Message Notes

Ministry: Pulpit Ministry 2020 Bilingual Worship
Date: 8 November
Speaker: Intern-Pastor Eugene Seow
Title: “For with God nothing will be impossible”
Text: Luke 1:26-38

INTRODUCTION

1. Ensuring that Christmas remains special

a) By appreciating God
b) By developing our faith in God

2. How we may do this – Through the Scriptures

3. The angel Gabriel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)

a) A beautiful Christmas story
b) A story that presents who God is through His word

THE BACKGROUND OF THE STORY

1. God sent angel Gabriel to find a girl called Mary (Luke 1:26-27)

a) A virgin betrothed to Joseph
b) From a small city called Nazareth of Galilee

2. Purpose – To bring God’s special message to Mary

a) That she was going to be the mother of Jesus
b) That Jesus would be the Son of God

WHAT THE SCRIPTURE TEACHES US ABOUT GOD

1. His promises

a) God gave Mary a wonderful promise (Luke 1:31-33)

i. She will conceive and bear a Son
ii. He will be called “Jesus”
iii. He will be great

b) God has also given us many wonderful promises in the Scriptures!

c) Some examples of His promises found in His word for us

i. That He will be our help
ii. That He will not leave us nor forsake us
iii. That He will protect and preserve us

2. His power

a) Mary initially struggled to understand God’s promise (Luke 1:34)

i. It is humanly impossible for her to conceive as a virgin
ii. She struggled to reconcile God’s promise with her reality

b) Gabriel’s reply – “With God, nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37)

i. Meaning: Every word from God will be possible
ii. God has the ability to fulfil all that He promised in His word
iii. God will certainly fulfil what He promised in His word

c) In the case of Mary (Luke 1:35)

i. She will conceive miraculously
ii. This will be done through the Holy Spirit

d) For us, we can discover God’s power through the Scriptures too

i. What He promises us, He will most certainly fulfil
ii. This is regardless of how difficult and impossible the situation is

ENCOURAGEMENT TO US ALL

1. Can we appreciate God more this Christmas?

a) That He is the God of promise
b) That He is the God of power

2. Can we believe in God’s word?

a) In the promises that He has given to us
b) That He will fulfil His word, regardless of how difficult the circumstances are

3. Isaiah 41:10 – A wonderful promise from God to believe in

a) When we feel alone and fear the future

i. That God is with us (“Fear not, for I am with you”)
ii. That God is our God (“Be not dismayed, for I am your God”)

b) When we are discouraged by problems in life

i. The Lord will give us strength to cope (“I will strengthen you”)
ii. The Lord will provide His help (“Yes, I will help you”)
iii. The Lord will preserve and protect us (“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”)