You Have Found Favor With God

Fear Not! You Have Found Favor With God

Dave Riddle - 12/17/2023

Key Passage: Luke 1:26-38

Grace

- Luke 1:28

- Greetings: Be of good cheer. Root word: grace.

- Favored one: to provide someone with special honor. Root word: grace.

- “Grace to you, oh highly favored one”

- The same message Paul has for the Ephesians.

- The same message is given to each of us in the good news of the gospel.

Mary Was Very Perplexed

- Luke 1:29

- diatarasso: very disturbed. Disturbed wholly. Agitated with alarm.

- The only time this word is used in the Bible.

Don’t be afraid. You have found favor with God

- Luke 1:30

- The message Gabriel shares with Mary is not one that most people would have associated with favor.

- Unplanned pregnancy

A natural, reasonable, very human reaction

- Luke 1:34

- Compare to Zechariah’s reasonable reaction in Luke 1:18

A supernatural, outlandish, very divine answer!

- Luke 1:35

I am the Lord’s servant

- Luke 1:38

- The Lord’s slave

- May it be done as you have said

- Blessed assurance.

- Trusting, believing, submitting to God’s way.

- Even when it seems far fetched.

Your Prayer Has Been Heard

We had audio issues for the first portion of this service. The audio came back in right near the beginning of the message. We have trimmed off most of the affected portion.

Your Prayer Has Been Heard

Dave Riddle - 12/10/2023

Key Passage: Luke 1:5-17

Zechariah and Elizabeth

- Luke 1:5-7

- Their faith was great, but there is a disconnect between the way they lived and the life they were experiencing.

A Great Honor Turns to Great Fear

- Luke 1:8-12

- Do not be afraid

- Do not be troubled

- Do not be seized or gripped by fear

Don’t Be Afraid. Your Prayer Has Been Heard

- Luke 1:13

- God has heard your prayer

I’m going to need a sign

- Luke 1:18

- How do I know this is true?

- Despite this amazing visit from an angel, and despite his knowledge as a priest, Zechariah had a hard time trusting without reservation.

- Luke 1:20

- Zechariah gets his sign.

God’s Message Is Always Good News

- Luke 1:19

John The Baptizer

- Matthew 3:1-6

Mary - Time to Get Uncomfortable

Time to Get Uncomfortable - Mary

Dave Riddle - 12/11/2022

Key Passage: Luke 1:26-38

Mary Was Deeply Troubled

• diatarassō (διαταράσσομαι) - to disturb wholly, agitate, with alarm. Troubled, perplexed.

• “What kind of greeting is that!?”

Mary’s Kairos moment

• Somewhere between a speed bump and a brick wall.

• καιρός: No direct English equivalent 

• The right time. The critical time. The opportune moment. Implies, not the convenience of the season, but the necessity of the time at hand.

• “Kairos is when eternity steps into time”

• Luke 1:34 - “How can this be!?”

God’s Supernatural, Outlandish, Very Divine Answer

• Luke 1:35

• You don’t need to know a man like that to have a kid like this.

Mary’s Incredible Response

• I am the Lord’s servant, may it be done to me according to your word.

• Luke 1:37-38

• “Perfect submission, all is at rest.”

• Mary moved from deeply troubled to perfect submission.

Time to Get Uncomfortable - Zechariah & Elizabeth

Time to Get Uncomfortable - Zechariah & Elizabeth 

Dave Riddle - 12/4/2022

Key Passage: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80

Zechariah’s Uncomfortable Encounter

• Luke 1:11-12 - an Angel appeared and Zechariah was overcome with fear!

John’s Uncomfortable Future

• Luke 1:15-17 - A Nazarite, a forerunner, a role that will ultimately cost John his life.

Gabriel’s Uncomfortable Message and Zechariah’s Uncomfortable Doubt

• Luke 1:18 - “How can this be!?”

Unbelief’s Uncomfortable Consequences

• Luke 1:20 - “…because you did not believe my words”

Zechariah’s Uncomfortable Silence

• Luke 1:21-22

How Do WE Respond To God’s Uncomfortable Incursions In Our Lives?

John The Baptist

John the Baptist

The Gospel of John - Part 2

8/16/20

Who are you? John 1:19

• I’m not the Messiah - v. 20

• I’m not Elijah - v. 21

• I’m not “the Prophet” - v. 21

• I am a voice crying out in the wilderness “make straight the way of the Lord” v. 23

Where are you from?

• God sent me

  • John’s miraculous birth

  • Luke 1:5-25

What are you here to do?

• I came as a witness to testify about the light. 

  • John 1:7

Why are you doing this?

• The Messiah is coming!

  • John 1:26-27

• The Messiah is Jesus!

  • John 1:29-31

How do you know that?

• The Holy Spirit‘s incredible sign. 

  • John 1:32-34