The Magnificat
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | December 1, 2024
Turn to Luke 1:46-56, our text for this Christmas message, “The Magnificat.” The Bible says: “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.” Let’s pray: Father, thank You for this great group, the children in junior church, the nursery, the fellowship, and time in Your Word. Bless our guests, the saved, the baptized, and those yet to trust Christ. Help anyone here or online unsure of heaven to experience the new birth today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God Does Great Things
Gabriel told Mary, a mid-teen virgin engaged to Joseph, she’d bear God’s Son—Jesus, Emmanuel, Savior of the world. She visited Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and they rejoiced. Mary’s reply, the Magnificat, begins, “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (v. 46). She brags on God, not herself: “He that is mighty hath done to me great things” (v. 49). God chose her—unknown, humble—to birth the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14). When I couldn’t reach Him, He came to me! God still does great things. He saved me from hell, gave me a Father, a calling to preach, a church to pastor, souls to win, a family—all because I said, like Mary (v. 38), “Be it unto me according to thy word.” Christmas reminds us: God notices you—say yes to His great things!
God Has Grace for All
God’s great things reveal His grace. Mary said, “He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden” (v. 48) and “His mercy is on them that fear him” (v. 50). Christmas starts John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…”—the greatest God, love, gift, promise to the greatest sinners. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says Christ became poor so we’d be rich in grace. I weep reflecting on this—amid trouble, God’s goodness shines. If you don’t know Jesus, why not trust Him today for everlasting life? 2 Peter 3:9—God wills none perish, but all repent. His grace covers every life, every sin.
God Has Generations in Mind
Mary said, “From henceforth all generations shall call me blessed” (v. 48) and God’s mercy spans “from generation to generation” (v. 50). We’re that generation now! How will future ones know Mary’s blessing or God’s mercy? We must tell them (Psalm 78:4-7). My generation told me, a teen like Mary, about Jesus—now we tell the world. Recently, I met a nurse who believed in God but didn’t know the new birth (John 3:3). I gave her a tract, hoping she’d read it, visit church, and trust Christ. Who among us will boldly confess Jesus, the true Christmas meaning, to this generation?
A Call to Respond
God does great things—say, “Be it unto me according to thy word.” He has grace for all—trust Him today. He calls this generation—tell others! If you’re here or online, unsure of heaven, confess Jesus as Savior. Like that nurse, don’t miss the new birth. Stand, join this generation serving Him—let’s share His eternal life with the world!