Academics, especially in the sciences, are often proclaimed as underpaid servants of the good. They spend their lives in laboratories and offices, working out the mysteries of the universe for the greater good of humanity. But the truth is that they are driven by the same worldly passions as the rest of us, if not more so: fame and recognition are, in many respects, the be-all-end-all of their professions. God, too, is in the fame business. But he seems to go about getting his name known all wrong. He reveals himself to the lowly and the meek, not the kings and great men in power. Yet, in doing so, he shows us his greater glory. As we approach our text, let us see the greatness of God in the fact that:

1. God presides over the mighty

2. God is pleased with the meek

3. God puzzles the masses

Musicals are an odd thing; just when the action gets going, the characters break out in song. For some, stopping the action is hard to stomach and makes little sense. But that stoppage is the purpose – to slow things down and help the audience feel what the characters feel. That is Luke’s point as well; the songs of Mary, Zechariah, and later Simeon stop the action, and bring us into their frame of mind. Today, the focus is on the baby John, as he is already preparing people for the work of Jesus. We, too, are to be prepared for Jesus. Let us see three ways in which John’s birth helps us to be prepared this morning:

1. Prepare in fear of Jesus

2. Prepare for freedom through Jesus

3. Prepare for forgiveness in Jesus

Our God is full of joy and gladness, as it could be translated in 1 Timothy 1:11, we preach the gospel of the “joyful God.” Just so, he also longs for our happiness and joy in all things, whether through good times or bad. Mary has been given a high and lofty task and has taken it on with resolve and faith. But today we hear of her joy in the Lord. As we listen to her, let us rejoice as well!

1. Rejoice in God’s means

2. Rejoice in God’s majesty

3. Rejoice in God’s might

4. Rejoice in God’s mercy

5. Rejoice in God’s memory

6. Rejoice in God’s magnanimity

The Roman Church has made much of the person of Mary; in many instances too much. They have provided some clarity lately, however, as they have stated that speaking of Mary as a co-Redemptrix with Jesus is never appropriate. Such news is good, even if it doesn’t go far enough. We, however, need to not push too far in the other direction, for Mary and the events surrounding her were not normal by any means. Today, Luke sets out for us the uniqueness of that event. We ought to appreciate that uniqueness through these 5 aspects this morning:

1. Reputation

2. Conception

3. Reception

4. Protection

5. Profession

We all make promises in this world and, hopefully, try to keep them. Yet we know that there are hundreds of factors that can keep us from upholding our word, many of which are out of our control. But this is not so with God – his promises are always kept, even if we don’t always recognize them. Today, Luke emphasizes the nature of how God keeps his promises to us, both individually and corporately. As we think through our text today, note:

1. The persistence of his promises

2. The power of his promises

3. The prosperity of his promises

As the World Cup continues here in America, we continually get positive reviews from the many visitors we get here in America. They are surprised at the welcome, and how much differs from the things they have been told. In a real sense, the story they were sold doesn’t match the truth. Luke writes, he tells us, to let Theophilus know that the very opposite is the truth for him. What he has learned is confirmed by the stories of Jesus. Here, in the first verses of his gospel, Luke introduces us to his work. Let us learn about Luke’s:

1. Process

2. Purpose

3. Product

Last week my family and I were down in the mountains of East Tennessee. We were reminded of the beauty and the glory of this world; the mountains are lush and rolling, beautiful demonstrations of God’s kindness. Yet, Peter reminds us this morning that, even with all that beauty, this world is not the world that God desires for us. Peter wants to assure us of the new and yet-coming Kingdom by insisting that God is active in our world. Peter does this by pointing out three things:

1. God sustains the world’s existence

2. God desires the world’s repentance

3. God creates a world of excellence

Peter continues to exhort his people, and us, to beware false teachers within the church. Their path leads only to destruction, As Peter in the past has exhorted us to pursue the best things, here he contends that such false teachers are to be avoided at all costs. To do this, he paints a bleak picture of them:

1. False teachers are prideful (v10-12)

2. False teachers are perverse (v13-14)

3. False teachers are profit-seekers (v14-16)

4. False teachers will perish (v17-22)

Jan Hus was unjustly tortured and murdered in 1414 under the authority and decision of the church. Suspected of heresy, he was given a show trial and burned at the stake. Heresy is a great problem in the church, even if the church has not handled it well at times. Peter is not concerned with telling the church precisely how to handle such heretics, but with assuring these Christians that God will deal with them. Our assurance of God’s protection becomes clear as we consider:

1. The error of the deceivers

2. The end of the deceivers

3. Our escape from the deceivers

Our God loves to work through his people. Although he is powerful to do all things on his own, and he needs no instruments, he chooses to do his work through his servants. This is true, not only with his miracles in this world, but also with his word, as he reveals himself through the writing of men. How can believers trust that this word, spoken to us, is true and good? Peter gives us two assurances this morning. You can trust Scripture, because:

1. You can trust Scripture’s witnesses

2. You can trust Scripture’s inspiration