Be A Godly Mother
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Introduction
Introduction
How many here wear glasses? Someone tell me what happens when it’s cold outside and you walk into a warm room. This (S). How about opening the dishwasher when it is just finished running?
How many here wear glasses? Someone tell me what happens when it’s cold outside and you walk into a warm room. This (S). How about opening the dishwasher when it is just finished?
The thing about glasses getting fogged up is that everything kind of has to stop until the fog clears. You can’t just keep walking. If you do, you’re probably going to fall.
To get where we need to go, clear vision is essential. has some bearing on this idea (S).
(S)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
These things have application for all of us.
Something that may get skipped over in this verse is that Our ability to run the race is determined by the clarity of our focus on Christ. If Christ is foggy to my eyes, I will not run well.
Today we are going to talk about one of the most well-known and well-loved mothers of all time. Mary: The Mother Of Jesus.
Let me remind us of the background here. Mary is engaged to Joseph. She is probably in her early teens. She is told by an angel that she will bear the Messiah. She was also told that her cousin Elizabeth, who was past childbearing years, was in her 6th month. So she goes to visit her cousin. Seeking confirmation.
These things have application for all of us.
Though we are learning about a mother and it is Mother’s Day, what we study will have application for all of us.
What we are going to explore this morning is the character of the woman God chose to be the earthly mother of His Son.
Why?
This is the character of the woman God chose to be the earthly mother of His Son.
This is the character that all of us should have.
As we look at Mary’s song of praise we will gain a clear vision of God.
You cannot be a Godly mother or a Godly believer if you don’t have a clear view of God!
A clear vision of God is what motivates a Christ honoring life.
Today we will be convinced of the glory, power, and faithfulness of God.
A clear vision of God is what motivates a Christ honoring life.
There are three things a Godly Mother sees. First…
1. A Godly Mother Sees God’s Glory vv. 46-49
1. A Godly Mother Sees God’s Glory vv. 46-49
Mary is all about God’s glory. This entire song of praise is centered around who God is and what He has done.
18 times she references God. She mentions herself only 5 times. As she talks about God she sees His glory revealed in three ways. First, His…
a. Glory revealed in His person vv. 46-47
a. Glory revealed in His person vv. 46-47
READ v. 46
Mary has just had the identity of her child confirmed by Elizabeth. Her first response is to magnify the Lord.
V. 46 = just had identity of child confirmed.
Magnify – μεγαλύνω (megalynō) glorify; exalt. To increase honor, to cause something to be held in greater esteem.
Magnify – μεγαλύνω (megalynō)
She exalts and honors her master. That’s what kyrios or Lord means.
What Mary is going to face is ridicule, pointed fingers, and talking behind her back. She doesn’t care. Though God has not given her an easy task, she is playing a vital role.
Glory to God! That is what Mary is saying. But that’s not all.
READ v. 47
Mary uses two interesting words in these verses. In v. 46 soul - psyche. In v. 47 spirit - pneuma. Soul is the seat of emotion, thought, and consciousness. Spirit is the immaterial part of man. What Mary is expressing is that her entire being is praising and glorifying God for what He has done!
Rejoiced – ἀγαλλιάω (agalliaō) exult; be glad. To feel joy, extreme happiness, or elation.
Rejoiced – ἀγαλλιάω (agalliaō)
Mary is overwhelmed with joy in God her Savior.
Joy is independent of circumstances.
This is important. Mary understands that she needs a Savior. In this context, a Savior is someone who will deliver her from her sin. Mary, just like all of us, needed forgiveness of sin. That forgiveness comes through Jesus Christ!
Mary is going to face difficulty and trial. This is not going to be an easy road. Besides facing the death of her son, Scripture gives us one glimpse into the kind of treatment she must have had. (S).
You do the deeds of your father.”
Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”
The implication is the Jesus was born of sexual immorality. This is the kind of thing Mary faced. I don’t thing she was naive. I believe she understood exactly the kind of assumptions that would be made. Yet…
Mary glorifies and praises God.
God’s glory is displayed here through who He is. He is the Master. He is God. He is the Savior. It is because of who He is that Mary glorifies and praises Him.
What is our reaction to difficulty?
Why? Why Glory to God? Why joy in the Savior?
The answer is found as Mary sees…
b. Glory revealed in His presence v. 48
b. Glory revealed in His presence v. 48
READ v. 48
“For” = purpose statement.
God looked and saw that Mary was humble. Not a queen, not a noble, a simple woman. Yet she is the one He chose.
Word Pictures in the New Testament Luke 1:48
The bride of a carpenter and yet to be the mother of the Messiah.
I love this! Your social status does not determine your usefulness!
Mary refers to herself as the female slave of God.
God blessed her and from now on she will be known by that blessing.
