360 But we live 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:40.340 in a society 00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:42.240 that can 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.779 kind of take marriage 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:45.480 to be a consumer 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.160 contract 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:47.220 instead of a covenant. 00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:49.600 And so what I mean 00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:50.580 by that is that 00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:52.220 each member, 00:25:53.560 --> 00:25:55.240 that the contract 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.840 is based off 00:25:55.840 --> 00:25:56.380 of each member 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.740 upholding their end 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.539 of the contract. 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.080 And 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:02.440 knowing what 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.160 they get out of it. 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.380 So, 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.799 you know what I mean by, 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.060 okay, 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.160 so this is my end 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:06.640 of the contract. 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.500 I will love you. 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.420 I will listen to you. 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.799 I will fulfill 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.400 your needs 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:11.259 as best as I can. 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:11.839 But 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:13.339 if you don't 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:14.099 uphold your end 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.640 of the contract, 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:16.099 if you don't 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:16.680 love me, 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.079 if you don't 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.559 accept me, 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:18.059 if you don't 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.660 listen to me, 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:18.980 if you don't 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:20.099 fulfill my needs 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.619 for friendship, 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:21.980 if you don't 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:23.039 fulfill my need 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.720 for financial 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.359 stability, 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.940 my sexual needs, 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.559 then 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.880 I'm done 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.319 with this. 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.099 And I don't mean 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:30.039 to say that lightly 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:31.099 because 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:32.700 I know that 00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.559 divorce is not 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.220 an easy thing 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.700 for anyone 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.339 to walk through. 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:36.279 I don't mean 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.400 to downplay that. 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.339 By no means 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:38.720 am I saying 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.420 this is an easy 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.019 thing or that 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.579 it's to be taken 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:40.819 lightly. 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.279 I know that 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.000 there's heartbreak 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.319 there. 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.180 I know 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:45.359 I can only 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:45.980 imagine how 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:47.140 difficult that 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.519 is. 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.579 And it's very 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.119 understandable, 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.980 especially as I 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.940 go into marriage. 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:51.660 I can see that. 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.079 I can see, 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.700 oh my gosh, 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.740 this is a 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.660 difficult thing 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:57.400 to self-sacrificially 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.660 love someone 00:26:58.660 --> 00:27:00.360 and to put 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:01.300 my needs aside 00:27:01.300 --> 00:27:01.740 for the needs 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.060 of someone 00:27:02.060 --> 00:27:02.400 else. 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.460 But that's 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.420 exactly what 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.700 a covenant 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.080 is. 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:07.380 And that's 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:07.580 what I'm 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:07.900 learning 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:09.060 that a 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:09.259 covenant 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:09.600 is. 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.500 And God's 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.100 idea of a 00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:11.360 covenant 00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:12.540 is based off 00:27:12.540 --> 00:27:12.940 of the covenant 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.640 that he's made 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.240 with us, 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.140 his people. 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.120 And so we find 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:17.640 this covenant 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.779 that God has 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.340 made with us 00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:20.320 in Jeremiah 31. 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.159 So turn there 00:27:21.159 --> 00:27:21.500 real quickly. 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:43.879 Okay. 00:27:44.439 --> 00:27:45.460 So looking at 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.079 verse 31, 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:46.919 this is the new 00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:47.939 covenant that God 00:27:47.939 --> 00:27:48.819 has made with his 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.119 people, 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:49.819 that he has made 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.399 with us. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:57.039 Jeremiah 31, 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.639 starting in verse 31. 00:27:58.939 --> 00:27:59.359 Behold, 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.399 the days are coming, 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.319 declares the Lord, 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.700 when I will make 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.399 a new covenant 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:04.079 with the house 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.720 of Israel, 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:06.099 the house of Judah, 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.339 not like the covenant 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:07.839 that I made 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.500 with their fathers 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.099 on the day 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:09.839 when I took them 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.759 by the hand 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.700 to bring them 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.379 out of the land 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.019 of Egypt. 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:13.960 My covenant 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.619 that they broke, 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.839 though I was 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.319 their husband, 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.099 declares the Lord. 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.000 For this is the covenant 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.700 that will make 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.319 with the house 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.779 of Israel 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.640 after those days, 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.279 declares the Lord. 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.860 I will put my law 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.400 within them 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:25.299 and I will write 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.100 it on their hearts 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:27.600 and I will be 00:28:27.600 --> 00:28:28.120 their God 00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:28.880 and they shall 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:29.460 be my people. 00:28:30.080 --> 00:28:30.700 And no longer 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.400 shall each one 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:32.240 teach his neighbor 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.440 and each his brother 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:33.860 saying, 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.000 know the Lord. 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.059 For they shall 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.819 all know me 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.740 from the least 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.100 of them 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:38.799 to the greatest, 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:39.819 declares the Lord. 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:43.579 for I will forgive 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.240 their iniquity 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.159 and I will remember 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:45.779 their sin 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.439 no more. 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.519 So, 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.460 this is the 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.439 sacrificial commitment 00:28:50.439 --> 00:28:51.480 that he has made 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:51.819 to us 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.339 regardless 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:53.720 of our fluctuating 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.099 feelings, 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.899 regardless of 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.619 our circumstances, 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.220 regardless of 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.879 how we're feeling 00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:57.759 in the moment. 