“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Luke 1:25
1. Reproach of people
a) This was felt keenly
b) This was borne for years
c) It was wrong to reproach the barren!
2. Removal of reproach
a) This was attributed to the Lord
b) The Lord had looked upon her favourably
c) This was cause for rejoicing
A SPECIAL JOY FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT
“And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 1:41
1. The special ministry of the Holy Spirit
2. The special effect on Baby John in the womb of his mother Elizabeth
“The babe leaped in my womb for joy” Luke 1:44
3. The special inspiration of the Holy Spirit on Elizabeth
a) Blessed are you among women (Luke 1:42)
b) And blessed is the fruit of your womb (Luke 1:42)
c) Blessed is she who believed…
For there will be fulfilment of those things which were told her from the Lord (Luke 1:45)
COMMUNITY JOY
“When her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.” Luke 1:57