Possibilities Of The Impossible

We have quite a few sayings about what can be possible – “Chocolate makes all things possible.”; “With enough coffee anything is possible.”; “You can do the impossible, if you just believe in yourself.” To top off the list is the general belief that “anything is possible.”

“Impossible” refers to that which cannot and will not happen. While “possible” refers to that which can and may happen. These words are considered by definition to be exclusive of one another. However, a problem shows up with this reasoning when the supernatural or miracles are brought into the discussion. Now what was impossible is possible. Why? Because the miracles and the power of God makes the impossible, possible.

Does this prove that “anything is possible?” NO! There are still some things which are impossible. There are those events which one thinks are impossible yet by God’s power, they are very possible. There are also things we consider possible but are quite impossible.

Those things which are impossible…

■ Impossible for God to Lie

Believe it or not there are some things which are impossible for even God. It is impossible for God to tell a lie. The Hebrew writer declared, “that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6.18). Why? The very nature of God is truth.

Paul wrote to Titus that “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (Titus 1:2). This is why we cannot discover a single lie in the Bible spoken by God. Solomon said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses” (1Kings 8.56). God always says what He means and means what He says. God never made a promise with His fingers crossed behind His back. God is the God of Truth. Truth is such an inherent part of His being that He cannot lie. He never made a promise that He could not or would not keep.

■ Impossible to Please God Without Faith

Again, the Hebrew writer explains, “but without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11.6). The examples in the context would be the faith of Abel who offered his sacrifices out of faith and these sacrifices were pleasing to God. Enoch pleased God by walking with God. Noah was found pleasing to God and by faith built an ark. We too can please God, if we are willing to read and heed the Word of God. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10.17).

■ Impossible for Man to Be Saved Without Jesus’ Sacrifice

Jesus on the night He was betrayed, went into the Garden of Gethsemane and prayed. He knew that crucifixion faced Him the next day. “He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him” (Mark 14.35). The sacrifices of animals could not take away sin. A better sacrifice than these was needed (Hebrews 9:23). Jesus “appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26). “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure” (Hebrews 10:6). “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:11-12).

■ Impossible for a Rich Man to Enter into Heaven

Once a rich, young ruler came to Jesus seeking eternal life. Jesus told him that it was necessary for him to sell all and give to the poor. The man had it all. He was rich, young and had authority. What he lacked was the ability to let go of the temporary in order to have the eternal. After the rich, young ruler left “Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”’ And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, ‘Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God’ (Mark 10:23-25).

The disciples asked, “‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible’” (Mark 10:26-27). Jesus is saying that with God it is possible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle and a rich man to go to heaven. With God there are things which become possible which otherwise would be impossible.

Things that are possible..

 It Is Possible for Us to Be Saved and Go to Heaven

God can give us the strength to make sacrifices and to overcome temptations, selfishness, and pettiness. Jesus came to make it possible for all sinners to be free from sin and make it to heaven. In fact, He has promised, “and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14.3). Jesus wants us to be saved from sin. He not only came to become the sacrifice for our sins but has ascended into heaven in order to prepare a place for us. So, make reservations for a place to stay with Him forever. He has a room ready for you. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2.11)

 It Is Possible to Be Lost for Eternity

For those who are not preparing to go to the place prepared in Heaven for them, there is a possible alternative, it is called the second death. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). This is hell. It is a place God has prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41). Just as heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, so is hell a prepared place for an unprepared people. Therefore, as the prophet Amos warned, “prepare to meet your God” (Amos 4:12).

It has been argued in the past the bumblebee should not be able to fly. Its body is too large in proportion to its wings. However, the bumblebee does not know anything about physics. So, it is going to keep on flying.

There are times it may seem impossible for us to make it to heaven. Yet God did not send His Son to die such a death to make it possible for us to focus on the impossibility. Instead, all faithful saints need to focus our hope on the possibility of the impossible.

Adapted by Daniel R. Vess from a sermon outline by Dennis Tucker