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.539 And whether we're 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.259 feeling like loving 00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:00.480 God this morning 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.939 or this week 00:29:01.939 --> 00:29:03.139 or whether we are 00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:04.179 beaten down by sin, 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.439 this is his 00:29:05.439 --> 00:29:06.399 sacrificial commitment 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.080 to us. 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:08.920 This is God 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.480 saying to us, 00:29:09.580 --> 00:29:10.500 regardless of 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.500 how you uphold 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:13.480 your side of this, 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:15.120 I'm still committed 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:15.600 to you. 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:18.259 I am still 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.900 going to be 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.820 sacrificial towards 00:29:19.820 --> 00:29:20.120 you. 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:21.580 Regardless of 00:29:21.580 --> 00:29:22.019 your apathy 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.900 to read my word 00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:24.180 or to bend 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:25.019 your knee to pray, 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:27.800 I love you. 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.440 And you and I 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.160 are loved 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:33.380 because he 00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:34.280 loved us first. 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:36.339 That's what 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.399 1 John 4 says. 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:37.980 I'm turning there 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.359 real quickly. 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:38.420 Okay. 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:11.039 Okay. 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:15.759 Okay. 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.539 Starting in verse 10. 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:19.000 In this is love, 00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:19.720 not that we have 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.539 loved God, 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:21.399 but that he 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:22.539 has loved us 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.119 and has sent 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:23.740 his son to be 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.440 the propitiation 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.339 for our sins. 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:26.519 Beloved, 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.859 if God so loved us, 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.779 we also ought 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.619 to love one another. 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.619 No one has ever 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.379 seen God. 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:32.460 If we love one another, 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.720 God abides in us 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.519 and his love 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.740 is perfected in us. 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.600 By this, 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.220 we know that we 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:39.160 abide in him 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.259 and he in us 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.100 because he has 00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:41.799 given us 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.779 of his spirit. 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.980 We have seen 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:44.600 and testified 00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:45.339 that the father 00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:46.400 has sent his son 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.200 to be the savior 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.779 of the world. 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.759 Whoever confesses 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.120 that Jesus 00:30:50.120 --> 00:30:51.339 is the son of God, 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.900 God abides in him 00:30:52.900 --> 00:30:54.019 and he in God. 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.200 So we have come 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:55.640 to know 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.360 and to believe 00:30:56.360 --> 00:30:57.120 the love 00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:57.960 that God has 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.579 for us. 00:30:59.059 --> 00:30:59.799 God is love 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.380 and whoever 00:31:00.380 --> 00:31:01.360 abides in love 00:31:01.360 --> 00:31:02.360 abides in God 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:03.559 and God abides 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.079 in him. 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.099 By this, 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:06.099 love perfected 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:06.679 with us 00:31:06.679 --> 00:31:07.339 so that we 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.399 may have confidence 00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:09.199 for the day 00:31:09.199 --> 00:31:09.639 of judgment 00:31:09.639 --> 00:31:11.639 because as he is, 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.779 so also are we 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.959 in this world. 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.439 There is no fear 00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:15.919 in love, 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:16.819 but perfect love 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:17.819 casts out fear. 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:19.879 For fear 00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:20.599 has to do 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.099 with punishment 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.139 and whoever fears 00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:22.759 has not been 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.740 perfected in love. 00:31:25.439 --> 00:31:25.959 So, 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.939 this has nothing 00:31:27.939 --> 00:31:28.779 to do with the ability 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.740 that we love 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.480 God first. 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.740 He loved us 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.359 first before we 00:31:32.359 --> 00:31:33.019 could do anything 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.599 to prove our love 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.680 even back to him. 00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:39.980 He loved us 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.420 before we had 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:40.799 the chance 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:41.319 to tell him 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.000 how hard we were 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:42.480 going to work 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.440 and how much 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.019 we were going 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.819 to get done 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.440 for the kingdom. 00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:48.579 And so, 00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:51.180 I want our response 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.859 to this message. 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.839 I want our response 00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.599 to seeing 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.599 and beholding 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:55.440 the love of God 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.200 for us 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.279 regardless of what 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:58.000 our response 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.940 is to him 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.879 to be one 00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:00.460 of awe. 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:02.079 I want your response, 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.899 I want my response 00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.379 to be one 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.079 of lowliness 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:04.980 and belief 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.980 much like Mary's 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.359 prayer. 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.399 I want to have 00:32:10.399 --> 00:32:11.019 a response 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:11.720 that's like 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.899 the prayer of Mary. 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:13.779 I pray that you 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.559 would marvel 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.619 at the love 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.099 that God 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:16.940 has for you 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.460 this morning. 00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:19.279 Not as an individual, 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.160 not as a concept, 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.980 not just as a verse 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.319 in the Bible, 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.059 but know that 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:23.039 where you are 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.559 this morning, 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:24.099 where you are 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:24.579 seeding. 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:27.419 God loves you. 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.099 That you are 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:29.819 dearly loved 00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.399 by God. 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:31.939 He has sent 00:32:31.939 --> 00:32:32.439 his son 00:32:32.439 --> 00:32:33.179 to be our savior 00:32:33.179 --> 00:32:33.939 and he invites 00:32:33.939 --> 00:32:34.919 us to know him 00:32:34.919 --> 00:32:36.240 and enjoy him. 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.980 Remind yourself 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.819 of that truth. 00:32:39.419 --> 00:32:40.679 Meditate on that truth. 00:32:41.199 --> 00:32:41.839 Store it up 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:43.019 in your mind. 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:44.500 Go forth, 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.099 love, 00:32:45.419 --> 00:32:46.779 and be loved. 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:48.179 Let's pray.