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Let Us Rejoice Like Mary – Luke 1:46-47

One of the most resonating testimonies a Christian can share with the world is his reason for joy. Joy is supernatural, caused not by circumstances, but by the power of God. We are beginning a new series in Luke on the nature of the Christian’s joy by looking to the example of Mary, a young betrothed virgin who was told by an angel that she would bear the Messiah. As we imagine the events of this account, it is helpful to keep in mind that the author Luke was an exacting historian, who went to painstaking ends to provide an accurate and thorough account of Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote of events that were just as miraculous as they were true. Mary was in no easy situation, but she accepted it as the will of God and rejoiced.
How did Mary become so joyful? How come she did not complain and say, “Why me?” Would we be able to rejoice if we were in her position? One thing that is essential to note is Mary’s faith. From her first encounter with the angel, Mary surrendered to God’s Will. Furthermore, we see in Mary’s Magnificat that she was a young woman who was well versed in Scripture (her song of praise echoes Hannah’s prayer). Mary’s joy was not spontaneous- it was based on a faith that does not trust in oneself, but trusts in God, His Word, and His promises. The result of walking by faith will always be joy. If you have faith, then you are equipped to have joy.
What is the nature of joy?
Biblical joy is internal. Joy is not based on circumstances. It comes from within, so it can never be taken away. Joy is spiritual and internal. Since fallen man is dead in spirit, he must first be made alive in spirit in order to rejoice. Mary worshipped God in spirit, and with all her soul she exalted and magnified God.
Biblical joy and peace always go together. Mary was at peace because she accepted all that God offered through Jesus Christ. Man cannot have any peace without peace with God through Jesus. Joy brings assurance, because joy is a settle certainty that God is in control. Joy comes with contentment, because one who has Christ has everything. Mary needed Christ as her Savior, just as all men do. What is life, but to prepare for eternity? In Christ, we can have perfect contentment as we are at peace with God.
Our joy becomes our offering to God. Joy is more than being satisfied and happy- it is the act of worship. There can be no worship without joy, therefore, being joyless in a serious sin. Even if we had nothing in the world, God has given us a perfect reason to be joyful because of we are saved. You must remember that if you fail to rejoice in your salvation, nothing else will be able to give you joy.
What causes us to be joyless? Christians lose joy when they are not willing to forgive and be reconciled to their brother. If we have been forgiven by God, we must be quick to forgive our fellow brother. Being joyless indicates that you are not trusting God, but worshipping another idol. When you fail to rejoice in God, you will seek other ways to find joy. We must not lose our joy in Jesus Christ. Joy is a gift of God that becomes our offering and worship to Him. This is the theology of joy.
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Biblical Faith is Long Lasting – Hebrews 11:22

In this verse, we see Joseph at the end of his life, similar to his father in the previous verse. Last week, we learned that faith finishes well. Through Joseph, we learn that true biblical faith is long lasting. From a young age, Joseph had received dreams from God and gone through numerous situations and was ultimately used by God to save his family and the world from famine. Throughout his whole life, Joseph faith was always active, present and lasting.

Many people understand faith as a means to overcome hardships. From a biblical and larger perspective, faith is actually a means to overcome sin. Only by faith can we see how large and dangerous sin is and also see that only God is able to overcome sin. By faith, we see that Satan is behind sin, but we also see God is sovereign and in control of all things, even Satan.

How to have long lasting faith?
Joseph ‘made mention’ which means, he remembered God’s promises. Joseph remembered God’s word to his father’s. A long lasting faith will always remember God’s word. The unfaithful and the worldly forget God’s word and seek after the new. We see the Bible emphasizing the importance of remembering what God has said (Joshua 4:5-6, Luke 15:17, Luke 17:32, Luke 22:19). In the Bible, those who remembered were saved, such as Rahab and Peter (Mt 26:75), while others forgot and were doomed, like Hiel (1 Ki 16:34) and Judas (Mt 27:7).

