Nothing Impossible: Sept 15 sermon recap
This weekend, we studied Luke 1:26-38 and a number of seemingly ‘impossible’ events.
In studying the story of Mary and the life of Jesus, we read about three particular impossibilities:
A spiritual impossibility: Mary was from a no-name town. She was unmarried, and therefore had little to no status. She seems like an unlikely candidate for great things. But God. We are reminded that God does not call the most equipped, but equips those that he calls. This is grace.
A political impossibility: Jesus was born as a king into a time and space that already had a king. Between Herod and Caesar, it was not a welcoming environment to introduce a new king. But God. He makes a way for Jesus to establish his kingdom in a politically hostile environment.
A human impossibility: Mary is a virgin, and yet, she is to give birth to a son? By all accounts, it seems impossible. But God. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God…” (Luke 1:35)
In the interaction between the angel Gabriel and Mary, we see a beautiful impossibility become possible because of God. As we read in Luke “…For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary boldly and faithfully responded, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
Over and over again, we see that nothing will be impossible with God.
Grace, freely given, makes the spiritually impossible possible.
Humility makes the politically impossible possible.
And the human impossibility? This is made possible by God himself.
My friends, what ‘impossibility’ are you facing today? Is it spiritual? Is it political? Is it human? Are your finances not adding up? Is that relationship still broken that you’ve been trying so hard to fix? Does your diagnosis feel overwhelming? Is your family longing for peace? What fears tell you that the future is dark, broken, lonely, or hopeless? When Jesus talked with his disciples, they asked him … who can be saved? Salvation felt impossible. Jesus responded with a hopeful and sweet reminder that tells us and his disciples that what Mary went through wasn’t simply her story … but all of ours. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
Dear sisters and brothers, whatever you are facing feels impossible because it is.
But, with God ... his grace ... his humility ... and himself ... all of the ‘impossibles’ ARE possible.
