Sunday, December 12, 2010

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Mary, Jesus' Mother

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11
Today's Scripture Text: Luke 1:26-56
Today We Are Looking At The Life of Mary, Jesus' Mother.  What Took Mary’s Life from Ordinary to Extraordinary?
If there was anyone who was average, it was Mary.  We first hear about her when she is 15 years old and it was one of the most exciting times in her life.  It was normal in that culture, for a 15 year old girl to get married.
Suddenly God steps in and says to Mary, "I have better plans for you!"
LIFE LESSON #1: You May Have Plans, But God Has BIGGER Plans!
  1. Character - vs. 30
FOUND FAVOUR - 'one's character is discovered and has attracted blessings.'
Mary made a choice to have godly character and it attracted God's Favour.  The Angel declared "God has seen your character and it has attracted His blessing.”
LIFE LESSON #2: We Don’t Live A Godly Life Because We Are Blessed By God; We Are Blessed By God Because We Live A Godly Life!
The blessing came on Mary's live simply because she desired to please God.
Seek God - His Favour Will Follow
  1. Commitment - vs. 38
Mary had committed herself to God.
SERVANT - 'one who gives himself up wholly to another’s will'
Mary was His servant.  She said 'yes', no strings attached.
LIFE LESSON #3: When We Choose To Submit OUR Life, We Choose to Permit HIS Will!
We have to let go of our own will.  Some of us are strong-willed - and not only the outspoken ones.  Are you willing to say, 'not my will but thine be done'Saying 'Yes' to God will come at a high cost.  Mary being committed to God and being with child (out of wedlock) came at a high cost!
LIFE LESSON #4 When You Say “YES” to God Others Will Be Blessed.
CHALLENGE: Will You Say “YES” At Any Cost?
LIFE LESSON #5 Don’t Go To Just Anybody – Go To Somebody Who Has Wisdom & Faith
  1. Continual Praise - vs. 46-47
LIFE LESSON #6 “In All Things Give God Praise”
When you are in the midst of a problem, let praise rise up within you.
CHALLENGEWhen you are committed to God, He will use you.  But it won't necessarily happen the way you expected.  Your commitment will be tested.  Those around you won't have necessarily heard from God as you have.  A committed person says 'YES'; a committed person continues to praise Him - to rejoice in Him.  Even when those around you may not understand what God has said and is doing with you, stay committed and continue to say with Mary, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!".
God, I am committing myself to develop godly character; I will lift up a praise when things get challenging while doing your will!

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.)
 

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  
CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS. 

Thanks for visiting!

2 comments:

  1. Mary was an amazing person. She gave herself to God at an early age. And knowing that it would cost her shame and humiliation. We need to be willing to say yes to God no matter what.

    ReplyDelete
  2. "Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?"

    Awesome message! The part that impacted me the most was Mary's response to the angel's message. “I am the Lord’s servant...May your word to me be fulfilled.”

    May we all be prepared to give the same response to the Lord's word.

    ReplyDelete