Mary's Miracle: The Problem With Favor
The Problem With Favor
Speaker: Pastor Lee Cummings
Date: December 12, 2020
Jesus flips the script and takes impossibilities and turns them to probabilities. Join us for the kickoff of our Mary’s Miracle series from Pastor Lee Cummings as we unpack the Christmas story from the perspective of Jesus’ mother, Mary.
Focus Scripture
Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)
“26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name wascMary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 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 born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 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. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 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.”
Sermon Highlights
Grace = God’s response to the sinners faith-filled inability
Favor = God’s response to the saints faith-filled availability
Favor is always connected to God’s purposes.
Mary had the favor of God.
God is the anchor of our soul and hope.
Jesus is the author, and He writes magnificent stories.
Jesus flips the script and takes impossibilities and turns them to probabilities.
Favored are you… when God graciously interrupts your plans and invites you into His.
Favored are you… when you have to wrestle with what God is speaking to you to find clarity.
Favored are you… when your faith in who is with you is greater than what you are missing.