Mary's Magnificat: A Heartfelt Expression of Worship

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the profound depth of Mary's Magnificat, a hymn of praise that reveals much about her character and the nature of God. We began by reflecting on the importance of internalizing Scripture, as Mary did, which allows us to draw upon God's Word in our prayers and praises. Mary's song is not mere lip service; it is a heartfelt expression of adoration, magnifying the Lord from the depths of her being. This is a reminder that true worship is not about going through the motions but about a genuine connection with God.

Mary's hymn is rich in theological insight, revealing her understanding of God as mighty, holy, and merciful. She acknowledges her lowly state and the incredible honor bestowed upon her, recognizing that the Almighty has done great things for her. This acknowledgment of God's might and holiness is coupled with an understanding of His mercy, which is extended to those who fear Him. This fear is not about being frightened but about reverence and awe, the foundation of true worship and the beginning of wisdom.

We also discussed the cultural tendency to depersonalize God, reducing Him to a mere force or higher power. However, God is personal, with a name and a character that demands reverence. His mercy is not infinite in the sense of being indiscriminate; it is extended to those who revere Him. This is a sobering reminder of the importance of maintaining a posture of reverence and awe before God.

Finally, we touched on the imagery of God's strength, as depicted in the Bible, and how it is demonstrated through His mighty acts. This strength is not just raw power but is imbued with holiness and mercy, a combination that should inspire us to worship with all our heart and soul.

Key Takeaways:

- Internalizing Scripture, as Mary did, enriches our prayers and praises, allowing us to draw upon God's Word in our expressions of worship. This practice helps us move beyond mere lip service to a genuine connection with God. [05:02]

- True worship is not about going through the motions but about a heartfelt expression of adoration, as demonstrated by Mary's Magnificat. Her song is a reminder that worship should come from the depths of our being, magnifying the Lord with sincerity. [06:42]

- God's mercy is extended to those who fear Him, not in the sense of being frightened, but in reverence and awe. This fear is the foundation of true worship and the beginning of wisdom, reminding us of the importance of maintaining a posture of reverence before God. [25:34]

- Depersonalizing God as a mere force or higher power diminishes His personal nature and character. God is personal, with a name and attributes that demand reverence, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging His holiness and might. [22:10]

- The imagery of God's strength, as depicted in the Bible, is not just about raw power but is imbued with holiness and mercy. This combination should inspire us to worship with all our heart and soul, recognizing the mighty acts of God in our lives. [32:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:16] - Prayer for Understanding
- [02:51] - Congregational Quiz
- [03:06] - Memorizing Scripture
- [04:03] - Mary's Scriptural Knowledge
- [05:18] - The Depth of Mary's Praise
- [06:42] - True Worship vs. Lip Service
- [08:19] - The Nature of Praise Music
- [09:15] - Mary's Need for a Savior
- [10:52] - Mary's Unique Privilege
- [12:24] - The Original Cinderella Story
- [17:55] - The Power of Being Noticed
- [19:18] - Attributes of God in the Magnificat
- [21:17] - The Personal Nature of God
- [24:05] - The Mercy of God
- [29:05] - The Strength of God's Arm
- [32:51] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:46-55 - Mary's Magnificat
2. 1 Samuel 2:1-10 - Hannah's Prayer
3. Psalm 103:17-18 - The Lord's Mercy on Those Who Fear Him

#### Observation Questions
1. What similarities can be found between Mary's Magnificat and Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10? How do these similarities reflect the practice of internalizing Scripture? [04:03]
2. In the Magnificat, how does Mary describe her own state and the actions of God towards her? What does this reveal about her understanding of God's character? [10:52]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Mary using the term "my Savior" in her hymn? [09:15]
4. How does the sermon describe the cultural tendency to depersonalize God, and what are the implications of this tendency? [22:10]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Mary's acknowledgment of her "lowly state" and God's "great things" for her challenge our understanding of humility and divine favor? [12:02]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between reverence for God and receiving His mercy? How does this relate to the concept of fearing God? [25:34]
3. How does the imagery of God's strength, as depicted in the Magnificat, differ from the common cultural perceptions of power? [29:05]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that internalizing Scripture can transform our worship and prayer life? [05:02]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own practice of internalizing Scripture. What steps can you take this week to memorize a passage that resonates with you, and how might this impact your prayer life? [05:02]
2. Consider the ways in which you might be offering "lip service" in your worship. What changes can you make to ensure your worship is a heartfelt expression of adoration? [06:42]
3. How do you currently perceive God's mercy in your life? Identify a specific area where you can cultivate a deeper reverence and awe for God, and how might this change your experience of His mercy? [25:34]
4. Think about a time when you have depersonalized God in your thoughts or actions. How can you work towards acknowledging His personal nature and character in your daily life? [22:10]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing God's strength as imbued with holiness and mercy. How can this understanding inspire you to worship with all your heart and soul this week? [32:33]
6. Identify a specific way you can demonstrate reverence for God in your interactions with others. How might this influence your relationships and witness to those around you? [27:43]
7. Reflect on the cultural influences that may lead you to view God as an impersonal force. What practical steps can you take to counteract this tendency and deepen your personal relationship with God? [22:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Internalizing Scripture for Genuine Worship
Internalizing Scripture, as Mary did, enriches our prayers and praises, allowing us to draw upon God's Word in our expressions of worship. This practice helps us move beyond mere lip service to a genuine connection with God. Mary's Magnificat is a profound example of how deeply ingrained Scripture can transform our worship. Her song is not just a recitation of words but a heartfelt expression of her understanding and relationship with God. By internalizing Scripture, we allow it to shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions, leading to a more authentic and meaningful worship experience. [05:02]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What specific Scripture can you commit to memorizing this week to deepen your connection with God in worship?


