“A Reel Look At Christmas”
Miracles Don’t Just Happen On 34th St.
Luke 1:26-38
Intro- How we become cynical and skeptical
DVD Scene-50 Yard Line
How do I experience miracles in my life? How do I open my life up to the miraculous?
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
1) I put myself in a position to be visited!
28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Gen 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. NIV
2) I choose to believe in what God has called me to.
a) Even if it makes no sense
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.
b) Even if it costs me
…a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph (v.27)
i) Mary is betrothed to a guy- not married- she has to tell her parents, her fiancée
c) Even if others judge me – Nazareth – 200 people when annunciation took place! 60000 today…
d) Mary believes the promise – even though it’s crazy!
i) Outreach – spent money that really cost us!
3) I acknowledge my questions and doubts.
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
Jer 12:1 You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
a) God can handle my questions!
b) I must accept humbly what He tells me!
4) I respond faithfully to God’s will.
38 "I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."
5) I watch God do the impossible.
37 For nothing is impossible with God."
Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. NIV
“Faith is believing in things when commonsense tells you not to.”
Questions for homework…
1) Have I become cynical?
2) Has it affected my prayer life?
3) Am I prepared to be used by God?