Do you remember God’s promises? In your daily life, do you remember the words you read from His word? What about the words you heard from last week’s sermon? For your faith to be active and lasting, we must know and remember God’s words (1 Jn 3:14-15) Joseph remembered God’s promise to Abraham, that his children would return to the land of Canaan. It was a promise made hundreds of years ago and promise which would not be fulfilled in hundreds more. The Israelites were flourishing in Egypt. Why would they leave? Yet, Joseph asked to be buried with his fathers, knowing that it was God’s word which had accomplished everything up to now, and God’s promise would also be fulfilled in the future.

Do we practice our faith in the same manner as Joseph? What hinders our remembering of God’s word? It is a love of the world and the things in it. We are slow, fearful and compromising because we love the world more than we love Jesus Christ. Even though the world crucified Jesus; we love that world. We don’t love Christ so we don’t remember Him. We are in need of a recalibration in our love. We didn’t start out this way.  Our beginning at conversion was full of passion. The gospel was fresh in our hearts. What have we forgotten?

Devotion to God’s Word
To remember God’s promises, we must devote ourselves to them (Acts 2: 42) Our days must be filled with deep meditations (Ps 1:1-2). When gathering with the church, our fellowship must be filled with the talk of Jesus Christ. Also, our prayers must be through the Scriptures we read.

Hope actualizes faith
Joseph gave orders concerning his bones. This order was based on the hope he held in God’s word. Hope is not wish thinking or a positive mindset. It’s not just delayed disappointment. Hope is the fuel for faith (Heb 11:1-2). Hope is given through faith because God fulfills His promises; and we see that Joseph is buried according to his hope (Joshua 24:32). Even the hopeless, who hear the word of God and believe have hope (Ez 27:15, 10)

The backbone of our hope is the resurrection of Jesus (Rev 20:5). There is hope in this life for eternal life and glory through Jesus (Phil 1:21, 1 Cor 15:57-78). Faith in Jesus comes together with hope. John Calvin says ‘Faith believes that eternal life has already been given to us. Hope waits for the day when it will be revealed Faith is the foundation on which hope is built. Hope feeds faith and keeps it alive.’  By remembering the past, our faith is present, leading to our future hope.

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Biblical Faith Finishes Well, Part 2 – Hebrews 11:21

The story of Jacob’s life is one of a man with a seemingly hopeless beginning, but with a faithful and victorious end. By faith, Jacob became the kind of man God intended for him to be. As Christians, we all hope to end strong. What we must realize that how we live today will determine how we will end. Jacob showed signs that indicated he would finish well. In the context of Hebrews 11:21 and Genesis 47:8-10, we see the essence of Jacob’s theology, faith, and sanctification.

Jacob was a man of integrity. “…few and unpleasant have been the years of my life…”

Jacob’s life was full of hardships and strife. When Pharaoh asked Jacob about his life, Jacob responded with the truth. He was a man of integrity to the Word of God, which is the first sign of holiness. As Christians, many may be tempted to say all is well and easy, but it is simply not true. As believers who understand the true nature of the flesh and the world, we live in constant warfare against sin. Jacob’s life was not pleasant, and he said it so.

Jacob was a man of humility. “…nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.”
Jacob acknowledged that his life was nothing compared to the lives of his ancestors. Jacob was a humble man, as all believers must be. Humility is the most important mark when it comes to sanctification because without humility, there is no self-denial and there is no following Christ. Just as holiness is the essential nature of God, humility is the essential nature of a believer. What is humility? Being humbles is to think of oneself as nothing. Jesus showed the perfect example of humility by coming to us as a man and humbling himself by becoming obedient to the point of death. (Phil 2:8) Biblical love requires total sacrifice, but without humility, you will not lay your life down for others. Jacob was faithful because he was confident in the Lord and not himself.

