Opening Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 (Christ’s birth is announced to Mary)
God has a way of interrupting our plans when He wants us to do something special. Especially when we pray: “Lord, let not my will but yours be done”. That prayer can and will be tested!
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT GOD’S INTERRUPTION?
- GOD’S INTERRUPTION IS OFTEN INCONVENIENT
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. (Luke 1:26-29)
- Has God ever interrupted your course of your life? Taken you down a unexpected path
- What we call INTERRUPTIONS, God calls INVITATIONS
- GOD’S INTERRUPTION IS SHIELDED BY HIS FAVOR
“Don’t be afraid (FEAR NOT), Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found FAVOR WITH GOD! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” (vv 30-33)
- God doesn’t interrupt our lives to bring chaos but order, peace
- What God has called you do, He has lined up resources, man-power
- GODS’ INTERRUPTION DOESN’T MAKE SENSE
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God … For the word of God will never fail. (FOR WITH GOD NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE) (Luke 1:34-37)
- Now this is not just impossible but absurd
- “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. (Isaiah 55:8)
QUESTION: CAN WE RESPOND AS MARY RESPONDED?
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. (vv 38)
CONCLUSION
- What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?
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