Faith in the Impossible: Trusting God's Power

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that with God, nothing is impossible. We began by reflecting on the story of a father who brought his son, possessed by a mute spirit, to Jesus. Despite the disciples' inability to cast out the demon, Jesus demonstrated that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains. This narrative reminds us that our faith, though sometimes small, is powerful when placed in the hands of an omnipotent God. We are encouraged to exercise our faith, trusting that God can do anything, no matter how impossible it seems.

We also delved into the importance of aligning our prayers with God's will. The prayer of faith is not about asking for anything and everything but about seeking what aligns with God's purpose for our lives. When we pray with humility and sincerity, God hears us and provides according to His riches and glory. This principle challenges us to examine our motives and ensure our desires are in harmony with God's will.

The story of the rich young ruler further illustrated the necessity of surrendering our attachments to follow Jesus. Jesus tested the young man's willingness to give up his wealth, highlighting that true discipleship often requires sacrifice. We are prompted to consider what we might need to relinquish to fully embrace God's calling.

Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel exemplifies obedience and willingness to embrace God's plan, even when it seems impossible. Her response, "Let it be to me according to your word," serves as a model for us to trust God's promises and step out in faith, knowing that He can accomplish the unimaginable.

Finally, we were reminded of God's miraculous power through various biblical accounts, from turning water into wine to raising Lazarus from the dead. These stories affirm that God can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. As a church, we are called to be a lighthouse, trusting that God will provide for our needs and fulfill His promises. By believing bigger, moving in faith, and speaking life, we can participate in God's mission and witness His transformative power in our lives and community.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith in the Impossible: The story of the father and his possessed son teaches us that even a small amount of faith can lead to miraculous outcomes when placed in God's hands. We are encouraged to exercise our faith, trusting that God can do anything, no matter how impossible it seems. [04:41]

2. Aligning Prayers with God's Will: True prayer of faith aligns with God's will and purpose. We must examine our motives and ensure our desires are in harmony with God's plan, knowing that He hears the prayers of the righteous and provides according to His riches and glory. [08:39]

3. Surrendering Attachments: The rich young ruler's story challenges us to consider what we might need to relinquish to fully embrace God's calling. True discipleship often requires sacrifice, and we must be willing to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with God. [14:27]

4. Obedience and Willingness: Mary's response to the angel Gabriel exemplifies obedience and willingness to embrace God's plan, even when it seems impossible. Her faith and trust in God's promises serve as a model for us to step out in faith and embrace God's calling. [18:29]

5. God's Miraculous Power: Biblical accounts of Jesus' miracles, such as turning water into wine and raising Lazarus, affirm that God can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. We are called to believe bigger, move in faith, and speak life, trusting in God's transformative power. [26:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:41] - Faith and the Impossible
- [08:39] - Praying in God's Will
- [11:28] - The Rich Young Ruler
- [14:27] - Surrendering to Follow Jesus
- [18:29] - Mary's Obedience
- [21:29] - God's Provision
- [23:28] - Miracles of Jesus
- [26:31] - God's Power Over Nature
- [28:24] - Stepping Out in Faith
- [30:23] - The Church as a Lighthouse

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 9:17-29 - The story of the father who brought his son to Jesus for healing.
2. Matthew 19:16-26 - The story of the rich young ruler.
3. Luke 1:26-38 - Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the father's initial reaction when the disciples could not cast out the demon from his son? How did Jesus respond to the situation? [04:41]
2. In the story of the rich young ruler, what specific command did Jesus give to the young man, and how did he react? [14:27]
3. How did Mary respond to the angel Gabriel's message about her role in God's plan? What does this reveal about her character? [18:29]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the father and his son illustrate the concept of faith as small as a mustard seed? What does this teach about the nature of faith? [04:41]
2. What does the interaction between Jesus and the rich young ruler reveal about the challenges of wealth in relation to spiritual commitment? [14:27]
3. How does Mary's response to the angel Gabriel serve as a model for obedience and willingness to embrace God's plan, even when it seems impossible? [18:29]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a situation in your life that seems impossible. How can you exercise faith, even if it feels as small as a mustard seed, to trust in God's power to change it? [04:41]
2. Consider your prayer life. Are there areas where your prayers might not align with God's will? How can you adjust your prayers to seek God's purpose for your life? [08:39]
3. Identify any attachments or possessions that might be hindering your relationship with God. What steps can you take to surrender these to fully embrace God's calling? [14:27]
4. Think about a time when you felt God calling you to do something that seemed impossible. How can Mary's example of obedience inspire you to step out in faith? [18:29]
5. Reflect on the miracles of Jesus mentioned in the sermon. How can these stories encourage you to believe bigger and trust in God's transformative power in your life and community? [26:31]
6. The sermon mentioned the church being a lighthouse. What role can you play in helping your church fulfill its mission and be a beacon of hope in the community? [30:23]
7. How can you practice speaking life and positivity into situations that seem challenging or discouraging? What specific words or actions can you take this week to encourage others? [28:24]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as a Catalyst for the Impossible
Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can lead to miraculous outcomes when placed in God's hands. The story of the father who brought his son, possessed by a mute spirit, to Jesus illustrates this profound truth. Despite the disciples' inability to cast out the demon, Jesus demonstrated that faith can move mountains. This narrative encourages believers to exercise their faith, trusting that God can do anything, no matter how impossible it seems. By placing our faith in an omnipotent God, we open ourselves to witnessing His power in our lives. [04:41]

Mark 9:23-24 (ESV): "And Jesus said to him, ‘If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’"

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel something is impossible? How can you actively place your faith in God to work in that situation today?


