November 30th, 2025 - Life Interrupted

Devotional

Day 1: God favors the humble—He calls the unlikely.

Mary's life shows that God speaks into ordinary, unexpected places and chooses people who are young, unknown, and seemingly unqualified to carry out His purposes. Her fear gave way to obedience when she trusted God's favor rather than her own reputation. This reminds believers that the invitation to participate in God's work often comes when and where least expected. [03:47]

Luke 1:26-31 (ESV)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And 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 bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus."

Reflection: When has God interrupted your ordinary life with a call that felt too big for you? What practical step can you take this week to respond in faith rather than fear?

Day 2: God affirms His promise—joy in faithful fellowship.

Elizabeth's response to Mary's visit shows how God confirms His promises through the encouragement and testimony of others; the unborn John leapt for joy at the presence of Jesus even in the womb. Fellowship can be the place where doubts are quieted and revelation is given, as believers speak God's truth into one another's lives. Treasure those voices that point you back to God's faithfulness and let their joy strengthen your own. [13:09]

Luke 1:41-45 (ESV)
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

Reflection: Who in your life carries faith-filled certainty that helps you recognize God's work? How will you intentionally receive and act on one encouraging word from them this week?

Day 3: Righteous obedience chooses mercy over shame.

Joseph models a quiet righteousness—rather than exposing Mary to public disgrace he chose a merciful path and listened when God clarified the story. True righteousness does not rush to punish or to protect reputation above people; it seeks to align with God's perspective and act in compassion. When God reveals a difficult truth, obedience may mean choosing mercy and trusting God's larger purpose. [10:17]

Matthew 1:19-22 (ESV)
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

Reflection: When a hard situation calls for a decision, do you instinctively protect appearance or people? Name one concrete way you can choose mercy in a tense relationship this week.

Day 4: Christ's arrival came through inconvenient, humble circumstances.

Jesus was born after a long, uncomfortable journey and placed in a manger because there was no room at the inn—God's saving work often comes through messy, inconvenient paths. The discomfort and lack of prestige around Christ's birth remind believers that God's presence does not depend on human comfort or status. Be willing to meet God in the ordinary and the difficult places where real life happens. [16:32]

Luke 2:4-7 (ESV)
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Reflection: What "manger moments" are you avoiding because they feel inconvenient or unclean? Identify one small, uncomfortable step you will take to make space for God to work in that area.

Day 5: Seekers from afar respond with worship and gifts.

The Magi traveled long and costly distances, following a star and offering their best gifts in worship—God draws people from every nation and calls for wholehearted response. Their journey reminds the church that true worship often requires time, sacrifice, and a willingness to obey God's lead instead of earthly powers. Consider how your time, treasures, and travel reflect a heart that seeks Jesus above convenience or expectation. [23:30]

Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Reflection: What long-term commitment or costly gift might God be calling you to give in worship? List one specific sacrifice of time, money, or comfort you can offer this season.

Sermon Summary

Today we began our Christmas series, “A Message for Everyone,” by walking through the way God faithfully disrupts ordinary lives to bring about extraordinary grace. From Moses, David, and Paul to Noah’s long obedience, Scripture shows that God’s plans rarely fit our timelines or comfort zones. Then we turned to the birth of Jesus and the holy interruptions surrounding it. A teenage girl in a small town hears Gabriel call her “favored,” not for her résumé but for her heart—obedience, courage, faith, and moral purity. Joseph, a just man, wrestles with confusion and pain until God meets him in a dream and invites him to mercy, trust, and participation in the salvation story.

Mary’s visit to Elizabeth reminds us that God often confirms His word in community; even the unborn John leapt at the nearness of Jesus. The hard miles mattered: 90 to Judea, 80 to Bethlehem—on foot and donkey, not planes, trains, or automobiles. The King arrived in a manger, not a palace. Heaven’s announcement bypassed thrones and councils and landed in a field among working shepherds who responded with haste and without committees. Later, Gentile scholars traveled for months with costly gifts, discerning the difference between a worldly Herod and the true King. In that convergence—the lowly and the learned—we see God’s heart for all nations and all kinds of people.

