Embracing God's Presence Through Community and Faith

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explore the profound truth that God is with us, often revealed through our interactions with others. We are encouraged to think of someone in our lives whom we can uplift, recognizing that God often manifests through the faces and actions of those around us. This idea is deeply rooted in the story of the Incarnation, where God became present in the world through Jesus. We revisited the narrative of the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary, a young woman chosen to bear the Son of God. Despite the fear and uncertainty she faced, Mary responded with faith and courage, embodying the essence of being God's servant.

Mary's journey to visit her relative Elizabeth is a testament to her active faith. Despite the dangers and challenges, she hurried to Elizabeth, seeking both to confirm the angel's message and to offer her support. This visit is rich with symbolism, drawing parallels to the Ark of the Covenant, which represented God's presence among the Israelites. Just as the Ark was a vessel of divine presence, Mary, too, carried the presence of God within her. Elizabeth's recognition of this and her exclamation of joy highlight the mutual encouragement and recognition of God's work in each other's lives.

The story of Mary and Elizabeth teaches us about the importance of community and the power of seeing and naming God's work in one another. It challenges us to open the windows of our souls, both upward to God and outward to those around us. By doing so, we become conduits of God's love and presence, blessing others and being blessed in return. This reflection invites us to live with open hearts, ready to serve and be served, trusting that God is with us in every step of our journey.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Presence in Others: We often encounter God through our interactions with others. By recognizing and encouraging the divine work in those around us, we become active participants in God's mission. This requires us to be attentive and open to the ways God is moving in the lives of those we encounter. [00:34]

2. Mary's Courageous Faith: Mary's response to Gabriel's message exemplifies a faith that is both active and courageous. Despite the risks and uncertainties, she embraced her role as God's servant, demonstrating that true faith often requires us to step out in trust and obedience. [03:20]

3. The Power of Community: The relationship between Mary and Elizabeth highlights the importance of community in our spiritual journey. By supporting and affirming each other, they strengthened their faith and experienced God's presence in a profound way. This teaches us the value of mutual encouragement and shared faith. [09:14]

4. Symbolism of the Ark: The parallels between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant remind us of the sacredness of carrying God's presence. Just as the Ark was a symbol of God's covenant with Israel, Mary became a vessel of divine presence, illustrating the transformative power of God's indwelling. [08:48]

5. Opening Windows to God and Others: We are called to open the windows of our souls, both to God and to those around us. By being open and attentive, we create opportunities for divine encounters and become channels of God's love and grace in the world. [10:30]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - Encouragement and God's Presence
- [01:01] - The Story of the Incarnation
- [01:15] - Gabriel's Message to Mary
- [01:45] - Mary's Troubled Heart
- [02:11] - God's Work in Elizabeth
- [02:39] - Nothing is Impossible with God
- [03:06] - Mary's Response of Faith
- [03:20] - Active Faith and Courage
- [03:51] - Mary's Journey to Elizabeth
- [04:34] - Mutual Encouragement
- [05:34] - Elizabeth's Joyful Exclamation
- [06:04] - Symbolism of the Ark
- [08:48] - Mary as a Vessel of God's Presence
- [09:58] - Opening Windows to God and Others

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:26-56 - The Annunciation and Mary's Visit to Elizabeth
2. 2 Samuel 6:1-15 - The Ark of the Covenant Brought to Jerusalem

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Mary's initial reaction to the angel Gabriel's message, and how did she respond to it? ([01:26])
2. Describe the journey Mary undertook to visit Elizabeth. What challenges did she face, and what was her motivation? ([03:51])
3. How does Elizabeth react when Mary arrives, and what does this reveal about her understanding of Mary's situation? ([05:34])
4. What parallels are drawn between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant in the sermon? ([08:48])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Mary's response to Gabriel's message demonstrate her faith and courage? What can this teach us about responding to God's call in our own lives? ([03:06])
2. In what ways does the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth illustrate the importance of community in the spiritual journey? How does their interaction strengthen their faith? ([09:14])
3. The sermon draws a parallel between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant. What does this symbolism suggest about the nature of God's presence in the world? ([08:48])
4. How does the concept of "opening windows" to God and others challenge us to be more attentive to God's presence in our daily interactions? ([10:30])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence through another person. How did that experience impact your faith journey? ([00:34])
2. Identify someone in your life who might need encouragement or support. What specific action can you take this week to uplift them? ([00:46])
3. Mary's journey to Elizabeth was both physically and emotionally challenging. What is a current challenge you are facing, and how can you approach it with faith and courage like Mary? ([03:51])
4. The sermon emphasizes the power of community. How can you actively contribute to building a supportive and faith-filled community in your church or neighborhood? ([09:14])
5. Consider the symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant and Mary's role as a vessel of God's presence. How can you carry God's presence into your daily life and interactions? ([08:48])
6. The idea of "opening windows" to God and others suggests being open and attentive. What practical steps can you take to be more aware of God's work in your life and the lives of those around you? ([10:30])
7. Reflect on the statement "Nothing is impossible with God." How does this truth influence your perspective on the challenges and opportunities you face? ([02:39])

Devotional

Day 1: Encountering God in Others
In our daily interactions, we often encounter God through the people around us. By recognizing and encouraging the divine work in others, we become active participants in God's mission. This requires us to be attentive and open to the ways God is moving in the lives of those we encounter. When we uplift others, we not only reflect God's love but also create a community where His presence is felt and celebrated. This perspective invites us to see each person as a vessel of God's grace, challenging us to be more intentional in our relationships. [00:34]

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who might need encouragement today. How can you be a reflection of God's love to them in a tangible way?