Jacob knew true spiritual reality. “The years of my sojourning…”
Jacob considered himself a pilgrim; he did not consider the world his home. Without this same understanding, we can not grow in sanctification. The issue with American Christianity is that it does not require you to forsake the world, but enables you to pursue the American Dream. The true gospel tells us to forsake the world. Conversion is not true without it. We live in the world, but we are not of the world. (Col 3:1-2) We must be constantly striving to set our minds on the things above. Living by this spiritual reality is so important because eventually, all of us will die. Do not be deceived by the world that is passing away. (James 4:14)
Jacob knew God. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh…
In this setting, Jacob was reliant oh Pharaoh’s aid during the time of famine. Jacob was a nobody, standing before the king of Egypt, but he blessed Pharaoh. Jacob was able to do this because he knew God, who is above all. Anyone who knows God is bold and confident. Do you know God as Father? Increasing in a true knowledge of God is a sign of sanctification. A biblical view of God is the source of our confidence especially during times of suffering because we know that God is in control.Sanctification is the process of growing in trust in the Lord. No sanctification indicates no true faith. In justification we knew Jesus as Savior; in sanctification, we know Jesus as Lord. Jacob’s life was full of sanctification. As it says in Heb 11:21, Jacob worshipped God. He knew that he was saved to worship the true God. As a pilgrim he may have moved from place to place, but wherever he was, he worshipped God. This must be our lifestyle as well. Worship requires true faith because by faith, we worship with total surrender, fear, and devotion to God. With a biblical understanding of His holy nature, we gather together as the body of Christ devoted to hear the Word, fellowship, break bread, and pray. (Acts 2:42)

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Biblical Faith Finishes Well – Hebrews 11:21

Apostle Paul says the Christian life is like a race or a marathon. Many racers start well, but many quit before the end. In general, there are two kinds of people, those with a promising start and weak end. And those with a humble beginnings but a strong finish. Lot is an example of the former. (Gen 13:8-23, Gen 19:29) Abraham on the other hand received all his promises from God in the future tense, yet he walked with the Lord and finished well (Gen 13:14-17, 25:7-9). Even in current days, it’s hard to find those who finish well. Statistics show that the only 1 out of 10 pastors will finish and retire as a pastor.

In this verse we find that Jacob finished well even though he didn’t begin that way.  Jacob did not have an ideal life or reputation. He was a thief, liar, deceiver and poor father. He even lied to his own father and stole from his brother. (Gen 26:43-27:29). He also manipulated Laban’s sheep and played favorites amongst his sons. (Gen 30:42-43) According to the world, Jacob may have found ways to get what he desired, but his sinful actions seemed to put his eternal fate in jeopardy.

What happened so that Jacob could finish well? Hebrews 11:21 says ‘By faith’. In the end, Jacob’s life was defined by faith. John Owen says ‘The only way to receive supplies of spiritual strength and grace from Jesus Christ is faith.’ (Gal 2:20) Faith is defining attribute of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

What is faith?
Faith is to know who God is and what He has done, and follow Him. The amount of faith is not important but the object of faith. If your faith is in the true God, then you will finish well.

When a deed is done by faith, it does not mean that your faith is what accomplishes it. ‘By faith’ means ‘by God’ whom you believe. ‘By faith’ means you know God, that He is with you and He does these things according to His word. (Joshua 14:10-11)

Jacob has confidence in the Lord. It was by faith, he blessed Joseph’s sons. Without confidence, he wouldn’t be able to bless Joseph’s sons in the manner that he did. Although Joseph was Jacob’s son, Joseph was also the most powerful man in the world, second to Pharaoh. Joseph was upset that Jacob was blessing the younger and not the older, and even physically tried to change Jacob’s hands. Jacob simply replied, ‘I know’. (Gen 48:17-19) Jacob knew by faith. By faith Jacob, left the land of his fathers and went down to Egypt (Gen 46:3) and by faith Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh.

