In the sermon titled "Mary's Song," Don Bell explores the significance of Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), focusing on themes of divine grace, worship, and the humility of God's chosen servant. He highlights Mary's recognition of her lowly status and her utter dependence on God as her Savior, asserting the Reformed doctrine of total depravity by affirming that she, like all believers, needed salvation. Scriptures such as Luke 1:47, where Mary proclaims, "my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior," exemplify the personal and communal aspects of salvation and worship. The sermon emphasizes that true worship stems from the heart and is characterized by a deep, spontaneous joy that comes from recognizing God’s mighty acts throughout history. This sentiment echoes the Reformed understanding of God's sovereignty in salvation and the importance of acknowledging His merciful interventions in the lives of believers.
Key Quotes
“When glorious things happen to the Lord's people, they often, especially, break out in song.”
“She had joy and peace in believing just exactly like we do.”
“The business of salvation is a lifelong salvation.”
“He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Mary recognized her need for a Savior, indicating she was a sinner like all of humanity.
In Luke 1:47, Mary proclaims, 'My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior,' which highlights her acknowledgment of her own sinfulness and need for salvation. She was part of Adam's fallen lineage and required the same grace that all people do. This understanding underscores her humility and the necessity of grace in her life, aligning with the Reformed view that all humans are born sinners in need of divine mercy and intervention.
Luke 1:47
God's mercy is evident in His choice to regard the lowly and save the humble.
Mary's song in Luke 1:50 declares that 'His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.' This reflects God's continuous grace throughout history, particularly towards the humble and the needy. The Reformed tradition emphasizes the sovereign mercy of God, who actively chooses to show compassion and grace to those who are lowly. In salvation, God fulfills His promise of mercy as He saves sinners by His grace alone, without any prerequisite merit on their part.
Luke 1:50
Recognizing our lowly state fosters humility and dependence on God's grace for salvation.
Mary's declaration in Luke 1:48, 'For he hath regarded the lowest state of his handmaiden,' emphasizes the importance of seeing ourselves accurately in relation to God's holiness. Acknowledging our true state as sinners brings about a spirit of humility, which is essential for true worship. Reformed theology teaches that until we recognize our need for grace, we cannot genuinely receive it. This humility turns our hearts towards God, leading to true salvation and a deeper understanding of His mercy and love.
Luke 1:48
Worshiping in spirit and truth involves joyfully acknowledging God's sovereignty and grace.
True worship is a response of the spirit to God’s revelation and grace. Mary exemplifies this by magnifying the Lord in her soul as seen in Luke 1:46. Worship that pleases God comes from a heart that understands its need for grace and recognizes God's attributes—His might, mercy, and love. The Reformed perspective suggests that genuine worship is characterized by an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty, leading to spontaneous joy and praise. This reflects a deeper relationship with Christ and an understanding of His work in our lives.
Luke 1:46
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