Nothing is Impossible with God December 16-17th, 2017

SERIES: Christmas 2017

SPEAKER: John Williamson (Timberlake/Downtown), Stephen Rabon (Altavista) STUDY GUIDE: Christopher Shafer

Review the sermon

Read: Luke 1: 26-45

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 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.

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Notes…

A key inquiry (v34-35)

  • “HOW will this be since I am a VIRGIN? v 34
  • The Most High SINGLES out MARY for FAVOR v 30
  • Mary tries to EXPLAINAWAY what God has said to her v 35

A Divine Rebuttal (v35-38)

  • GOD often has toREENTER the conversation when our LIMITATION seeks to overrule his PROMISE vs 35-37
  • Mary SURRENDERS to the PLAN of GOD for her life v 38

From One Woman to Another (v39-45)

  • Mary PURSUES her DESTINY with great HASTE v39
  • There was SOMETHING in THE GREETING vs 40-45

Bottom Line: Nothing is impossible with God.

For those not yet living a Jesus-centered life

  • Give JESUSPERMISSION to be BORN in you

For those living a Jesus-centered life

•Embrace the ROLE of SERVANT

•Never allow your LIMITATION to speak louder than GOD’SWORD to you.

•Live with the CONFIDENCE that you serve a God with whom NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE.

Discussion Questions

1.Start this week off with rereading the passage of scripture and reflecting on the bottom line. Why is this parable so powerful?

2.What limitations have you allowed to speak louder than God’s Word? And how can God use fallen sinners as ambassadors for His kingdom?

3.Where is God calling you to be a servant that you have not been faithful in? And what needs to change for you to be a dependable and trustworthy steward of what He has placed in your hand?

4.What brokenness has been present in your life that seems too big for God to fix? What lost person do you know closely that you feel like will never come to Christ? Spend some time sharing each other’s burdens and then go boldly before the One whom nothing is impossible with!!!

Throughout The Week: (Optional)

Enjoy a Christmas Advent of Scripture looking forward to our coming King!

December 16:Luke 1:18-25

December 17:Luke 1:26-45

December 18: Luke 1:46-56

December 19: Luke 1: 57-66

December 20: Luke 1:67-80
December 21: Isaiah 9:2-7

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHRISTMAS OFFERING | Dec. 3- Dec. 24// During the Christmas season we will receive financial gifts of love to share in Central VA. This year our gifts will further God's work in 3 ministries serving people in crisis, poverty, and need--both physically and spiritually --in Central VA..

Ways to Give:

  • Give during a Weekend Service Nov. 26 - Dec. 24 (please write missions on the memo line of your check or the offering envelope)
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  • Give during any of our Christmas Eve services on December 24 (Timberlake Campus)

CHRISTMAS BAKED GOODS GIVEAWAY// Every Christmas, Crosspoint shows the light, and love of Jesus Christ to those who have served us all year long (police, fire and hospital staff). Our goal is to assemble 30 cookies trays for distribution on Christmas Eve. Volunteers are needed to help assemble cookies trays on Saturday, December 23, 9am -11aam. If you can help assemble, please write “assemble” on your communication card. If you would like to deliver cookies, please write “deliver” on your communication card.

CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE | Sunday, December 24th| 6:30pm or 8pm// As the Christmas season at Crosspoint culminates with this candlelightservice, join us for one of two identicalone-hour services in celebration of the birth of Jesus, worshipping the Lord Jesus.

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