Embracing the Divine: Mary's Faith and God's Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Elevation of the Humble

God's kingdom often turns our expectations upside down, choosing the humble and overlooked to fulfill His grand purposes. This is vividly illustrated in the selection of Mary, a young woman from the insignificant town of Nazareth, to become the mother of Jesus. This act of divine selection underscores that no person or place is too small or too insignificant for God to use for His glory. It is a powerful reminder that in God's eyes, every life has purpose and significance. The story of Mary teaches us that God's grace can elevate the lowly to roles of profound importance in His redemptive plan. It is not our status, power, or prestige that qualifies us for God's work, but rather our willingness to be used by Him.

[30:55]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt insignificant or overlooked. How can you open yourself up to God's call, trusting that He can use you for His purposes, regardless of your current circumstances?

Day 2: Servant's Heart in Accepting God's Will

Mary's response to the angel Gabriel is a profound example of what it means to have a servant's heart. Her willingness to accept God's will, despite the personal cost, is a testament to her deep faith and trust in God's promises. She did not allow fear or the potential for misunderstanding to prevent her from embracing God's plan for her life. This challenges us to consider our own level of submission to God's purposes. Are we willing to accept God's will for our lives, even when it comes with personal sacrifice or hardship? Mary's example calls us to trust in God's promises and to live in a manner that glorifies Him above all else.

[54:51]

"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

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you struggle to submit to God's will? How can you follow Mary's example of servitude and faithfulness in this area?

Day 3: Embracing the Mystery of Incarnation

The virgin birth of Jesus is a central tenet of Christian faith, highlighting the unique nature of Christ as both fully human and fully divine. This miraculous event, which fulfills Old Testament prophecies, underscores that God's ways are beyond human understanding. The incarnation is a mystery that invites us to worship and marvel at the ways God intervenes in the world. It calls us to embrace the fullness of Jesus' humanity and divinity, recognizing Him as the second Adam who comes to redeem humanity from sin. This mystery is not meant to be fully understood but to be a source of awe and worship.

[35:32]

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14

Reflection: How does the mystery of the incarnation challenge or strengthen your faith? In what ways can you worship God more fully by embracing this mystery?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Power to Transform

The belief in God's ability to do the impossible is at the heart of the Christian faith. It is the same power that transformed the life of Mary and brought Jesus into the world that continues to work in the lives of believers today. This belief calls us to live a life of faith and trust, looking to God to do what seems impossible in our own lives and in the world around us. It challenges us to trust in God's power to transform even the worst of sinners and to perform miracles that are beyond human capability.

[51:38]

"For nothing will be impossible with God." - Luke 1:37

Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need to trust God's power to do the impossible? How can you actively demonstrate that trust today?

Day 5: Recognizing Jesus' Divine Identity

The story of the Annunciation is not only about Mary's faith but also about the identity of Jesus as the Divine Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the eternal King. Understanding Jesus' identity from an "earth up" perspective allows believers to appreciate the fullness of His humanity and divinity. This balanced view is crucial for a well-rounded understanding of the gospel and its implications for our lives. It invites us to live in a way that acknowledges Jesus' kingship and to align our lives with His redemptive mission.

[46:09]

"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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." - Luke 1:32-33

Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as both fully human and fully divine impact your daily life? What are some practical ways you can honor His kingship in your actions and decisions today?

Sermon Summary

In his message, Josh Slater delves into the profound narrative of the Annunciation of Jesus to Mary, as recounted in Luke 1:26-38. He begins by emphasizing the significance of the event, highlighting that the incarnation of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian faith that is often glossed over amidst the distractions of the holiday season. Slater encourages his congregation to deeply consider the implications of God becoming flesh and the awe that this revelation should inspire.

Slater then transitions to the setting of the Annunciation, underscoring the humility and insignificance of Nazareth, the town where Mary resided. He points out that God's choice to announce the coming of the Messiah in such a humble place speaks volumes about His nature. God does not seek out the powerful or the elite to fulfill His purposes; instead, He often chooses the humble and the lowly, as demonstrated by His selection of Mary, a young girl from an obscure town.

The narrative of Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel is then explored. Slater notes Mary's contemplative nature and her willingness to ponder the angel's message deeply. Despite her initial fear and confusion, Mary's faith and trust in God are evident in her response to Gabriel's announcement. She accepts the call to bear the Son of God, fully aware of the potential ridicule and hardship this could bring upon her. Mary's example is presented as a model of servitude and faithfulness to God.

