002-Prepare to Be God’s Instrument
Christmas 2019 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 396 viewsAs a matter of fact, we often use God instead of letting Him use us. The result is shallow Christian living.
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Prepare to Be God’s Instrument
Prepare to Be God’s Instrument
God’s Message to Mary:
God’s Message to Mary:
Prepare to Be God’s Instrument
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Pastor Brandon Cox
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Dad’s Quarter Horse- Great horse but hated if another horse walked ahead of him. Would try just about everything to get free. To have control and do what he wanted to do.
We’re all a little bit like that horse, we want to be in control of life. We want to hold the reigns. We do this with God too. We want to call the shots and decide how God will use us.
As a matter of fact, we often use God instead of letting Him use us. The result is shallow Christian living.
It’s not much of an adventure when we set limits on what God can do with us.
Luke records for us the example of Mary who decided to let God use her instead of just using Him. She was fully open to Him and became an instrument in His hands.
Before we understand how, let me clear up some confusion about Mary.
An Overemphasized Mary
Some segments of faith attempt to overemphasize Mary’s role in the world. She gets more attention than Jesus and is even called by many as “mother of God”or worse, “co-redeemer.”
She is none of the like.
She was just a woman saved by grace. She wasn’t virgin born and she died a death just like any other human being.
An Under-emphasized Mary
Many, perhaps in reaction to the overemphasized Mary, tend to under-emphasize her role and leave her out of the gospel story all together. There is a balance.
Mary was a godly young woman, a teenager without a clue but ready for God’s assigned adventure.
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” 35 The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
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46 And Mary said: My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. 51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors. 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.
Luke 1:46-56
WHEN GOD USES AN INSTRUMENT…
WHEN GOD USES AN INSTRUMENT…
1. God uses people only by His grace.
1. God uses people only by His grace.
vs. 28-30)
28 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Numerous times in this passage, the angel says that Mary is the object of God’s “favor.”That word refers to His gracious choosing of an instrument. Mary was a sinner, saved by grace.
Numerous times in this passage, the angel says that Mary is the object of God’s “favor.”
That word refers to His gracious choosing of an instrument. Mary was a sinner, saved by grace.
“But we have this treasure (the gospel) in earthen vessels (clay pots), that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
When we testify of God’s grace, we’re giving Him the glory and letting people see Him as pre-eminent and not us.
When we testify of God’s grace, we’re giving Him the glory and letting people see Him as pre-eminent and not us.
2. God uses people who are FAT.
2. God uses people who are FAT.
I love what Howard Hendricks says about being used of God. He says we must be “FAT.”
How to be FAT for God…
Faithful
Available
Teachable
Looking at Mary’s example, she was certainly all of these qualities. She was “faithful”in being ready to take up the assignment. The Bible points out three times in this passage that she was a virgin. On the theological side, this was to testify to the impeccability of Jesus’divine nature. On the practical side, it lets us know that Mary was ready for her particular assignment.
She was also available. When God spoke, she didn’t say “no”and she didn’t demand more evidence. She was simply ready for the assignment.
And Mary was teachable. Do you notice how quietly and obediently she listens to the Lord ’s messenger? She asks how it will all happen but she does not interject her own opinion of things. She simply lets God have His way.
31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?”
Luke 1:31-
She has a question? She wants to know more?
35 The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:35
I am the Lord’s servant. Her questions were answered. She didn't try to interject her own opinion here. TO take the reigns and say here God let me help you with the plan.
She was FAT!
Are you ready to be FAT for God?
3. God uses people in His own power.
3. God uses people in His own power.
35 The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Mary asks how the miraculous birth of Jesus is supposed to occur. A natural question considering her virginity. God’s answer is clear:
Mary asks how the miraculous birth of Jesus is supposed to occur. A natural question considering her virginity. God’s answer is clear:
The Holy Ghost will accomplish it supernaturally. The power of God will overcome the laws of nature. All the world will testify of God’s power.
Then the messenger gives Mary the testimony of what has happened in Elisabeth’s life. She too has experienced a miracle by the power of God.
Remember that verse from earlier?
7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
“But we have this treasure (the gospel) in earthen vessels (clay pots), that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”-
If you’re wondering how it is that God is supposed to use you, just remember what Jesus said to His disciples…
If you’re wondering how it is that God is supposed to use you, just remember what Jesus said to His disciples…
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”–
4. God uses people for His own purpose.
4. God uses people for His own purpose.
4. God uses people for His own purpose.
God always has His own reasons for using people.
He is never obligated to tell us His purposes and His purposes are sometimes past finding out. He just thinks differently.
But we do get an insight into two of God’s greatest purposes as they are revealed to Mary
God used Mary to birth Jesus to save others. (vs. 31-33)
Why Mary? Well she is from the right geneology. But why her? Why at that time? Why not another women before her or after her?Who knows but God.
What we do know is that God selected her for the purpose of being the incubator for the Messiah so that all the world could trust Him and be saved.
Who knows but God. What we do know is that God selected her for the purpose of being the incubator for the Messiah so that all the world could trust Him and be saved.
God does things in our lives as well so that others might be saved.
God used Mary so He would receive the glory.
Luke 1:46-56)
46 And Mary said: My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. 51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors. 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.
Mary issues what is called The Magnificat. It is her song of praise to God. The first stanza gives God all the glory for saving her and using her. The remainder of the song gives glory to God for coming to the rescue of His people.
Mary issues what is called The Magnificat. It is her song of praise to God.
The first stanza gives God all the glory for saving her and using her.
The remainder of the song gives glory to God for coming to the rescue of His people.
Are you allowing God to use you for his purpose? Or are you trying to use God for your purposes?
Are you ready to be used by God today? You first need an experience of His grace! You need to receive His forgiveness and be saved.
Are you ready to be used by God today? You first need an experience of His grace! You need to receive His forgiveness and be saved.