Nothing is Impossible with God

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD
Luke 1:26-38
December 27, 2020 (PM)

I just love this passage and all that it says to us about God keeping His amazing promises and His ability to even sus-pend the laws of the universe to accomplish those promises.

The first story I chose is that of the angel Gabriel appearing to the virgin Mary to tell of the pending conception by the Holy Spirit and miracle in her womb. Then we will look at God’s appearance to Abraham and Sarah.

Testimony – I know a little bit about this miracle in the womb…

I. History Defined By A Promise

Even though Jesus was born in Bethlehem, events surround-ing it were north in the little town of Nazareth – where the angel Gabriel appeared and told Mary she was going to have a son.

• Today in Israel – the church of St Gabriel in Nazareth sits over the only natural well in Nazareth – during time of Mary, women came there for water – according to tradition this is where Gabriel met Mary and made this announcement.
• This church is filled with paintings and murals depicting the angels in heaven looking down on Gabriel as he tells Mary the purpose of his coming to see her.
• Imagine the host of heaven watching in v28 – “greetings…do not be afraid Mary…Jesus is with you…
• What astounds Mary – not the announcement – but that, as a virgin, she is having a child at all.
• The bible is very clear in v27; “to a virgin…”

Matthew 1:18; Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Jo-seph, before they came together she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

A. God suspends natural laws of the universe

• Someone may say they don’t “believe” Mary was a virgin; that’s their prerogative/their opinion – skeptics have differing opinions, but that doesn’t change what God says.
• But if they say the Bible doesn’t “claim” Mary was a vir-gin – they are simply wrong…

Every non-believing expert in biology, chemistry, physiology and physics will say having any child at all as described here in Luke is absolutely impossible.

• I don’t have an explanation – but I can give you the words Gabriel gave to Mary – “the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.”
• God is going to suspend the natural laws of the universe to get it done.
• Mary said, I am the Lord’s servant; may it be done to me as you say. She understands God’s power and basically is ready to do whatever God has for her.

What difference does this make to you and I? Always ask yourself what the application of the text is on your life.

B. Nothing is impossible with God

Mary asked a reasonable question of God – how do Virgins have children? God’s answer v37; nothing will be impossible with God…including the virgin birth.
• Not a random event.
• Connection here in Luke was the fulfillment of a promise God made 750 years before in Isaiah.

Isaiah 7:14; Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.

All about God keeping his word; fulfilling his promise – but in order to do it – he had to suspend the natural laws of the universe…do we all understand the magnitude of this?

God did the very same thing for Abraham and Sarah…

II. A Miracle for Abraham & Sarah

He promised them a son…
• Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 99.
• The Bible tells us the idea of it was impossible for them…

Genesis 18:11; Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing.

• Old – wasn’t that a delicate way for the writers to put it?
• Not any better for Abraham.

Romans 4:19; Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;

His body was dead also…both of them –

The Lord comes to Abraham to visit in human form.

Genesis 18:10; He said, “I will certainly return to you at this time next year; and behold, your wife Sarah will have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him.

A. Never underestimate God

Sarah will have a son! Sarah is eavesdropping outside the door or the tent. When she heard, she laughed – Lord said why did she laugh…

Genesis 18:14; Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

• Is anything too hard for the Lord? Next year, you will have a son!

Genesis 21:1; Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised.

• It happened – as promised – Sarah bore a son.
• Again, the natural laws of the universe suspended to ac-complish His will.

Jeremiah 32:27; “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”

Matthew 19:26; And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

B. Biblical events increase our faith

Constant refrain of the Bible – nothing is impossible with God; Luke l, Genesis 18, Jeremiah 32, Matthew 19 –
• Bottom line, when God makes a promise nothing is im-possible – not the laws of nature – not the laws of physics – not the laws of chemistry – biology – physiology.
• Proven over and over –
• He parted the Red Sea for Moses.
• Dropped food from heaven to the Israelites in the wilderness.
• Knocked down walls of Jericho for Joshua – can you imagine Joshua going to his generals and telling them here’s my plan guys… And What happened – didn’t God do exactly what He said He was going to do?
• And fire from heaven for Elijah.
• Protected Daniel from the lions.
And He impregnated a virgin named Mary and He raised her crucified son named Jesus from the dead…

C. We all need a Godly attitude

Abraham and Sarah – remember the promise to them?
• Womb is dead, Abraham’s body is dead – but let’s look at Abraham’s attitude in spite of what we know was the case.

Remember what Romans said; Abraham was almost a hun-dred years old, much past the age for having children, and Sarah could not have children. Abraham thought about all this, but his faith in God did not become weak.

• Without growing weak in faith…did not waiver in unbelief

Romans 4:21; and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

• Wow – what an attitude – and God did it – interesting thing was before God ever fulfilled His promise, Abraham was fully convinced God would keep His word.

God wants us to face the trials of life with the same attitude that Abraham had; an attitude that says, no matter how big my problem, my God is bigger, greater, no matter the size of the obstacles, my God is able, nothing in this universe is go-ing to stop Him from keeping His promises to me – didn’t stop Him for Abraham or Sarah or Mary – it won’t stop Him for you or me…

The year 2020 has certainly tested all of our attitudes on many things this side of heaven.
• Pandemic – apart from the obvious health concerns – our attitude about rights or restrictions.
• Elections – our attitude about truth, good & evil.
• Does the attitude among believers cause the enemy to smell disunity in the church around America?

How are you doing? I’m certainly handing out grace tonight because I know I could also do better.

Oswald Chambers wrote, Beware of Criticizing Others; “There is no escaping the penetrating search of my life by Jesus. If I see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of timber in my own (see Matthew 7:3-5). Eve-ry wrong thing that I see in you, God finds in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-24). Stop hav-ing a measuring stick for other people. There is always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person’s situation.” “Jesus says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never critical.”

Isaiah 43:2-5; When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; … 4 Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other people in your place and other nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not fear, for I am with you; …

Promises to cling to:
Jeremiah 29:11; For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:28; And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Many days it is hard to see good things coming out of the world’s pain…but with God’s help, like Abraham, believe God and trust Him that what He had promised He was able to do…even to suspend the laws of the Universe.

I have every confidence that the promises God has made for you as 2020 comes to a close, He will stand by His word. The Bible is full of them –

(Children) Proverbs 22:6; Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he grows older he will not abandon it.

(Finances) Philippians 4:19; And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

(Anxiety & Fears) Isaiah 26:3; The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.

(Health) Psalm 139:16; Your eyes have seen my formless substance; And in Your book were written All the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
Health – I believe not one germ, cancer cell, blood clot, Covid virus, auto accident – nothing in this world that is going to take you or I out of here one moment before the full plan of God for each of us written in His book is complete.

• Mary’s virgin birth certifies to us that every promise He makes He backs up – with power and faithfulness.

A great Hymn’s –
Standing on the Promises

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.