SF650 - SOMEONE CARES FOR YOU - WHEN YOU ARE ALONE (Luke 1 26-38)
SF650
SOMEONE CARES FOR YOU...
When You Are Alone
Luke 1:26‑38
INTRODUCTION
Alone for the Holidays
Loneliness, alone for the holidays, those words do not sound right in the same sentence. Yet, for many this is the loneliest time of the year.
You feel like no one understands you or your situation, it seems as if everyone else is happy and fulfilled but you feel all alone, deserted.
In Luke chapter one we are introduced to a teenage girl who was all alone, deserted and frightened.
Mary’s Story
We know very little about Mary before she became pregnant
She was a teen
She was engaged to Joseph
She was an unwed mother
She could have been stoned for her “sin”
She was at Joseph’s mercy
She had an incredible story
What Mary Teaches Us...
1A. IT IS GOD WHO INITIATES THE RELATIONSHIP WITH US
1B. He Comes to Us...(26)
Where we are...
geographically
emotionally
spiritually
2B. He Calls to Us...
From our past experiences (27)
In our present circumstances (28)
Neither our past or our present can keep God away
3B. He Convicts Us... (29)
"troubled" = to be disturbed
But He does not condemn us!
2A. IT IS GOD WHO CULTIVATES THE RELATIONSHIP WITH US
1B. He Comforts Us with His Presence (30)
2B. He Challenges Us with His Purposes (31‑33)
All of God’s plans and people are significant!
Every one is important to God and every task is necessary.
3A. IT IS GOD CONSUMATES THE RELATIONSHIP WITH US
1B. He Cleans Us Up (34‑35)
"come upon you" ‑ to influence:‑‑come (in, upon).
Used in Acts 1:8 to describe the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ‑ to purify
2B. He Fills Us Up (35b)
"overshadow" = to occupy
Used to express God's presence in the Temple
Exodus 40:35 (NIV) Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
APPLICATION
We must...
Open Up (38)
When we do we will never be alone...
(Deuteronomy 31:6) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.""
(John 14:16‑18) "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever‑‑ {17} the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. {18} I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."