1. The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)
(magnify the Lord)
The only way to make His name greater is to proclaim that greatness.
a. this song came after Mary had visited Elizabeth. There is no greater joy than when spiritual things are shared by fellow believers.
b. Mary knew her Scriptures!
    1. Hannah (46-49)
    2. Psalms (50-54)
    3. Abraham (55)
c. Mary's utter humility. Mary had a recognition of her own need of salvation.


2. The Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79)
(Blessed be the Lord)
a. Zechariah's reason to sing was to proclaim God's plan of redemption through Jesus. (68)
b. Old Testament fulfillment

1. family of David (69)
2. horn of salvation from our enemies (71)
3. oath to Abraham (73)

c. purpose for his own son (76-79


3. the Nunc Dimitis (Luke 2:29-33)
(now dismiss)
Encountering Jesus means that the meaning of death suddenly changes.
It also means that the meaning of life on earth also changes.

Incarnation: God becoming flesh
When God chose to speak to man, the Word He used was Jesus.

What we know about the Word
1. The Word was from the beginning.
2. The Word was with God.
3. Creation took place through the Word.
4. The Word is the source of life.
“The Word became flesh.”
It is important to believe the right things about Jesus.
Jesus was a man. (I John 4:2-3; II John 7)
Jesus is the Christ. I John 2:22, 4:14-15; 5:5)

“He made His dwelling among us.”
When Jesus was born, the whole world became the tabernacle of God.


“We have seen His glory.”
Even as a baby, the glory of God could not be hidden.


“full of grace and truth.”
​coincides with Christ's divinity and His humanity
Grace- God's unmerited favor
Truth- God's uncompromising justice

What you need to realize to have victory over temptation:
1. It is not a sin to be tempted.
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.”


Temptation is not the opportunity to do wrong, it is having the desire to do wrong.
Even Jesus was tempted. (Heb. 4:15)


The difference between a tempting thought and a sinful thought is the duration. (II Corinthians 10:5)


2. No sin is irresistible.
“He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”


This verse isn't necessarily talking about problems and difficult times you are going through. It is talking specifically about temptations.
you are facing.


3. God will help you resist temptation.
“when you are tempted, He will provide a way out.”
God is not the source of temptation, He is the solution. (James 1:13-14)

God's attitude is not “prove to me how strong you are,” It is “let Me show you how strong I can help you be.”

If you become a Christian, you will enter into battle every day.

The advantages of being right
1. Credibility- a track record of being right
2. Respect- valued for your reasoning, knowledge and experience.


Being right can become more important to you than being righteous.
Rightness turns into self-righteousness.

Paul's rightness- vs. 4-6
Paul's righteousness – vs. 7-9

Rightness compared to righteousness is like eating garbage!

Often, our behavior becomes the basis for our righteousness, rather than the reflection of it.

Why we fail
1. Control
2. Validation

Knowing Jesus is all you need to feel good about yourself.

We need to be willing to give up the advantages of being right.

When we do, what usually happens is that those advantages make their way back to you.

It is more than enough, to gain Christ and to be found in Him.