God’s purpose revealed over time:

• God provided Mary with the big picture of His plan to save the world.
• God didn’t give Mary all of the details how or what it would take.

God places people in her life to affirm her Purpose of God.

• The shepherds come to see their Savior.
• Simeon & Anna affirm Mary at the temple when they bring Jesus to be dedicated to the Lord.

Luke 2:29-32 NLT 29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Mary made room for God’s Purpose

• Mary made room for God’s will and purpose, even when it didn’t make sense.

Seeing God at work:

Matthew 2:1-7 NIV 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi a from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:6“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ b ”

Herod could see God working around him.

• Herod’s power was threatened; his motive was to destroy anything that got in his way.
• Herod had the Savior of his soul in his backyard, but he chose the things of the world.

The Magi and Herod can see the prophecy of God’s word happening right before them.

Matthew 2:7-12 NIV 7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The Magi perspective was changed forever.

• For more biblical history of Magi, read Daniel 2.
• Magi were astrologers that followed the star for about 500 miles.

Will you join in God’s purpose?

God’s purpose is that He wishes NONE be lost.

2 Peter 3:9 NLT 9The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
God provides for His purpose.

When we make room for God’s purpose, He will provide.

God places people in Mary & Joseph’s life to affirm them in every little picture they are in.

• The shepherds come to see their Savior.
• Simeon & Anna affirm Mary at the temple when they bring Jesus to be dedicated to the Lord.
• The Magi that traveled 500 miles to worship Jesus.
• The Magi brought gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

God didn’t withhold anything from us in fact, He gave us His best!

Will you make room for His best in your life?

Life Group Questions:
Read Matthew 2:1-12, look at the characters in Matthew 2. What you notice about each of them?

Who stands out to you in this encounter? A) What do you see in them or learn from them about making room for God’s perspective?

Take a look Matthew 6:33 & Psalm 27. How would you describe what you are seeking at this time in your life?

What are you coming to understand about God’s big picture? How is that impacting how you navigate your ‘little’ pictures?

In what ways are you adjusting to make more room for God’s perspective?

How are you going to respond to what you heard from the sermon or from our discussion?