Where is God in the choice; Details changed my life (2-5)

Title: Where is God in the choice?

Theme: What does it mean to make God’s choice?

Text: Luke 1:26-38

Goal: How I can surrender control to God living and trusting in his love.

Introduction:

Me: orientation: (find common ground with the audience)

God question sometimes: Where is God in this situation?

I was going to Jesus something: creation many years ago. Got up early and was driving pulled into gas up, had a really obscene communication, then I pulled out got caught up in that conversation but was going to church, got a ticket.

I guess my choice was to react.

My son broke his femur and told me this weekend if his body would have went the other way it would have meant his life. AS a result he decided to make something meaningful out of his life.

We: Identification (Make it clear that you struggle)

I can remember that in my life I was involved in ministry where I really struggled. Things weren’t always the best and the battles were extremely painful. There were times as this young man I did not think I would make it.

It was such a battle that a friend of mine commented I had been through the war. Therefore I had become seasoned.

While in that time and place I was hoping for much more fruit, the fruit I received was to become stronger, much stronger in my faith. In truth it was foundational for me and all future ministries.

What made the difference? I had been through battles and trouble before. I think I had learned to go deep with God allowing for him to choose.

I have heard this from solders and season Christians that something happens that only happens when you trust in God or your brothers in arms.

In Christianity I gave the choice to God. Whether I went forward for collapsed… whether there would be victory or defeat. At that time for God’s ministry in my life and direction.

Struggle yes but I want God to guide and rule… you?

Zech & Beth did the same thing can you see that?

God: illumination (The goal here is to resolve the tension by pointing people to God)

Let us look at choice & Mary’s choice here?

I.            Vulnerability, control and trust

A.     All of these words come into play with the servant hood displayed by Mary, Zech & Beth

1.    Mary was troubled

2.    Zech & Beth were afraid

3.    Every time a choice on this level arises there is great distress.

B.    Can God be trusted even when I can’t see where I am going

Perhaps we would inject more realism into our advent celebration if we recognized the glory of Christmas came about by the willingness of ordinary people to obey God’s claim in their lives.

Mary would be favored: we kind of equate that with the good life, social standing, wealth and health. Acceptability, prosperity, and comfort have never been the essence of God’s blessing.

1.    Perhaps we could understand Mary’s choice if we could understand her thinking and values

Betrothal lasted for a year and was as binding as marriage.

·        Should the man die in this period she was a widow.

·        To break it happened through divorce

Three periods, engagement ( arrangement which could be broken) Betrothal… marriage proper

2.    Who is going to believe this was God and not some sin,

·        Parents not right away

·        Joseph

·        Community

·        City

·        This kind of thing follows you… all this blessing in doing God’s will.

·        Isn’t that what serving God is about… why not live for herself and her marriage.

C.    Control (to exercise power or authority over something such as a business or nation)

1.    Is that not what God was asking her?

2.    Serving God is not suffering free.

3.    Turning your life over to God is at times pure obedience.

34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

Deny self: cease to make self the object of one’s life.

II.          Perspectives and values

37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-38

A.     Do you think Mary was not making this choice?

1.    This kind of disgrace did not only effect Mary & Joseph but also her parents and family

2.    She had very little to go on beyond faith in God

3.    Is it any wonder she went to see Elizabeth.

B.    How about in our lives

The thought of letting God make choices in our life brings with it a fresh new perspective of what is valuable and important.

1.    When we move from this direction out God has complete control.

2.    Our children may not be movies stars but they may just become willing servants who desire to follow God, giving their very lives if necessary. Far greater… different value and perspective.

3.    We wonder about outcomes

·        Prospective and values

·        We want outcomes that make me comfortable and happy

·        Church is more than the past, comfort and being happy

III.        results

A.     Do results determine if God was present

1.    All of the disciples with the acceptation of Mary M. & John were martyred.

2.    Suffering and hardship comes with ministry.

3.    You will get it from the church as well

B.    Truth is truth whether we see results or not

1.    God’s word is true no matter what

2.    Living and breathing to give us life

C.    Everything may not turn out to our thoughts of success.

1.    I may not be successful in the world’s eyes but being obedient, having faith and faithful to God is important.

You: Application (tell people what to do with what they have heard)

Conclusion

The difference between a servant of Christ and volunteer is commitment. The volunteer commits to giving up time, talent and maybe comfort when it works for the volunteer. A servant commits his life and resources to the will of his master no matter what.

Will you make a choice to move beyond what you know and feel trusting Christ to guide you?

Will you receive this truth even if truth prevails beyond your lifetime?

Will give and live your life this way?

We Inspiration is an emotion identify, vision casting