Blessed – μακαρίζω (makarizō) consider or declare blessed. To deem or declare someone to be characterized by happiness and good fortune.
Blessed – μακαρίζω (makarizō)
Though Mary faced incredible difficulty, she was incredibly blessed.
Interesting that only other place this word appears is (S).
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
Those who endure are blessed. Mary endured!
She is the mother of the Messiah. Every believer understands the blessing of this position.
For God to “regard” her lowly estate requires His intimate presence in her life.
God is worthy of all glory because He cares for His own!
God is intimately involved in your life.
Give God glory! Rejoice in Him! He is present in our lives! Amen?
God’s glory is revealed in His person, He is our Master, God, and Savior. His glory is revealed in His presence. He is intimately involved in our lives. Finally…
c. Glory revealed in His purpose v. 49
c. Glory revealed in His purpose v. 49
READ v. 49
Again we have “for” = purpose clause.
He who is mighty. Powerfully able. This speaks of limitless ability. ILLUSTRATE. Pick up hymnal. Confident I can do it. No doubt whatsoever. That is this picture. God is absolutely able. The difference is that God is absolutely able to do anything. Unlimited power.
This God of unlimited power has done great things for Mary. He has made her the mother of the Messiah!
Luke: An Introduction and Commentary D. The Song of Mary (1:46–56)
She sees herself as insignificant, but that does not matter, for ‘the Mighty One’ (Rieu) is at work.
Our significance doesn’t matter! God is at work in us. The mighty one who worked in Mary works in you and I to will and do of His good pleasure ().
Holy is His name. This is a reference to identity. It is not just that God is holy in His character. Holiness is part of His essential being. He is holy.
What does He demand of us? Turn to (p. 1390-91).
(p. 1390-91)
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Be holy as I am holy.
Do you know God as Mary speaks of Him in these verses? Do you know Him as your Master, your Lord. How about as the God revealed in the pages of Scripture? Is He your Savior? The one who delivers from sin? Do you know His presence in your life? Do you see Him as holy?
We cannot hope to be godly people if we don’t have this view of God!
Mary is not finished yet. As she continues we learn that…
2. A Godly Mother Sees God’s Power vv. 50-52
2. A Godly Mother Sees God’s Power vv. 50-52
Mary has already stated that God has limitless ability. Now she is going to highlight what He has done with this ability.
God reveals His power. It is seen in the world around us. However, sometimes it doesn’t take the form we think it should. Mary sees God’s…
a. Power revealed in His mercy v. 50
a. Power revealed in His mercy v. 50
READ v. 50
God shows mercy to those who fear Him.
Mercy – ἔλεος (eleos) mercy; compassion; pity. Leniency shown toward offenders by a person or agency of authority.
Mercy – ἔλεος (eleos)
This is considered to be a quotation of . If you want an interesting exercise sometime. Look at cross references between this passage and the Psalms. Everything Mary says here is loaded with Scripture!
God extends compassion and leniency to those who fear Him.
Fear = fear. Reverence, awe. As a just, righteous, and holy God, we have reason to fear Him.
Yet He is a God of mercy. God’s power is revealed in His mercy because only God can show compassion to His enemies! Only God forgives sin on the basis of faith alone.
Mary understands that God is a God of mercy. He does not give us what we deserve. Instead He is compassionate.
b. Power revealed in His judgment v. 51
b. Power revealed in His judgment v. 51
READ v. 51
This is what God does! He shows mercy to those who fear Him, but judgement is reserved for those who stand against Him.
Strength = the accomplishment of powerful things.
Through His great power, God scatters those who are proud.
He does this through the foolishness of their own hearts.
Part of God’s judgment on the wicked is allowing them to go their own way. To follow their evil desires and go where those desires lead.
Turn to (p. 1294).
(p. 1294)
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Vv. 50-51 show opposites in God’s dealing. Those we fear Him mercy. Those who do not are scattered brained.
God is powerful in His mercy. He is powerful in His judgment.
Lastly here we find His…
c. Power revealed in His grace v. 52
c. Power revealed in His grace v. 52
READ v. 52
The first part of the verse is judgment again. Those who think they deserve the throne are taken off of it. God exalts those who are the opposite of what would normally be chosen.
Why does God put down the rulers? Because there is only one sovereign and that is God!
Put down and lift up are opposites.
God puts down those who think they are something, and He exalts those who don’t.
God is a gracious God!
Who are these lowly people God exalts?
Lowly – ταπεινός (tapeinos) humble; lowly. A person characterized by humility.
Lowly – ταπεινός (tapeinos)
What Mary is speaking of here was stated by Solomon in (S).
Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
James and Peter both put it this way.
