The First Christian
Tim Keller | December 8, 1991
Outline
Luke 1:26–50
Mary is the first Christian as we see in Luke 1. She is the first to hear and respond to the Christmas message. Her reaction, full of wonder, fear, and truth, helps us understand how we should respond to our faith. The Christmas message, which is the same as the gospel message, needs a serious response from us.
1. Centrality
When Mary says, “My soul glorifies and my spirit exalts,” she shows a deep, life-changing experience that touches her whole self. Her journey of faith, with moments of doubt, confusion, and finally understanding, shows the different ways Christian experiences can happen. The key thing is to be deeply touched and to feel a greater power working inside you, no matter how quickly or slowly you understand.
2. Wonder
Mary’s song shows the heart of Christianity. It’s not about what we do, but about the grace and revelation God gives us. Her joy and amazement show her deep realization that her experience is where the story of salvation and the world meet. If we don’t feel this kind of wonder and joy in our lives, we haven’t yet understood the real message of the gospel.
3. Fear
The fear of God can be divided into two types: fear based on law and fear based on love. The first is about avoiding harm or loss, while the second comes from a deep love and respect, creating a fear of causing disappointment or hurt. True Christians, knowing they’re saved by Jesus’s actions and not their own, feel thankful and want to honor God. This leads them to live passionately and energetically, driven more by the fear of hurting love than the fear of harm.
4. Truth
Jesus Christ displays the perfect mix of love and holiness. Mary’s joy, wonder, and passion for holy living come from her understanding of the gospel truth: God demands righteousness but is also merciful and loving. Jesus fulfilled the law and paid our sin debt. It’s important to accept Christ as Savior, letting God’s love and holiness shape us. This ends with a prayer for energy, wonder, fear of God, and a renewed sense of love.
Related
