Broken Vessels Week 6 – David Nasser
God Uses Broken Vessels to Deliver the Beautiful Gospel
Overview:
God chose Mary as a broken vessel who was not pure, not perfect but was willing to be obedient even though it cost her reputation and more. She knew God would provide the way for her to accomplish what He set out for her to do through her. Mary’s response was “behold I am the Lord’s servant, let it be according to Your word.”
Favor is costly but is worth it. God wants us to be his servant, He isn’t looking for perfection but pursuit, faith, and obedience. God wants available people that are willing to be poured out as an offering.
· Favor is Costly (reputation)
· Favor is worth it (glory)
· God will never give you Vision without provision
· God is looking for servants of faith not celebrities of fame
· God uses Broken Vessels to deliver the beautiful gospel
Scripture:
Luke 1:26-38 ESV
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed[a] to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”[b] 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?”[c]
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[d] 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[e] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-27
· There are hundreds of prophecies of old just came into fruition in these verses – God is the original promise keeper, and He keeps it
· The lineage of Jesus is a pretty jacked up lineage – Jesus did not come from a lineage of perfection
Luke 1:28 “Greetings”
· God sent an angel and He spoke to Mary. This actually happened.
· God is the same God who sent that angel.
Luke 1:28 “… Oh favored one.”
· If it were us we would question what if was for and how would it play out for us.
· Mary responds differently
Luke 1:29 “And she is greatly troubled…”
· Mary understood the big difference between favor from God and favors from God
· Mary was confused
Luke 1:30-31
· The favor God gave Mary was in pregnancy and she is a virgin
Luke 1:32-34
· The child God gives to Mary is the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD – all the prophecies you grew up learning its that
· Mary knows these prophecies, she knows that this baby is not hers but it will be crushed for the sins of this world.
Luke 1:38
· Mary accepted the fact that she is the Lord’s servant and is willing
Questions:
1) Looking beyond color, does your sphere of influence look like heaven? If not, have you asked the Holy Spirit for that?
2) Share with your group some of the broken vessels within your lineage. How has the Lord blessed you despite that lineage?
3) What are the costs (Reputation, comfort, relationships, etc.) in your life for following Jesus and being fully available to be used by Him?
4) What does hearing from the Holy Spirit look like in your life?
5) Name a place or situation you’re praying the Lord never asks you to serve. How can you remain open to be used by God in that place or situation?
6) What is the mark of a true servant?