<p><i>The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.”</i></p><p> </p><p>To receive grace from God (or be found favor with Him) means to be chosen by God. When we say that we have received God's grace, it means that God has chosen us. Do not forget that God's choosing is related to God's work.</p><p>We read and listen to the Word every day or every week. This Word is what God is saying to us. Do we respond by saying, "May this Word be fulfilled"? A servant of God is someone who acts on God's Word. When we act on that Word, it is not by our own strength, but by the Holy Spirit who comes upon us. Therefore, we simply need to obey the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not us doing everything from beginning to end, but the Holy Spirit who works with us from start to finish, and we obey.</p><p>We need to think about what the Word given to us means and accept it as it is. This is the faith we need. We must stake our bodies and lives on the Word given to us, saying, "May it be done to me according to His Word.”</p><p> </p><p><i>Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, June 10, 2024.</i></p><p><i>Luke 1:26-38</i></p>
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