Sermons / November 23, 2025

Passage: Luke 1:39-45; 2:8-20 Sermon series: Walking in the way of Blessing Title: “Blessed are those who receive Good News of Great Joy” Response to God’s Word/ revelation (38-43) Mary embraced Gabriel’s announcement and hurried to go to Elizabeth out of obedience (38-40; John 20:29; contrast with Luke 1:20) John leaped at Mary’s greeting (41, 44; joyful frolicking) The Holy Spirit inspired/ enabled Elizabeth’s response of joy (41-42) What is our posture to God’s Word?  Much of our lack of joy is rooted in our rebellion and resistance or refusal to hurry to obey God’s Word.  The supremacy of the baby in Mary’s womb (41-44) John leaped for joy because of the baby (41, 44; see John 3:30; contrast Gen 25:22-26 where Jacob and Esau are “struggling” in Rachel’s womb) Elizabeth proclaimed blessing on the fruit of Mary’s womb (42b; the promised seed of Gen 3:15!) Elizabeth recognized the work of Yahweh and was humbled (43b) The blessedness of those who receive God’s Word and believe (42, 45) Mary is blessed (eulogētos) - highly favored by God (1:28, 30) The fruit of Mary’s womb is blessed (eulogētos; John 3:16) Mary is blessed (makarios) because she believed that God would do what he said (45) The angel’s proclamation of good news of great joy for all people (2:10-14) Jesus dealt with every effect under the curse in his death and resurrection. Covers our shame (Heb 12:2; Rev 3:18) Comforts our fear and cast it out (2 Tim 1:7; 1 John 4:18) Brings us into relationship so we no longer have to hide (Eph 2:13-21; Heb 4:16) Takes the blame and atones for our sin (Romans 5:1, 9; Heb 9:14; 1 John 2:2) Dies in our place and gives us eternal life (John 3:16; Eph 2:4-5; Col 3:3-4) Main Idea: The key to blessedness is always connected to receiving and believing God’s Word. Those who embrace God’s Word in faith (ultimately Jesus - the Word) are the blessed ones. Faith always stands on God’s character, power, and ability - never our own. Questions for discussion and application: Do you see obedience to God’s Word as an obligation you must fulfill or as an invitation to joy? What does Mary’s response teach us about the joy of obedience? What is your current attitude toward God’s Word? What do Mary and Elizabeth teach us about God’s heart for the humble and needy? How do you think about those who would be considered “lowly”? How does God think about them according to these verses? How does this reorient our thinking about true blessedness? What is your response to the gospel (Good News)? Have you embraced it in faith that what God has said will come to pass (your righteousness and ultimate glorification) or do you question it because you can’t see it? How do these verses instruct us in faith? By what measure is Mary declared blessed? What was the only qualification for her blessedness? Why is belief so important for the the Christian life? What causes you to question God’s promises? Meditate on the list of how Jesus reverses each of the effects of the curse ("not blessed”). Receive his work in faith. Rest in the absolute sufficiency of Jesus. Rejoice that all of God’s promised find their yes in Jesus (2 Cor 1:20). Worship God because he has glorified himself through his Son and ask him to help you enter into this Advent season with joy, expectancy, and awe.