Classic TV Christmas
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Discovering Your Purpose This Christmas Season
Luke 1:26-38
INTRODUCTION
We all know the story of the misfit reindeer, Rudolph. Born with a bulbous bright nose Rudolph’s parents are worried that their son will be ridiculed by other reindeer. Pasting mud onto his nose, Rudolph’s father Donner, encourages his young son to just try and fit in.
Eventually his embarrassing attribute is revealed in all its ruby brightness. Instantly Rudolph becomes the outcasts and runs away to the island of runaway toys.
Among the misfits he finds a home and a love. Yet the horrible abominable snowman lurks in the background. He and his friends must rally their courage to save the others.
Finding his way back home Rudolph walks with new confidence, and when an unexpected fog sets in the misfit deer finally has a chance to shine.
Say it with me.
“Rudolph with your nose so bright won’t you guide my sleigh tonight.”
Brings back memories doesn’t it.
T.S. Watch this video clip with me.
Rudolph is the hero, he is able to be used to save Christmas. The misfit reindeer finds his purpose.
T.S. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer reminds us that . . .
IF YOU WANT TO DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE KIND OF PEOPLE GOD USES.
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon 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. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God."
38 "I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
NIV
I. GOD USES PEOPLE WHO DESIRE TO DO HIS WILL
38 "I am the Lord’s servant," NIV
1:38 Mary responded, "I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." And then the angel left. NLT
She may have simple been saying, I’m your servant your attendant. Similar to the way a bellboy or housekeeping worker in a hotel is our servant or attendant.
A. Doulos -- Doulos
Mary picks and interesting word choice. Doulos.
But doulos has a deeper more profound meaning: To be devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests.
This type of meaning leads of a metaphorical meaning used through out the New Testament: one who gives himself up to another’s will whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men
• Paul calls himself that in Romans 1:1.
• In 2 Tim 2:24 he refers to all elders and ministers as Doulos
• James the brother of Jesus Calls himself a Doulos of Christ. (James 1:1)
• Not only did Peter refer to himself as a Doulos 2 Pet 1:1, but he calls all believers to use their freedom as Doulos of God (1 Pet 2:16)
Mary is the forerunner of all those who give themselves up to the will of the forgiver for the advancing of his cause among men. God uses people who are willing to become Doulos. Want to find your purpose this Christmas. Ask yourself if you are willing to become Doulos
B. Kurios --Kurios
• Mary may just be using a title of respect. Like sir or madam. It would be the word used to the sovereign prince or a the Roman Governor. But taken with her use of the word Kurios, I believe Mary was saying this when she used the word Kurios
• It is the title used for he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord
• Mary was saying I belong to you oh God, I give up my rights to you to be used as you see fit for the advancement of your cause.
Want to discover your purpose this Christmas. Ask your self how you describe your relationship to the forgiver. Is it he who owns you, does he have exclusive rights to use you for the advancement of his cause?
II. GOD USES PEOPLE WHO DECIDE TO FACE THEIR FEARS
38 "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
A. Mary faced Physical Danger
• Men and women were betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed.
• Joseph could make her a public example—possibly even including stoning.
Deut. 22:22-24
If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. 23 If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her, 24 you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death--the girl because she was in a town and did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another man’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you.
B. Mary Faced Abandonment
• Joseph could break the marriage agreement and divorce her with a letter.
Deut. 24:1
If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house,
C. Mary Faced Rejection
• She may have to endure the pregnancy alone—an outcast.
• Hear the ridicule of her neighbors,
• Feel the rejection of her family.
• Hear the tittering tongues that would surely wag as she drew water at the well shopped in the market.
It is hard to imagine Mary a young teen, not being filled with fear at all the possible hardship that would lie ahead. Yet if she is to fulfill her purpose, to discover her role in the advancement of God’s cause she would have to face her fears trusting only that God’s hand would uphold her.
What holds you back form discovering God’s purpose?
The fear that it will cost too much, be too hard, be too inconvenient, too overwhelming?
What holds you back?
The fear of failure, ridicule, inexperience, lack of resources?
What holds you back?
Mary faced similar fears, greater fears. Are you willing to face your fears and discover God’s purpose for you?
III. GOD USES PEOPLE WHO DARE TO TRUST HIS PROMISES
How nuts do you have to be to bungee jump? The answer—none.
You just have to be able to trust in what has been provided for your safety.
Mary is not nuts or delusional. She is simply daring to trust the promise of God as she steps out to fulfill her purpose.
When we step out and face our fears we can trust in the same two promises of God that the angel shares with Mary.
A. Overshadowing Power
35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon 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.
• A figure of a cloud coming upon her.
• Inability to be separated from it.
B. Omnipotence—All Powerful Nature of God
36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God."
Are you willing to trust in the same two promises? If you desire to do his will, to discover your purpose, if you are willing to face your fears, then God offers you these two promises the power of his presence to overshadow you and his sufficiency to accomplish what he calls you to do.
Are you willing?
IF YOU WANT TO DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE KIND OF PEOPLE GOD USES.
SUMMARY
God uses people who desire to be used, decide to face the fears that could hold them back and dare to trust his promises.
Are you one of those people?
CHALLENGE
Rudolph reminds us of one last important thing about discovering our purpose. Eventually it all boils down to a question.
“Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”
The same is true of us. It boils down to the question.
My beloved with the gifts I supply through the sufficiency of my power, will you step out and fulfill your purpose?
Prayer: Jesus, you use people whose desire is to do your will, to enhance your cause. I confess that fear has sometimes stood in my way. So I ask that you help me face the fears that may hold me back and dare to trust your promises in my life. I want to discover my purpose in you. Amen.
If you would like to talk to someone about discovering your purpose or to pray with someone about discovering your purpose, I and a few of the elders will be at the front of the worship center after we close the service. Come and talk to us. We’d love to talk with you.
BENEDICTION
