Finding God’s Favor: "It's a Boy!"
Pastor Kyle Veach
In a world overshadowed by darkness, let’s explore how God's promises bring light to our lives. Through the example of Mary accepting the call to carry the Son of God, we can see the importance of our yes in bringing light into the world. Click the link above for the full message.
Baby Reveals & Big Announcements
We've all seen those elaborate baby reveals – the gender, the name, the whole shebang. Some even go as far as revealing it all step by step. But in a world where we're used to getting instant information, sometimes, we just want to know it all at once. Well, Mary got a surprise announcement of her own, and it wasn't your typical baby reveal.
Luke 1:31 tells us that Mary was about to conceive and give birth to a son. But here's the twist – she was a teenage virgin. Now, that's not something you hear every day, is it? Imagine being in her shoes. An angel shows up and drops this bombshell on her – she's going to have a baby, and not just any baby, but the Son of God, Jesus.
Luke 1:28-33 - 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
No one would have blamed Mary for saying, “no thank you” and walking away. In a society where pregnancy outside of marriage was shamed, and God had been silent for 400 years, this would have been a difficult situation to explain to family and friends.
Good Intentions, Bad Theology
You've probably heard people say, "God won't give you more than you can handle." It sounds nice, right? But guess what – it's not in the Bible. The truth is, God often gives us more than we can handle on our own. Why? Because He wants us to rely on Him.
Think about it. Moses facing Pharaoh, David against Goliath, feeding 5,000 people – these were impossible situations. The Bible is full of stories of people who couldn't handle what life threw at them, but they leaned on God for strength.
Luke 1:34-35 - 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.
Mary was chosen by God, and He found favor with her, not because she had it all together, but because God saw her character, integrity, and faith. Sometimes, God calls us to tasks that seem beyond our abilities, not because we can handle them, but because we need Him to walk with us through them.
How to Find Favor with God
So, how can we find favor with God? It's not about following a long checklist of religious duties. It's about putting God first in our lives. It's about being kind, loving Him and our neighbors, and treating people well.
Mary's Yes Changed the World
Mary's response to the angel's announcement changed everything.
Luke 1:38 - Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
When God calls, our response should be similar to Mary’s. We are called to respond, "I am the Lord's servant." Mary didn't hesitate. She knew who she belonged to, and that made all the difference. In this moment, Mary made it clear that a life committed to God’s will on her life involves choices that are countercultural and often incredibly uncomfortable. Mary chose the following:
Service Over Status: Mary was already a committed servant, available for the task. Her “status” in society was threatened and tarnished by being an unmarried, pregnant teen. She was willing to forgo whatever came her way because she was a willing servant. Are you available for what God might be calling you to do?
Character Over Comfort: Mary could have said no. I think that’s one of the craziest things. She had the choice, but she knew God so deeply and understood that her call was an honor, and in alignment with her own character, she was willing to put down any comforts, and sacrifice for the God of comfort. Who you are behind closed doors matters more than who you are in public. It's not always comfortable to follow God, but it ushers in true comfort.
We Over Me: She understood the holistic approach – it's not all about you. She may not have known what the whole picture looked like, but she knew she was a part of something greater than her. Alone, we are insignificant, but together, we are part of a grander picture of bringing the Kingdom of Heaven down on this earth. What in your life is keeping you from serving God and others?
Your “Yes” Changes Everything
Your "yes" to God can change not only your life but also your family, your community, and the world. To reach a dark world, God's followers must be willing to say "yes" to being His servants. Remember, light came into the world through Jesus and continues to shine through us.
So, the next time you're faced with an unexpected announcement or challenge, remember Mary's "yes." It changed the world, and yours can too.
Further Reading
For more insights on Mary's role in the Christmas story and the significance of saying "yes" to God, consider these resources:
"Mary: The Mother of Jesus" – An article that delves into the life of Mary and her unique role in God's plan.
"Saying Yes to God" – A thought-provoking article by John Piper that explores the importance of obedience to God's calling in our lives.
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out a message from last year’s Christmas series titled, "Why do we Love?"
Looking for additional resources to deepen your faith journey? Visit our resources page for a variety of helpful materials, from Bible studies to inspirational videos.