TWO VISITATIONS
GABRIEL'S ANNOUNCEMENTS OF IMPOSSIBLE BIRTHS
LUKE 1:11-38
INTRODUCTION: WHEN GOD SHOWS UP IN YOUR WILDERNESS
Church, let me take you back to Genesis 21:16. Hagar, a slave woman, ran into the wilderness (Genesis 16:6-8). She carried nothing but despair and a dying child. The water was gone. Hope was gone. She placed Ishmael under a bush because she refused to watch him die (Genesis 21:15-16). Then God showed up. The Angel of the Lord found her. God opened her eyes to see a well of water right there in the wilderness (Genesis 21:19). What she needed was already there. She needed divine eyes to see provision in her impossible situation.
Before the encounter, Hagar was blind to possibilities. After the encounter, she called God "El Roi," the God who sees (Genesis 16:13). That wilderness meeting transformed her perspective. God didn't change her circumstances immediately. He changed her vision first.
Today, we stand at the threshold of Christmas. We celebrate the most extraordinary visitation in human history. But before Jesus came, God sent Gabriel twice.
• Two announcements.
• Two impossible situations.
• Two different responses.
• One powerful truth: Nothing is impossible with God.
A. THE PROMISE TO ZECHARIAH: A FORERUNNER IN OLD AGE (LUKE 1:11-17)
Zechariah was a priest (Luke 1:5). He served in the temple faithfully for decades. He prayed the same prayers. He performed the same rituals. He walked the same corridors. Then one ordinary day became extraordinary. Gabriel appeared while Zechariah offered incense (Luke 1:11). The angel stood at the right side of the altar. This position mattered. The right side represented favor and acceptance.
Gabriel brought news that shattered medical impossibility. Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife, was barren. Both were advanced in years (Luke 1:7). Their bodies were as good as dead, like Abraham and Sarah before them (Romans 4:19, Hebrews 11:11). Yet God chose this exact moment. He chose this exact couple. He chose to demonstrate His power through their weakness.
? The promise came with specific details:
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son. You will name him John. He will be great before the Lord. He will never drink wine or strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb. He will turn many in Israel back to God. He will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:13-17).
Every detail was intentional. Every word was measured. Every promise was guaranteed by the One who sent the messenger. This child would prepare the way for the Messiah. He would bridge the Old Covenant and the New. He would be the last prophet before the Prophet. The final voice crying in the wilderness before the Word became flesh.
But Zechariah stumbled. He asked for a sign. "How will I know this for certain? I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years" (Luke 1:18). Logic took over. Biology overruled faith. Past disappointments clouded present promises. He stood in the temple, in God's presence, with an angel before him, and still doubted.
Gabriel's response was swift. "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place" (Luke 1:19-20).
Silence became Zechariah's teacher. For nine months, he processed the promise without speaking. He learned to listen. He learned to wait. He learned that God's word doesn't need human agreement to come to pass. The promise was already in motion. Elizabeth conceived (Luke 1:24). The impossible became possible. The barren became fruitful.
B. THE PROMISE TO MARY: THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH (LUKE 1:26-33)
Six months later, Gabriel traveled again (Luke 1:26). This time from heaven to Nazareth. From a priest in Jerusalem to a virgin in Galilee. From the temple to a humble home. From an old man to a young woman. God doesn't repeat patterns. He creates new ones.
Mary was engaged to Joseph (Luke 1:27). She was young, probably a teenager. She was unknown. She had no status, no wealth, no influence. She was perfect for God's purpose. He chooses the weak to shame the strong. He selects the lowly to confound the mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27-28).
Gabriel's greeting startled her. "Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). Mary was troubled. She pondered what this greeting meant (Luke 1:29). Unlike Zechariah, she didn't doubt. She wondered. There's a difference. Doubt closes the door. Wonder opens the window.
The angel continued: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He 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. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end" (Luke 1:30-33).
This promise exceeded Zechariah's.
• John would be great before the Lord.
o Jesus would be the Son of the Most High.
• John would prepare hearts.
o Jesus would redeem hearts.
• John would announce the kingdom.
o Jesus would establish the kingdom.
• John would baptize with water.
o Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).
Mary asked a question, but not from doubt. "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34). She wasn't questioning whether God would do it. She was asking how God would do it. Faith seeks understanding. Doubt seeks escape.
Gabriel explained the mechanics of the miracle: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason the holy child will be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35).
