God’s Surprises, Our Surrender
Luke 1:26–38
Digging Deeper
KEY QUOTES
"If God hasn't showed up and given you a surprise, just wait…He will."
"If your heart isn't in the right place with God, it will be hard for you to see and receive God’s surprises."
"If you don't know the Lord, the first surprise God wants to give you is the gift of Himself, the gift of salvation, the gift of new life, the gift of forgiveness."
"God wants to surprise you, but it will require your surrender!"
Mary had a unique situation occur. She was visited by the angel Gabriel. Even more startling and surprising was the message that Gabriel shared. Gabriel shared that Mary, who was a virgin, would give birth to the Savior of the world.
Mary asked an excellent question of Gabriel. How would this happen? After Gabriel explained the situation to her without many details, Mary faithfully responded in Luke 2:38, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled."
Mary surrendered her will, plans and life to God with her response. She knew that by making this declaration of agreement to Gabriel, her decision would be costly. It is hard to imagine all the other questions Mary had. Would her fiance Joseph understand? Would her family and community condemn her? As a poor woman, how would she raise the Son of God?
After hearing the surprising news, Mary surrendered her personal agenda and her need for security and approval. She depended on God and what Gabriel had revealed to her as she bravely went forward, trusting God to make everything happen.
During Advent, we, too, are waiting and trusting in God to surprise us and fulfill His promise to us. May we prepare our hearts to say yes to God just as Mary did joyfully. Let us be thankful for the marvelous gift we are given of a Savior, Jesus, who came into the world to save us from our sins and give us eternal life when we believe in Him.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
The Main Point:
God's surprises require our surrender.
1. How do you know the surprise is from God?
-There are some surprises you can't control.
-If you can't control it, you know it is from God.
-What about the things you can control? Or the potential surprises you have a decision over?
Ask yourself these three questions:
Where am I with the Lord?
What is the Lord calling or asking me to do?
How do I initially process the call or ask?
Principles:
God’s surprises are ultimately about His mission in the world through me, not my mission in the world for me.
God's surprises will only be able to be delivered by God.
2. What do you do with God's surprises?
-What will it require to surrender to God's surprises?
You'll need to have faith. Faith is confidence in, belief in, trust in.
-Four faith requirements to surrender to God's surprises
You'll need to have faith that God loves you.
You'll need to have faith that God is with you.
You'll need to have faith that God has the details covered.
You'll need to have faith that what is impossible to you is possible to God.
- God wants to leave no doubt in our minds that
There is nothing that he cannot do.
There is nothing too big for him.
There is no problem that he cannot solve.
There is no issue that's too complex.
When we know that God loves us, is with us, has the details covered and can do the impossible, we can surrender to receive His surprises.
God wants to surprise us, but it will require our surrender!
LIFE APPLICATION
List some ways to surrender to God during the first week of Advent. Pray about your list and surrender one thing to God this week. For example, you might surrender something you are worrying about to God, trusting Him to handle your worry. Or you might need to surrender and do something God is calling you to do that you have avoided or ignored, like forgiving someone or making amends for something you did that was wrong. Search your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you make a difference this first week of Advent, surrendering to God, who will be with you as you faithfully follow Him during this holy season.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What are some surprises God has given or allowed to come into your life that have changed the trajectory of your life?
What did the angel Gabriel share with Mary in Luke 1?
Share some reasons why you feel God chose Mary to be the mother of His Son.
How does Mary surrender her will and life to God in Luke 1?
Name some things that God is calling you to surrender to Him during this Advent season.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Surrender to God in Prayer - Philippians 4:6; Romans 8:26; 2 Chronicles 7:14
Day 2: Surrender to God in Thought - Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 37:5
Day 3: Surrender to God in Faith - James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Matthew 11:28-29
Day 4: Surrender to God in Service - Luke 1:38; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; 1 Peter 4:10-11
Day 5: Surrender to God in Trust - Luke 9:23-24; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 32:8-9
PRAYER
Lord, I want to surrender to You. As You are weaving together all the details taking place in our world today, I want to participate and advance Your mission here on earth, reaching neighbors and nations with the Gospel. Let me see people, places and situations through Your eyes so that I can be willing and open, like Mary, to sacrifice so that all You have planned can be accomplished. I realize this surrender could be costly for me, but let Your Holy Spirit surprise me, guide me and give me strength as I faithfully surrender to Your will.
