Message Notes

BWS MESSAGE OUTLINE 20 DECEMBER 2020
(To be recorded on 13 December 2020)
Title: “His mercy is on those who fear Him”
Text: Luke 1:46-55

INTRODUCTION

1. Christmas 2020

a. Christmas 2020 is a little different

i. We cannot have the usual programmes in church

ii. We cannot have big family gatherings

b. A difficult year ahead

i. Some of us may be afraid of the year to come

ii. COVID-19 presents all kinds of challenges for the country

2. We can still celebrate Christmas meaningfully

a. Because we have a God of mercy

b. He will help those who are lowly, poor and downtrodden

3. The story of Mary

a. She was also from a poor family

b. Yet she found great joy and meaning in God

c. She experienced the mercy of God in a special way

THE MERCY OF GOD

1. Seen in the person of God

a. He is a God of mercy Luke 1:50,54

b. Expressions of His mercy Luke 1:51,54

i. Strength

ii. Help

2. Seen in the history of the nation of Israel

a. Israel faced trouble from their enemies many times

b. God saved them repeatedly Luke 1:54

3. Seen towards the individual

a. Those who fear Him Luke 1:50, 52,53

i. Those who have a humble and lowly heart before God

ii. Those who depend on God

iii. Eg. The lowly; the hungry

b. Some do not fear Him Luke 1:51-53

i. Those who feel they do not need God

ii. Eg. The proud, the mighty, the rich

c. Extension of His mercy through the generations

i. From generation to generation Luke 1:50

ii. His mercy extends through the years

THE GREATEST EXPRESSION OF MERCY

1. The greatest expression of mercy is in our salvation

2. God has given us a Saviour at that first Christmas

3. The Lord Jesus

a. He saves us from our sins

b. He leads us to heaven

CONCLUSION

1. A deep and heartfelt response to the Lord

a. “My soul magnifies the Lord” Luke 1:46-47

b. “And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour”

2. We can enter into the same spirit of joy that Mary had

a. We may not have the same experience as Mary

b. But we have the same God

c. And God has been wonderfully merciful to us

3. This Christmas

a. Let us rejoice in our merciful God!

b. Let us praise our God!