ARM Prison Outreach International

"Ministers’ Minute" Volume V Number 12

Christ's Birth Brings Revolutions! Luke 1:26-56

Editor’s Note: This "MM" is an email sermon, the 12th of 2006 --72nd overall-- in a series we are sending as an encouragement to preachers and Christian workers around the world. This message is a sermon Gary Kins prepared and preached as Christmas time approached in 2003. It is my prayer that this message will encourage you and honor God. Use it as a devotional, edit it, share it, use it or components of it! May God bless your labors! -- Rod Farthing, Development Director

ARM QUICK FACT:

ARM's Rapha House in Cambodia now has 56 Girls!

Dear Sourm is the Rapha House Administrator. Here are some excerpts from his November letter:

ARM Rapha House report of the activities from October 23 to November 23, 2006. During this period of time all the girls at the center continued their Education-- public school, Vocational training such as knitting, hair dressing, sewing, Health education, Bible study. All the girls also received training course on counseling with 2 volunteers and staff on individual and group therapy, many time with art sessions they are very happy with this sessions. There are 2 volunteers from JFCI are staying at Rapha House from 5th November to the end of January. At the center they are able to help to do group therapy, play therapy, teaching English to the girls once every day. Beside this they help with some other work for staff as well. Vocational training, Sewing class grade one, there are 17 girls finished the course and gratuated and gave certificate, This course started from 1st May to November 2006. They are able to do more work in sewing but still countinue to learn more topic related to sewing. The playground for volleyball and basketball and tennis is finshed-- all the girls play every day and they like it very much. 3 girls officially left the center with papers signed between the parent and the staff; there are 3 girls also refered from World Hope to the center -- as of today there 56 girls.

ARM is ministering to needy girls in Battambang, Cambodia through the Rapha House. These girls have been victimized in the human slave trade. Some are as young as 6 years of age. As the number of girls grows in our new building, we need more operational support. Thanks!

Gifts of any size may be sent to ARM Rapha House, Rt. 5 Box 159, Salem, MO 65560.

Christ's Birth Brings Revolutions! Luke 1:26-56

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-38
Mary's Magnificat: Luke 1:46-56

1. Mary: Prominent figure of the Bible often neglected in churches known as Protestant.

2. God's Chosen Person: Mary, the mother of Jesus; Luke 1:26-45
    A. Virgin betrothed to Joseph.
    B. Living in Nazareth of Galilee
    C. Pious Disciple of God -

Elements of twelve different Scriptures used in her song (1:46-55) and these impressions drawn from Scripture demonstrate a high quality Bible knowledge on her part when for the most part women were not encouraged to be scholars.

D. Unimpeachable reputation - "How can this be, I am a virgin"

E. Genealogies: Many scholars believe that Matthew's is the Legal Line through Joseph and that Luke's account is the physical line through Mary linking Jesus to the throne of David in both aspects; one from His adoptive father, Joseph and through His mother Mary.

2. God's Special Envoy: Gabriel - Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26

A." Greetings, favored One, the Lord is with you."
B. She should now know clearly God's purpose --don't you think?

3. Mary's Perspective: Not an easy choice

        A. Must continue to live in Nazareth?
        B. What would her parents think and say?
        C. What would her beloved Joseph think and say?
        D. How would she respond to questions about her pregnancy? (Supernatural truth may not be believed)
        E. Would she be thrown out of the synagogue and separated from the fellowship?

4. Remember: She didn't have the Christmas story yet. The shepherds, the magi, the miracles, the teachings of her Son all lay in the future.

5. All she had was her faith and the promise of God and her response was: "Whatever God says is okay by me."

6. Nicole suggests that her impromptu visit with her relative Elizabeth may have been a necessary flight from Nazareth. Nevertheless, she receives refuge and encouragement from her kinsman in the hill country.

7. Mary's Thanksgiving outpoured is reflected in Mary's Song which has become known as the Magnificat.
        A. She praises is God for His kindness towards her - 46-49
        B. She praises God for His goodness to all mankind - 50-53
        C. She praises God for His special consideration of Israel - 54,55

8. This beautiful hymn of Mary also speaks directly to us about the consequences of the birth of her son upon the world.

I. The Birth of Christ Brings A Moral Revolution to Our World - 1:51
" He scatters the proud in the plans of their hearts"

1. When we compare ourselves to the Son of God not one of us measures up to God's expectations.

2. Compared to the model of the Second Adam we are all flawed individuals.

3. No person can rely upon their own righteousness because it is as filthy rags in comparison to Jesus.
    A. We are who we think ourselves to be
    B. We are who others perceive us to be.
    C. But we really are who God knows us to be.

