| 12.12.10 Great Joy! |
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GREAT JOY! He is Able to Turn Improbabilities into Possibilities A Study of Luke 1:26-38
INTRODUCTION: Improbable but not Impossible
WHY IMPROBABLE?
Because of …
1. The Unlikely Place. (Luke 1:26; John 1:46)
As to locality, Galilee, not Judea; Nazareth, not Jerusalem; the home where Mary dwelt, not the temple. -G. Campbell Morgan
IMPROBABLE! … but not impossible
The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. -Ezekiel 1:10
2. Unassuming People. (Luke 1:27-34)
The Bible tells us that Joseph …
a) Was righteous. (Matthew 1:19)
b) Was hard-working. (Matthew 13:55)
The four-word-Joseph-philosophy-of-life: BE RIGHTEOUS! WORK HARD!
God had selected a Dad for the One who would … … be great … the Son of the Most High … God will give him the throne … he will reign … his kingdom will never end … the holy one … called the Son of God. -Luke 1:32-33, 35
The whole situation is… IMPROBABLE! ... but not impossible
The Bible tells us that Mary… a) Was humble. (Matthew 1:38, 48)
b) Was a virgin. (Matthew 1:26, 27, 34)
The literal meaning of the word parqenon that we translate virgin is: virgin!
When you look at the Unassuming People, Mary and Joseph, you could say…
IMPROBABLE! … but not impossible
WHY NOT IMPOSSIBLE?
Because of …
1. God’s Unfailing Promise. (Luke 1:35-37; Acts 1:8)
Compare the promise given to Mary with the promise given to YOU: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. -Luke 1:35
That has an incredible similarity to the promise that Jesus gave to all of us as believers … You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. -Acts 1:8
Through the Unfailing Promise of the Holy Spirit … the emphasis changes …
Improbable … BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE!
2. Mary’s Unselfish Prayer. (Luke 1:38)
Our Consecration and Holy Spirit’s Power changes the worst of situations from …
Improbabilities to … POSSIBILITIES!
APPLICATION:
What seems so improbable, maybe even impossible, in your life today? |
