Return to CTT
Morning | Sundown | Last Updated 4.13.11

May 1, 2011
Window to Wonder #1: Courage to Face the Unknown
"May it be to me as you have said."


Sunday Morning: Daybreak & Refresh

Core Ideas:

  • Key Points to Communicate:
    1. The biggest surprise about Mary is that she agreed to be the Lord's servant and live out God's plan because of the consequences she knew she would have to face.
    2. Mary's words, "May it be to me as you have said," is the triumph of risky faith over danger, rumor, and rejection
    3. None of us will have to make the exact same decision as Mary, but every true follower of Jesus will to to come to a similar faith and take a similar risk like Mary did!
    4. Quote from Scot McKnight:
      However surprising and joyous that day must have been, when Mary whispered "may it be" to the angel Gabriel, the inner seams of Mary's life were ripped apart. We need to remember that Mary's "may it be" to Gabriel occurred months before her "I do" to Joseph. p. 8

Key Message Concepts:

  • Why Mary?
    1. Mary is an important Bible person.
    2. We don't know very much about Mary.
    3. Much more than sweet and nice, Mary is strong and dangerous.
    4. The real Mary always leads us to Jesus.
  • Mary's "May it be to me ..." was an act of courageous faith!
    • Questionable reputation at best after turning up pregnant outside of marriage.
    • Her situation couldn't be hidden.
    • Bible makes clear that everyone knew that Joseph wasn't the father. In public perception, she was an adulteress!
    • John 8 and history detail what could have happened to her to publicly shame her and even stone her, especially if Joseph rejected her and put it to public resolution.
    • If Joseph and his family and if Mary's family didn't believe, she would be alone, destitute and shunned. She knew her normal life was gone and she would never be a woman of noble reputation in her town again!
  • We should be amazed and thankful that Mary said "Yes!" to God. And we need to ask, "How!?" How did she say yes with such huge consequences? Bible gives us 4 windows to understand!
    • Mary believed God and his promises, both in Scripture and from the angel — magnificat!
    • Mary knew God's story of grace to women who longed for salvation — Matthew's genealogy, from Mary? not sure, but she knew!
    • Mary trusted that God would help her godly husband to be understand and share her journey, or at least God would provide another way for her to have a family for her son — Matthew 1 & the Joseph piece along with the widows Jesus mentions, like the one from Zarephath.
    • She was sure that her son was God's Son, the promised Messiah of the O.T. promises, and she was blessed to be chosen his mother — Luke 1 story with the angel.
  • Finish with Romans 10:9-13 and the call for us to believe, even though there are some things we can't fully understand how they could be possible!

SH!FT Elements:

  • LIVE_holy — keep alive the faith that God can do great things through you!
  • GO_fearlessly — realize that God calls us to honor Jesus as as Lord, which is an exciting and challenging adventure
  • Pray_passionately — Mary demonstrates a rich and deep prayer life with God and a deep knowledge of his Word.

Key SoHills Emphasis:

  • School winding down and busy May ahead!
  • Special celebration vid for Eggstravaganza & WATS

Key Scriptures:

  • Matthew 1:18-25 needs to be read in both services
  • Luke 1:26-38 will be used in sermon
  • 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 John 4:4 suggested for use in communion

Communion Focus:

  • We share this Supper with those who have gone before us.
  • We share this Supper with brothers and sisters around the world who share a common faith, even though many are facing hardship, trials, and persecution.
  • We share this Supper with the resurrected Lord who ensures that any sacrifice we make is not in vain and that we will overcome every foe, even death, because of Jesus' sacrifice and victory!

Possible Songs:

  • Magnificat ("My soul magnifies the LORD ..." sung both this week and next week.)
  • Mary Did You Know — can we get George Pendergrass to sing this again before they move?
  • God Will Make a Way
  • God Moves in a Mysterioius Way
  • Mighty to Save
  • New Anointing

Drama, Media, & Connecting Pieces:

  • Pre-video: TBD
  • Video or Drama Piece: TBD — something that focuses on risky faith, especially to go with the sending piece or a possible piece often reserved for Christmas vids.


Sunday Evening: Sundown

  • Title: The Great Peace Mission Eph. 2:11-22

  • Speaker: TBD

  • Prayer & Eph. 2:11-22: Tom South

  • Communion Devotional: Richard Melton

  • Song Leader: Glen Wallace

  • Closing Shared Reading: Hebrews 13:15-16