So we asked three questions. Are we listening? Do we still our lives enough to notice God’s interruptions? Are we prepared? Do we feed on the Word daily so that when God speaks, our roots hold? Are we willing? Will we take the journey He places before us—whether it’s across town to gather with the church family in ordinary weather, or across oceans like our friends serving in distant places? Christmas, biblically told, confronts our convenience and calls us into a life of attentive surrender, costly obedience, and joyful worship.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s interruptions invite deeper trust Disruption is not God’s indifference; it’s His invitation. Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi each had plans that were redirected by God’s timing and purpose. When God interrupts, He is not sabotaging our lives—He’s making room for a larger story than we would have chosen. Trust grows when we walk the miles He sets before us. [03:06]
2. Mary’s favor was courageous obedience Mary’s “favor” wasn’t ease; it was readiness to say yes with a pure heart. She embodies obedience, courage, faith, and moral integrity in a world that might mock such qualities. God’s favor often looks like responsibility before it looks like reward. Holiness positions us to carry what God entrusts. [08:37]
3. Joseph chose mercy and faith Joseph had legal and cultural grounds to protect his reputation at Mary’s expense. Instead, he listened to God, laid down his rights, and took up a harder path of costly love. Revelation reordered his instincts, and integrity became compassion. Faith often looks like choosing mercy when self-protection would be easier. [10:17]
4. Worship welcomed lowly and learned Shepherds and Magi stood side by side at the cradle of Christ. The Lord revealed Himself to those with calloused hands and those with educated minds, showing that no one has a corner on access to God. True worship crosses status, culture, and distance, uniting diverse people at the feet of the true King. [27:18]
5. Listen, prepare, and say yes A responsive life requires three postures: attentiveness to God’s voice, formation in God’s Word, and willingness to act. We cultivate ears to hear in prayer, roots to stand through Scripture, and feet to move by surrender. Saying yes may cost comfort, but it leads us into the joy of being found faithful. [30:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Opening prayer
[00:42] - Christmas series: A message for everyone
[01:22] - God changes lives across Scripture
[03:06] - Life interruptions at Jesus’ birth
[03:47] - Gabriel visits Mary
[08:37] - Why God chose Mary
[10:17] - Joseph’s dilemma and obedience
[12:32] - Mary with Elizabeth
[16:06] - To Bethlehem; no room at the inn
[19:42] - Angels announce to shepherds
[23:30] - Herod, the star, and the Magi
[27:18] - Worship for all nations
[30:33] - Are we listening, prepared, willing?

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
- Luke 1:26–31
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And 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 bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”

Observation questions (3–4)

What words does Gabriel use to describe Mary in Luke 1:26–31, and how does Mary respond to that greeting? (Read the passage aloud and note the emotional tone.)
What signs or confirmations follow the angel's announcement that help Mary and others believe—specifically Elizabeth’s reaction when Mary arrives? [13:09]
How does Joseph’s initial plan (to divorce quietly) contrast with the divine message he receives and his final choice? What concrete actions did Joseph take after the dream? [10:17]
Who are the different groups that come to worship the newborn King (the lowly and the learned), and what does their presence together show about God’s invitation? [27:18]

Interpretation questions (3–4)

What does being called "favored" imply about God’s selection—does it primarily point to status, character, or purpose? How do the qualities listed (obedience, courage, faith, moral purity) shape the meaning of that favor? [08:37]
In what way does Joseph’s choice of mercy over legal right refract God’s definition of righteousness? What does that choice reveal about the cost of faithful obedience? [10:17]
How does God’s choice to announce the birth to shepherds and to welcome Magi from far away shape the church’s understanding of who is invited to worship and why mission matters? [19:42] [27:18]
How should the three postures—listening, preparation (rootedness in Scripture), and willingness—work together to form a life that notices and follows God’s interruptions? [30:33]