Then Gabriel gave Mary evidence. "Your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month" (Luke 1:36). One miracle authenticated another. One impossible birth confirmed another. God was moving. Heaven was invading earth.
C. NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD (LUKE 1:37)
This verse is the hinge. The pivot. The foundation. Gabriel declared eternal truth: "For nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).
In Greek, the phrase reads "rhema." Not logos. Not the general word. The specific word. The spoken word. The promise God speaks directly to your situation. No rhema from God will be void of power. No word He speaks will return empty (Isaiah 55:11). No promise He makes will fail.
Zechariah heard this truth but didn't embrace it initially. Mary heard it and surrendered immediately. "Behold, the Lord's servant. May it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). She gave God permission to do the impossible through her. She accepted the scandal, the questions, the misunderstanding. She chose faith over reputation.
Consider what this meant for Mary:
• She faced the potential divorce from Joseph.
• Engagement was legally binding (Matthew 1:18-19).
• Adultery was punishable by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:23-24).
• She would carry shame in her community.
• Her story sounded unbelievable.
• A virgin pregnant by the Holy Spirit?
• Who would accept that explanation?
o Yet she said yes.
Consider what this revealed about God:
• He keeps His promises despite human biology.
• Barrenness doesn't stop Him.
• Age doesn't limit Him.
• Virginity doesn't confuse Him.
• He speaks, and biology bows.
• He commands, and nature obeys.
• He promises, and time confirms.
? Both Elizabeth and Mary conceived.
? Both carried sons who changed history.
? Both experienced ridicule transformed into rejoicing.
? Both walked through impossibility into testimony.
? Both learned that God's timing is perfect, His methods are mysterious, and His results are guaranteed.
D. YOUR RESPONSE TO GOD'S IMPOSSIBLE PROMISES
Church, God still speaks promises into impossible situations.
Your barrenness is His opportunity.
Your…
Closed womb
Closed door
Closed bank account
Closed relationship
Becomes his stage.
He loves performing miracles where humans have exhausted options.
You stand where Zechariah stood. God spoke a promise.
Your mind calculates the impossibility.
Your experience contradicts the word.
Your age
Your resources
Your history
All scream "impossible."
What will you choose?
Will you ask for more signs?
Or will you step into silence, processing the promise until it manifests?
You stand where Mary stood.
God interrupted your plans.
He offered you something beyond your imagination.
Your reputation is at risk.
Your comfort is threatened.
Your understanding is insufficient.
What will you choose?
Will you negotiate with God?
Or will you surrender to His word?
The choice determines the outcome.
Both Zechariah and Mary received their promises.
But Zechariah walked in silence.
Mary walked in song (Luke 1:46-55).
Both sons were born. But one parent praised from the beginning.
The other praised after the proof (Luke 1:67-79).
Look at your life today:
What has God promised you that seems impossible?
What dream has died?
What hope has faded?
What door has closed?
What relationship has ended?
What opportunity has passed?
What diagnosis has devastated?
What failure has defined you?
Gabriel's message echoes through the centuries: Nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
Not your marriage.
Not your finances.
Not your health.
Not your children.
Not your calling.
Not your breakthrough.
Nothing.
Elizabeth's womb opened at ninety.
Mary's womb filled while a virgin.
Hagar's eyes opened to see the well (Genesis 21:19).
The Red Sea parted (Exodus 14:21).
The walls fell (Joshua 6:20).
The lions closed their mouths (Daniel 6:22).
The fire didn't burn (Daniel 3:25).
The stone rolled away (Matthew 28:2).
Death released its captives (Matthew 27:52-53).
Your situation is not unique to God. He specializes in impossibilities. He invented them to showcase His power. He allows dead ends to demonstrate His divine interventions. He permits closed doors to perform His open heaven miracles.
CONCLUSION: FROM VISITATION TO VICTORY
We began in the wilderness with Hagar.
We watched God open her eyes to see provision (Genesis 21:19).
We moved to the temple with Zechariah.
We witnessed Gabriel announce John's birth (Luke 1:13).
We entered the home with Mary.
We heard Gabriel declare Jesus' conception (Luke 1:31).
Different people! Different places!! Different promises!!!
Same God! Same power!! Same faithfulness!!!
Hagar learned God sees her (Genesis 16:13).
Zechariah learned that God keeps His word despite doubt.
Mary learned that God chooses the willing over the worthy.
Elizabeth learned God's timing is perfect.
John learned to prepare the way.
Jesus came to be the Way (John 14:6).
