For This He Came...because He favors us. St. Luke 1:26-38
When we use the term favor or favorite, we usually mean something special. Luke uses this term a number of times, however, when used in the Bible “favor” doesn’t mean the same thing that we mean.
Point One ...God’s favor means ordinary. God chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His Glory. He chose ordinary, insignificant Mary and Joseph, who were from an ordinary town. He had a supernatural miracle but He needed natural people. He doesn’t use us because we are significant, he gives us significance by using us. He takes a David, a Moses, a Daniel, a Rahab, an Ester, a Hosea, a Gomer...and causes us to be used for His purpose.
Point Two ...God’s favor mean trouble. Mary was chosen and blessed, but therewas trouble. A virgin...but pregnant before marriage...and not by Joseph. Trouble...had to go to Bethlehem to pay taxes...while pregnant...gives birth to the savior of the world in a stable. Then, she gets a word, “a sword would pierce her soul,”...meaning this blessed child would be executed as a criminal. Yes, to follow Jesus and have His favor is to have adversity.
Point Three ...To have the favor of God requires obedience. What does Mary do when the angel Gabriel gives her a word....She says here am I! a servant of the Lord; let it be accordingly. Mary submitted her will… her desires...her feelings...to His will. There can be no walking with God apart from an obedient life. What would have happened had Mary not obeyed? The choice was hers...just as it is for us today. We have a choice.
Point Four ...The favor of God always has a purpose. God had a purpose for Mary and for Joseph. The angels spell it out...she had a specific role... purpose... unique... to give birth to Jesus, the son of God...the Savior of the world. Just like Mary, we have a purpose. When you realize you have purpose, you will not be so easily distracted or manipulated by the enemy. Maybe not everybody is called to be a pastor, musician, teacher or deacon...yours might be to usher, be a janitor, a youth volunteer, do outreach or administrate. Whatever our hands find to do...do it...do it well. He has empowered us with the ability to fulfill our purpose.
By fulfilling our purpose...we discover our destiny. Always remember that God’s purpose is far greater than you could ever realize. His purpose is bigger than you! For this He came....
When we use the term favor or favorite, we usually mean something special. Luke uses this term a number of times, however, when used in the Bible “favor” doesn’t mean the same thing that we mean.
Point One ...God’s favor means ordinary. God chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His Glory. He chose ordinary, insignificant Mary and Joseph, who were from an ordinary town. He had a supernatural miracle but He needed natural people. He doesn’t use us because we are significant, he gives us significance by using us. He takes a David, a Moses, a Daniel, a Rahab, an Ester, a Hosea, a Gomer...and causes us to be used for His purpose.
Point Two ...God’s favor mean trouble. Mary was chosen and blessed, but therewas trouble. A virgin...but pregnant before marriage...and not by Joseph. Trouble...had to go to Bethlehem to pay taxes...while pregnant...gives birth to the savior of the world in a stable. Then, she gets a word, “a sword would pierce her soul,”...meaning this blessed child would be executed as a criminal. Yes, to follow Jesus and have His favor is to have adversity.
Point Three ...To have the favor of God requires obedience. What does Mary do when the angel Gabriel gives her a word....She says here am I! a servant of the Lord; let it be accordingly. Mary submitted her will… her desires...her feelings...to His will. There can be no walking with God apart from an obedient life. What would have happened had Mary not obeyed? The choice was hers...just as it is for us today. We have a choice.
Point Four ...The favor of God always has a purpose. God had a purpose for Mary and for Joseph. The angels spell it out...she had a specific role... purpose... unique... to give birth to Jesus, the son of God...the Savior of the world. Just like Mary, we have a purpose. When you realize you have purpose, you will not be so easily distracted or manipulated by the enemy. Maybe not everybody is called to be a pastor, musician, teacher or deacon...yours might be to usher, be a janitor, a youth volunteer, do outreach or administrate. Whatever our hands find to do...do it...do it well. He has empowered us with the ability to fulfill our purpose.
By fulfilling our purpose...we discover our destiny. Always remember that God’s purpose is far greater than you could ever realize. His purpose is bigger than you! For this He came....
RSS Feed