Embracing Our Call: The Gift of Service
Summary
In this message, we explore the profound concept of gifts, particularly in the context of Christmas. The tradition of giving gifts during this season is rooted in the ultimate gift God gave to humanity—His Son, Jesus Christ. This divine gift calls for a response from us, a gift we give back to God. Romans 12:1-2 and Luke 1 serve as the foundation for understanding this response, exemplified by Mary, the mother of Jesus. Despite being an ordinary young girl, Mary was chosen by God for an extraordinary purpose. Her response to God's call was one of complete surrender and service, as she declared herself the maidservant of the Lord, willing to accept His will and trust His word.
Mary's story is a powerful reminder that God often chooses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Her willingness to serve and affirm God's will, despite the fear and potential criticism, is a testament to her faith and trust in God's plan. This message challenges us to reflect on our own lives and consider how we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. It encourages us to embrace our unique calling and trust in God's word, even when faced with challenges or uncertainties.
The message also draws parallels between Mary's response and our own lives, urging us to be carriers of Jesus' presence in the world. Just as Mary physically carried Jesus, we are called to carry His presence in our daily lives, impacting those around us with His love and grace. This Christmas, let us give the gift of ourselves to God, serving Him wholeheartedly and trusting in His perfect will for our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Gift of Service: Mary's declaration, "Behold, the maidservant of the Lord," exemplifies a life dedicated to serving God. Her willingness to serve, despite the fear and uncertainty, challenges us to offer our lives as living sacrifices, ready to serve God in whatever capacity He calls us. This act of service is a profound response to the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ. [09:36]
2. Affirming God's Will: Mary's prayer, "Let it be to me according to your word," reflects her acceptance of God's will for her life. This affirmation is a powerful reminder that aligning our lives with God's will brings true fulfillment and purpose. It challenges us to place God's will at the center of our lives, trusting that He has a special assignment for each of us. [15:02]
3. Trusting His Word: Trusting in God's word is essential, as demonstrated by Mary's faith. Despite potential criticism and misunderstanding, she trusted God's promise. This trust is a gift we can offer back to God, believing that He will fulfill His promises in our lives, even when circumstances seem contrary. [23:46]
4. Chosen for a Purpose: The concept of being "chosen" by God, as illustrated in Ephesians 1, emphasizes that each of us has a unique purpose and calling. God has a divine plan for our lives, and recognizing this truth empowers us to live with intention and impact. We are not accidents; we are chosen for a special assignment in God's kingdom. [17:07]
5. Carriers of His Presence: Like Mary, we are called to be carriers of Jesus' presence in the world. This calling transcends physical limitations and invites us to embody Christ's love and grace in our interactions with others. As carriers of His presence, we have the opportunity to impact the world around us, sharing the ultimate gift of Jesus with those we encounter. [42:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [06:02] - The Ultimate Gift
- [09:36] - The Gift of Service
- [12:41] - Personal Testimony
- [15:02] - Affirming God's Will
- [17:07] - Chosen for a Purpose
- [21:58] - Divine Assignment
- [23:46] - Trusting His Word
- [26:56] - Criticism and Faith
- [29:42] - Generational Connection
- [31:32] - Spiritual Wombs
- [34:14] - Leaping in Faith
- [37:10] - Trusting Through Trials
- [40:07] - Our Response to the Gift
- [42:03] - Carriers of His Presence
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:1-2
- Luke 1:38
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Observation Questions:
1. How does Romans 12:1-2 describe the way we should present ourselves to God? What does it mean to be a "living sacrifice"? [06:02]
2. In Luke 1:38, what is Mary's response to the angel's message, and how does it reflect her attitude towards God's will? [09:36]
3. What are some of the challenges Mary might have faced when she accepted God's plan for her life, as mentioned in the sermon? [12:41]
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of being "chosen" by God, and what does it imply about our purpose? [17:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to offer our lives as a "living sacrifice" in today's context, and how can this be a response to God's ultimate gift? [06:02]
2. How does Mary's willingness to serve and affirm God's will challenge our own understanding of obedience and faith? [15:02]
3. In what ways does trusting in God's word, as Mary did, require us to overcome fear and criticism? [23:46]
