PowerHouse

2.16.08 Pg. #1

Highly Favored

KEY TEXT
Luke 1:26-38; Focus on: Luke 1:28
“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’"

INTRODUCTION

Illustration:
Lion King, Simba was a highly favored one, born as a prince of the Pride Land. Simba fell for
the lie of his uncle, running away and living under the guilt of what he thought he had done. He
lived and enjoyed the world in paradise. Since he failed to meet his destiny, he was not fully
satisfied. While he was gone, his uncle was ruling the kingdom. Later he realizes he’s the
highly favored prince, goes back, fights, and sets kingdom free.

If you are in Christ Jesus, you are not of this world! We are created according to God’s own
image…do not look after your own flesh for those things will perish in the end! You are called to
be a highly favored one…ruling over the Kingdom of God! Do not forget about your destiny!

You have been living under lies for a long time! Satan is the king of this world (John 5:19).
Devil is controlling the world through the worldly system, controlling them to not see who they
were meant to be. The only thing they see is earthly things…things that will eventually perish.

But God has another plan. He desires for us to rule with Him in the Kingdom that will last
forever in a resurrected body. Then how can we live a favored life? Find out who you are
because right now, you are living in a lie. Come out from that deception and live out your life as
a favored one.

BODY

In order to live a favored life, you must…

I. Know that God is with you

A. Luke 1:28-29 - “The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly
favored! The Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and
wondered what kind of greeting this might be."
i. Even though God was with her, Mary did not know that!

B. Illustration: marriage…choose to be with wife forever because love her…favored

her among all other women.

C. In same way  God loves you = favors you among all others. Although He was
the one who created all things, that same mighty God is falling in love with you.

D. If truly receive Jesus Christ, He is in you  first thing to do is recognize the

presence of God in you. Therefore, we will have faith and know that He is with
us while we are on this earth.
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E. Must have a guarantee of salvation  recognize the presence of God

II. Make history with Jesus

A. Because Mary was a favored one, God desired to make history through her 
you are a favored one so God desires to make history with you!

B. You may be nobody through the eyes of man but through the eyes of God, you
are a history maker! We SHOULD be history makers for that is our destiny!

C. What God says He will do = it is done deal! If you cannot be a history maker, it is
because of a lack of faith in God. You were born to be a history maker but the
devil is trying to thwart that destiny.

D. History = His story

E. You will change the world just as Mary changed the world through her belief in
God’s plan for her!

III. Be baptized with the Holy Spirit

A. Luke 1:34-35 – “’How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of
the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the
Son of God.”

B. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God’s work was able to be done through
Mary.

C. Because Mary believed in what God would do, she was able to fulfill her destiny.

IV. Believe in the Word of God

A. Luke 1:38 – “’I am the Lord's servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you
have said.’ Then the angel left her.”

B. Mary understood the price she paid for believing in what God was doing (commit
adultery in the eyes of society and scorned and killed).

C. It is through a life of self-denial, accepting what God has planned for you in your
destiny  being a highly favored one  come back and claim your kingdom!

QUESTIONS:
1. Who did you think you were before you heard the Word of God today and why? What
did people say you were? Talk about those things. (Illustration of smart girl and
demanding father).
2. The greatest and most powerful hindrance against believing the truth is a lie. What kind
of lie do you believe concerning yourself, future, etc.?
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3. How will you respond to the greatest announcement of God’s angel (saying that you are
meant to be a history maker)?