Glorify God and Rejoice in Him

(Luke 1:39-55)

The Holy Spirit inside of us bears witness to the truth, glorifies God and rejoices in His faithfulness.

The Holy Spirit within Elizabeth, bears witness through her, in a loud voice, to the fact that Mary has
been blessed by God due to her faith in Him (Luke 1:41-45)

How do you think Elizabeth’s word’s affected Mary?

Mary’s reasons to rejoice

Her personal spiritual salvation

“My spirit rejoices in God my savior” (Luke 1:47)

Note: “my savior”, seems to negate concept of “Immaculate Conception”, if Mary were
sinless, why would she require salvation.

Do you rejoice in the hope of your salvation through Our Lord Jesus Christ?

Therefore, now that we have been declared righteous as a result of faith, let us enjoy
peace with God through Our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have gained
our approach by faith into his undeserved kindness in which we now stand; and let us
exult, based on hope of the glory of God. (Rom. 5:1-2)

Recognition that God knows and cares about her personally

“for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant/handmaid” (Luke 1:46)

Singing brother story - You are my sunshine

Knowing someone cares for us is vital to our ability to endure and prosper

Recognition that she has been chosen by God to be used by Him in a wonderful way to further
His Plan for the salvation of all (Luke 1:28-33, 50, 54-55)

Note: Mary’s reference to the promise to Abraham suggests that she had some familiarity with
the Scriptures

Mary reacts to God’s blessings with joy, not pride

The Gospel of Luke, written to Theophilis, a Roman official, serves as a guide/warning that God
favors the humble and breaks the proud.

This is proof that God is no respecter of persons. He is looking for a humble vessel that he can use for
his glory. It is wonderful that God can take nobody’s and make somebody’s out of them. God is not
looking for wealth, rank or honor. He is looking for a humble heart, a lowly servant who is willing to
be used for His glory.
 On one occasion an orchestra presented Handel’s “Messiah” so beautifully that the applause was
thunderous, and everyone turned toward the composer. Handel stood up and with his finger pointing
upward, silently indicated that the glory should be given to God rather than to himself. That is exactly
what the virgin Mary did as she talked to Elizabeth. It is as if she were saying, “Don’t praise me, but
magnify the Lord who is my Savior.”

Hannah’s Song/Prayer is similar to Mary’s (1 Sam. 2:1-10)

How can we bring glory to God?

By the life we choose to lead

Mary said, “My soul (Greek, psykhe, meaning life, entire self) magnifies/glorifies/declares the
greatness of the Lord” (Luke 1:46)

God’s blessings are “magnified” (enlarged, brought into focus, made more visible) when
we rejoice in Him.

When should God’s people rejoice in the Lord?

Always (Phil. 4:4, 1 Thes. 5:16)

Even in hard times

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive
shall fail, and the fields shall yield no food; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there
shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my
salvation." (Habbakkuk 3:17-18)

“It is well with my soul” song/ship illustration