The Mary Miracle
The Celebrity Myth: Why God uses Ordinary people!
GOD USES ORDINARY PEOPLE TO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS FOR HIS KINGDOM. Ordinary people + Extraordinary God= Extraordinary Things 1 Cor 1:26-31 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” Who has made the biggest impact on you? • Business leader • Community Leader • Entertainer • Family member • Political leader • Professional athlete • Teacher/ coach Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
The Parachute Principle:Are you open to God's leadings?
December 5, 2021
Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. The 5 Barriers to fulfilling Gods purpose for your life: 1. _________________________________ 2. _________________________________ 3. _________________________________ 4. _________________________________ 5. _________________________________ Self-Evaluation: My plans keep me from being open to Gods leadings. 1 2 3 4 5 My misplaces priorities keep me from being open to Gods leadings. 1 2 3 4 5 My self-centered faith keeps me from being open to Gods plans. 1 2 3 4 5 My lack of eternal eyesight keeps me from being open to Gods plans. 1 2 3 4 5 Walking by the flesh keeps me from being open to Gods plans. 1 2 3 4 5