4. Jesus the Christ shows us who we really are and who we can become - remade, reborn by God.

II. The Birth of Christ Brings A Social Revolution to Our World - 1:52
"He casts down the mighty; He exalts the humble"

1. Christian is a name that makes all people equal.

2. Christianity is not a religion of titles, labels, or prestige.

3. Christ brings worth to every person.

4. Muretus was a wandering scholar during the middle ages. While in Italy he contracted an illness and was placed in a hospital for waifs and vagrants. Some doctors were discussing his case in Latin saying, "Let's use this worthless wanderer for medical experiments." Muretus answering in the Latin tongue said, "Call no man worthless for whom Christ died."

5. When we realize the truth of that statement we will no longer call any person "common" for we are all uncommon, peculiar people in the eyes of God.

III. The Birth of Jesus Brings An Economic Revolution To Our World - 1:53
"He has filled those who are hungry & sent the rich away empty"

1. A market driven society makes all it can, cans all it gets and sits on the lid.

2. A Christ driven society looks to make all that it can, share all that it gets and use wealth to benefit all who are in need.

3. This Christian principle is illustrated by the giving of manna in the wilderness. The people were given a one day supply except on weekends when they received a two day supply. If a person tried to can any it spoiled.

A. Lesson: All selfishly hoarded wealth corrupts.
B. Remember: "Give us this daily bread."

4. The birth of Christ challenges us to use our worldly goods as a means to benefit the needy.

5. We are our brother's keeper economically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

IV. The Birth of Jesus Brings A Spiritual Revolution To Our World - 1:54,55
"He remembered His promise to Abraham & all of his seed forever"

1. Gabriel foretold it - Luke 1:26-33

" And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus (Jehovah is Salvation). "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High;( The Son of God) and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;(Prince of Peace) and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." (the beginning of an eternal kingdom)

2. Elizabeth proclaimed it - Luke 1:39-45

"Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (prophetic voice of truth) And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! "And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord (recognition of the Messiah before He was born) would come to me? "For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."(Attitude of obedience will bring God's action to fulfillment)

3. Mary acknowledged it - Luke 1:46-50

"And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. (Salvation is a reason for rejoicing in the Lord) "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; (true humility is used by God to bless His world) And holy is His name. (His name is unique and special - set apart from all others) "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. (mercy is realized by all those who reverence Him)

1. The day of Legalistic religion is revealed to be a forgery.

2. The day of viewing God as the Cosmic Policeman, is a bogus view and ended with the birth of Jesus.

3. In the day of salvation God reveals through Jesus that Christianity is a religion of grace and love.

4. The birth of Jesus the Christ challenges us to forget forever the world's most common prayer, " Lord change things to suit me." and pray the world's greatest prayer: "Thy will be done; be it unto me according to thy word." as expressed first by Mary the mother of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, Prince of Peace, Lord of lords.

5. Christmas is a celebration of a revolution.
    A. Revolution in individuals who will simply trust God.
    B. Revolution in individuals who will walk to His cadence.
    C. Revolution in individuals who will turn this world upside down for Him.

6. Every Christian must be part of God's great invasion of our planet by taking the revolutionary plan of Jesus        out into our world:
    Reduce our pride & surrender ourselves to God's will.
        Recognize the worth of every individual on the face of this planet.
            Respond to needy like they were Jesus.
                Remember that He is still a God of promise and is building His church just like always so be                         Christians only in name, words and conduct.

Sermon Project
1. Tell someone about the character qualities that you see in them that are positive models to follow and            thank them for being a witness for Jesus.

2. Do something nice for some stranger in the name of Jesus.

3. Purpose in your heart to talk to someone about Jesus this week.

4. Determine to have a regular reading plan or listening plan to get you into the Word.

Have a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year. ><> Gary the Kins, son of Verle, grandson of Arthur, defender of the faith, proclaimer of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ, the living Son of God.

"Praise be to God for what and Who He has given to us, which our words have no power to accurately or adequately describe." 2 Corinthians 9:15 paraphrase by Kinserdahl