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We continue the theme pursued in previous weeks concerning the fact when sin goes unchecked in society, when righteousness is not preached and taught to the congregation of the Lord, the vanity of man will turn toward oppression. That has been the testimony of both history and scripture. That’s a lesson we saw last week when we addressed Christ’s statement in Matthew 21: “If you have faith and doubt…. if you shall say unto this mountain be moved and be cast into the sea it shall be done.”
This raises the question, despite the fact this is an obviously figurative expression, our Lord is making the point: “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27)
One of the keys to understanding, is our faith consistently exhibits and challenges “the impossible.” Jacob, our father, did the impossible. He wrestled with God and prevailed. He was declared a Prince with God…normally an impossible achievement. When studied from scripture, biblical preaching- first enjoined by Prophet of the Lord- posits impossibilities. It is impossible for a fallible, fallen preacher of the Word of God to accomplish what the Word of God tells us: Being fallible and fallen (and faithful in preaching the Law of the Lord) his fallible nature will be transformed by the Holy Spirit into an infallible witness of Christ emblazoned on the heart of a believer.
As we see in this message, it is impossible for the church to be with the scriptures describe it to be, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth. But by the time we finish examining the Scriptures, the faithful church which utilizes the Law of God as a hedge in protecting the Gospel and righteousness, will accomplish the impossible: it sets the agenda for the world to behold and the pulpit sets the agenda for the church. That is impossible… except that God’s Word declares it.
There are many impossibilities which God declares in His Word to be not only possible but a regular feature of the Christian presence in any culture. May impossibilities are surmounted by God’s miraculous Law (Psalm 119:18) and Gospel (Psalm 32:1 &2): a new heart, overcoming sin, reformation in creating a new kind of lifestyle in society (see the book of Jonah at Nineveh), a Royal Priesthood, the defeat of the devil (cf. Matthew 16:18), the Church arising out of the ashes of apostasy REPEATEDLY all throughout history, wisdom… and many other alleged “impossibilities” as developed throughout this message.