;
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
Mary used a different form of this word to describe herself in v. 48. Mary ment that she was humble in her means. Yet God sees that she is also humble in Spirit, and so He exalts her.
God prizes humility above success.
His power is seen in that He is a gracious God who exalts the humble.
Do we know God’s power? He is abundant in His mercy towards us! He judges those who are against Him. He shows grace to those who are humble. Amy I humble? Are you? Have we received His mercy and grace? If we have, should we not rejoice like Mary?!
We have been set free from sin and death! We have been lifted up! The mighty one, the Holy one, the Master, the Savior; He has done great things for us! REJOICE!
If we are to be godly, we must see the active power of God in our lives!
He is at work. He cares intimately about each of us.
Mary sees God’s glory and His power. Finally this morning…
3. A Godly Mother Sees God’s Faithfulness vv. 53-55
3. A Godly Mother Sees God’s Faithfulness vv. 53-55
Has God been faithful to you? How do you know? We look back!
The faithfulness of God is most clearly seen in hindsight.
God’s past and present faithfulness gives us assurance for future faithfulness. There are three areas in which His faithfulness is revealed here. First we find…
a. Faithfulness revealed in His justice v. 53
a. Faithfulness revealed in His justice v. 53
READ v. 53
This is another quote. This time from . God fills the hungry. I love this word “filled”.
Filled – ἐμπίπλημι (empiplēmi) satisfy; fill. To make full (with a sufficient quantity).
Filled – ἐμπίπλημι (empiplēmi)
God satisfies the hungry. This is true both physically and spiritually.
Just a few chapters later, Luke records these Words of Jesus; (S).
Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
The well don’t need a physician. It is the sick who are in need.
Luke: An Introduction and Commentary D. The Song of Mary (1:46–56)
In the ancient world it was accepted that the rich would be well cared for. Poor people must expect to be hungry. But Mary sings of a God who is not bound by what people do. He turns human attitudes and orders of society upside down.
That is the God we serve! He turns our society upside down.
If you don’t know your own need, you can’t be helped.
Hungry people know they are needy!
God reveals His faithfulness as He gives justice to those who are hungry.
Secondly we find God’s…
b. Faithfulness revealed in His stability v. 54
b. Faithfulness revealed in His stability v. 54
Have you ever been on a ladder or roof or something and started to fall? There is that sickening lurch and your adrenaline spikes, your heart starts racing, sweat breaks out… It is those moments of fear that help us to appreciate stability. One of the things you learn doing construction is how important it is to place a ladder carefully. You want to make sure it is on stable ground before you climb.
The Christian life is a life of faith.
When walking by faith, we need something we can depend on. That is what we have in Christ!
We see that here in this verse.
READ v. 54
Why does God help Israel? Because He remembers His mercy!
Help = assist, come to the aid of. God comes to the aid of Israel His servant. How? By giving the Messiah!
God calls His mercy to mind, and He comes to Israel’s aid.
The fact that God helps them requires them to have a need of help.
At this time they are oppressed by Rome. But more than that they are in the grip of dead legalism. Spiritually they are lost!
God is our rock and fortress our help in trouble! He sends His Son to Israel to redeem the lost!
God remembers His mercy, and He gives aid.
Do we know where to turn for aid? We are in the midst of troubled times. We need a rock and fortress. We can depend on the Lord who never fails!
To be Godly mothers, godly people, we need to stand on the Rock.
Finally this morning, we see God’s…
c. Faithfulness revealed in His integrity v. 55
c. Faithfulness revealed in His integrity v. 55
READ v. 55
God is unchangeable. He does what He has promised.
What is Mary referencing here? (S).
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
God always and only speaks the truth.
God doesn’t change.
Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible 3. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth 1:39–56
God’s past faithfulness gives hope for the future.
Our Savior and Lord will do what He has promised.
That is exactly what He is doing with Mary and this child in her womb! God is keeping His promises.
God is going to keep His promises in my life and yours.
This is the view we need to have of Him! A God of integrity who never changes. Once He makes a promises, that is it. That’s what will happen.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Look at what Mary believed about God.
God is a God of Glory! To Him all glory belongs. We glorify Him for who He is. Master, God, and Savior.
Through good times and bad He is present with us, intimately concerned with our lives.
Our all powerful, all capable God does great things for us. There is none like Him!
His power is displayed as He extends compassion and mercy to those who fear Him.
His power is seen is His judgment of the wicked.
His power is seen in His grace as He takes the undeserving and lifts them up.
Our God is faithful. He is faithful in filling those who are hungry and needy.
He is faithful in remembering His mercy and helping His children.
He is always faithful to His promises.
Do we believe these things about our God? Do we see Him clearly?
We have no hope of walking godly Christlike lives until we have a clear view of Him.
When our vision is clear, pursue Christ.
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”