4. How can recognizing that we are "chosen for a purpose" change the way we view our daily lives and interactions with others? [17:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to serve in a specific way. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Mary's example of service? [09:36]
2. Consider an area of your life where you struggle to align with God's will. What steps can you take to affirm His will, as Mary did, even when it's challenging? [15:02]
3. Identify a promise from God's word that you find difficult to trust. How can you strengthen your faith in this promise, following Mary's example of trust? [23:46]
4. Think about your unique gifts and talents. How can you use them to fulfill the purpose God has chosen for you? What might be holding you back from fully embracing this calling? [17:07]
5. In what ways can you be a carrier of Jesus' presence in your community this Christmas season? How can you impact those around you with His love and grace? [42:03]
6. Reflect on a situation where you faced criticism for your faith. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Mary's response to potential criticism? [26:56]
7. How can you offer the gift of yourself to God this Christmas, serving Him wholeheartedly and trusting in His perfect will for your life? [40:07]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gift of Service
Mary's declaration, "Behold, the maidservant of the Lord," is a profound example of a life dedicated to serving God. Despite the fear and uncertainty she faced, Mary's willingness to serve challenges us to offer our lives as living sacrifices, ready to serve God in whatever capacity He calls us. This act of service is a profound response to the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ. Her story reminds us that God often chooses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes, and our willingness to serve can lead to a life of purpose and fulfillment. As we reflect on Mary's example, we are encouraged to consider how we can serve God wholeheartedly, trusting in His perfect will for our lives. [09:36]
"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:25, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can you offer your time or resources to bless them?
Day 2: Affirming God's Will
Mary's prayer, "Let it be to me according to your word," reflects her acceptance of God's will for her life. This affirmation is a powerful reminder that aligning our lives with God's will brings true fulfillment and purpose. It challenges us to place God's will at the center of our lives, trusting that He has a special assignment for each of us. By affirming God's will, we open ourselves to His guidance and direction, allowing Him to work through us in ways we may not have imagined. Mary's example encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when it leads us into unknown or challenging situations. [15:02]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to accept God's will? How can you begin to trust His plan for you today?
Day 3: Trusting His Word
Trusting in God's word is essential, as demonstrated by Mary's faith. Despite potential criticism and misunderstanding, she trusted God's promise. This trust is a gift we can offer back to God, believing that He will fulfill His promises in our lives, even when circumstances seem contrary. Mary's unwavering faith in God's word challenges us to hold onto His promises, even when we face doubt or opposition. By trusting in His word, we can find peace and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill what He has spoken. [23:46]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a promise from God's word that you find difficult to believe. How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness in this area?
Day 4: Chosen for a Purpose
The concept of being "chosen" by God, as illustrated in Ephesians 1, emphasizes that each of us has a unique purpose and calling. God has a divine plan for our lives, and recognizing this truth empowers us to live with intention and impact. We are not accidents; we are chosen for a special assignment in God's kingdom. Understanding that we are chosen by God gives us confidence and motivation to pursue our calling with passion and dedication. It reminds us that our lives have meaning and significance, and that we are part of a larger story that God is writing. [17:07]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your unique gifts and talents. How can you use them to fulfill the purpose God has for your life?
Day 5: Carriers of His Presence
Like Mary, we are called to be carriers of Jesus' presence in the world. This calling transcends physical limitations and invites us to embody Christ's love and grace in our interactions with others. As carriers of His presence, we have the opportunity to impact the world around us, sharing the ultimate gift of Jesus with those we encounter. This Christmas, let us give the gift of ourselves to God, serving Him wholeheartedly and trusting in His perfect will for our lives. By carrying His presence, we become vessels of His love and grace, bringing hope and light to those in need. [42:03]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Consider how you can be a carrier of Jesus' presence in your daily interactions. What specific actions can you take to reflect His love and grace to those around you today?
