The Path Of Peace

2.To help his readers understand how Israel's rejection of Jesus and the Gentiles enterance into the Kingdom of God are in accordance with the the divine plan.

3, To clarify with his readers Jesus' teaching on the end times.

4. Emphasize with his readers not to fear Rome.

WE: IDENTIFICATION (MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU STRUGGLE)

WE have to be willing to have and live in faith.

We may wrestle and struggle but eventually we must put our faith in God , what our Lords says, what he does, and be willing to follow.

You say well this is where we struggle.

From time to time this is true.

We as people of faith will not live here.

Who are you listen to and who are you following?

So does peace! We have to be willing to receive it!

GOD: ILLUMINATION (THE GOAL IS TO RESOLVE THE TENSION

I. The Journey of Faith begins with a yes

Luke 1:36-38

36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.

Mary never ask for a sign to confirm the Angel’s words from God

She believed that the Angel was sent from God

She was expressing her faith and trust in God.

37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Many compare Luke 1:37 with Genesis 18:14

The first reading translates, “No promise from God is impossible”; the second, “Nothing is impossible with God

because if the verse recalls Gen. 18:14. If this is the case, then either reading can be translated as “nothing is impossible with God.”

Genesis 18:14: 14 Is anything too hard[a] for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

In either case this is a faith statement to Mary as it was to Sarah. I believe that when God gives us a promise our Lord will fulfill it.

38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Let it be

1:38. Γένοιτο as an aorist optative expresses not so much a wish as it expresses an acceptance that God may do with Mary what he wills. The remark reflects an openness as to when God may do this. Thus, the sentence means, “Let this be whenever he pleases” (Godet 1875: 1.95).

Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke: 1:1–9:50 (Vol. 1, p. 131). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

It meant for Mary that she would surrender herself to what ever God wanted.

It means we will surrender ourselves to Jesus and follow what he wants!

Elizabeth and Zachariah did this as well.

Will we trust Jesus enough to follow and believe the Promises of God.

II. Willingness to step out in faith and confirmation

Luke 1:39-40

A. Mary goes in haste

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,

3) Mary’s departure reflects an instant response to God’s leading.

Haste:

① swiftness of movement or action, haste, speed μετὰ σπουδῆς in haste, in a hurry

Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 939). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

The trip would be between 80-100 miles

Car just under two hours

walk maybe 4-5 days

I have heard others sermons who see this as her moving to see if this is true.

Maybe the news is out and everybody needs a break.

In my heart I am convinced she goes because of her faith not to gain some.

She already trusts God and she is going to someone who understands

Confirmation of what God is doing.

To witness the miracle which gives further evidence. There are times where God calls us into deep water in a life and journey of trust.

40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth

We are not told what the greeting was.

III. The Holy Spirit Moves

Luke 1: 41-45

41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,

Did she recognize the voice of Mary?

We have no Idea when they had gotten together last.

I picture Mary with joy and excitement waiting to see what God will do

She is excited to see Elizabeth pregnant after all these years.

To be barren was considered to be viewed as something wrong in your life.

To be that way for a life time was a challenge. Especially being a priest family or if you will a ministers family.

Now in her 80’s God’s blesses her.

Leap, Leap for joy all an expression of Joy. (God'a action and human response.)

exultation, joy:

ἀγαλλίασις (agalliasis). n. extreme joy, be extremely joyful, extreme gladness, rejoicing greatly. State of intense joy and gladness, often expressed verbally or through bodily movement.

This noun is used five times in the nt. Gabriel tells Zechariah that there will be “joy and great gladness (χαρά σοι καὶ ἀγαλλίασις; chara kai agalliasis)” at John’s birth (Luke 1:14, 44). In Luke’s description of the events that followed the Holy Spirit being poured out at Pentecost, he says that they were continually in the temple, breaking bread from house to house and sharing food in or with great gladness (ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει, en agalliasai) and humility of heart (Acts 2:46).

Litwak, K. D. (2014). Joy. D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The Holy Spirit was active in this moment of celebration.

Filled: : to cause to be completely full, filled full filled

When they filled up the sponge on the cross with sour viniger

Filled fish in a boat and needed a second boat

Zachariah was willed with the spirit and prophesied about his son John

Filled with the Holy Spirit: The presence of God breaks forth in this special moment.

42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

I believe these were words came from God through this moment in the Holy Spirit.

43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Elizabeth is wrapped up in the Holy Spirit, Wrapped up in the gift God had given to her after all these years.

I love to hang with those whom God is blessing and moving through.

She is wrapped up in what is coming.

44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

IV. The Blessing For Faith

45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Elizabeth gives a final blessing to Mary for her faith.

She expresses her own confidence that God will bring to pass everything he revealed.

addresses Mary as fortunate, happy, or blessed.

There is something laudable and beneficial in faith.

Elizabeth expresses the one who believes),

This expression makes Mary an example of faith. She stands in contrast to Zechariah, who was rebuked for lacking trust (1:20).

YOU: APPLICATION (TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO AND WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD)

Conclusion:

Conclusion

What should we take home with us?

It is a surrender by faith saying

Yes I will follow you.

Lord, Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of he throne of my life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen

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