Making Room for God: Embracing Availability and Purpose
Summary
As we gather today, we celebrate the spiritual momentum God is building in our church family—lives are being changed, people are finding Jesus, and we’re seeing the fruit of community and faith. As we wrap up our journey on what it means to follow Jesus, we’re invited to reflect on a simple but profound question: What do you make room for in your life? We all find ways to make room for things we value, whether it’s dessert after a big meal, another episode of our favorite show, or even a new car payment. But the real challenge is to intentionally make more room for God—not just in moments of crisis, but as a daily, willing choice.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, models this beautifully. When the angel Gabriel brought her God’s plan, she responded with availability and willingness: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Mary made room for God’s purpose, and through her, the world received the Savior. While none of us will have Mary’s exact assignment, we are all called to carry the good news of Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us so that others can encounter God’s love and grace.
God doesn’t look for perfection or outward beauty—He looks for those who are available and willing. Like a cup designed to quench thirst, our lives are meant to be vessels of God’s grace to a thirsty world. Too often, we disqualify ourselves with excuses or insecurities, but God’s grace makes us beautiful and useful. Our mission is to be messengers, sharing our unique stories of transformation and inviting others to journey with us. Whether it’s telling someone how God has changed your life or simply inviting a friend to church, these are practical ways to make more room for God and to be used by Him.
The reward for making room for God is a deeper closeness with Him and a greater capacity to follow Jesus. When we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, just as Mary did, God empowers us to be His witnesses—bringing hope, love, and the message of Jesus to those around us. The invitation is clear: Will you make more room for the Holy Spirit in your life? Let our response echo Mary’s—“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Key Takeaways
- The things we make room for reveal what we truly value. Just as we find ways to fit in what we love—whether it’s food, entertainment, or relationships—God invites us to intentionally create space for Him, not just in times of crisis but as a daily act of devotion and willingness. [20:59]
- Mary’s response to God’s call is a model of availability and surrender. She didn’t have all the answers, but she offered herself fully to God’s plan, trusting that His purposes were greater than her understanding. Our willingness to say “yes” to God, even when it’s uncomfortable or uncertain, opens the door for Him to do extraordinary things through us. [22:20]
- God values availability over perfection. Like a cup designed to quench thirst, our lives are meant to be vessels for God’s grace. Excuses and insecurities often keep us from being used by God, but He delights in using imperfect people who are simply willing to be available for His purposes. [32:32]
- Sharing your story is a powerful way to make room for God to work through you. Your personal experience of God’s transformation is unique and irrefutable, and when you share it, you become a messenger of hope to others. Inviting people into your journey—whether through conversation or a simple invitation to church—extends God’s invitation to them as well. [39:14]
- The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses for Jesus, just as He did for Mary and the early disciples. Making room for the Spirit’s work in our lives brings us closer to God and equips us to fulfill our mission of sharing the good news. The call is not to strive in our own strength, but to be open and available for the Spirit to move through us. [43:55]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Celebrating Spiritual Momentum
[03:05] - Series Recap: Following Jesus
[07:30] - What Do You Make Room For?
[13:45] - Everyday Examples of Making Room
[20:59] - The Challenge: Making Room for God
[22:20] - Mary’s Example of Availability
[25:34] - Our Mission: Carrying the Good News
[28:09] - What Makes Us Beautiful to God
[30:32] - The Cup Illustration: Excuses and Availability
[33:46] - A Church on Mission
[35:41] - The Power of Your Story
[39:14] - Inviting Others on the Journey
[42:12] - The Reward: Closeness with God
[43:55] - The Holy Spirit’s Empowering Presence
[45:20] - Responding Like Mary
[46:06] - Closing Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Making Room for God
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### Bible Reading
- Luke 1:26-38 (Mary’s response to God’s call)
- Romans 10:14-15 (“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news”)
- Acts 1:8 (“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Luke 1:26-38, what was Mary’s initial reaction to the angel’s message, and how did she ultimately respond?
2. According to Romans 10:14-15, what is necessary for people to believe in Jesus?
3. In Acts 1:8, what does Jesus say will happen when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples?
4. The sermon gave several everyday examples of how we “make room” for things we value. What are some of those examples? ([19:13])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose Mary, an ordinary young woman, to carry out such an extraordinary purpose? What does this say about the kind of people God uses? ([22:20])
2. The sermon compared our lives to a cup meant to quench thirst. What does it mean for us to be “vessels” for God’s grace, and what are some common excuses or insecurities that keep us from being available? ([32:32])
3. According to Romans 10:14-15, why is it important for believers to share the good news, and how does this relate to our own stories of faith? ([25:34])
4. How does making room for the Holy Spirit empower us to be witnesses for Jesus, as described in Acts 1:8 and the sermon? ([43:55])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon asked, “What do you make room for in your life?” Take a moment to honestly assess your daily or weekly routines. What are some things you consistently make room for, and what does that reveal about your priorities? ([20:59])
2. Mary responded to God’s call by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Is there an area in your life where God is asking you to be available or willing, but you’ve been hesitant? What would it look like to say “yes” to God in that area? ([22:20])
3. The sermon mentioned that we often disqualify ourselves with excuses or insecurities. What is one excuse or insecurity that has kept you from being used by God? How can you take a step to overcome it this week? ([32:32])
4. Sharing your story is a practical way to make room for God. When was the last time you shared your faith story or a testimony of God’s work in your life with someone? What holds you back, and what could help you take that step? ([39:14])
5. The pastor encouraged inviting others to church or into your spiritual journey. Who is one person you could invite this week, and what practical step can you take to reach out to them? ([40:41])
6. The reward for making room for God is a deeper closeness with Him. What is one intentional change you can make this week to create more space for God—whether it’s in your schedule, your relationships, or your mindset? ([42:12])
7. The sermon closed with the challenge: “Will you make more room for the Holy Spirit in your life?” What is one specific way you can open yourself to the Holy Spirit’s leading this week? ([43:55])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, echoing Mary’s words: “Lord, I am your servant. May everything you have said about me come true. Help me make more room for you in my life.”
