Embracing God's Grace: Trusting His Divine Plan
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of God's intervention in our lives, emphasizing that God's grace and love are so profound that He will not let us walk paths leading to our destruction. God's ability to open and close doors is highlighted, with the assurance that closed doors often lead to better opportunities. The speaker shares a personal testimony about a redirected career path from medicine to ministry, illustrating this point.
The faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises is another focal point. The speaker references the first promise of Jesus' coming in Genesis and the numerous prophecies about the Messiah, encouraging trust in God's timing and His behind-the-scenes work. The story of Mary and Elizabeth is used to demonstrate that nothing is impossible with God, and the speaker shares personal anecdotes about raising teenage sons to be good Christian men, emphasizing the importance of difficult conversations and wise decision-making.
The sermon also reflects on the biblical story of Mary and Joseph, suggesting that sometimes people are removed from our lives because of God's work within us. The speaker asserts that closeness to God may lead to a decrease in popularity and an increase in isolation, which is necessary for God's work to be done. This is likened to the pre-surgery process where only a few can accompany the patient.
The speaker discusses the importance of prayer and God's ability to perform miracles, using the account of the angel Gabriel announcing Jesus' birth to Mary as an example. They emphasize that disruptions in our plans, such as Mary's unexpected pregnancy, are signs of God's work and a call to trust His guidance.
The sermon highlights the need for "Elizabeths" in our lives—people who can testify to God's work without us having to explain. The speaker encourages finding a supportive church community and trusting God's process of shifting and breaking relationships to prepare us for something greater.
Worship is portrayed as a collective act of devotion, with the congregation invited to express their love for God through music and lifted hands. The speaker addresses the doubts that arise while waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled, using Mary's story to show that God is still at work.
The importance of teaching young people about financial responsibility, time management, and discernment is discussed, with the speaker sharing personal experiences of guiding their children. The story of Mary and Elizabeth is revisited, emphasizing that witnessing God's work in others' lives is a sign that He is also at work in our own.
Finally, the sermon calls for surrender to God's will, presenting Christmas as an invitation to embrace God's plan for our lives. The speaker leads a song of surrender, comparing the act to a child reaching out to be held by God, and encourages the congregation to live a surrendered life, open to God's possibilities and blessings.
Key Takeaways:
- God's intervention in closing and opening doors in our lives is an act of grace, steering us away from potential harm and towards greater blessings. This divine redirection is not a denial but a setup for something better, as exemplified by the speaker's own shift from a medical career to ministry. [40:05]
- The fulfillment of God's promises is assured, and the numerous prophecies about the Messiah serve as evidence of His faithfulness. Trusting in God's timing is crucial, even when His work is not immediately visible. The speaker's emphasis on God's reliability provides comfort and encourages patience during seasons of waiting. [15:22]
- The biblical stories of Mary and Elizabeth, as well as Mary and Joseph, illustrate that God's plans can lead to unexpected life changes and the removal of certain relationships. This divine editing is necessary for personal growth and the fulfillment of God's purposes, teaching us that intimacy with God may require solitude. [31:25]
- The presence of supportive individuals in our lives, akin to Elizabeth for Mary, is vital for spiritual encouragement. These relationships affirm God's active role in our lives and the importance of community in witnessing and celebrating His miracles. The speaker's call to find such fellowship underscores the value of a faith-based support system. [27:55]
- Surrendering to God's will is a transformative experience that opens up new possibilities and blessings. The act of surrender, as demonstrated through worship, is an invitation to trust in God's plan and to offer oneself as a vessel for His purposes. This message of surrender is central to living a life aligned with God's will. [43:45]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV)
> Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
2. Genesis 3:15 (NKJV)
> And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.
3. Revelation 3:7-8 (NKJV)
> And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the angel Gabriel's message to Mary in Luke 1:26-38?
2. How does Genesis 3:15 relate to the promise of Jesus' coming?
3. According to Revelation 3:7-8, what authority does Jesus have over doors in our lives?
4. In the sermon, what personal testimony did the speaker share about career redirection? ([36:58])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Mary's response to the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:38 reveal about her faith and willingness to surrender to God's plan?
