The Miracle of the Moment

What is something a person might do in which timing is everything?

(i.e. planting a garden, asking your boss for a raise, baking a cake, etc.)

Describe an experience where your timing was either just right to avoid disaster, or it was off and there was a negative result.

Think about the timing of Jesus’ advent to earth. Why do you think God didn’t send Jesus as soon as Adam and Eve ate the apple or when Israel was being held captive in Egypt?

Today is December 1st. For a lot of us, we have been looking forward to getting the Christmas season going. Some with children have probably already ordered presents. If not ordered, you’ve at least been getting a list ready.

Think about how Mary and Joseph must have been looking forward to the arrival of God’s Son, especially Mary. The birth of Christ happened at just the right time God had planned. We’ll be taking a look at that this evening.

Galatians 4:4–5 ESV

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Those of you who have other translations, what does you Bible have for “fullness of time” which in in the English Standard Version?

What does this communicate to us about God’s plan?

God had this planned from the beginning. If we truly believe God is all-knowing, then we must believe He knew man would fall in the garden. As much as that must have grieved Him, He knew one day He would bring us to heaven to live eternally with Him. But then also in this plan, He knew the law wouldn’t work and eventually He would have to send His Son to the earth, fully human, to stand in our place as sacrifice for our sin.

What does it mean that Christ was born “under the law”?

Since Christ was born to Jewish mother and fully human, He was born to follow the law God had established with the Jewish people.

What’s the significance of that reality for us?

He would end up following this law perfectly. The only person in history to do so, but yet He would lay down His life for us to pay the price for our sin.

Why did God send Jesus to earth? What was His purpose?

To pay the price for our sin so that one day we would be able to be with him in heaven.

Psalm 104:27 ESV

27 These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.

How does this verse describe the relationship between the Creator and the created?

He supplies all our needs. He didn’t just create us and then leave us to our own devices. He does care for us.

When have you experienced God’s provision at just the right time?

There have been many times when I have seen God give me things I have needed. A few weeks ago when dealing with a situation, the devotion I was reading gave me not only clarity of mind on what I needed to do, but confirmed I was on the right track. There have been times He has met physical needs as well.

We are going to read Romans 5:6 before we get to the next question.

Romans 5:6 ESV

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

What state were we in when Christ died for us?

We were weak and helpless. We were ungodly and did nothing to deserve the gift Christ gave to us through His birth and death.

How does this verse relate to Psalm 104:27?

God supplying exactly what we needed at exactly the right time.

Mark 1:15 ESV

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

How does this verse communicate the need for urgency in responding to Jesus today?

We have the opportunity to live a life for Christ. We don’t know the time of His return. It is important we make that decision and do it without delay. Not only do we not know when He will return, but we also don’t know the number of our own days.

Is there a situation in which you’ve waited to turn to God for help?

Yes.

Why do we do that sometimes?

I think we like to think we have it all together. I think we like to believe we don’t need to bother God with all of our problems, especially the small things. The small things end up adding up to larger things and then we find ourselves buried. God wants us to turn to Him for the smallest little details of our lives. Why, because He loves us that much.

What does this verse indicate about the miracle of this moment right now?

He is here with us, and He is providing for us even now. He knew you were going to be here.

Questions to think about as we leave this evening:

What steps can we take so that we might consider each day and moment as a miracle from God instead of as something we just have to get through?

What step of commitment to God do you need to stop putting off and make now?

How are we doing as a group at encouraging each other to live in the miracle and provision of each moment God gives us? How can we do better?