12-19-21 | God for Us
GOD FOR US
Romans 8:31 – “What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Hebrews 1:14 – “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
Luke 1: 26-27 – “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.”
N.T. Wright – “Mary is the supreme example of what happens when God is at work by grace through human beings.”
How can we be an instrument, a vessel, through whom He can work in this world?
Accept Your True Identity
John 1:46 – “And Nathanael said to him, ’Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’”
Luke 1:28 – “And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.’”
Highly Favored – Endowed with grace, graced with grace.
Grace – unmerited favor of God
Luke 1:30 – “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
In Christ – We are chosen, blessed, and highly favored
Ephesians 1:6 – “He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
Accepted – Endowed with grace, graced with grace
In Christ – I am Chosen!
In Christ – I am Accepted!
In Christ – I am Blessed and Highly Favored!
Step Into Your Destiny
Luke 1:31 – “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”
Luke 1:32 – “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.”
Luke 1:33 – “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Every believer has a divine purpose and destiny.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
1 Corinthians 1:27 – “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.”
Walk in His Delegated Power and Authority
Luke 1:34 – “Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’”
Luke 1:35 – “And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you, therefore, also, that the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’”
Acts 1:8 – “But you shall receive power when the holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Power – Dunamis – Supernatural, miracle working power
Overshadow – Glory of God on the Mount of Transfiguration
Acts 5:15 – “So that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.”
Luke 1:37 – “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Luke 1:37 (AMP) – “No word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.”
Jack Hayford – “The power in His Word will always fulfill the promise of His Word.”
What God calls us to do, He empowers us to do?
Luke 1:38 – “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to Your Word.’”
Discussion Questions:
Do you sometimes feel insignificant or of little value? Why or why not?
How does knowing the truth of our identity in Christ change us?
Do you believe that God has a plan and purpose for your life? Do you know what it is?
Can you share a time that God called you to do something and then gave you the grace and strength to carry it out?
Will you say yes today to God’s calling on your life and receive the power of the Holy Spirit to empower you?