Day 2: Praying in Alignment with God's Will
True prayer of faith aligns with God's will and purpose. It is not about asking for anything and everything but about seeking what aligns with God's purpose for our lives. When we pray with humility and sincerity, God hears us and provides according to His riches and glory. This principle challenges us to examine our motives and ensure our desires are in harmony with God's will. By aligning our prayers with His will, we can trust that He hears the prayers of the righteous and provides according to His riches and glory. [08:39]

1 John 5:14-15 (ESV): "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

Reflection: Reflect on your recent prayers. Are there any desires or requests that may not align with God's will? How can you adjust your prayers to seek His purpose for your life?


Day 3: The Cost of True Discipleship
The story of the rich young ruler challenges us to consider what we might need to relinquish to fully embrace God's calling. Jesus tested the young man's willingness to give up his wealth, highlighting that true discipleship often requires sacrifice. We are prompted to consider what attachments or possessions we might need to surrender to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. True discipleship involves letting go of anything that hinders our relationship with God and being willing to make sacrifices for His sake. [14:27]

Luke 14:33 (ESV): "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you are holding onto that might be hindering your relationship with God? What steps can you take to surrender it to Him today?


Day 4: Embracing God's Plan with Obedience
Mary's response to the angel Gabriel exemplifies obedience and willingness to embrace God's plan, even when it seems impossible. Her response, "Let it be to me according to your word," serves as a model for us to trust God's promises and step out in faith. By embracing God's calling with obedience and willingness, we can participate in His mission and witness His transformative power in our lives. Mary's faith and trust in God's promises encourage us to step out in faith and embrace God's calling, knowing that He can accomplish the unimaginable. [18:29]

Luke 1:38 (ESV): "And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you respond with obedience and willingness today?


Day 5: Witnessing God's Miraculous Power
Biblical accounts of Jesus' miracles, such as turning water into wine and raising Lazarus, affirm that God can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. These stories remind us of God's miraculous power and encourage us to believe bigger, move in faith, and speak life. As a church, we are called to be a lighthouse, trusting that God will provide for our needs and fulfill His promises. By believing in His transformative power, we can participate in God's mission and witness His power in our lives and community. [26:31]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's mission today by believing in His power to do the unimaginable? What steps can you take to be a lighthouse in your community?

Quotes

"The word says that it will not return the word, and that everything that you say. So, what's your impossible circumstance? Circumstance. I'm sure everybody. body probably has circumstances that you just think, well, this is just, there's no way. Well, he has the way. Yes, amen. And so with him, all things are possible." [00:00:22] (100 seconds)


"And whenever he scissors him, he throws him down, he falls at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out, but they could not. He answered him and said, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me." [00:03:48] (27 seconds)


"Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, people came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, You deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more." [00:04:41] (30 seconds)


"first of all the disciples couldn't do it because I don't know if their faith was not strong enough or what but they couldn't do it but Jesus did he delivered this young boy out from this demon and he says here if we can believe all things are possible to him that believes sometimes our faith is really tiny you know there's the little mustard seed God says that's all the faith that we really need is the faith of a mustard seed we need to learn how to exercise our faith and so if we can just believe and trust to him he can do anything nothing is impossible with him I was reminded of a" [00:06:00] (56 seconds)


"The prayer of faith has to line up with the will of God. It never asks for anything foolish or wrong. God hears the prayers of the righteous and the humble and the truly repentant. And when we ask in prayer and in faith, believing that he can do and that he will answer, he will." [00:09:13] (28 seconds)


"because you ask amiss that you may spend it on your pleasures and the King James version says on your lust so when we're praying we have to make sure that we're asking according to his will not asking amiss for our own pleasures but when we ask in faith he will answer" [00:10:39] (27 seconds)


"Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." [00:13:50] (18 seconds)


"And sometimes in life there are things that we need to be willing to give up to follow Jesus. Because as the Bible says and I didn't write it down but what if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? What have you really gained? You've not gained anything." [00:15:09] (23 seconds)


"then the angel said to her do not be afraid Mary for you have found favor with God and behold you will conceive in your wound and bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus 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 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end then Mary said to the angel how can this be since I do not know a man 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 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 for with God nothing will be impossible and Mary said behold the maidservant of the Lord let it be to me according to your word and the angel departed from her" [00:17:19] (69 seconds)


"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." [00:20:38] (18 seconds)


"He turned the water into wine at the wedding of Cana. And the wine was so good it was better than what they had served all along. It was touched by the master's hand. He has power over distance. The centurion came to Him and He said all you have to do is to speak the word and my son who's in another town will be healed." [00:23:28] (33 seconds)


"Blind Bartimaeus blind since birth when he heard Jesus was coming by he asked Lord please heal my sight and the Lord did. He healed the blindness. Is there some blindness in our eyes, in our heart's eyes that needs to be healed? Is there something that needs to be delivered?" [00:26:37] (28 seconds)


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Transcript
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