Quest 3

Mar 20

Reading: Luke 1:26-45

“Our lives matter!”

Have you noticed that when one group says, “Our lives matter!” the reply is usually louder from some other group, “But our lives matter!”? Instead of compassion and understanding, we end up with more division.

YOUR LIFE MATTERS - THE CROSS PROVES IT.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 5:8 - But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

IF MY LIFE MATTERS, CAN GOD USE ME FOR BIG THINGS?

Consider the story of Mary of Nazareth (Luke 1:26-45). She was a peasant girl, engaged to a day laborer, living in a backwater village. Nazareth, which was held in low esteem by the orthodox Jews of Jesus’ day, as evidenced by Nathanael’s question (John 1:46) - “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” It would seem Mary didn’t have a lot going for her.

Yes, God can use me for big things if the big thing is something God has called me to do.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”

The impact of your life is determined not by your ability or your history but by God’s call.
2 Timothy 1:9 - God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
2 Peter 1:10 - Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
Remember, the “big thing” is God’s project, his will, not whatever big thing I want.

Yes, God can use me for big things if I am willing to sacrifice.

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary was ready to do whatever it takes, and it would take a lot – she had a fiancée. He has to be told. He might break the engagement. There will be talk. It could get ugly.
Jesus told us to count the cost (Luke 14:27-31) - Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Yes, God can use me for big things if I use the resources God provides.

A reason to believe – a demonstration of God’s power.

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be borne will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Look for God’s hand.

A relationship to sustain you.

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. . . And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Look for that person.