A Season of Promise

Sermon Scripture

Luke 1:26–56 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

[34] And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

[35] And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. [36] And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. [37] For nothing will be impossible with God.” [38] And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

[39] In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, [40] and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. [41] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, [42] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [43] And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

[46] And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
[47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

[48] for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

[49] for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

[50] And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.

[51] He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

[52] he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;

[53] he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

[54] He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,

[55] as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

[56] And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Sermon Outline

1. Promises of Old
2. Promises Believed
3. Promises of Today