"It Had to be This Way"

Part 2.

by Rev. C. David Underwood

Luke 1:5-25

Sermon Notes from 03 December 2000

How God works to accomplish his purpose.

3 more points continued from last week.

1. Not limited by Human circumstances. Elizabeth was barren. "Nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37) Do we really believe this? When it is all said and done, God gets the credit.

2. Calls for genuine faith. (1:20) Zacharias struggled in his faith. Mary was questioning, but she didn't doubt.
   • God's working doesn't always seem to make sense.
   • God always works for the good of his people. "In all things, God works for the good of those who love him." (Rom 8:28) Do we believe this?

   Remember when Jesus told the disciples to feed the thousands with a few loaves of bread and fish? Logically this seems to us to be absurd! We are people of small faith.

3. Has life changing results. (1:25) Elizabeth was blessed. Not that she deserved it - it was grace. We are different after he has changed us. It isn't "fun", but there are life changing results.

Be careful: this was all according to scripture. God doesn't lead us to violate scripture.