Quotes
Sure, here are 12 quotes from the transcript that align with the key takeaways:
"Of course there is a lot of a word that we often hear around this time of year and it's the word gift and many of us will frantically seek after the right gifts to buy for the right people at the right time I don't know about you but I will brave the bumper to bumper traffic and the long long lines at the counter and the entitled Christmas shoppers to get that special gift that's important for my wife or family or friends we have all these kinds of thoughts that go through our minds is this the right gift is it too big too small too expensive too cheap too extravagant too plain will he or she like it will he or she return it because he already has it and we'll have all of these thoughts going through our minds sometimes shopping can be a nightmare it's like the two guys who went fishing and they're out in their fishing boat while their wives are Christmas shopping and all of a sudden the storm arises and they find themselves trying to get back to shore only to find a sandbar they have to get out of the boat and they're in mud up to their knees trying to push the boat into the deeper water and one of the guys looks at the other guy and says I'm sure glad I'm not Christmas shopping today" [00:00:54] (128 seconds)
"And in Luke chapter 1, which is an incredible passage of scripture concerning this example of Mary's life, we see the response of Mary in giving her gift back to God. If you read Luke chapter 1, it's an amazing chapter of God's relationship with Mary. Next Sunday, we'll talk about the magnificat of praise and the song that exudes from Mary's life because God chooses her." [00:07:58] (40 seconds)
"And she says, behold, the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word. What a testimony that young teenage Mary, not understanding the ramifications of everything that is getting ready to take place would testify to God and say, behold, look at me, the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word. If you're taking notes, I hope you'll write this down at this moment. The gift of serving the Lord." [00:08:38] (50 seconds)
"Because when Mary says, behold, the maidservant of the Lord, she was saying to him, Lord, I'll serve you. I'll be what you want me to be. I'll do what you want me to do. I'll go where you want me to go. And as I said, what a surprising moment for Mary, for this angel to show up and basically say to her, Mary, you're a virgin, but you're going to get pregnant and you're going to conceive by the Holy Spirit of God. Now try to explain that one." [00:09:44] (39 seconds)
"Today, you may not have to make that type of decision. God may not be calling you to preach the gospel to the nations or calling you to carry the Messiah. But each of us, in our own way, we are called to serve the Lord. We're called to pray the prayer, Lord, I'll be what you want me to be. I'll do what you want me to do, and I'll go where you want me to go. Each one of us is called to make that decision and to serve the Lord. Second part of Mary's statement was this, behold, the maidservant of the Lord, let it be to me." [00:14:08] (46 seconds)
"It simply marries prayer to say to the Lord, whatever your will is for my life, let it, your will be done in my life. Let it be to me. Whatever your plan is, whatever your purpose is, whatever your will is, I affirm your will in my life. And there's something profound and powerful. Powerful about coming to the point that you decide to place God's will at the center of your life." [00:15:09] (37 seconds)
"I was quoting through the book of Ephesians this week by memory. Ephesians chapter 1 and quoting through that chapter. And I just couldn't get past verse 4. According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the earth or the world. That we should be holy and without blame. Laying before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself. To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. And I was quoting through that passage and I couldn't get past the first part of verse 4 that says, According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation." [00:17:59] (52 seconds)
"And so every time your flesh rises up or your carnal mind begins to say, you're not worthy, you're not significant enough, or you were an accident that wasn't even planned by your parents, something should arise within your spirit that's saying, no, no, no, no, no. Before the earth was ever placed, before the earth's crust was ever placed, God had already looked into the horizon of human history and he saw you. He saw my life and he saw your life. You were not an accident, but he looked at you and he said, out I say." [00:21:01] (47 seconds)
"Because when you decide to say according to your word, that opens the door for the attacks of the enemy. You know, Mary had to separate herself from all of those who were criticizing her. And if you read the... The verse is right there by the passage we're reading. She goes to visit her cousin, Lizzie." [00:29:11] (27 seconds)
"Some of you may be struggling with stress and anxiety about finances, but when God begins to speak and say, my God shall supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. When God speaks, something will begin to leap on the inside of you and you will trust him because it's his word." [00:36:43] (28 seconds)
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