1. We live in a fallen world and the effects of sin are devastating (1:5‑17).

• The effects of sin are felt by the godless and righteous alike (5‑7).
• Even in the midst of a fallen sinful world, God is at work (8‑15).
• God, in His grace, calls His people to righteousness (16‑17).

Action: Prepare your heart for Jesus by admitting your fallenness and asking God to work within your heart.

2. We need to recognize that we can tend to be skeptical about God's work (1:18‑25).

• There is a real temptation to question the validity of the message God has for us (18‑20).
• We need to be prepared to listen to the message that God has for us (21‑22).
• We need to readily acknowledge God as the source of blessing (23‑25).

Action: Reflect over the past year. How have you seen God work? Praise him for that work!

3. We need to recognize that our fallen state is still something God can use for His work (1:26‑33).

• Mary's qualifications to be part of God's work did not include sinlessness (26‑28).
• Mary's qualification to be part of God's work had everything to do with grace (29‑30).
• Mary's qualification to be part of God's work was in order to serve God's purpose (31‑33).

Action: Take a minute to consider the fact that God can use you for His work.

4. We need to recognize that our ultimate role is as servants of the Lord (1:34‑38).

• Being a servant of God means giving God everything, even your future (34‑35).
• Being a servant of God means looking for how God is at work around you to be prepared to accept His work through you (36‑37).
• Being a servant of God means giving one answer when you are called "Behold the servant of the Lord." (38)

Action: Boldly step out and declare "Behold the servant of the Lord."

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