Do you live by faith?
Are you confident in the Lord? Are you confident in His word? Are you like David, who seeks the Lord’s counsel first in the moment of crisis (1 Sam 30:50-6). David knew God is sovereign and in control of all things. He strengthened himself in the Lord. How does one strengthen oneself? By faith. To behave otherwise is a lack of understanding and disobedience of the living God. A lack of faith ignores God’s sovereignty and dishonors His word. The one great truth is God and His word, not our feelings and emotions. R. C. Sproul said ‘I don’t always feel His presence, but God’s promises do not depend on my feelings; they rest upon His integrity’ It is by faith in God’s promise that we will finish well.

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Jesus Is the Present Fact – 2 Timothy 2:16-17

Across the world, people celebrate Easter and many celebrate without necessarily believing history. To them, the death and resurrection of Jesus might be a story or legend of the Christian faith. However, Jesus did exist in history, and this truth is acknowledged by Christians and secular scholars. Not only did the Lord Jesus exist, but His life was abundant, full of miracles and signs (John 11:39, 43-44). The life of Jesus is historical fact, which also means that He is currently living, He is Lord and He is with you (Mt 28:18-20)

Jesus Really Died and Rose Again
We know that Jesus really died based on the support of various arguments. First, the Bible says so, and the Bible is God’s inspired and inerrant word. There is no higher authority of truth then the Holy Scriptures. When it comes to archaeological and historical events, the Bible has been repeatedly been found accurate after many accusations. Also, the Bible is not embarrassed of the truth, meaning it does edit or massage the truth. For example, it was the woman Mary who found the risen Jesus first and received credit, and not one of the male disciples.

Also, from the description of the events surrounding Jesus death, we can be assured that Jesus died fully but also quickly. He was flogged, beaten, crucified and then stabbed with a spear. The physical punishment was brutal at the hands of professional soldiers. To claim that Jesus did not die would go against the evidence.

False Theories
Still, there were many false theories slandering the Biblical account of Jesus death and resurrection (Mt  28:11-15) and are still some today.

  • Jesus was just unconscious – no man could survive the suffering of Christ and many people affirmed Jesus’ death
  • The disciples hallucinated – there were over 500 witnesses over the period of a month. They could not all have the same hallucination
  • They went to the wrong tomb  – Mary saw where they laid His body, and if it was the wrong tomb, the priests would have just pointed out the correct tomb with the dead body.

Evidence of Jesus’ Resurrection
In contrast to the false theories, there is staunch evidence that shows that Jesus actually resurrected 2000 years ago. The first is that the disciples were loyal and faithful to the end. All the apostles and many other disciples were persecuted and martyred for the sake of Christ. There is no way they could have remained consistent and true unless they had witnessed the risen Jesus. Even a group of the most powerful and intellectual men could not keep corroborate a secret in the Watergate scandal for a week. A group of fisherman, who had run away in fear before Jesus died, remained faithful in all circumstances. They couldn’t deny what they had saw first hand and experienced every day in the love of Christ.

Secondly, the early Christians, who were religious Jews, changed their day of worship from Sabbath to Sunday. The reason for this change is because Mary found Jesus on Sunday. In Acts, we see Peter continually resist eating the unclean meat because of his Jewish custom. Only the powerful truth of the resurrection could have changed their day of worship.

There were also many trustworthy eyewitnesses to the risen Jesus. These men, like James (Jesus brother) or Thomas or Paul (who was formerly Saul), who either doubted or disliked Jesus, testified to His resurrection and His Lordship (1 Cor 15:7, James 1:1). These life-changing testimonies along  with 500 witnesses confirm the fact of Jesus and His resurrection

Application
It is undeniable fact that Jesus lived, died, rose again and is living today. Have you met the risen Jesus? In other words, are you truly Christian and follow Him? Or Do you still stand condemned and judged? (2 Peter 2:1-4). The resurrection matters and is life changing. We cannot remain unchanged and living as we used to, in our sin, if Jesus is alive.

