IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING
2 Kings 7:1-2
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: “Brunette Joke”
1. One day, Hannah decided that she was sick and tired of all her husband Arnold’s brunette jokes and decided to show him how wrong he was and to prove that brunettes really are smart.
2. Hannah decided to decorate two rooms while he was at work. When Arnold returned home, he immediately smelled the aroma of wet paint.
3. He went into the dining room and there he found Hannah lying on the floor in a pool of sweat. He couldn’t help but notice that she was wearing her fur coat on top of her ski jacket.
4. He went over to her and asked, “Are you OK, darling?” She replied, “Yes, of course I am.” “So what on earth are you doing dressed like that?” he said.
5. “Darling,” she said, “I wanted to prove to you that not all brunette women are dumb and I wanted to do it by painting some rooms in our house.”
6. “But why are you wearing your fur coat over your ski jacket?” he asked. “I was reading the directions on the paint can, and it said...‘FOR BEST RESULTS, PUT ON TWO COATS.’”
B. TEXT
Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, 12 pounds of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and 20 pounds of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” 2 The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”
C. THESIS
1. Charles F. Kettering, the noted scientist and inventor, believed that the easiest way to overcome defeat was to ignore completely the possibility of failure.
2. To prove it, he gave a tough assignment to a young research worker at the General Motors laboratory, but forbid him to research the previous work on the subject, because an expert research team had already proven that it was impossible.
3. So the research worker didn’t know this and proceeded with the idea that he would succeed. He did succeed, because he didn’t know it couldn’t be done!
4. Similarly, Igor Sikorsky, when 12, was told by his parents that human flight was impossible. Yet he built the first helicopter.
5. In his American plant hangs a sign that reads: “According to [modern science], the bumblebee can’t 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.”
6. Adidas once had an ad that 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’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration; it’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
7. That’s the Title of my message, “Impossible is Nothing.” We’re going to look at Miracles.
8. Jesus told His disciples, “If you have faith ….nothing will be impossible for you….If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” Mk. 9:20,23.
I. A MIRACULOUS GOD
A. WE LIVE ON THE NATURAL PLANE
1. Samaria was surrounded by armies; there had been a long siege. There was no food and the people were starving. The worst “food” cost a fortune.
2. When Elisha prophesied God's deliverance, the King's officer said it couldn't happen.
3. In the natural, for flour to be in the city:
a. All of the massive Army around the city would have to be defeated and driven away.
b. Even then, it might take a month before a large shipment of flour could arrive from Egypt, if it started that day. It looked impossible for flour to be selling cheap.
4. The officer was leaving God out of the picture.
5. Sometimes our problems look so big, or they've gone on for so long, we can't see God. But if God is involved, the circumstances don't matter. Circumstances don't change God's ability!
6. Maybe the officer didn’t think God did that anymore. "God used to do miracles back in Moses’ and Joshua’s time, but He doesn't do that anymore." Has God changed?
7. Heb. 13:8, "Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today & forever."
B. MIRACLES ARE NATURAL TO GOD
1. The basis for believing in the miraculous goes back to the biblical concept of God. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" Gen. 1:1.
2. If this verse can be accepted at face value, that in the beginning an infinite, personal God created the universe, then the rest should not be a problem. If He has the ability to do that, then a virgin birth, walking on water, feeding 5000 people with a few loaves and fish, and the other biblical miracles become not only possible but expected.
3. Miracles are natural to God.
4. ILLUSTRATION E. Stanley Jones. Picture for a moment:
a. Suppose a man is walking down a path through the woods. Beside the path there was a frog underneath a stone.
b. The frog wanted to lift the stone, so he strained and bulged every muscle, but he couldn't lift it. A man came along and easily picked up the stone, throwing it to one side.
c. The frog looked up with surprise, blinked his eyes and croaked, "A miracle!" A miracle for whom?
d. It was a miracle for the frog because it was something he couldn't do. But it was only normal for the man, because he belonged to a different nature.
5. HUMOR. Billy Graham was once asked, "Do you believe that Jonah was swallowed by a whale?" Billy answered, "I’d believe it if the Bible said that Jonah swallowed the whale!" It's not difficult to believe in miracles if you believe in a God of miracles.
6. God also involves Himself in the affairs of men. God intervened in history in: The Creation, the Flood, Sodom, Red Sea Opened, Israel's armies taking Canaan, the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, miracles of Acts, etc.
7. "Okay; what's that got to do with me?" A lot! The hidden hand of God has worked many times to help you and save you from trouble.
8. But God is desirous to reveal Himself to you and work with you more directly.
II. A MIRACULOUS LIFE
Because God is a miraculous God and intimately involved in our lives, we can have a miraculous life.
A. IN YOUR MARRIAGE
1. In John 2, Jesus attended a wedding. This couple had some problems from the very start.
2. HUMOR
a. Two women were having a heartfelt chat when one sighed and said, “You know, if something happened to Lloyd, I don’t think I could ever marry again.”
b. Her friend nodded sympathetically. “I know what you mean,” she said. “Once is enough!”
c. But your marriage doesn’t have to be like that.
