He’s a B.A.D. God
Preached on December 11th, 2005 at 11:00AM by Bishop Brian Greene - 00:30:48
Part of the "Prayer" series
Listen to the sermon: He’s a B.A.D. God
by Bishop Brian C. Greene
Luke 1:34-45 (New Living Translation), Luke 1:46-49 (King James Version)
The use of slang is both interesting and confusing. For example the word “bad” literally means “terrible.” However, during the 60’s, it became a slang word used to mean very great or extremely awesome. Thus people such as:
Mohammed Ali (Cassius Clay) from the 60’s once said to Don King prior to whipping George Foreman during the 70’s, “I predict that when the fight is set, George might not show because I’m a bad man…George is in trouble.”
In the 70’s, James Brown stated in his song, “Watch me! I’ve got! I’ve got something that makes me wanna shout. I’ve got something that tells me what it’s all about. I’ve got soul and I’m super bad.”
In the 80’s, Rapper LL Cool J stated in his song, “No rapper can rap, Quite like I can, I’ll take a musclebound man, and put his face in the sand…I’m bad!“
And in the 90’s, who can forget Michael Jackson’s first album after his mega-mega hit “Thriller” which simply stated “I’m bad and you know it?”
During this decade, a rapper by the name Lil Ty has a line in his song, “I talk stuff and back it up because I’m bad!“
In our text, Mary receives a word from Gabriel (Greek meaning “Man of God”) that God was going to make this teenage virgin pregnant without her ever having sexual intercourse. Gabriel then says in essence, “If you don’t believe me, check out your cousin Elizabeth.”
When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and discovered that this old woman who had been trying to get pregnant for decades and was past menopause was now pregnant, Mary broke out in a praise. If a person were to read this song of praise in an “urban” setting, Mary’s song in essence seems to say, “God, if You can make Liz pregnant at her age and then top that by making me pregnant without a man, then my soul doth magnify you! Why? Because You’re a BAD God!” (Psalm 69:30)
Bad is more than just good. Bad is more than just great! Bad is when someone is or does something so ridiculously above that which is considered normal that words alone can not describe what just took place.
The word “magnify” is derived from two Latin words, facio which means “to make;” and magnus which means:
- Great (Make God great so you will admire and praise Him.)
- Large (Make God larger so you can see Him during difficult times.)
- Important (Make God important so you will obey Him.)
- Impressive (Make God impressive so you will want to be like Him.)
- Complete (Make God complete so you will trust Him more.)
- Powerful (Make God powerful so you will believe Him.)
- LOUD (Make God louder so you can hear His voice.)
When God is magnified, He’s B.A.D.!
- He becomes Bigger than our impossible circumstances. (Daniel 3:16-18).
- You can see His Actions more clearly. (2 Kings 6:16-17)
- You can see more of His Details such as God’s eyes, mouth, and hand. (Psalms 27:4).
The more God is magnified, the more He “out does” Himself. Let us develop the practice of declaring the greatness of God by “magnifying” (hallowing) His name (reputation). Then God’s powerful actions will indicate to the world “He’s bad and He knows it!”