Day 2: Heartfelt Worship from the Depths of Our Being
True worship is not about going through the motions but about a heartfelt expression of adoration, as demonstrated by Mary's Magnificat. Her song is a reminder that worship should come from the depths of our being, magnifying the Lord with sincerity. Mary's praise was not superficial; it was a reflection of her deep love and reverence for God. This kind of worship requires us to engage our hearts fully, allowing our genuine emotions and gratitude to flow freely in adoration of God. [06:42]

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." (John 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that your worship is a genuine expression of your heart rather than just a routine activity?


Day 3: Reverence and Awe as the Foundation of Worship
God's mercy is extended to those who fear Him, not in the sense of being frightened, but in reverence and awe. This fear is the foundation of true worship and the beginning of wisdom, reminding us of the importance of maintaining a posture of reverence before God. Reverence is about recognizing God's holiness and majesty, which leads us to approach Him with humility and respect. This attitude is essential for cultivating a deep and meaningful relationship with God, as it opens our hearts to His wisdom and guidance. [25:34]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God in your daily life?


Day 4: Acknowledging God's Personal Nature and Character
Depersonalizing God as a mere force or higher power diminishes His personal nature and character. God is personal, with a name and attributes that demand reverence, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging His holiness and might. Recognizing God as a personal being with whom we can have a relationship changes the way we interact with Him. It encourages us to seek Him earnestly, knowing that He is not distant but intimately involved in our lives. [22:10]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: How does acknowledging God's personal nature change the way you approach Him in prayer and worship?


Day 5: Worship Inspired by God's Strength, Holiness, and Mercy
The imagery of God's strength, as depicted in the Bible, is not just about raw power but is imbued with holiness and mercy. This combination should inspire us to worship with all our heart and soul, recognizing the mighty acts of God in our lives. God's strength is demonstrated through His acts of love, justice, and compassion, which reveal His character and invite us to respond with awe and gratitude. By focusing on these attributes, we can deepen our worship and appreciation for who God is and what He has done. [32:33]

"Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate the recognition of God's strength, holiness, and mercy into your daily worship practices?

Quotes



and the more we ingest scripture and hide it in our hearts memorize it become familiar with it we will find that when we are praying again and again we will turn to the language of the word of god itself and this is modeled for us in this marvelous hymn by mary herself [00:04:55]

one of the things that the scripture warns about more than once is the danger dear friends of rendering to god mere lip service going through the motions wrote worship where we say the words and we confess with our mouths while our hearts remain far from him [00:06:01]

mary is not simply giving lip service to god but this song of praise and adoration is welling up out of the depths of her being she says my soul magnifies the lord not that god could become any greater or enlarged than he already is but what she says here when she says my soul magnifies him [00:06:38]

and his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation here in the magnificat mary mentions specifically three attributes of god he is mighty he is holy and he is merciful the one who has recognized her is the almighty one the one who possesses all power on heaven and earth [00:19:39]

he is the one who is mighty now notice this in passing that so often in our culture when people speak of god they do so in really meaningless terms people will speak about a power a higher power a force greater than yourself there's hardly any difference between that kind of language and the language of an animist practitioner [00:21:06]

but the god who is is the god who has a name he's not simply a power though he has all power he is he he who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name again how beautiful is this description of the character of god god mary is saying is so holy so transcendentally majestic [00:22:41]

and his mercy is on those who fear him don't miss the impact of those words the one from whom we receive mercy beloved is the almighty one the omnipotent one the holy one how else could we exist in the presence of the holy one except by mercy but that mercy is not infinite [00:24:06]

we're so amazed at the wideness and the extent of god's mercy and kindness and grace that we say it's so wonderful it's so great why it's infinite well if it's infinite it has no bounds that god says i will have mercy on whom i will have mercy and he does not extend that mercy to everyone [00:24:47]

those who fear him now here it's not in the sense of fear of being frightened like you would be by a burglar or by a ghost but it's fear in the sense of reverence in the sense of awe in the sense of adoration this is why we're here on sunday morning to come here to worship god [00:25:37]

the world is filled with people who have no sense of reverence for god at all no respect no aw no adoration they could care less in fact they show their irreverence by how they use his name how could somebody have any fear of god any reverence for god whatsoever and use his name as a curse word [00:26:44]

generations come and go they pass but throughout all the ages one thing is constant that the lord is merciful to those who revere him it's interesting that she mentions this in the middle of a hymn that is filled with reverence and filled with adoration he has shown strength with his arm [00:28:20]

he said moses has the arm of the lord waxed short moses who do you think you're talking to do you think i'm a god with a withered arm do you think i'm a 97 pound weakling that bullies kick sand in my face as the arm of the lord waxed short moses you will see if what i say comes to pass [00:31:56]

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Transcript
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