Christmas Faith in the God of the Impossible (Luke 1:26-38)

Where: College Baptist Church

When: December 9, 2001

Why: To help the listeners understand the important of the virgin birth in Christian faith; to show that faith in God is not misplaced because He is the God of the impossible.

Text: Luke 1:26-38.

Text

Luke 1:26-38. ²⁶ In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Introduction

There are a some key truths in biblical Christianity, which we believe, that are generally considered unbelievable by thinking non-Christians. To the mind and heart that does not see Almighty God as the focal point of science, history, philosophy, and world view, these truths appear to be absurd, They are seen, perhaps, as simple crutches for uninformed thinking.

These truths include the biblical creation account, the virgin birth, the resurrection, and the physical return of Christ. I'm sure we could think of others. And it makes sense that these truths may seem absurd to people whose world view does not make room for the purposes of good and powerful and loving and just God. To them things like Divinely created order out of nothingness is impossible. To them for a child to be born outside of the "the way it's always done" is impossible. To them it is impossible for someone to come back to life from the dead. As for someone coming back again physically from-from where? they would ask-to rule the world as King, well, how could that be possible if one didn't even believe that other stuff? Impossible.

The Christian holds a different view of reality. It is not an uninformed reality, but one that is worthy of faith when considered with an open mind and open heart. For the Christian, the impossible is no great obstacle when the impossible is accomplished by the almighty, good, loving, just God who sustains His world and is very involved in it. In this truth and in Him we place our faith.

Faith in the God of the impossible is at the heart of Christmas and the Christian life.

Background on Theophilus

Dr. Luke, physician and historian, is writing an account of the life Jesus to Theophilus. We don't know much about this man except that Luke addresses his gospel and the book of Acts to him. "He is called most excellent Theophilus and the title given him is the normal title for a high official in the Roman government" (Barclay). It is speculated that Luke was offering an explanation and defense of Christianity to assure Theophilus that it was not just another pagan cult, especially in the light that Christians had been accused of cannibalism (eating the body and blood of Christ). And surely, Luke also hoped that this thinking non-Christian would become convinced that he too should place his faith in the God of the impossible.

Dr. Luke states to Theophilus (and to all who read his account), Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³ Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught (Luke 1:1-4). That's the bottom line isn't it? It seems that Theophilus had some exposure to Christianity. But there were doubts. Luke says, "I'm putting this all in order and writing it down so that you will know the certainty of these things." This is evidence of the truth. Isn't it good to be certain of something. We are assured that Luke recorded history accurately so that we could be certain of these things.

The Birth of John the Baptist is foretold

The first thing Luke talks about is the birth of John the Baptist. In so doing, he begins to show how John and Jesus' lives will dovetail together. It will also become clear that though both boys births have supernatural circumstances surrounding them and both are prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures, everything about Jesus is superior. He is set apart from all others. His cousin had a special role and ministry in the life of Jesus, but only of Jesus could it be said that He is the Son of the Most High (1:32).

It is also interesting to note that in the story of John the Baptist when the heavenly messenger told Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would have a baby, Zechariah doubted because of Elizabeth's old age. Consequently, he was struck dumb until the baby was born and named was named John in obedience to the command of God. In contrast, Joseph and Mary received the message in faith. They were perplexed to be sure, but they did receive in faith that the God of the impossible was worthy of their complete trust.

The Birth of Jesus, the Son of God, is foretold

The messenger from God that came to Zechariah was none other than Gabriel. Six months later he makes another appearance, this time in Nazareth to a young girl named Mary. Mary was betrothed to a righteous young man named Joseph, a carpenter by trade (Matthew 1:18-20; 13:55). Betrothal happened at a very young age, from the perspective our culture. Mary was probably around twelve to fourteen years old when a member of Joseph's family approached Mary's parents to make arrangements for the betrothal and marriage. The betrothal was the first installment of marriage. During that first year their relationship was legally considered a marriage even though the couple did not yet live together and share their lives intimately. If for some reason they had to back out of the relationship, it could only be done through a formal certificate of divorce. For a year they were in a time of preparation for the day when Joseph would come and take Mary home. For a week they would celebrate. Oh, the food and dancing! It would be a great time!

But then the messenger came.

Gabriel is one of two angels named in Scripture. He is God's special messenger. Six months earlier he had identified himself to Zechariah as the one who stands in the presence of God. What a position! What credibility! (Think of the impact in would have a young teenager-anyone for that matter-if Colin Powell suddenly came to Hillsdale with a personal message from the president!)

Luke wastes no time in establishing for Theophilus that Mary is a virgin (1:27). He makes it clear that there is something very special is happening. Gabriel is sent here by God. She is betrothed to someone named Joeseph, a man with blue blood, from the royal line of David.

Theophilus, I want you to take note of the unusual circumstances surrounding this birth and the unusual claims made regarding this birth. They are most important and truly essential in understanding and having certainty of this whole account to the Christian faith-which I am accurately recording for you.

The angel greets Mary. "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary is troubled and amazed. What kind of greeting is this? Now it must have been a very frightening thing at the to be approached by an angel. Zechariah had been gripped with fear (1:12). But the first reaction we are told about in this passage is that Mary wondered about the meaning of the greeting. It wasn't "howdy." It wasn't "what's happen'un." It was "You are highly favored by God! The Lord is with you!"

Gabriel gets right to the point. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.