Devotional
Day 1: Make Room for God—Intentional Availability and Willingness
God desires that we make room for Him not just in moments of pain or crisis, but through intentional choices to be available and willing for His purposes. When we say “yes” to God in the ordinary rhythms of life—through prayer, time in His Word, prioritizing worship, and engaging with other believers—we open ourselves to deeper relationship and transformation. The best moments of closeness with God often come when we intentionally invite Him in, not just when we’re desperate, but when we’re willing to let Him lead and shape our lives. [20:59]
Luke 1:26-38 (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. 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.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” 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.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can intentionally say “yes” to God today, making room for Him even when it’s not out of desperation?
Day 2: Carrying the Good News—Our Mission as Messengers
Just as Mary made room for Jesus physically, we are called to make room for the Holy Spirit so that we can carry the good news of Jesus to the world. When we surrender our lives to Christ, we become vessels through which His light and message can shine to others. Our mission is to be available and willing to share the hope and salvation we have received, trusting that God can use our lives—no matter how ordinary—to bring His love to those around us. [25:34]
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV)
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus, and how can you make yourself available to share it with them this week?
Day 3: Living Sacrifices—Offering Ourselves Fully to God
God calls us to offer our whole selves as living and holy sacrifices, not just as consumers of spiritual things but as people transformed and made beautiful by His grace. When we lay down our excuses, insecurities, and self-doubt, and make ourselves available for God’s purposes, He uses us in ways we could never imagine. Our true worship is found in surrender—letting God use our lives to bring His grace and hope to others, even when we feel unqualified or average. [29:22]
Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Reflection: What is one excuse or insecurity that keeps you from offering yourself fully to God, and how can you surrender it to Him today?
Day 4: Tell Your Story—The Power of Personal Testimony
Every believer has a unique story of God’s work in their life, and sharing that story is one of the most powerful ways to make room for God to use you. Your testimony—how Jesus has changed you, answered prayers, or brought you through challenges—is something no one can argue with, and it can bring hope and encouragement to others. Like the man set free by Jesus, you are called to go and tell what the Lord has done for you, making your life a living message of His mercy and power. [35:41]
Mark 5:19 (ESV)
And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Reflection: What is one specific story of God’s work in your life that you can share with someone this week?
Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit—Becoming Witnesses Everywhere
Jesus promises that when we make room for the Holy Spirit, we receive power to be His witnesses—telling people about Him everywhere we go. The same Spirit who overshadowed Mary and empowered the first disciples is available to us today, equipping us to live boldly and share the message of Jesus in our homes, communities, and beyond. The reward for making room for God is a closeness with Him and a life that overflows with purpose and impact for His kingdom. [42:12]
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Reflection: How can you intentionally invite the Holy Spirit to empower you today to be a witness for Jesus in your everyday life?
Quotes
Unfortunately, people do make more room for God in their life, but it comes on moments of pain. That's when we tend to kind of lean into God, like when a marriage is falling apart or when we've lost a job or when we're going through a health crisis or when we're going through some kind of maybe financial collapse. We tend to lean in on God when things get the toughest. We make more room for God in those moments. [00:21:14] (32 seconds)
Once you surrendered your life to Jesus, once you said, Jesus, I want you to be my Lord and I want you to be my leader, you made room for the Holy Spirit of God to come into your life and start transforming you so that the light of Jesus can shine bright to the world around you. [00:26:10] (18 seconds)
But what did Jesus do in your life? Jesus made you beautiful. How did he make you beautiful, though? He made you beautiful because he forgave you of your sins. He made you beautiful because he healed your heart. He healed your emotional scars. Right? How did he make you beautiful? He set you free. How did he make you beautiful? He made you useful again. [00:29:22] (23 seconds)
We are that cup. And God's wanting to use your life to bring a fresh drink of his grace to the world around you. But oftentimes we're just like that cup and we're going, I'm so critical about myself. Like I look at my own life and I go, how could I ever be used by God? I'm not available. Like this is a bad time right now, God. [00:32:21] (25 seconds)
We use excuses like this or we let our insecurities drive our lives and they hijack our willingness to be used by God. I'm fearful, I'm scared, I don't know if I can open my mouth up. You want me to pray with these people, God? You sense this in your heart, like, I should pray with them. Or you sense this in your heart, like, I should share Jesus with them. Or I should invite them to church. But you're like, ah, man, my insecurities, they hijack my willingness to want to be used by God. [00:33:15] (31 seconds)
Let your life be a living and holy sacrifice to God, which is what? The kind that will be found acceptable by God. This is truly your way of worship. This is what God's looking for out of our lives. [00:35:11] (15 seconds)
How about this one? This is simple. Invite a friend to church. It's simple. How about this? Make more room for people to go on the spiritual journey with you. That's just making more room. That's just being available. Like, you're already on the journey. You're already going that way. Bring them along with you. [00:40:11] (21 seconds)
Why don't you respond to the Holy Spirit the same way that Mary responded to the angel, and simply say what Luke chapter 1 verse 38 says, I'm the Lord's servant. May everything that you have said about me come true. Guys, that's the response God's looking for. God, I belong to you. I want to make more room for you. [00:45:20] (25 seconds)
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