Slater also touches on the theological implications of the virgin birth, connecting it to Old Testament prophecies and the uniqueness of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. He emphasizes that Mary's virginity and the miraculous conception of Jesus set Him apart from all other births, linking Him to the divine intervention seen in the creation of Adam.

Throughout his message, Slater challenges his listeners to reflect on their own faith and trust in God. He asks whether they, like Mary, are willing to lay aside their own desires and reputations to serve God wholeheartedly. He stresses that this is not merely a call to be better people but a call to submit to Jesus in every aspect of life, responding to the grace extended through the gospel.

In conclusion, Slater reiterates the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Divine Son of God, the promised King, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. He encourages his congregation to live lives of devotion, reflecting the faith and trust exemplified by Mary.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the significance of the town of Nazareth in the context of the Annunciation? ([25:40])
How did Mary initially react to the angel Gabriel's greeting and message? ([39:00])
What does Gabriel tell Mary about the nature and future of her son, Jesus? ([41:05])
How does Mary respond to Gabriel's announcement and what does this reveal about her character? ([52:20])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose an insignificant town like Nazareth and a young girl like Mary for the Annunciation? What does this tell us about God's nature? ([25:40])
How does the virgin birth of Jesus fulfill Old Testament prophecies, and why is this significant for understanding Jesus' identity? ([35:32])
What does Mary's willingness to accept God's will, despite the potential personal cost, teach us about faith and servitude? ([52:20])
How does the concept of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine impact our understanding of the Incarnation and its importance in Christian faith? ([34:55])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt insignificant or overlooked. How does the story of Mary encourage you to see your life as significant in God's plan? ([30:55])
Mary's response to Gabriel was one of complete trust and submission. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you work on surrendering those areas to Him? ([52:20])
The virgin birth is a miraculous event that defies human understanding. How do you respond to aspects of faith that are beyond your comprehension? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God's power? ([35:32])
Slater challenges us to examine our trust in God's power to do the impossible. Can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust God more fully? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith in this area? ([51:38])
Mary faced potential ridicule and hardship for accepting God's call. Have you ever faced criticism or challenges for your faith? How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Mary's example? ([53:02])
Understanding Jesus' identity as both fully human and fully divine is crucial for a well-rounded faith. How can you balance these two aspects in your personal study and worship of Jesus? ([46:09])
Slater emphasizes the importance of living a life of devotion, reflecting Mary's faith and trust. What specific actions can you take this week to live more devotedly to God? ([56:46])

Sermon Clips

1) "God took what was insignificant to the world and made her significant. What this means is that no matter how much you think that your life doesn't matter, it absolutely does. Your life, your talents, even your Beginnings matter to the king of the universe." [30:55] (Download)

2) "Mary's response reflects the True Heart of a servant, the heart of one who will do anything to serve her Lord. She willingly gives up her life to glorify God." [52:20] (Download)

3) "Mary knows that living for God's glory is more important than appeasing man. She knows that trusting in the Lord means actually trusting in the Lord completely." [54:15] (Download)

4) "The Lord goes to Great length to identify with the most humble of people. He chooses the most unlikely of people to play a magnificent and mighty role in the history of redemption." [37:54] (Download)

5) "Nothing is impossible with God. What an amazing statement. Too often I believe that we have such an inaccurate view of how powerful God is. Our view of God is often way too small." [50:22] (Download)

6) "Mary didn't inherently possess any Merit on her own that caused the Lord to choose her, rather she was chosen like Zachariah and Elizabeth because it simply pleased the Lord to choose her." [37:16] (Download)

7) "The virgin birth of Jesus is a testament to the unique nature of Christ as both fully human and fully divine. This miraculous event fulfills Old Testament prophecies and demonstrates that God's ways are beyond human understanding." [35:32] (Download)

8) "Believing in the gospel will lead to a change of living for him, submitting to him, and serving him wholeheartedly, recognizing the grace that we've received leads to a life of Devotion to the Lord." [56:46] (Download)

9) "The belief that God can transform the lives of the worst sinners and perform miracles beyond human capability is central to the Christian faith." [51:38] (Download)

10) "Understanding Jesus' identity from an 'earth up' perspective, as Luke presents it, allows believers to appreciate the fullness of His humanity and divinity." [46:09] (Download)

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