This sermon explores the challenge of accepting unwanted gifts from God, using the story of Joseph and Mary from Matthew 1:18-25. Joseph, a righteous young man, faced a life-changing dilemma when his fiancée, Mary, returned home pregnant. She was carrying Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, a miraculous child who would be the Savior. To Joseph, this unexpected pregnancy was an unwanted gift that upended his plans. Despite his faithfulness and purity, Joseph was thrust into turmoil, challenging our notions that doing good guarantees God's blessings. Job 41:11 reminds us that God owes us nothing; obedience is about trust, not controlling outcomes. Joseph's response to his unexpected situation shows we must follow God even when it's inconvenient, misunderstood, uncertain, or contrary to our plans. While we may never fully grasp God's perspective, we can trust His character, knowing from Romans 8:28 that He works everything for the good of those who love Him. In this Christmas season, amidst financial, health, or relational hardships, we are encouraged to seek refuge in God instead of fleeing in disappointment.

Chapter 1: Obedience Is Not a Formula 0:00 - 22:11
Chapter 2: Living for God's Approval Above All 22:12 - 26:52
Chapter 3: Anchored by God's Word in Uncertainty 26:53 - 34:50
Chapter 4: Trusting Even Without Agreement 34:51

This message invites us to revisit the familiar story of Mary and the angel Gabriel with fresh eyes. It's about unexpected turns—when life goes left instead of right, and our plans clash with God's. Mary, a teenage girl from an insignificant town, receives an impossible message: she's going to bear the Son of God through the Holy Spirit. Everything about this moment defies expectations—the messenger, the message, and the method. But what's most striking is Mary’s humble response: 'I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Her meekness—seeing God and herself rightly and submitting humbly—unlocks the door to God's greatest gift. This challenges us: Are we willing to do what the Bible says, even if we don't like it? Can we trust God's plans, even if we don't understand them? The Christian life often feels like you're threading in the opposite direction, where Jesus calls us to go against the grain. This Christmas, remember that meekness isn't about being weak; it's about walking the path Jesus laid out to inherit the earth.

Chapter 1: Introduction: When Life Goes Left Instead of Right 0:00 - 7:44
Chapter 2: The Unexpected Messenger and Message 7:45 - 16:48
Chapter 3: The Unexpected Method and Mary's Situation 16:49 - 26:54
Chapter 4: Mary's Unexpected Meekness: The Key to Life 26:55 - 43:56
Chapter 5: Celebrating Baptisms 43:57

This message addresses the personal challenge of aligning our lives with God's will, focusing on teachings from Colossians 3, Ephesians 4, and Romans 7. It reveals the futility of trying to change ourselves solely through willpower and emphasizes that true sanctification isn't about moving from grace to self-reliance. Instead, we're called into a partnership with the Holy Spirit, who transforms our deepest desires. Attempting to change on our own risks making us either hypocrites, maintaining a façade, or leading us to abandon our faith when we can't meet expectations. The key takeaway is understanding that confession, reconciliation, and submission to the Spirit are essential resources from God for real transformation. By trusting in His power, rather than trying to impress Him, our desires begin to shift, resulting in genuine, Spirit-led growth.