Living the dream. The Everyday Advatage of the Holy Spirit

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

God told Joseph….

Matthew 1:20–21 ESV

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Theme:…..

Living the dream. The everyday advantage of the Holy Spirit.

(Let’s pray)

It’s one thing to have a sense from God of what one is supposed to do.

Live in this city.

Go to this school.

Work this job.

Study this subject.

Have these friends.

Mary this person.

Make this money.

Give this away.

Given a sense of what to do, who to be, it’s another thing to actually carry it out—live the life and be the person that comes with that life.

It’s easy to be a theater major until you have to put that production together.

It’s easy to be an arts major until you have to assemble that portfolio.

It’s easy to be a humanities major until you have to write those papers.

It’s easy to be an economics major until you have to attend those office hours.

It’s easy to be an architectural student until your designs come under scrutiny.

It’s easy to be a business student until you have to study those cases, work in groups, take Game Theory, chase down internships and jobs.

It’s easy to be a divinity student until you have to hear disagreeable theology and theologians.

It’s easy to be a STEM major until you have to execute labs, do PSets and take exams.

It’s easy to be pre-med until you have to sit for the MCAT.

It’s easy to be a law student until you have to navigate politics, find your job, sit for the bar.

It’s easy to be an athlete until you have to hit those practices, make that travel work.

It’s easy to be Joseph and Mary, parents of Jesus, until they have to live the dream God gave them.

(Dreams have obstacles. Visions receive challenges.)

Joseph and Mary were given an assignment by God. Some may/I might call it a dream assignment. An assignment stemming from God’s love for the world (and His respect of who He’s chosen).

John 3:16–17 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Joseph received his assignment in a dream.

Matthew 1:20–21 ESV

The dream assignment by God—to birth and raise Jesus, Savior of the world.

Joseph and Mary faced challenges living the dream.

You can expect challenges when living out God’s will for your life.

Disruption of personal plans

Matthew 1:18–19 (ESV)

The Birth of Jesus Christ

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Disapproval by society

Matthew 1:18–19 (ESV)

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Special Attention

Luke 2:15–19 (ESV)

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Other’s Jealousy of Jesus

Matthew 2:1–3 (ESV)

The Visit of the Wise Men

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

Danger. Threats on their Son’s life

Matthew 2:13–15 (ESV)

The Flight to Egypt

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Hard Truths

Luke 2:33–35 (ESV)

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Lack of Clarity

Luke 2:46–51 (ESV)

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

(All the while having a) Sense of Duty

Luke 2:46–51 (ESV)

Negotiating Timing.

(When is everything supposed to happen?)

John 2:3–5 (ESV)

3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Faith stretch.

John 19:26–27 (ESV)

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

John 7:5 (ESV)

5 For not even his brothers believed in him.

Joseph and Mary faced challenges living the dream.

You can expect challenges when living out God’s will for your life.

Joseph and Mary also experienced God’s grace (to navigate every challenge) in the process of living the dream.

You can expect God’s grace when living out God’s will for your life.

You can expect God’s grace, unmerited favor, when living out God’s will for your life.

In fact, it’s God’s favor, God moving on your behalf, that enables the vision at all.

Your obedience plus God’s favor brings life together.

To Mary, the angel of God said:

Luke 1:30 ESV

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Just as you can expect challenges living God’s will for your life, you can also expect God’s provision…divine provision to see His will through to completion.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

For Mary and Joseph,

Disruption of personal plans

To respond to the disruption personal plans God offers divine purpose.

Disapproval by society

To respond to society’s disapproval God works to ensure Mary and Joseph know what is the Lord’s doing and what they are to do. What is God’s responsibility and what is their responsibility.

(the vision/dream is a partnership that leads to God’s glory)

Jealousy and Danger

To respond to others’s and their rath towards Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, God provides guidance and protection.

Unclear

To respond to a need for clarity, God brings to one’s mind (old testament) prophecy to pair with today’s reality and God’s voice.

