Good evening. Tonight we are going to continue our Facing The Giants series. So far, we have taken a look at a couple of great scenes from the movie and tried to apply them to our lives. Tonight, we do the same.
Before we get started though, I have a few questions for you:
What is the more common first reaction when someone faces an obstacle: making excuses or step out in faith?
In your life, do you tend to see the opportunities, or do you see the obstacles? And why?
What tends to happen when you face an obstacle?
Well, here is a scene set up for you. After finally trusting God and seeking to honor Him above themselves, the Shiloh Christian Academy Eagles have been winning football games. And by a weird twist of fate, they find themselves in the state finals. Now they prepare to take on the Giants, the best team in the state. They are bigger. They are stronger. They are faster. They out number them. And they are undefeated. SO FAR! In fact, most observers feel the Eagles have an impossible task at hand. But let’s take a look at Coach Taylor’s challenge to his team.
(PLAY CLIP 3 – The Impossible)
How does Coach Taylor instruct his team to face the Giants?
Why is it important for Coach Taylor and the Eagles to believe in God for the impossible?
Well, each week we have a big question to answer. And the big question for tonight is this:
Are you willing to attempt the impossible?
What does it look like to attempt the impossible?
Well, this evening, we are going to look at this idea of taking on things that seem to be “impossible.” And to do so, first we must ask the question:
1. How Do We Face Impossible Situations In Life?
Do we make “excuses” or do we “step out” in faith?
If we are honest about the situation, many times when faced with what seems like impossible odds, we simply head in the opposite direction. We try and get as far away from it as possible.
Moses when he was called by God to lead the people out of Egypt into the Promised Land, tried to do just that. He didn’t physically run away, his running came in the form of excuses. In Exodus 4:1-17 it tells us, “1”
Moses was full of excuses, but God kept reassuring him.
What about the feeding of the 5 thousand. It is one of the most well know miracles that Jesus ever preformed. But, just prior to it we see Jesus’ disciples analyze the situation. Where the disciples only saw the impossible, Jesus saw a way for the people to be fed that was seemingly impossible. They feel it is so impossible that they try to get out of it. Let’s take a look at their advice to Jesus. Matthew 14:15-18 says, “2”
So, what do we do when faced with a seemingly “impossible” obstacle? Do we have faith and step up and allow the “impossible” to become possible? Or do we try and hide, or run away?
Well, as we have talked about before, God will not use an “unwilling” person to accomplish the impossible. I wish I could give you some great scripture, or some great advice, but that is a question we must all answer on a personal level. How do I face impossible situations?
Now, it comes to our attention that doing the “impossible” isn’t necessarily about us. It’s more about God, so with that being said, we look at another question:
2. Do We Believe God Can Do The Impossible?
What are some examples of God doing the impossible from scripture?
What are some examples of impossible things that you have seen God do?
How have those things affected your life?
Well, all 12 of the disciples watched as Jesus fed more than 5 thousand people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. However, it is possible that only Peter learned the lesson. And that lesson was, attempt the impossible.
Why can we come to the conclusion that only Peter was paying attention?
Well, just a few verses later, the disciples find themselves in a fierce storm at sea, and Jesus walks toward them on the water. Take a look at Matthew 14:28-30 with me. In that passage it says, ““Lord, if it is you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord save me!””
Now, Peter is often criticized for sinking after he began walking on the water, but he was the only one willing to step out of the boat in the first place. The greatest failure is the failure to try. We don’t try because we don’t trust. Ron Dunn wrote, “If we are spiritually impoverished, it is not because the hand of grace is tight-fisted; it is because the hand of faith is too weak.”
So, they are out on the boat and they see Jesus walking towards them. And then Peter’s reaction stands out. In fact, when Peter says, “Lord if it’s you,” he is not speaking in doubt. Instead, he is talking about a reality assumed to be true. It might be better translated “Lord, since it’s you...”
Then Peter attempts the impossible. Jesus tells him to come and walk on the water. You see, Jesus’ word has now made the impossible, possible.
How far Peter got is unknown, but his outlook changed when he took his eyes of Jesus and saw the wind and the waves. His faith in Jesus was strong enough to get him out of the boat, but not enough to withstand the storm.
Now, I would suggest that Peter is both a good, and bad example of active faith. And he demonstrated both of those at the same time.
Peter has been called impulsive, sometimes arrogant, and often seemed to run his mouth before he ran his brain. These statements may be true, but some have labeled him a coward in light of this situation. But those accusations have no basis. And the proof, aside from Jesus, Peter does hold the “walking on water” record!
Not only do we have examples from scripture of God doing the impossible, but scripture itself clearly states that He can and will do the impossible.
In fact, in Matthew 19:26 Jesus clearly states that, “…with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” In that passage, Jesus is pointing out that “man” cannot save “man,” but that only God can bring about this “impossible” task.
Or we can look at the angel’s announcement to Mary about the birth of Jesus. In Luke 1:37 it says, “For nothing is impossible with God.” Now, Mary could be assured of what was to come even though it went against what could be called the “natural” course. But, if all of creation flowed from the hand of God, why would the birth of this child be so unusual?
So we have seen what God can do, now the only question left to be answered is this:
3. Do We Believe That God Can Do The Impossible Through Us?
You have seen God work through people in ages past, but do you truly believe He can still do it today?
What does it mean or what does it look like to attempt the impossible?
Well, God often uses unexpected people in unexpected circumstances, during unexpected times to demonstrate His power. We may say that we have faith in God who is able to do the impossible, but if we aren’t willing to take a risk and attempt the impossible, then our faith is pretty shallow.
One prime example of God working and being allowed to work though someone is in the life of the Apostle Paul. In Philippians 4:13 he says, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
I think that could be one of the Bible’s greatest devotional texts. The impossible becomes possible because of the strength that God alone can provide.
As we look at Paul, how could a man who was dying of hunger, and who had suffered other great pains, show such overwhelming joy rather than whining and complaining?
Well, I believe that it was because of the “inner power” that came from God. He took no credit for what he accomplished but gave it all to God.
Now, Paul’s statement must be understood within the context. There is “no limit” to God’s power but there are things that God “did not” and “does not” intend to do.
Paul’s strength for “everything” came from the one who continually empowered him. God wants us to be desperate. As long as we think we can do things in our own strength, we will never be desperate for God. We will seek to do in the flesh, what only He can do through His power and might.
Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, every miracle of God begins with an “impossible” situation. The storms and setbacks of life are opportunities for us to trust God. God rewards those who diligently seek after Him. We cannot attempt the “impossible” under our own strength.
However when we seek the Lord in the midst of our “impossible” circumstances, He reveals His power and presence by accomplishing the “impossible” through us. When you step out on His strength, the “impossible” can become possible! Step out of the boat, it’s much safer on the water with Jesus than in our little boat without Him. Do you need to take that step today?
“He took the 5 loaves and the 2 fish, and looking up toward Heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Over 5 thousand people ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, 12 full baskets.”
That sounds like the impossible, made possible by the power of God!
Let’s Pray!
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