Divine Disruption: Embracing Hope Through Mary's Journey
Summary
Mary's story is a profound narrative of disruption and divine encounter. At a young age, her life was turned upside down when she was chosen to carry the hope of the world, Jesus. This Christmas story is not just a comforting tale but a historical event that signifies divine disruption. Many of us experience seasons of disruption, where expectations are shattered, and dreams seem dashed. In these moments, Mary's story becomes our story, inviting us to encounter God amidst the chaos. Often, it is in these times of disorientation that we encounter God most profoundly, finding a hope that is not wishful thinking but a deep, abiding assurance.
The angel Gabriel's visit to Mary in the small, insignificant town of Nazareth is a reminder that God's favor is not earned but given by grace. Despite her initial fear and confusion, Mary is reassured of God's favor and the monumental role she will play in the salvation story. The angel's message is filled with affirmatives about Jesus, the Messiah, who will reign forever. This narrative challenges us to wrestle with our faith, to ask questions, and to seek understanding.
Hope, as revealed in this story, is not an abstract concept but a person—Jesus. This hope disrupts our lives, initiating divine encounters that transform us. Mary's journey from a young mother to a follower and worshiper of Jesus exemplifies the disruptive nature of divine hope. The Christmas story celebrates Jesus' arrival, His ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit, and His anticipated return. This hope is a call to worship, to live in relationship with God, and to carry hope to others, even when it disrupts our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Divine Disruption: Mary's story teaches us that divine encounters often come in seasons of disruption. When our expectations are shattered, and dreams seem dashed, it is an invitation to encounter God in new and profound ways. Disruption can be a fertile ground for spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with God. [22:07]
- Grace, Not Earned Favor: The favor Mary received was not earned but given by grace. This challenges our understanding of divine favor, reminding us that God's grace is freely given, not based on our actions or worthiness. It invites us to embrace God's grace in our own lives, trusting in His unmerited favor. [25:55]
- Hope as a Person: In Christianity, hope is not an abstract concept but a person—Jesus. This hope is rooted in the reality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It is a hope that transforms and sustains us, inviting us into a relationship with the living God. [31:19]
- The Disruptive Nature of Hope: The hope of Jesus is disruptive, initiating divine encounters that transform our lives. Like Mary, we are called to embrace this disruption, allowing it to lead us into deeper companionship with Jesus and participation in His mission. [35:34]
- Anticipation of Jesus' Return: The Christmas story is not only about Jesus' first arrival but also His ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit and His anticipated return. This hope calls us to live in anticipation, participating in God's redemptive work and carrying hope to a world in need. [39:36]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[22:07] - Seasons of Disruption
[22:58] - Encountering God in Chaos
[23:41] - Opening Prayer
[24:59] - The Angel's Message
[25:55] - Grace and Favor
[26:41] - The Promise of Jesus
[27:16] - The Virgin Birth
[28:42] - God Becoming Human
[29:33] - The Holy Spirit's Role
[30:22] - Elizabeth's Miracle
[31:19] - Hope as a Person
[33:38] - The Disruptive Hope
[35:34] - Companionship with Jesus
[36:53] - The Hope of Jesus' Return
[39:36] - Anticipating the Second Coming
[41:45] - A New Heaven and Earth
[43:16] - Being Hope Carriers
[45:08] - Relationship Over Religion
[46:40] - Listening to God's Invitation
[49:21] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 1:26-38
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Revelation 21:1-5
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Mary's initial reaction to the angel Gabriel's message, and how did the angel reassure her? ([25:55])
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of the town of Nazareth in the context of Mary's story? ([24:59])
3. What are the affirmatives mentioned by the angel about Jesus, and how do they relate to Old Testament prophecies? ([26:41])
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the conception of Jesus? ([29:33])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "divine disruption" challenge the way individuals typically view disruptions in their own lives? ([22:07])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's favor is given by grace rather than earned? How does this understanding affect one's relationship with God? ([25:55])
3. How does the sermon explain the idea of hope being a person, Jesus, rather than an abstract concept? What implications does this have for a believer's faith journey? ([31:19])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the ongoing presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, and how does this shape the anticipation of His return? ([36:53])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your life was disrupted. How did you respond, and in what ways can you see God's hand in that situation now? ([22:58])
2. How can you embrace the idea of grace as unearned favor in your daily life, especially when you feel unworthy? ([25:55])
3. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus, recognizing Him as the person of hope in your life? ([31:19])
4. How can you be open to the disruptive nature of hope, allowing it to lead you into deeper companionship with Jesus and participation in His mission? ([35:34])
5. What steps can you take to live in anticipation of Jesus' return, actively participating in God's redemptive work in the world? ([39:36])
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel God is inviting you to say "yes" to His call. How can you take a step of faith in that direction this week? ([46:40])
7. How can you be a carrier of hope to others in your community, even when it requires personal sacrifice or disruption? ([43:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Disruption as an Invitation to Encounter God
In times of disruption, when life feels chaotic and uncertain, there is an invitation to encounter God in new and profound ways. Mary's story is a testament to this truth. Her life was turned upside down when she was chosen to carry Jesus, the hope of the world. This divine disruption was not just a moment of chaos but a profound encounter with God. In our own lives, when expectations are shattered and dreams seem dashed, we are invited to see these disruptions as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with God. It is often in these moments of disorientation that we find a hope that is not mere wishful thinking but a deep, abiding assurance. [22:07]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: Think of a recent disruption in your life. How might God be inviting you to encounter Him in this situation, and what steps can you take to respond to this invitation today?
