Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon encourages us to emulate Mary's humble obedience to God, trust in His blessings, and openness to His divine promises.
Greetings, my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, under the watchful gaze of our Heavenly Father, let's take a moment to appreciate the grace and love that binds us together. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. God has a message for us today, a message that will stir our hearts, strengthen our faith, and set our spirits ablaze.
Our focus today is on a beautiful passage of Scripture, nestled in the heart of the Gospel of Luke. It's a passage that tells a story of faith, obedience, and the fulfillment of divine promises. It's a story that speaks to us today, reminding us of the power of believing in God's blessings, becoming receptive to His divine promises, and beholding the fulfillment of His Word.
Luke 1:38 reads, "And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." This verse, my friends, is a testament to the humble obedience of Mary, a young woman who accepted God's will with grace and faith. Her response to the divine message is a model for us all, a reminder of the power of surrendering to God's will, of believing in His blessings, and of being open to His divine promises.
When we think about the life of Mary, we can't help but marvel at her faith. She was a young woman, living in a small town, leading a simple life. Yet, when the angel Gabriel appeared to her with a message from God, she didn't hesitate. She didn't question. She didn't doubt. She simply believed. She believed in the blessings that God had promised her.
This belief was an active, living faith. It was a faith that said, "I trust in God's promises, even when I don't understand them. I trust in His blessings, even when I can't see them. I trust in His plan, even when it doesn't align with mine." This kind of faith, this kind of belief, is what allowed Mary to become the mother of Jesus, the Savior of the world.
Now, let's consider what this means for us. We may not be visited by angels. We may not be called to give birth to the Savior. But we are called to believe in God's blessings. We are called to trust in His promises and plans. And just like Mary, our belief isn't meant to be passive. It's meant to be active, living, and vibrant.
So, how do we cultivate this kind of belief? How do we grow in our faith? How do we learn to trust in God's blessings? The answer lies in the Word of God. The Bible is filled with stories of God's faithfulness. It's filled with examples of His blessings. It's filled with promises of His love and grace. By spending time in God's Word, we can strengthen our belief in His blessings.
But it's not enough to simply read the Bible. We have to meditate on it. We have to ponder it. We have to let it sink into our hearts and minds. We have to let it shape our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions. It's not just about acknowledging them. It's about living them. It's about letting them transform us from the inside out.
Let's also remember that believing in God's blessings isn't about ignoring the challenges and difficulties of life. It's not about pretending that everything is perfect when it's not. It's about looking beyond our circumstances and focusing on God's promises. We can trust in His goodness, even when life is hard. It's about holding onto His love, even when we feel lost and alone.
Finally, let's not forget that believing in God's blessings is a journey. It's not something that happens overnight. It's a process. It's a journey that involves growth, change, and transformation. But it's a journey worth taking. Because at the end of it, we'll find ourselves closer to God, stronger in our faith, and more aware of His blessings in our lives.
Mary's words are a testament to her faith, but they also reveal her understanding of the nature of God's promises ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO