It came to pass - The power of expecting
Luke 1:35–41 (ESV)
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. 39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
As a follower of Jesus - What's inside of you is enough to make a difference!
Through the OT, prophets and followers had an external relationship with God
Their interaction with the Spirit started externally and worked it's way in.
They sensed God around them - then he would work in them
She was the first person to carry Jesus from within.
As she sensed God within her, she knew he was going to work around her.
John 7:38–39 (ESV)
38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
The power of expectancy
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
1 Now faith is the substance (or realization) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
If faith is the vehicle of the supernatural in our lives, expectancy is the engine!
The vast majority of us have set our expectations far too low!
Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV)
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
We’re fighting for abundant expectations!
THE ACTIVITY OF GOD IN MY LIFE IS NOT LIMITED BY MY ABILITY TO PERFORM IT BUT BY BY ABILITY TO BELIEVE IT!
This is what happens to Mary in Luke 1:
Gabriel:
Luke 1:28–32 (ESV)
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,
What was her response?
WAIT - that can't be, I'm not married and there's literally no way that I can be pregnant
His response to her:
Luke 1:37 (ESV)
37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
So, Mary:
As unlikely as it might be:
She's expecting the supernatural
She's expecting to make a difference
She's expecting to leave a legacy
Watch what happens to Elizabeth when she hears Mary:
Luke 1:41 (ESV)
41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
When you're carrying supernatural expectations: you change the atmosphere of the room
When you're carrying supernatural expectations: you'll be put in position to change future generations
When you're carrying supernatural expectations: you'll have supernatural encounters