Many false teacher will try to either deny or minimize the resurrection. They say it’s either made up or its in the past, like Hymaneus did. The resurrection is the essential part of the gospel and it is of first importance (1 Cor 15:3-4). We cannot afford to only focus on the cross, His death and sacrifice and neglect His Lordship and victory. Jesus is the risen Lord, and in the resurrection we receive joy and strength. Our hope lies in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a hope that overcomes death itself.

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The Impossible Task, Part 4 – Hebrews 11:17-19

In the actual account of God testing Abraham in Genesis 22:3, Abraham shows no reluctance or compromise to obeying God’s command to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice. By faith, he simply did as God told him to do so. Although God eventually provided a sacrifice in place of Isaac, Abraham- along with all other faithful men and women in the Bible- was ready to obey to the end because he had tasted the mercy and grace of God. (Gen 22:3) This is the case for all Christians. As they experience God’s love and forgiveness in light of their sinfulness, they are willing to obey God no matter the cost.

Trusting God is at the heart of faith. When an individual trusts God, he puts his whole confidence in Him. Since God alone has the power to control one’s destiny, to depend on anyone or anything apart from God inevitably leads to disappointment. If you realize that only God is able to rightly guide you and make your life, you will depend on Him in complete surrender. This is how Abraham was able to obey- he trusted God and His promises and thereby placed everything in God’s hands. Let’s take a closer look at the nature of trusting God in faith-

Trusting God’s Word
The central tenet of Christian faith is trust in the Bible. We read and study the Bible in order to know God’s promises and claim them by faith daily. What place does the Word of God have in your life? When you undergo a trial, two things will collide- what Scripture says and how you feel. Difficulties can often cause you to cave into your emotions, making God look smaller and circumstances bigger. They lead to disappointment, and rather than being controlled by God’s Word, you become run by emotions. How can we handle trials faithfully? We must depend on the God of the Bible. The Bible is the only way to deal with our fleeting emotions. Feelings are not truth- feelings come and go, and they often cloud faith. Just as Abraham trusted God’s Word over his emotions and circumstances, we too must walk by the truth. Life is full of trials and unexpected turns, but those who trust in the Word of God are set free from its anxieties to experience true everlasting joy. (Is 55:11; 2Tim 2:9)

Trusting God
Abraham trusted God as he considered God. He abided in God’s promises, and knew that God is able to do all things, even raise the dead to life. Faith engages the mind with the truth of God, leading to a surrendered heart to the One who is sovereign and good. (Rom 12:2)

How did Abraham consider God?
Abraham considered the wisdom of God. God’s wisdom is infinite and unfathomable. We must not dishonor God by assuming that He is like us, or that His ways are like our ways. Let us put off this thinking and know truly know the Lord by reading the Bible. (Rom 8:28)

Abraham considered God’s unfailing love. God is not some mechanical, unfeeling deity. He is full of love, and He showed His love to the fullest by sending Jesus into the world in order that we might be saved. The greatest blessing that flows from God’s love for you is not money, success, or the comforts of the world- one can have all these without knowing salvation. The best gift of God’s love is salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. If we have Christ, we have everything. (Rom 8:32)

Abraham considered God’s power and sovereignty. Nothing can hinder God’s good purposes. There is a prevailing peace in knowing that God is sovereign, and He is all wise and full of love. After Abraham was promised that he would be a father of many nations through his son Isaac, he was confident in God’s power that even if Isaac were to be sacrificed, God would be able to raise him from the dead in order to fulfill His promise. We can trust God because He is able to do what He determines to do in His wisdom and love. (Lk 1:37)

As you consider Abraham’s faith, examine yourself to see whether you have willingly laid down the Isaacs of your life. Jesus demands nothing less as we are called to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses, and follow Him. (Matt 16:24)

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The Impossible Task, Part 3 – Hebrews 11:17-19

In Genesis 22, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only some, Isaac. However, Abraham was calm during this very trying request. It was an impossible task, to give up his most precious and only son, yet Abraham knew who God is and had faith. (Heb 11:6). His example of obedience gives us insight into true faith.

