Talk

Blessed and Highly Favored

Louie Giglio
November, 27, 2022

Louie Giglio leads this talk about the Advent season by highlighting the miraculous birth of Jesus, through Mary, the “blessed and highly favored” mother of Jesus and instrument for God’s grace-filled work. Louie directs followers of Jesus to sit long enough under the “flow” of God’s grace to be moved to worship and reciprocation of the same great blessing.

Key Takeaway

To be blessed and highly favored is to be chosen by God to be a conduit of His mercy to others.

How mercy works:

  • First, we are ignorant of God's mercy.

  • Then, we become recipients of God's grace.

  • So that we can act as conduits of God's grace.

“
The key that unlocks extravagant worship is radical grace.
”
Louie Giglio

Discussion Questions

  1. Louie reminds us that we are all in “waiting periods” as a result of the way God works to build our faith. What was the longest “waiting period” you have experienced?

  2. What was Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel compared to Zechariah's response? You may have to read back through the stories to compare the two figures.

  3. Why did the baby (John the Baptist) leap in the womb? There is no clear answer in Scripture, but that does not mean we cannot postulate!

  4. What is the context behind Mary’s comments about 'Abraham’? Can anyone explain Mary's thinking?

  5. Louie says Mary, the mother of Jesus, "chose the side of faith" in speaking about her response to the angel Gabriel. What does it mean to "choose the side of faith"? What did it mean for Mary?

  6. What are you currently waiting for in life?

  7. How might God be using what you are currently "waiting for" to grow your faith?

  8. What did you learn from Mary's life as she serves as an example for followers of Jesus today?

  9. Louie says that an emphasis on God's grace results in worship. Why does an emphasis on and awareness of grace and mercy lead to worship?

  10. If appreciation for God's grace leads us to worship, then how do you increase your appreciation for grace? Is there anyone that found something helpful or eye-opening in regard to this appreciation?

Scripture References

28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.
37For no word from God will ever fail.”
38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,
40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
46And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

50His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

53He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

54He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

55to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.”

56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

77to give his people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

Louie Giglio
Louie Giglio
Louie Giglio is the Visionary Architect and Director of the Passion Movement, comprised of Passion Conferences, Passion City Church, Passion Publishing and sixstepsrecords, and the founder of Passion Institute.