Special Attention

To respond to special attention, God chose a couple who wore humility.

Timing and a Sense of Duty.

To respond to challenges with timing and a sense of parental duty, God permitted Joseph and Mary to parent Jesus—Jesus was subject to them as He grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man.

Hard Truth and Faith stretch

To respond to the hard truths that strength one’s faith, God chose a couple who would listen…quietly…who were not rash, jumping to conclusions. And in time God would give them divine understanding of what was taking place.

I think the hardest part about walking with God, following God, hearing God, living a Christ-centered life is everyday decision making.

“Lord, how do I actually live today in a way that furthers your plans for my life. How do I live today’s will for me?”

In school, in my beginning of school, I had a habit of praying in the morning and then going about my day not really paying another attention to God…until maybe evening.

Campus life, laundry, classes and school work got busy.

It’s not that I became disinterested in God. Rather, I just was pre-occupied with everyday life.

Things moved quickly.

Decisions needed to be made all of the time.

Joseph and Mary had the angel of the Lord coming to speak to them divine messages.

Mary and Joseph would have encounters with other people of faith.

Mary would ponder certain things in her heart.

As Jesus began His earthly ministry at 33, He would openly speak with people, crowds, leaders, especially with His disciples.

The disciples had a direct communication line to Jesus Himself….and would directly ask Jesus questions to get clarity on God’s will.

(Examples of Questions)

John 1:37–38 (ESV)

37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

Jesus being crucified and returning to heaven meant a couple of practical things.

One big adjustment would be Jesus no longer in the same physical space the disciples and others had come to expect.

To all of this and more, Jesus declared something interesting:

John 16:4–7 ESV

But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

For our remaining few minutes, I want to speak with you about your advantage—the Holy Spirit.

Jesus says to His disciples, you will benefit from my leaving.

Your benefit is that I will send to you the Holy Spirt…and this arrangement is to your advantage.

Q: Have you ever thought of yourself as divinely advantaged?

In the text Jesus goes on to outline the Holy Spirit’s role, what He can be counted on to do and be.

John 16:8–11 ESV

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

This is good news because 1) God does the convicting and not OrLando (…I really don’t have to try to tell somebody about themselves….the Holy Spirit will, and will tell me about myself, too); and

2) it’s conviction and in the direction of reconciliation with God and not condemnation encouraging permanent separation from God.

(Say to your neighbor, Holy Spirit conviction is good…without the conviction I would be doing my own thing and others would be, too.)

John 16:12–15 ESV

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

The Holy Spirit will guide me into all the truth. He will declare to me all that God gives Him. He will glorify God.

This is good news—the Holy Spirit provides guidance from God/divine guidance.

While it’s tempting and maybe seems convenient to often ask Google and Siri, people we know, social media influencers for direction, some questions God is better qualified to answer.

You and we have divine access to God through His Holy Spirit.

John 14:25–26 ESV

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

This is good news—being divinely taught means that I can learn what I need to know; on top of that God’s Holy Spirit will cause me to remember.

(It’s a terrible thing to be told something and not remember….it’s like, what’s the point.)

(Story—in a lab conversation and hearing in my spirit/thoughts, “spirit of division.”)

What makes receiving he Holy Spirit an advantage—it’s the integration.

Romans 8:26–27 ESV

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Moreover, He is our power and our seal of redemption.

(Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

What to do?

Read scripture. So that the Holy Spirit will bring it back to mind.

Ask God questions throughout the rest of today—direction, guidance, help, insight, wisdom, favor, empowerment/power…

Acknowledge the Holy Spirit with a, “Thank you, God.”

This will improve your walk because you will come to know just how proximal to you God’s Holy Spirit is.

Journal Prompt, Reflection: What today do you need to ask the Holy Spirit?

For Guidance. What should I do? Where should I go?

To teach you. Lord, please teach me and help me to understand.

Help

For power and words to testify Who God is. Lord, please give me the words.

To receive the Holy Spirit.

Luke 11:9–13 ESV

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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