Nothing Is Impossible Series

I’ve entitled our message this morning, “Nothing Is Impossible,” as we briefly touch on the account of how baby Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary. I would like to begin with some inspirational quotes and illustrations; and I’ll start by sharing one entitled “Impossible Takes Longer.”

Charles F. Kettering, the noted scientist and inventor, believed that the easiest way to overcome defeat was to ignore completely the possibility of failure. In an address delivered at Denison University, Granville, Ohio, he told how he had once given a tough assignment to a young research worker at the General Motors laboratory. Just to see how he would react to a difficult problem, Mr. Kettering forbade him to examine notes on the subject that were filed in the library. These notes were written by an expert research team and contained statistics to prove that the assignment was impossible. The young research worker did not know this, of course, so he went to work with confidence that he would succeed. He did succeed, too. He didn’t know it couldn’t be done, and so he did it.(1)

Many men and women have gone on to prove that what some would say is impossible, is not impossible at all; like Igor Sikorsky. When he was just a boy of twelve, his parents told him that competent authorities had already proven that human flight was impossible. Yet Sikorsky built the first helicopter, and in his American plant he posted a sign that read as follows: “According to recognized aero-technical tests, the bumblebee cannot fly because of the shape and weight of his body in relation to the total wing area. The bumblebee doesn’t know this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway.”(2) You see, the word “impossible” doesn’t affect us much when it hasn’t been spoken over our life; and to some who have heard this formidable word, to these go-getters it still means absolutely nothing!

A few years ago, there was an advertisement for the Adidas company that was very inspirational. It said, “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they have been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It is an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It is a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”(3) The New York American Marketing Association commented on this ad campaign, saying that “Adidas believes every athlete can reach their own ‘impossible.’ It dares athletes to be dissatisfied with the status quo. It challenges athletes to dream about what they would like to achieve; to believe in their souls that their dreams, no matter how ‘impossible’ can be achieved.”(4)

Now, these encouraging quotes and illustrations simply portray the power of determination; but determination relies on human strength, intelligence and ingenuity to overcome problems. It is unrealistic to believe that determination can overcome anything and everything, because people do encounter difficulties that just can’t be solved on their own; like certain diseases, for example. However, when Adidas said that impossible means nothing, it actually hit on a concept found in the Bible. You see, the word “impossible” really does mean nothing to God; and through faith, the word “impossible” should mean nothing to the believer. This morning we’re going to come to learn that with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27)! So, let’s get started by looking at Luke 1:26-38.

With God All Things Are Possible (Luke 1:26-38)

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.