Blindsided - Next Steps

Message Summary

When God chose Mary to be the virgin mother of the long promised Savior of the world, she was blindsided. Certainly she had her doubts, but she responded in faith and God blessed her (Luke 1:46-55)! And God blindsided Joseph with the news that his fiancé had apparently been unfaithful—it must have broken his heart. When an angel explained the Immaculate Conception, Joseph was blindsided again—he was probably blown away. And he too responded in faith and took responsibility to marry Mary and Parent the Savior of the World! All believers have been blindsided by God’s love, forgiveness, favor, grace and strength. We can pass those blessings forward. And we’ve all been blindsided by the troubles and disasters of life. But we can let Jesus step into our lives and radically change and heal us. God’s ultimate goal for each of us is eternal, to change us into beings that are like Jesus.

1) Can you share a time when you were blindsided by something good? How did you feel? How did you react?

2) Is there anything you would change about your reaction next time something like that happens?

Consider This

“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). Messiah means “God’s Anointed,” the Divine King (God the Son) who would rule the whole earth. The OT describes many other aspects of this divine Personage.

1) Read the following and list the divine characteristics or actions you find.

a. Psalm 110

b. Genesis 22:18 and Gal 3:8, 16

c. Samuel 7:12-13,16

2) Read Matthew 1:18-25

a. What was Joseph’s response when Mary was found to be pregnant?

b. What did the angel say to reassure Joseph? What was Joseph told to do?

c. How did Joseph respond?

3) What two names did God give to Mary’s son?

a. What do they mean?

b. What do these two names mean to you?

4) According to Romans 3:10-18, 23, what is true of all people of all time?

5) Isaiah prophesied about 700 years before Jesus Christ was born. Read Isaiah 53:3-6.

a. What did the promised Messiah and Savior do for humankind?

b. What did He accomplish (Isaiah 53:11, see also Romans 3:25)?

c. How are you saved?

6) When you are blindsided by a blessing, list ways you can reinforce-remember God’s amazing provision. And list ways you can pay it forward and bless those around you.

Moving Forward

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son …” (Romans 8:28-29a)

This week, please consider the following about those bad things that happen in your life.

1) When bad things happen, what can you know about the outcome according to Romans 8:28? To whom does this promise apply?

2) Can you think of occurrences when, after time, you saw this play out in your life?

3) What is God’s end game purpose for us according to verse 29a?

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). These commands only make sense in light of what God has done for us and what he is doing and will do.” Can you apply these action points to your past, present and future life this week?