3. Jesus added His power and turned a marriage that was lacking some things into one that people admired. He turned their water into wine.
4. He can TRANSFORM YOUR LIVES!
a. Luke 19:1-9 tells how Jesus changed an evil man into a good man.
b. This is a "must-have" work if you want to go to heaven. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Only Jesus can do it for you.
B. GOD CARES ABOUT WIDOW & SON’S FOOD
1. 1 Kings 17:12-14 tells the story of a woman and her son who had no food left. God cared about their needs -- and He does yours too. "Little is much when God is in it."
2. Many times we don’t recognize that God’s working miracles! Moses pointed out miracles right under the Israelite’s noses, that they never realized were miracles. “Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years” Deut. 8:4.
C. GOD’S HAND AT YOUR WORK
1. Peter -- the fishermen -- caught an incredible catch
of fish as he obeyed God.
2. Another time, Jesus had him go fishing to pay his taxes. Wouldn't it be great to get heavenly credit for going fishing?
3. God will work supernaturally at your work.
D. GOD CARES FOR YOUR FAMILY’S SAFETY
1. God delivered Lot & his family from a city about to be destroyed.
2. Peter was delivered from prison and death.
3. ILLUSTRATION: "Miraculous Deliverance"
a. Khun Paot, a 19-year-old girl, escaped KhmerRouge rule in Cambodia after an arduous journey with 100 others through miles of jungle, canals, mountains, and rivers. At the end of their trail would be many communist soldiers.
b. In one dark valley, at night, it was so dark they couldn't see where or how to walk. Suddenly hundreds of fireflies swarmed into view. Their glow made enough light for the people to see the path. The refugees reached the next mountain by "firefly light."
c. After Paot was transferred to Kham Put refugee camp, she was invited to a Christian meeting. "I know that old man," she explained, looking at a picture on the wall the Chapel. He’s the one who led us and showed us the way to Thailand and freedom." She was pointing to a picture of Jesus.
4. God wants your life to be a miraculous life. It starts by accepting Christ and he will bring change to every area you ask Him to.
III. A MIRACULOUS MINISTRY
A. MIRACLES ON A PERSONAL LEVEL
1. God is not content to do the miraculous by Himself, He wants us to be His instruments in performing miracles.
2. His purpose? Not so we can brag or "appear spiritual!"
3. MIRACLES ARE NECESSARY:
a. They meet human need.
b. They arrest attention for God.
c. Confirm Christ’s Deity, Acts 2:22.
d. They build your faith, John 11:45.
4. Miracles are STILL NECESSARY TODAY because there’s still human needs, people still must be convinced of Jesus’ deity, God is still trying to get people’s attention, and we still need our faith built up!
B. WORKERS TOGETHER WITH GOD
1. Matt. 10:1. Jesus gave the 12 disciples power over disease and evil spirits.
2. Luke 10:1,8-9,17. Jesus commissioned the 72 others to miraculous ministry.
3. Mark 16:15-18. All believers. Question: "Are you a believer?" Then it shouldn't be unusual for these kinds of signs to follow you.
4. Paul said that we are "workers together with God" (2 Cor. 6:1). If we have God working with us, what can we not do? Hallelujah!
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. Dr. Claude Barlow was a medical missionary to Shaohsing, China in the early part of the 20th century.
2. During his ministry there, a strange disease began killing people. He couldn't find a remedy.
3. In search for a cure, he filled his notebook with observations about the disease. Then with a small vial of the germs, he sailed for the United States.
4. Just before he arrived, he injected himself with the deadly disease and hurried to his alma mater, John Hopkins University Hospital.
5. He had become very sick and now was dependent on his former professors to find a cure.
6. They were able to save his life and send him back to China with the cure for this dreaded disease. In the process, a multitude of lives were spared.
7. In the midst of our epidemic called sin, Jesus went to the cross and injected himself with our deadly disease. He then committed himself to the Father's care and returned on Easter morning with the cure.
8. Praise God! Death is no longer our destiny. Jesus is here this morning to save you from sin. He asks for your surrender so he can administer the cure.
B. THE CALL
1. The King's officer was trampled because he didn't believe. You may say, “Pastor, my situation is too bad for God to pull it out.”
2. Remember what Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him/her who believes” Mk. 9:23. Another place God challenged His people, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me?” Jer. 32:27.
3. How many of you want to allow God to use you to touch other’s lives? Would you like to be a co-worker with the Lord for the glory of the name of Jesus?
4. Come to the platform and put your hands on it as an act of consecration. Prayer for them. “Stay here.”
5. To Audience: “How many of you need a miracle in your life? You may need a miracle in your marriage, your job, family, health, work, etc?”
6. “Come stand at the front.” “Now those of you who just prayed for miraculous ministries, I want you to have to lay hands on those who need a miracle.” Let’s pray.
[The title and Intro “Thesis” section were derived from a msg of the same title by Damian Phillips]