2. How does the prophecy in Genesis 3:15 set the stage for the coming of Jesus and the fulfillment of God's promises?
3. What might be the significance of God closing and opening doors in our lives, as mentioned in Revelation 3:7-8, and how does this relate to the speaker's testimony about career redirection? ([36:58])
4. How does the story of Mary and Elizabeth illustrate the importance of having supportive relationships in our spiritual journey? ([23:03])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when a door was closed in your life. How did you see God's hand in redirecting you to something better? ([36:58])
2. How can you cultivate a heart of surrender like Mary, especially when God's plans disrupt your own? ([40:05])
3. Who are the "Elizabeths" in your life—people who can testify to God's work without you having to explain? How can you strengthen these relationships? ([23:03])
4. The speaker mentioned the importance of teaching young people about financial responsibility, time management, and discernment. How can you apply these principles in your own life or in mentoring others? ([06:56])
5. Have you experienced a season where God shifted or broke relationships you thought you needed? How did this prepare you for something greater? ([27:01])
6. In what ways can you be more available to God's will, even if it means letting go of your own plans? ([40:05])
7. How can you support others in your church community who are going through a "Mary season" of life, where they are waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled? ([24:48])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Redirection Through Closed Doors
God's grace manifests in guiding us away from harm and towards His blessings, even through the unexpected closures of life's doors. Trust that a closed door is not a denial but a divine redirection towards a path filled with greater opportunities. [40:05]
Acts 16:6-7 - "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when a door closed in your life, only to lead you to something better? How did you see God's hand in that redirection?
Day 2: Trusting the Promise Keeper
God's timing is perfect, and His promises are sure. As prophecies of old were fulfilled in Christ, so too can we trust that God is working behind the scenes in our lives, even when His handiwork is not immediately apparent. [15:22]
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
Reflection: What promise are you waiting for God to fulfill in your life, and how can you actively trust in His timing while you wait?
Day 3: Embracing Divine Editing
God's plan for our lives can involve significant changes, including the removal of relationships that may hinder our growth. Embrace the solitude that sometimes accompanies a closer walk with God, knowing it is part of His divine editing for your life. [31:25]
Genesis 12:1 - "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'"
Reflection: Have you experienced a season of isolation that led to spiritual growth? How did that time apart prepare you for what God had next in your life?
Day 4: The Value of Spiritual Encouragement
In our spiritual journey, God provides us with "Elizabeths"—people who encourage and affirm God's work in us without needing explanation. These relationships are a testament to God's active role in our lives and the importance of community. [27:55]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Reflection: Who has been an "Elizabeth" in your life, offering spiritual encouragement without judgment? How can you be that person for someone else today?
Day 5: Surrender as the Path to Blessing
Surrendering to God's will is an act of worship that opens us to His possibilities and blessings. As we offer ourselves to God, we are invited to trust in His plan and embrace the life He has designed for us. [43:45]
Psalm 37:5 - "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting surrender to God? What steps can you take today to begin surrendering that area to Him?
Quotes
"God loves you too much to let you travel your whole life down a road that's going to lead to your death... God knows how to shut some doors even... whenever God closes a door it's because God has something better for you." [36:58] (Download)
"God will mess up your plans that's how you know he's up to something... when you stop struggling and start surrendering, when you stop holding on to your plan and avail yourself to God's plan." [40:05] (Download)
"Sometimes you lose people not because of what you've done to them, but because of what God is doing in you. There's no way for God to work a great work in your life and not edit some people out of your life." [29:30] (Download)
"God has not forgotten about you, God has not abandoned you, you have not committed suicide on God's promises, God has not aborted your destiny. God is at work around you, and if you open your eyes there are some signs to encourage you that God is not finished with you yet." [18:35] (Download)
"Elizabeth just got to stand up and you can see that God has been at work in my life. I need some Elizabeth's who can declare I ain't got to open my mouth, all I got to do is stand up and my life is a witness that God is able." [24:48] (Download)
"Amazing things happen when you surrender to the will of God; things you never knew could be in your life will come when you surrender to the will of God." [41:50] (Download)
"When a child comes to you in this position, they're giving you an indicator that I want you to pick me up from what I'm in and hold me close that I might be safe." [43:45] (Download)
"God, my life is surrendered to you; my will, it's surrendered to you. God, everything, everything is yours today." [44:20] (Download)
"Our God is faithful to the promises he has made; he will work all things together for your good, he will open up doors, he will make a way out of no way, he will heal your disease, he will walk with you." [14:29] (Download)
"God is never idle, God is never sitting on the sidelines of your life just watching life happen to you. God is always at work in your life, always behind the scenes, always fulfilling His word." [15:22] (Download)
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