This Christmas, you celebrate more than a birth. You celebrate a visitation. God came down. Heaven touched earth. The impossible became flesh. The eternal entered time. The invisible became visible. The untouchable became embraceable. Emmanuel arrived (Matthew 1:23).
Every Christmas reminds you that God keeps promises.
• He promised Adam a seed to crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15).
• He promised Abraham descendants as numerous as stars (Genesis 15:5).
• He promised David an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
• He promised Isaiah a virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14).
• He promised Jeremiah a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
• He promised Ezekiel a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26).
• He promised Daniel an everlasting kingdom (Daniel 7:14).
Then He kept every promise in one Person.
• Jesus fulfilled every prophecy.
• He satisfied every requirement.
• He completed every shadow.
• He became everything God promised.
Your promises are still valid. Your impossible situation is still God's opportunity. Your closed womb is still subject to His command. Your barren season is still preparing for breakthrough. Your wilderness is still hiding a well. Your silence is still processing a song.
ALTAR CALL: SURRENDER YOUR IMPOSSIBILITIES TO THE GOD OF POSSIBILITIES
Church, I'm asking you to stand wherever you are. Don't let this moment pass. Don't let this truth slip away. Don't leave here the same way you came.
If you're facing an impossible situation today, I challenge you. Trust God's promise over your circumstances. Trust His word over your experience. Trust His character over your confusion.
Some of you are like Zechariah. You've prayed for years. You've believed for decades. You've waited so long you stopped expecting. God sent me to tell you: Your promise is still valid. Your prayer is still recorded. Your breakthrough is still coming. Stop asking for more signs. Start preparing for the manifestation.
Some of you are like Mary. God just interrupted your plans. He's asking you to carry something that makes no sense. He's inviting you to embrace the scandal of obedience. The cost feels too high. The sacrifice seems too great. God sent me to tell you: Your yes will change history. Your obedience will birth breakthrough. Your surrender will produce salvation for others.
Come forward now. Don't wait. Don't hesitate. Don't negotiate. Come surrender your impossibilities. Come trade your doubt for faith. Come exchange your fear for trust. Come release your control and grab His promise.
Pastors and prayer partners, position yourselves. We're going to pray over every person who comes. We're going to declare Luke 1:37 over every situation. We're going to prophecy life into dead wombs. We're going to speak sight into blind eyes. We're going to command wells to appear in wildernesses.
If you're watching online, stand where you are. Lift your hands. Open your heart. This prayer is for you too. God sees you. He knows your name. He remembers His promise. He's moving on your behalf right now.
Let's pray:
Father, we come boldly before Your throne (Hebrews 4:16). We thank You for Gabriel's visits. We thank You for Zechariah's son. We thank You for Mary's yes. We thank You for Jesus' birth. We thank You for nothing being impossible with You.
Right now, we speak to every barren womb. We command conception. We speak to every closed door. We command opening. We speak to every dead dream. We command resurrection. We speak to every impossible situation. We command breakthrough.
We declare Luke 1:37 over every person here and watching. Nothing will be impossible with You. Not their marriage. Not their healing. Not their provision. Not their calling. Not their children. Not their breakthrough. Nothing.
We choose Mary's response. We say yes to Your word (Luke 1:38). We surrender our understanding. We release our timeline. We trust Your promise. We embrace Your plan. We accept the scandal of faith. We wear the badge of belief.
Do Your impossible work in us. Overshadow us with Your power (Luke 1:35). Fill us with Your Spirit. Conceive Your purpose in us. Birth Your promise through us. Use our weakness to showcase Your strength (2 Corinthians 12:9).
We receive Gabriel's message today. We believe Your word today. We trust Your character today. We embrace Your promise today. We step into our impossibilities today knowing You've already guaranteed the outcome.
In Jesus' name, the name above every name (Philippians 2:9), the name that breaks every impossibility, we pray. Amen and amen.
Church, go home different. Walk out transformed. Live in expectation. God has spoken. The promise is active. The miracle is in motion. Your visitation is coming. Your Elizabeth moment is approaching. Your Mary miracle is manifesting.
Nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Believe it. Receive it. Live it. Share it. Your testimony is being written right now. Your impossible is becoming your testimony. Your wilderness is producing your well. Your silence is preparing your song.
Merry Christmas. May the God of impossibilities visit you with breakthrough.
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Blessings,
Pastor JM Raja Lawrence
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
email: lawrencejmr@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 9933250072
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