What faith isn’t?
Faith is not something you have ‘enough’ of. Faith does not have levels before becoming active. Faith is simply faith, not greater or lesser faith.

Faith is also not only praying and relying on faith alone, but also relying on the means God provided. In the same vein, assuming God will take care of everything is also not true faith.  Faith is also not ignorance, but an observable trust in God’s will be done. Based on the numerous example and countless promises in God’s word, there is the most solid evidence for faith. There faith is not just a wishful belief, but a choice of God’s word. In contrast, faith is not merely knowledge, but knowledge must be turned into faith, lest that knowledge indict you.

Faith is something you have or you don’t (Mk 4:40;9:23-24;Lk 8:24-25;17:5-6). The question is not about the size of your faith, but where your faith is genuine.

What is genuine faith?
Genuine faith is determined by what we have faith in. For example, Muslim’s faith is in a false god who is not Trinitarian. In the Muslim faith, God is one but alone and Jesus is not fully God and fully man, who died on the cross and rose again. Therefore, while many people might have sincerity in their beliefs, their faith is not genuine.

Genuine faith isn’t concerned with faith itself but only looks to Jesus Christ as the object of faith (Heb 12:2) “The power of faith lies in its object; faith is only as valid as its object. The crucial thing is not faith, but the object of faith. You can believe with all your heart and soul and mind until you turn blue.—But if your faith is aimed at the wrong object, you are wasting your time. – Ron Dun”

Abraham went through his trial by faith in God who was the object of his faith (v19).
He trusted God’s promises
• Isaac was the promised son Gen 12:2-4, Gen 25:2-6
• God never betrays Num 23:19, Jer 25:11
• God is powerful Heb 11:11, 1 Sam 14:6
• God is Father 1 John 3:1, Rom 8:32

God will fulfill his promises to the end. We can trust Him, just as Abraham places his faith in God’s promise towards him. For us, while we may not have a direct verbal promise,  all our promises of God can be summed up into Jesus Christ (2 Cor 1:20). In Jesus Christ, the object of our faith, we see the fulfillment of all of God’s promises in His word. There we must determine to partake in the suffering of Christ here on earth, so that we might obtain the promises of God and experience the power of resurrection (Phil 3:10-11)

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The Impossible Task – Hebrews 11:17-19

When faced with a crisis, we often think skill, knowledge, experience and bravery is needed to triumph. However, Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?” (Lk 8:25). Do we have faith in Jesus when we face an impossible situation or task?

Faith is a belief and trust in God and His word (Heb 11:1). When it comes to examples of faith, there is none more exemplary than Abraham, the father of Isaac. In Hebrews 11:17-19 Abraham is mentioned for the second time for his faith and obedience to God. When asked to sacrifice his only and beloved son who was promised by God, it must have been a shocking crisis (Gen 22:1-14). Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born, and his son was most precious to him, and now God was asking him to be offered. Through Abraham’s example of faith, we see his complete submission and obedience, we see true faith.

Clarification: God does not desire human sacrifice
God asking for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac is not His condoning of human sacrifice. There is one other instance, where Jephthah vowed to offer to the Lord the first thing which came to greet him, and it ended being his daughter (Judges 11:34). However, this was Jephthah vow of his own volition and what Jephthah vowed was not as a sacrifice as in killing but dedication in service. Therefore, there is no pattern of God seeking human sacrifice.

Secondly, God’s law is written and settled. God does not change and neither does His law (Mt 5:17-19, Ga 3:10). In fact, God hates hypocrisy and is always consistent with His word both in His nature and actions (Mt 23:1-3, Deut 12:31, Lev 18:21). God’s law never demands a human sacrifice to be killed, but it is those who go against God’s law who resort to such things (2 Chron 33:6).

Lastly, human sacrifice goes against God’s nature. God’s heart is to love and to give himself to those He loves (2 Cor 5:21, Jn 13:2). God’s purpose for Abraham was to test his faith, not a desire for human sacrifice.

