Philippians 4:13 tells us "[We] can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us." We often quote that for encouragement, or try and motivate others to move forward in what seems to be impossible endeavors. But it becomes a source of divine encouragement when you understand that God believes in you, and desires to strengthen you, and use you, to do His will. For men to do so is very helpful at times. But when God is the one doing it, it reaches a new level and magnitude of impact.
That verse, in its rightful context, was Paul’s statement in response to identifying various things God had required of him. And no matter what God asked of Him, Paul knew that he could "do all things through Christ, who would would give him strength." And likewise, we can be assured of the Lord’s help and strength to assist us in accomplishing what He requires of us.
That is one of the main points of this message: "I can do whatever the Lord asks of me, for HE will give me strength." And it is on the basis of that truth that I want to talk out of Luke 1, about "How To Give Birth To God’s Baby." What does that mean? I believe that God is calling individuals and churches to "give birth" to things that are of a divine origin. Not a concoction of man’s ingenuity. But that which originated, and proceded from the throne of God. Just like Christ did.
God is placing a higher call on His people, and we need to answer that call, and meet that challenge, by knowing that "we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength." Let’s look at several points.
Galatians 4:4 says that Christ came into the world, born of a woman, and that it happened, "in the fulness of time." Christ didn’t just happen to come when He did. He arrived by appointment of His Father. It was a part of God’s eternal purpose and plan for the ages. He came at a specific time, to a specific place, born to specific people, and in a specific setting. (The specifics of Christ’s first coming could be an endless list.) *And His second coming will also be a specific event! It will be God chosen, and God ordained.
But in the same manner, I believe that we are where we are, when we are, alive in this specific day and hour, under divine appointment and plan. This is a specific time that God has ordained, and there is a specific heavenly agenda that He wants to be carried out. Just as He ordained that His Son be transferred from heaven to earth, I believe that God has ordained that there be specific things transferred from heaven to the earth. I believe he wants you to be a part of that process!
And though it is not God’s only begotten Son that we are to give birth to, it is nonetheless the offspring of God. It is "God’s baby" if you will. Let me give you, then, a definition of what God’s baby is: The result of God’s power working through individuals to bring about His divine purpose on earth. We all have things we need God to birth IN us and THROUGH us. And those things must be instigated from heaven. It will require a Sovereign Move Of God. (Mary was minding her own business when God gave her a promise.)
But what do we do to facilitate such a move, such a manifestation? What must we do, or become, or embrace in order to enable ourselves to be used in this manner? Let’s look at several things about Mary’s situation, that will help us.
1. It started with a VISION. The angel "appeared" to Mary, and began to convey to her God’s plans and desires. This is how anything heavenly becomes a reality in the earth. It starts with vision. Probably not an angel, but with an inward unveiling of the prophetic purpose and future for your life, or your church. The angel proceded to describe God’s desires. And the important vision for Mary wasn’t the angel, but was the unveiling of God’s plans. The same is true for us. So first, we must know God’s objectives.
2. There is an issue of worship in the text. One version says, "Hail..." in v. 28 But the word is really "Rejoice!" Here are several reasons to rejoice: You have God’s favor. The Lord is with you. And you are blessed. But one other thing could be seen here. If I was Mary, I know this would be my reason for rejoicing: Rejoice because you’ve been CHOSEN! We should worship, simply because God has deemed us worthy to be a channel for the heavenly to come to earth. Rejoice that God believes in your ability to carry out this task.
3. In v. 29-30, Mary wasn’t sure what this was all about. Why this appearance by an angel? But the angel spoke this to her: FEAR NOT. Simply stated, "Calm your fears about the uncertain future." How do you do that? Partly by looking at v. 31-33. It speaks to me that what God is wanting you to bring forth, will assist in establishing His Kingdom, Rule, and Authority. Calm your fears, and know that God has a purpose and a plan, and He will strengthen you in your endeavor.
4. The most crucial issue comes right before the climax. This is the decisive factor: We must settle the "How shall this be?" question. How can we bring this to pass? How can we accomplish it? Let’s find 4 things out of v. 34-37. 1. It doesn’t require con-nection with man. It’s not by human methods. 2. It’s based upon the timing, movement, and involvement of the Holy Spirit. For the Spirit to overshadow you means for Him to be in the foreground, and you in the background. 3. Always remember that God has brought others from barrenness to blessed-ness, even if He used different methods. 4. God is with you, and that alone makes it possible.
So, the last thing that we must do, to be able to give birth to God’s baby - 5. You’ve got to open your spiritual womb. You must say (v. 38) "Be it unto me according to thy word." If God said that you can do it, then you can do it.
Open yourself up today to God’s power and Spirit, and let Him do something great in and through you. Can you give birth to God’s baby? I say, "We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!"
