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We live in a world that has mastered the art of complaining. Let’s be honest, it’s really easy to find something to grumble about.

ILLUS – The man marooned on a deserted island with three grass huts.

2. Sadly, it’s really easy for Christians to master the art of complaining too.
3. But we, of all people, have reasons to rejoice and that’s why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
4. Tonight, we will discover what those reasons for rejoicing are so that we may take off the garment of the grumbler and put on the mantle of praise.

Luke 1:39-80

1. After the prophet Malachi, God did not speak to Israel for 400 years. God broke the silence by sending the angel Gabriel to an elderly priest named Zacharias, to let him know that his barren wife, Elizabeth, would give birth to a son; who would be the forerunner to Messiah.
2. Six months into Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God dispatched Gabriel again; this time not to a priest in Jerusalem, but to Elizabeth’s relative, a young woman who lived in a Podunk town called Nazareth.
3. Nazareth was a wicked city with a bad reputation.
a. Nazareth was not a “destination” location but a “just passing through” town, similar to today’s “rest stops” or “truck stops”.
b. As a result, Nazareth was known for its loose living and immoral woman.
4. But in the midst of Nazareth’s perversity, God took notice of a godly young woman, probably 15 to 16 years old, named Mary.
5. What Gabriel told Mary marked the beginning of a new day in human history; a day that would forever change all days thereafter.
6. Gabriel declared that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her, and she would have God’s Son, who would be the Savior of the world.
7. When Mary heard Gabriel’s declaration, she made a declaration of her own, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” (38)

APPL – Mary’s response is an example for us all.
• Mary was not merely surrendering her body so that she could bear a child.
• In Mary’s case, her reputation was at stake.
• Mary could lose her fiancé, Joseph.
• In fact, Mary could lose her very life.
• Yet, when she weighed it all in the balance, she was willing to endure it all because God’s favor was upon her. She submitted to God’s will and to God’s word.
Transition – Next, Luke recorded what happened when Mary visited Elizabeth. From their interaction, we discover why we have reasons to rejoice.

I. Rejoice, We Have a Savior (39-45)

• Ever since the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, all of creation has needed and been waiting for a Savior.
• We were in a bad way; with three enemies waging war against our souls:
o Satan;
o A fallen and bankrupt world;
o Eternal judgment because of our sin.

Ephesians 2:1-2, 12, And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience… having no hope and without God in the world.

Transition – But God was on the move. He made a way for us.

A. God has come to us (39-44)
1. Immediately after Gabriel made his declaration and Mary, with great excitement, left Nazareth and hurried to the home of her relative, Elizabeth. (39-40)
2. The moment Mary opened the door and Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, God gave two signs to confirm that Mary was carrying God’s Son, the Savior of the world. (41, 44)
a. First, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy.
b. Second, the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth and she prophesied about Mary and her Child.

APPL – Now all moms agree that babies move in the womb.

• But Elizabeth didn’t experience the typical baby kick.
• Nor was Elizabeth experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions.
• The baby, who would one day be called John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Spirit the moment Mary greeted Elizabeth and then testified about Jesus Christ for the first time!

Pastor Matthew Dodd
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