Sermon Tone Analysis

The angel illumined the light of God to Zacharias, Elizabeth

A little boy forgot his lines in a Sunday School presentation.

His mother was in the front row to prompt him.

She gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it did not help.

Her son's memory was blank.

Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the cue, "I am the light of the world."

The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud clear voice said, "My mother is the light of the world!"

Jesus is the "Light of the world," but He certainly uses Christian mothers to let His light shine in this world.

Just as Zacharia, Elizabeth and Mary were transformed, we should be also

This is a concept that is sometimes a challenge for us.

In fact I recently read about a little girl who came home from Sunday School right after studying this verse.

She asked her mother, when she repeated the verse, what it meant.

Her mom said, "Well, it means that when you are good and kind and thoughtful and obedient, you are letting Christ's light shine in your life before all who know you."

The very next Sunday in Sunday School, the little girl got in a bit of a fracas with another student and created somewhat of an uproar--to such an extent that the Sunday School teacher had to go and find her mother to get her settled down a bit in the class.

Her mother was concerned when she got to the classroom and said, "Sweetie, don't you remember about letting your light shine for the Lord before [others]?"

The girl blurted out, "Mom, I have blowed myself out!"

The Light of Transformation for Mary

In order that the body of Christ might be shown to be a real body, he was born of a woman; but in order that his Godhead might be made clear he was born of a virgin

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.

The virgin’s name was Mary.

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!

The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.

The virgin’s name was Mary.

In order that the body of Christ might be shown to be a real body, he was born of a woman; but in order that his Godhead might be made clear he was born of a virgin

Why is the Virgin Birth important to the Christian faith?

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam.

Because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being; but as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin.

Jesus is both fully human and fully divine.

Because Jesus lived as a man, human beings know that he fully understands their experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4:15–16).

Because he is God, he has the power and authority to deliver people from sin (Colossians 2:13–15).

People can tell Jesus all their thoughts, feelings, and needs.

He has been where they are, and he has the ability to help.

a man who was walking at night, and saw another man searching for something near a lamp post.

Approaching, he asked the man what he was looking for, and the man, without looking up, replied, "My watch".

The first man asked, "Well, precisely where were you standing when you dropped it?"

Continuing his search, the man pointed a finger in the distance and said, "Over there somewhere."

Incredulous, the first man said, "Well then sir, why are you looking for it here?"

Finally looking up in frustration and meeting the first man's gaze, the searcher replied testily, "Because sir, the li

FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

Christians are urged to be filled with the Spirit as part of normal growth in the Lord (see Ephesians 5:18), but the filling Elizabeth experienced was different, spontaneous, entirely God-given, much like that of Peter in Acts 4:8.

This filling captures the emotions with a God-centered joy and creates in the heart an excited sense of God’s loving purpose in your life.

This filling makes you want to sing, pray, shout, and dance.

When God moves your heart this way, let it show.

MOTHER OF MY LORD

The veneration of Mary has been a hallmark of Roman Catholic worship since the seventh century and a major dividing line with Protestants, who regard such veneration as tantamount to making Mary the Savior.

Many stereotypes and caricatures have created costly misunderstandings and made genuine discussion difficult.

Catholics are bewildered at Protestants’ cold shoulder to such a warm biblical character.

Protestants see Jesus’ role threatened when Mary is idolized.

The Bible helps here.

Jesus is the Savior, and no one else.

Mary is the blessed mother of Jesus, and her unique blessing was a gift from God.

With Elizabeth, believers can rejoice for God’s work in Mary’s life.

With Elizabeth and Mary, believers can praise God for the salvation won by Jesus’ death and guaranteed by his resurrection

Divine speech is articulation of God’s presence … The Magnificat is a biblical theology in miniature, because it begins and it ends in an exaltation not of Mary but of the Word