Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It's a joy to be gathered here in the house of the Lord, to share in the richness of His Word and the comfort of His presence. Isn't it wonderful to know that we are part of a much bigger story, a divine narrative penned by the Master Storyteller Himself? We are not random characters lost in the pages of time, but chosen, loved, and purposefully placed in His grand design.

Today, we will be turning our hearts and minds to the first chapter of Luke, verses 26 to 38. It's a passage that is familiar to many of us, but as we revisit these verses, let's ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the text in a fresh and powerful way. The Word of God is living and active, and it has the power to speak directly into our lives, no matter how many times we've read a particular passage.

Let us read together: "In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.' 'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.' 'I am the Lord’s servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be as you have said.' Then the angel left her." (Luke 1:26-38, NIV)

In these verses, we encounter three main points: the Magnificence of God's Plans, the Manifestation of God's Power, and the Mission of the Chosen. As we set our sights on these truths, let us remember the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, "To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust Him in the dark – that is faith." Indeed, Mary's faith in the face of the unknown is a shining beacon for us all.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We ask that You would open our hearts and minds today, that we might understand the depth of Your love and the greatness of Your power. Help us to see Your magnificence, to recognize Your power, and to embrace our mission as Your chosen people. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

May we, like Mary, respond to the call of God with faith and obedience, trusting in His perfect plans and His unfailing power. May we be encouraged, challenged, and changed by the Word of God today.

Magnificence of God's Plans

As we look at the life of Mary, we see a young woman who was suddenly thrust into a divine plan far greater than anything she could have imagined. She was chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world. This was not a random selection. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, had orchestrated this plan from the beginning of time.

This divine plan was about more than Mary but about the salvation of all mankind. God, in His magnificence, had designed a way for sinful humans to be reconciled to Him. He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to be born of a virgin, to live a sinless life, to die on the cross for our sins, and to rise again, conquering death and granting eternal life to all who believe in Him.

This plan was truly impossible. It could not be done. Mary, a young virgin, was to conceive a child. But with God, all things are possible. God's plans often defy human logic and understanding. They are not bound by the laws of nature or the limitations of human ability. They are supernatural, miraculous, and always perfect in their execution.

Mary's response to this divine plan was one of faith and obedience. She did not fully understand how it would all unfold, but she trusted in the One who had chosen her for such a time as this. She said, "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be as you have said." She surrendered her will to the will of God, and in doing so, she became a part of the greatest story ever told.

The magnificence of God's plans extends to our lives today. God has a plan for each and every one of us. He has chosen us, loved us, and placed us in His grand design. We may not always understand His plans, but we can trust that they are good, perfect, and pleasing.

God's plans often involve trials, challenges, and periods of waiting. But through it all, God is with us. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He provides the strength, courage, and grace we need to walk in His plans. This is because God's plans are not about us, but about Him. They are designed to bring Him glory and to advance His kingdom on earth. As we walk in His plans, we become a part of something much bigger than ourselves.

Manifestation of God's Power

We now find ourselves standing in awe of the sheer power of God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO