From Can't to Can | Rev. Jeff Lee | Sunday, April 26th, 2026

The sermon exhorts believers to move from a mentality of limitation to one of confident faith. It traces a cultural shift from an ethic of labor and perseverance to a posture of defeat that often infects the church. The text contrasts an older generation that worked "from can to cant" with a present generation that too quickly answers hard things with "I can’t." It summons the conviction that Jesus empowers the weak, and that human inability cannot override divine possibility.

The preacher unpacks the story of the woman with an issue of blood in Mark 5 to show how desperation, persistence, and personal initiative overcame layers of religious, medical, and social barriers. The woman refused the counsel of experts and the crowd and reached out in faith, touching Christ and receiving healing. This biblical example becomes the model for individual and corporate action: personal faith plus bold movement produces breakthrough.

Concrete testimonies reinforce the theme. A call to act in faith led to an unexpected offering to paint a sanctuary, which triggered abundant provision. Other personal stories of provision demonstrate how believing obedience often precedes visible resources. The sermon stresses that power does not lack; human unbelief does. Believers must stop outsourcing spiritual responsibility and start exercising the same faith that first brought them to God.

A second biblical example, Caleb, becomes a template for sustained ambition in the later years of faith. Caleb refuses to settle for small inheritances or comfortable sunsets. He asks for the mountain, illustrating that age and history do not cancel God’s promises. The congregation receives a direct challenge to reclaim long-promised blessings, to remind God of those promises, and to refuse the lull of resignation.

Practical exhortations span prayer, worship, personal initiative, and financial obedience as means of entering revival. The theology remains simple and direct: Christ strengthens the believer, God remains faithful to promises, and the church must replace cant with can. The closing appeal calls the assembly to lift faith, announce belief out loud, and act so that miracles, revival, and promised mountains become present realities.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Shift from I can't to I can A change of language changes destiny. When believers replace defeatist assumptions with declarations of divine possibility they realign their choices, habits, and prayers with God’s promises. This shift requires daily recommitment, repeated spiritual action, and refusing the voices that normalize smallness. Faith functions as the will to move toward the promise rather than argue about lack. [28:07]
• 2. Persist through isolation and rejection Loneliness, religious exclusion, and medical pronouncements do not cancel divine intervention. The woman who touched Christ modeled a faith that acted despite social and spiritual prohibitions. Persistence narrows the gap between need and miracle because it forces encounter rather than mere hope. Desperation that directs itself toward Jesus becomes the birthplace of restoration. [38:18]
• 3. Depend on Christ not strength Human effort meets limits; Christ provides overflow. Relying on personal ability produces fatigue and retreat, while relying on Christ produces endurance and fresh capability. Believers must translate theological truths into practical acts of faith, knowing that God works through weakness to reveal power. Trust invites God to do what human resources cannot accomplish. [50:01]
• 4. Claim promised mountains by faith Promise possession requires bold request and steadfast expectancy. Caleb refused to settle and asked for the mountain, teaching that age or history does not negate pursuit. Naming the promises, reminding God of them, and pursuing them with courage prompts God to fulfill what was spoken. A people who press for their inheritance refuse to live in diminished hopes. [74:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [25:08] - Opening greetings and fellowship
• [25:43] - Reading Joshua 14 and Philippians 4:13
• [28:07] - Theme introduced: From can't to can
• [29:57] - Historical ethic of perseverance
• [38:18] - The woman with the issue of blood explained
• [50:01] - I can't but Jesus can: core conviction
• [60:09] - Testimony and provision for painting the church
• [72:19] - Invitation to lift faith and act
• [74:29] - Caleb example: asking for the mountain
• [81:29] - Reminding God of His promises
• [85:35] - Altar call and corporate commitment

1. In Joshua 14:12, what specific request did Caleb make, and what reason did he give for believing it was possible?
2. How did the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 demonstrate persistence despite social, religious, and physical barriers? (Refer to the sermon’s emphasis on her actions: [38:18])
3. What practical example did the sermon give about trusting God’s provision when finances seemed insufficient? (Refer to the testimony about painting the sanctuary: [01:00:09])
4. According to Philippians 4:13, what is the source of the believer’s ability to “do all things”?

1. Why do you think Caleb specifically asked for a mountain filled with giants and fortified cities instead of an easier inheritance (Joshua 14:12)? What does this reveal about his faith?
2. The woman with the issue of blood was told by experts, “You can’t,” yet she acted anyway. What does her refusal to accept those limitations teach about the relationship between faith and external opposition?
3. The sermon emphasized that “human inability cannot override divine possibility.” How does Philippians 4:13 redefine our understanding of personal limitations?
4. In the story about the church’s financial provision ([01:00:09]), why might obedience in giving precede visible resources?

1. What is one area of your life where you’ve repeatedly said, “I can’t,” and how could shifting to “I can through Christ” change your actions or prayers this week?
2. The woman with the issue of blood took personal initiative to reach Jesus ([38:18]). What bold, specific step could you take this month to pursue a breakthrough you’ve been hesitant to attempt?
3. Caleb refused to let age or past delays stop him from claiming God’s promise. Is there a long-standing promise or dream you’ve neglected because of discouragement? How can you “ask for the mountain” again?
4. The sermon mentioned “believing obedience often precedes visible resources” ([01:00:09]). What practical act of faith (e.g., giving, serving, forgiving) is God asking you to prioritize even before seeing results?
5. How can you intentionally replace defeatist language (e.g., “We’ll never have revival”) with declarations of faith in your conversations this week?
6. The woman ignored the crowd’s rejection to touch Jesus. Who or what “voices” do you need to stop listening to in order to act on what God has put in your heart?