Day 2: Embracing Courageous Faith
Mary's response to Gabriel's message exemplifies a faith that is both active and courageous. Despite the risks and uncertainties, she embraced her role as God's servant, demonstrating that true faith often requires us to step out in trust and obedience. Her willingness to say "yes" to God's plan, even when it seemed impossible, is a powerful reminder of the strength found in surrendering to God's will. This kind of faith challenges us to trust in God's promises and to act with courage, even when the path is unclear. [03:20]

"And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a step of obedience today?


Day 3: The Strength of Community
The relationship between Mary and Elizabeth highlights the importance of community in our spiritual journey. By supporting and affirming each other, they strengthened their faith and experienced God's presence in a profound way. This teaches us the value of mutual encouragement and shared faith. In community, we find strength, comfort, and a deeper understanding of God's work in our lives. It is through these relationships that we can see God's hand at work and be reminded that we are not alone in our journey. [09:14]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for mutual encouragement this week? How can you intentionally build up their faith?


Day 4: Sacred Vessels of God's Presence
The parallels between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant remind us of the sacredness of carrying God's presence. Just as the Ark was a symbol of God's covenant with Israel, Mary became a vessel of divine presence, illustrating the transformative power of God's indwelling. This symbolism invites us to consider how we, too, carry God's presence within us. As believers, we are called to be living temples, reflecting His glory and love to the world around us. [08:48]

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you be more mindful of carrying God's presence in your daily life? How can this awareness transform your interactions with others?


Day 5: Opening Our Souls to God and Others
We are called to open the windows of our souls, both to God and to those around us. By being open and attentive, we create opportunities for divine encounters and become channels of God's love and grace in the world. This openness requires vulnerability and a willingness to be transformed by God's presence. It challenges us to look beyond ourselves and to see the divine in the everyday moments of life, inviting us to live with hearts wide open to God's work. [10:30]

"Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in." (Psalm 24:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to open your heart more fully to God and to those around you? How might this openness change your perspective?

Quotes

God is with you and I want to invite you today to think about one of the person in your life that you can encourage because very often the place that we find God is in the face of another human being think of somebody that's in your family somebody that you work with somebody that's a friend that you can see that you can notice that you can name something that God is up to in them and ask God to bring that person to your mind so that you can reach out to them. [00:00:23]

Mary is not passive in this she is a person of extraordinary character and courage and uh being surrendered to God does not mean being passive and waiting around for some Divine invitation to do something because immediately it says this is in Luke 1 verse 39 immediately at that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the Hill Country of Judy apparently Mary had not got that word to ruthlessly eliminate hurry for your life there are times when haste and moving with speed is a good thing. [00:03:20]

Mary wants to be of some assistance to Elizabeth and then we're told when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting the baby leaped in a room and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit in a loud voice she exclaimed and the text there makes uh quite a deal of this she gives a shout she gives a cry not just that she exclaims with a shout not just that she exclaims with a loud chat something very significant is going on here. [00:05:25]

I mentioned that Mary was told that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her this is loaded language this is all loaded language in the Old Testament when the Ark of the Covenant was in the holiest place in the Tabernacle at the end of Exodus we're told Moses could not even go in because the presence of the Lord overshadowed that place God was present in such a thick way that it was palpable. [00:06:00]

We are being told that just as the Ark of the Covenant expressed the presence of God for the people of Israel now now now somehow this little teenage girl Mary is in the New Testament what the ark was in the Old Testament she Bears the presence of God she is making it available and Elizabeth sees what is going on in Mary and names of blessed are you what great joy she names it. [00:08:38]

Mary wanted to give help to her relative and so she does she Begins by serving I am the Lord's servant and then she goes in a hurry to a quite dangerous place and uh Elizabeth's response to that is blessed is the one who believed Mary you were willing to risk you are willing to trust they name it it's a beautiful story and Jesus begins to be present in them and to one another in their friendship. [00:09:32]

We've been learning and we'll keep doing that from Frank Lubbock this remarkable man who was a missionary to the Philippines 100 years ago and he talks in his uh letters about opening Windows to God doing this experiment to see from one moment to the next God how can I be available to you and then he says not only does he open Windows to heaven in his mind but he opens Windows to uh other people to seek to serve them. [00:10:04]

I resolved uh to be as wide open toward people and their need as I am toward God windows open outward as well as upward Windows especially open downward where people need most so now we have Windows in our souls and we can open them up God how are you present right here Jesus Emmanuel God With Us how are you in my mind as I'm looking into this camera speaking to and filled with gratitude and love for the people that I get to talk to. [00:10:36]

How can my windows be open to you and then to other people I was at a church this past weekend called Northgate and getting to meet with a number of views and I'm part of the Fellowship of the withered hand it's so encouraging to me Tim my buddy and partner in this he and um Brittany were getting a dryer of all things and then went to somebody's house and it turns out the person they were getting the dryer from no reason for this connection uh is also part of our little Community together and so they could bless each other. [00:11:14]

You can Bless the people that are in your life today Lord I am your servant who can I see who can I encourage who can I bless you never know you never know how God will meet you as you do that you are not alone. [00:11:46]

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Transcript
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