The call to sacrifice
Abraham was tested by God to sacrifice what he cherished most in this world, his beloved son Isaac. Facing this impossible request, Abraham responded in faith and obeyed. Does God still ask for this level of sacrifice and faith today, even from you? We might be tempted to categorize Abraham’s interaction with God unique and for the ancients.

The truth is God does not change and neither does the definition of true faith. We all have things that are precious to us, whether it is money, job, family or passions. (Mt 4:20, 9:9, 19:20-22,27), we are not to cling to them, but surrender them to the Lord Jesus. Like selling all we have to obtain the treasure of God (Mt. 23:44), we are to sacrifice in faith. What Isaac’s are in your life that you refuse to sacrifice when God is asking? God still demands everything in order to follow him, just as He did with Abraham.

In this world of convenient faith, can you forsake your idols to follow Christ? Are you following Christ on His terms or your own? Sadly, we have a hard time even giving up the smallest of treasures, whether it’s our time, money or things. Instead we must give up our very lives. If we do not, our faith might not be genuine. Also, we miss out on the blessings God has prepared for us (Gen 22:14-18, Mk 8:35 ).

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What the Healthy Church Looks Like – Luke 1:39-45

In this excerpt from Luke, Mary sought Elizabeth after receiving news from Gabriel the angel. Her situation must have not been easy- Mary was a pregnant betrothed virgin. But through the fellowship between Mary and Elizabeth, Mary was encouraged and stirred to praise God. By Mary and Elizabeth’s example of biblical fellowship, we can see the essential marks of a healthy church.

The healthy church is available. Members of a healthy church are available for one another not necessarily because they have the time, but because they are ready to help. The church is one body, and if one member suffers, we all suffer. (1Cor 12:19-24) Being available can accomplish great things as we sacrifice our lives for others. After Mary received the news from Gabriel the angel that she would bear a son, she went to go see Elizabeth, who was available and ready to confirm and comfort Mary. It was only until Mary was edified by Elizabeth that she rejoiced and praised God. (Lk 1:42-55)

The healthy church is joyful. True joy is the wellbeing of the soul. It does not come from the comforts and treasures of the world, but from Jesus Christ alone. Joy is a gift from God. It is a result of godly living, as you trust and obey Jesus. John the Baptist leaped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb when he heard Mary’s voice. Only those who are in Christ experience this joy as they know God through the gospel. (Jn 15:5, 11)

The healthy church is filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides and comforts believers. He is our advocate, and He compels us to go through the narrow gate leading to eternal life. Just as Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit, we must seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit by meditating, memorizing, and apply Scripture, and by prayer. Being filled with the Holy Spirit leads to obedience to Christ. Many Christians believe in Jesus, but they think they walk alone. They don’t realize that the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells within them. (Gal 5:22-23; Col 3:16)

The healthy church is discerning. Members of a healthy church stay sober minded and awake at all times. Elizabeth was able to discern that Mary’s pregnancy was a divine event because she viewed all things through the lens of Scripture and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Healthy churches always focus on the Word of God. (Gal 5:16)

The healthy church is humble. Although Elizabeth was much older than Mary, she honored Mary because she was pregnant with the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the head of the church, and those who trust in Him are humble. What is humility? To be humble is to count others as more significant than yourself. True humility causes you to obey God without question, complaint, or doubt. If you are not humbled before God, you will not be humble before men. We must learn humility from Jesus, who submitted to the Father’s Will to the point of death, even death on a cross. When we judge God, His Word, and His ways, we are not being humble. (Phil 2:3-8)

The healthy church is completely submissive to the authority of Scripture. Elizabeth blessed Mary because she understood and believed that Mary’s conception was a fulfillment of Scripture. Elizabeth believed God’s Word and submitted to it. (Lk 1:45) Jesus taught us to seek God’s Word above all. (Matt 4:4; 6:32-33) Blessing comes as you trust and obey Scripture.

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