The Gifts of Christmas Part 2: Interrupted Plans

INTRO

Have you ever noticed that anytime you set out to do something, that everything just falls into place and it always works out just perfectly the way you had it all mapped out in your mind? Yeah me neither!

Usually its a rarity for plans to go the way we intend for them to.

It’s not like we’re all George Peppard, in the TV show The A-Team, where we can all sit back at the end of the day and say, “I love it when a plan comes together.”

It rarely ever goes that way in our lives and quite often that can be frustrating.

But what if we got out of our own way for a moment and realized that interrupted plans aren’t always curses.

Sometimes, interrupted plans can be the greatest blessings in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Luke 1:26–38 ESV

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 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, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 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. 36 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. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 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.

1) God Knows Your Plans (vs. 26-28)

God knew about Mary and Joseph’s plans

God’s timing is always perfect. It was no mistake that the angel came during the betrothal.

God knew right where to find Mary

Nazareth is an obscure small town in Galilee.

God knew of Mary’s heart and faithfulness.

She was favored because she trusted and followed God in her life.

God knows your plans, knows your heart, and knows right where you are in your life.

You may feel like you’re a no body in an obscure part of the world, but you’re not.

The Creator of all creation knows your plans and cares about you.

He cares about your heart and wants to find you faithful to Him.

2) God Has His Plans (vs. 29-33)

God chose Mary for a specific purpose for a greater promise.

God works through His people for His purposes.

God has a plan and a purpose for your life.

It’s not to give birth to the Messiah! That one is already taken.

It does include building off of the foundation of Jesus and continuing His purpose in your life.

No matter your plans or your intentions, God’s plans are always best!

God’s plans doesn’t always mean a complete redirect.

Notice, God didn’t ask Mary to not follow through in her plans with Joseph.

Rather, God wanted to take her plans with Joseph and give them a different outcome.

3) Let God Work Out the Details (vs. 34-38)

Mary had questions about how this was going to take place.

Mary didn’t dodge God’s plan by questioning the details.

Her reply is only appropriate response to God: “Behold, I am your servant. May it be to me as you have spoken.”

It’s ok to ask questions and ask for God’s reassurance, but when the answer is “God will

Too often the reason we don’t realize the plans of God in our lives:

...is we are not focused on following God

...or we are questioning the details and not trusting that He’ll work it out.

If we want God to work out His plans for our lives, we must follow Him and trust that He will do what only He can do.

CLOSING

DO YOU KNOW THAT GOD KNOWS YOUR LIFE AND KNOWS YOUR PLANS?

DO YOU KNOW THAT GOD HAS PLANS FOR YOUR LIFE AS WELL?

ARE YOU WILLING TO TRUST GOD AND LET HIM WORK OUT THE DETAILS?

GOD’S PLAN THROUGH MARY IS PART OF HIS PLAN FOR YOU. WILL YOU TRUST JESUS AND FOLLOW HIM?