Application questions (4–7)

Listening: What practical rhythms will you start, stop, or change this week so you are more likely to notice God’s interruptions (short daily prayer times, a morning question like “Lord, what are you saying today?”)? [30:33]
Preparation: Which specific plan will you take to grow your roots in Scripture this season (a short reading plan, a daily psalm, an accountability partner)? Commit to one concrete first step. [31:25]
Willingness (small journeys): Is there a small, uncomfortable step you can take this week to show willingness—coming to a community gathering in bad weather, visiting someone who’s lonely, or helping at a local outreach? Name the step and when you will do it. [34:06]
Willingness (big journeys): Is there a larger, sacrificial journey God is prompting you toward (relocation for ministry, long-term short-term mission, career change to serve)? If so, what is the next practical move you can make to learn more or prepare? [32:57]
Character: Which of Mary’s traits—obedience, courage, faith, moral integrity—does the group member most need to grow in right now? What concrete practice will cultivate that trait in the next 30 days? [08:37]
Mercy in relationships: Where do you now face a choice between protecting your reputation and choosing mercy like Joseph did? What is one forgiving or protective action you can take this week to choose costly love? [10:17]

Use these questions to guide honest conversation, pray for one another as you share, and identify one practical commitment each person will take this week in response to what was discussed.

Sermon Clips

``But the most important thing, the Christ has been born. Luke 2, 8-16, and 18-21. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [00:18:49] (30 seconds) #ChristIsBorn

This is the story of many Christians who accidentally stumbled their way to Jesus. They bowed and worshipped. The Christmas story provides profound and inclusive accounts of worship. Jesus was worshipped by the lowly, those being the shepherds, and the prominent, the Magi. Both came to celebrate and honor the newborn king. [00:26:57] (31 seconds) #AllComeToWorship

The Magi recognized the differences between godly kinship, Jesus, and worldly kingship, Herod, which is why they did not honor Herod's instructions, and that's why they took a different route home, because Herod wanted to harm the child. Additionally, they arrived of these learned, the arrival of these learned and foreign men who chose to travel a great distance to worship Jesus, to give him a glimpse into God's heart, to draw the Gentiles, to graft them into the family of God, God's house is a house of prayer for all the nations. [00:27:27] (47 seconds) #HouseOfPrayerForAll

Like the wise men, Jesus calls people from all the nations and the tongues to bow down and worship him. The Magi gave generously. They brought to Jesus rare and expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. For those who visit a king, they chose to visit a king, they did not know. And like I said earlier, the trip took months. They were dedicated. [00:28:14] (35 seconds) #JourneyOfDevotion

They knew this was for a reason, for a good reason. And as the Magi discovered, giving their time and possession caused great joy to spring from their hearts. God calls us to give cheerfully year-round, just not at Christmas, but all the time, and joyfully from our hearts, and not with reluctance or obligation. [00:28:49] (25 seconds) #GiveJoyfully

Now I'm going to be wrapping up here, and I got three questions I want to ask you, and each question is going to have a whole bunch of sub questions, because I can't quit asking questions. Are we listening? If Gabriel was to come to us, are we trying to listen? If an angel of the Lord comes to us, are we trying to listen for that? Do we have our ears open? Do we have our eyes open? Is our heart open to receive that message? [00:30:14] (40 seconds) #ListenWithOpenHeart

Are you prepared? This is question number two with the multitude of questions to follow. Are you prepared? Are you in the word every day? Do you wake up seeking that word? All of us, and it's tough to do. It's tough to make that time in our busy world. But, Pastor Scott, hold up your Bible for me. We have it all right there. [00:31:16] (33 seconds) #SeekTheWordDaily

But anywhere you start in the Bible, you're going to hear a positive message. You're going to hear God loves you. Jesus loves you. Question number three, and here's the big one. If Gabriel gave you a message, are you willing? Are you willing to take that on? Would you make that journey? That's a tough question. [00:32:23] (34 seconds) #WillYouAnswer

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