Day 2: Grace as the Foundation of Divine Favor
Mary's story reminds us that divine favor is not something we earn but is given by grace. The angel Gabriel's visit to Mary in Nazareth, a small and seemingly insignificant town, underscores this truth. Despite her initial fear and confusion, Mary was reassured of God's favor and the monumental role she would play in the salvation story. This challenges our understanding of divine favor, reminding us that God's grace is freely given, not based on our actions or worthiness. We are invited to embrace God's grace in our own lives, trusting in His unmerited favor and allowing it to transform us. [25:55]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel unworthy of God's favor. How can you embrace His grace today, trusting that it is freely given and not based on your actions?
Day 3: Hope Embodied in the Person of Jesus
In Christianity, hope is not an abstract concept but a person—Jesus. This hope is rooted in the reality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It is a hope that transforms and sustains us, inviting us into a relationship with the living God. Mary's journey from a young mother to a follower and worshiper of Jesus exemplifies the transformative power of this hope. The Christmas story celebrates Jesus' arrival, His ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit, and His anticipated return. This hope is a call to worship, to live in relationship with God, and to carry hope to others, even when it disrupts our lives. [31:19]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus as your living hope impact your daily life? What is one way you can share this hope with someone else today?
Day 4: Embracing the Disruptive Nature of Hope
The hope of Jesus is disruptive, initiating divine encounters that transform our lives. Like Mary, we are called to embrace this disruption, allowing it to lead us into deeper companionship with Jesus and participation in His mission. This hope challenges us to wrestle with our faith, to ask questions, and to seek understanding. It is not a passive hope but an active one that calls us to live in anticipation of Jesus' return and to participate in God's redemptive work in the world. [35:34]
Acts 17:6-7 (ESV): "And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.'"
Reflection: In what ways has the hope of Jesus disrupted your life? How can you embrace this disruption and allow it to lead you into deeper companionship with Jesus today?
Day 5: Living in Anticipation of Jesus' Return
The Christmas story is not only about Jesus' first arrival but also His ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit and His anticipated return. This hope calls us to live in anticipation, participating in God's redemptive work and carrying hope to a world in need. We are invited to live in relationship with God, to worship Him, and to carry His hope to others, even when it disrupts our lives. This anticipation is not passive but active, calling us to be hope carriers in a world that desperately needs it. [39:36]
Titus 2:11-13 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How are you actively living in anticipation of Jesus' return? What is one practical way you can participate in God's redemptive work in the world today?
Quotes
Mary's story is your story. Maybe today is the time that you can consider what does it mean to encounter God in this season of disruption? Certainly, I have encountered God in seasons of great joy, mountaintops, when things have gone well, when God has provided in ways beyond anything I could have expected. [00:22:33] (30 seconds)
The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you. And this is probably where for some of you, you're like, oh, I will not be disrupted by God because I'm not going to be highly favored. [00:25:38] (17 seconds)
But this word highly favored, actually, it's not that kind of favor. It's not a favor that is earned. It's a favor that is given. The word comes, it only shows up twice in the New Testament here and in Ephesians 1, 6. [00:26:05] (18 seconds)
The initiating hope of Jesus disrupts. God initiates with Mary. Mary does not go to God. God goes to Mary. The angel doesn't bring a request. He brings an assignment, and it is disruptive. It is disorienting. [00:33:26] (24 seconds)
The initiating hope of Jesus is disruptive. I don't know anyone who companions intimately with Jesus who has not been disrupted. Hope is a person. Hope disrupts. [00:35:34] (22 seconds)
The hope that we have, that we stand upon, that is in the hope of his return. Mary was the disrupted one, but she was disrupted by hope. And now she would carry hope. [00:42:58] (22 seconds)
We want to be hope carriers, but I have to tell you, it will disrupt you. It will cost you. If we're talking about a relationship with the living God, it is not religion. It is alive and it is active and it will cost us to be people who bring hope. [00:43:59] (32 seconds)
You are a God who wants relationship with us. You are a God who speaks to us and listens to us and lets us debate with you and question you and wonder. Oh, we're thankful that you're a living God, not an impersonal force. [00:49:31] (22 seconds)
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