Don't be alarmed, Mary. Don't be struck down with fear. Don't be scared away. You have found favor with God. You are "greatly graced" by God. And the Lord is with you and you can't beat that. You are going to have a child, conceived and grown in your womb. You will call Him Jesus-"Jehovah is salvation."

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. He is of royal blood and will be given the promised and prophesied throne of David. Not only that, He will reign forever. His kingdom will not end.

This is very significant, Theophilus, because the angel was making certain that we would understand that this child was human and yet . . . God. And he would be the fulfillment of numerous prophesies which the Jews hold very dear. The prophesies are about the Messiah, one who would come and save His people and establish a Kingdom that would last forever.

Mary surely remembered that God had made a covenant with David, recorded in 2 Samuel 7. He established that God would be His Father and He would be His Son. He covenanted that His Son's throne would last forever. Theophilus, I'm certain that prophesies like Isaiah 9:6, 7 also came to Mary's mind when she heard this: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Gabriel told Mary what would happen. And Mary received it. But she wondered about how it would happen. "How can this be? I'm sure you realize I'm still a virgin." Mary didn't doubt that God was able. She wondered how. Amazed, yes, that this was happening to her. But how?

Mary, you won't conceive because having relations with the righteous man to whom you are betrothed. Instead the Holy Spirit of God will come upon you. The immediate presence and power of Almighty God, the Most High, will envelop you. God will miraculously and wonderfully bring this pregnancy into being. That way it can truly be said that this Child's Father is the Heavenly Father. He will be the Son of God in the flesh.

This does seem impossible, Mary, but know that God is at work. Even cousin Elizabeth who was barren in her old age-just like Sarah had been-is six months pregnant. Have faith. Be encouraged. Nothing is impossible with God.

Theophilus, please note the reaction of the early teen. It is the mark of humility. And of faith in God. "I am the Lord's servant." Bondslave-slave by choice. Submissive. Surrendered. May it be to me as you have said.

Application

Faith in the God of the impossible is at the heart of Christmas and the Christian life.

It seems impossible to many that a child could be conceived and born without a father. Sure, we live in a world familiar with test tubes, invitro-fertilization, embryonic transfers-amazing stuff. But nothing so amazing as what happened at Christmas some two millennia ago. Gabrielle tells us what was to occur and how it was to occur. A child was conceived in the womb of a virgin with no human father. A virgin was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit of God, surrounded by the power and presence of the Most High. And she conceived a Holy One, One to be called the Son of God. Fully human. Fully God. The fulfillment of prophesy. Born in royal line of David. One who would establish a Kingdom that has no end. It is a Kingdom of which every Christian is a part today.

Impossible. Incredible. Absurd. Perhaps to one who does not have an Almighty God at the center of one's universe. But to the person of faith in an Almighty God who created the universe, who is personally involved in sustaining the universe, and who from the beginning has covenanted love and redemption to a fallen humanity, it makes all the sense in the world.

Is a virgin birth an obstacle to the One who spoke and the universe came into being? Is the virgin birth a challenge to the One established the laws of nature? Cannot He circumvent the usual in order to fulfill His promises and accomplish His purposes?

Faith in the God of the impossible is at the heart of Christmas and the Christian life.

Understanding and this truth-the virgin birth, Jesus was fully God and fully man-is at the heart of much of the political tension and spiritual confusion of our times. Our country today battles proponents of radical Islam. For a number of purported political reasons they have viciously and aggressively attacked our country. At the heart of the spiritual differences in our faiths, however, is the issue of the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ.

And consider the spiritual confusion of our times.

• The gentlemen who come to our doors with white shirts and black ties are confused about this truth. Their Mormon faith declares that Jesus is a son of god, specifically the god called Elohim, one of many gods in heaven. Yes, He is the only begotten son of god, as in the only begotten human son. But unspoken, buried deep within their belief system, even Jesus has a twin whose name is Lucifer.
• The Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus was God's highest created representative. Created. But not one with God. Not God Himself.
• The New Age movement, makes all of us gods, with all having the potential to tap into the life energy forces of nature to elevate us to a higher plane. The New Age Jesus often is a Shaman priest, the most effective channeler of life force energies, fully in harmony with creation. But the only begotten Son of God? Fully human? Fully God? No. Not as the Bible reveals Him.

Christians, we listen with Theophilus. It is accurately and certainly recorded that Jesus was born of a virgin, the Son of Man and the Son of the God, fully human, fully God, fully capable of being the royal Lion of Judah whose Kingdom will never end, and the serving sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Faith in the God of the impossible is at the heart of Christmas and the Christian life.

This faith directly impacted Mary's life. Her response of submission and surrender is not only an inspiration to us, but it is also an exhortation. Nothing is too great for our God. And when He speaks, it is truth. What He wants to do in us and through us He can and will do as we surrender to Him.

We may argue with Him that we are ill-equipped for whatever it is He calls us. We're too old. (So was Elizabeth.) We're too young. (So was Mary.) The virtue of the Christmas reality and Christian truth does not lie in the virtue of it's adherents. It lies in the One upon whom the faith is based. Such undiminished greatness! Such untarnished holiness! Such creative power! Such sacrificial love! The virtue lies not in faith itself nor in the person who exercises the faith, but in the One in whom the faith is placed.

Mary knew this. Gabriel brings the word of what will happen and how. He understands the reaction many have at such a supernatural announcement. "Nothing is impossible with God." Mary's faith in the God of the impossible is displayed through joyful submission and surrender.

Faith in the God of the impossible is at the heart of Christmas and the Christian life.

Resources