Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

How many references do you think there are

to POSSIBILITIESPOSSIBILITIES in the Bible?

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

Matthew 19 v 16 30

Narrator: . . . . . . . . Rich Man: . . . . . . . . Jesus: . . . . . . . . Peter: . . . . . . . .

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

1. OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis 11 v 4 7 ( v 6 ) *Double Negative about a potentially bad outcome

Nothing... Impossible (Everything Possible for man?)

2. Genesis 18 v 14 * Fertility in Old Age

Positive (Double Negative)

Nothing... Too Hard (Everything Possible for God)

3. 2 Samuel 13 v 2 Ammon and TamarNegative

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

4. Numbers 11 v 23Negative Question Expecting

Positive Reply & Positive and Negative Contrast

The LORD said to Moses, 'Is the LORD's hand too short? (compassion too weak?) Now you will see whether My Word will come true or not!'

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

5 & 6. Deuteronomy 1 v 16 & 17 ( also Deuteronomy 17 v 8 )

Positive (Double Negative) & Positive use of Negative

'Hear cases between your Brothers and Sisters. Judge righteously between them or the strangers who are with them. You must not be biased in your judgment. You must hear the small man, as well as the popular and powerful man. You must not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment is God's. As for the case that is too hard for you, bring it to me, and I will hear it.

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

7. Deuteronomy 30 v 11Positive (Double Negative x 2)'For the commandment I have commanded you

today is not too hard for you, nor is it unattainable (lit. distant)' - which commandment?

8. Isaiah 59 v 1Positive (Double Negative)Look and see, the LORD's compassion is not so weak (lit. hand too short) that He cannot save, nor is His hearing so dull, that He cannot hear

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

9 & 10. Jeremiah 32 v 17 - 19 & 27

Positive (Double Negative) & Negative Question Expecting Positive Response

Ah, Lord GOD! You made the Heavens and Earth by Your Great Power and by Your Huge Compassion (lit. outstretched arm) Nothing is too hard for You. You show Steadfast Love to thousands of people, and You repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O Great and Mighty God, whose name is the LORD of Hosts, Great in Counsel and Mighty in Deed, whose Eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds... ...'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?'

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

11. Daniel 4 v 9Positive (Double Negative)'I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, Daniel. No mystery is too difficult for you, so tell me about the dream I had and what it means'

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

12. Job 42 v 2Positive & Double Negative (Positive)'I know that You can do all things. No purpose of Yours can be thwarted.'

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

13. NEW TESTAMENTMatthew 17 v 20 Positive (Double Negative)Nothing... Impossible with Faith Read Matthew 17 v 14 21 *

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

14. Matthew 19 v 26 (read Matthew 19 v 16 30 again *)Contrasting Negative and PositiveImpossible for man... Possible for God

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

Needles in Scripture

The nearest references we have to a needle in the Old Testament are to needlework.

In the Hebrew, there are 20 references to needlework - 11 meaning needlework or embroidered clothing (lit. colourful clothing or patchwork embroidery) and 9 meaning rich or skillful needlework or embroidery (lit. one who mixes colours.) The best example in Scripture is probably Joseph's coat of many colours or patches (most probably a very colourful and expensive patchwork.)

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

The Eye of the Needle Gate?Most Archaeologists and Historians agree there

was no such thing as an Eye of the Needle Gate. Apparently, according to them, this is a myth. After all, why would builders create a gate or hole that only people could go through without carrying anything heavy or large, but not burdened camels or large horses? Of course, it is possible there was a gate or entrance that was intended only for people, and not for camels or horses but, even if there was, this does not seem to have been called the Eye of the Needle.

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

Narrow Gate or Narrow Door?

Read Luke 13 v 22 25Then

Read Matthew 7 v 13 & 14

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

Narrow Gate or Narrow Door?So Matthew and Luke both shed a lot of light for us

on why many Christians think Jesus was referring to a Narrow Gate when he talks of an or the Eye of a Needle, because He refers to a Narrow Gate in Matthew and a Narrow Door in Luke.

Interestingly, even the Greek word for door in the passage from Luke is occasionally translated as entrance or gate in the New Testament, so this further explains the confusion over the apparent Eye of the Needle Gate myth.

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

Matthew 19As we have just read, Jesus gives us

the somewhat comical illustration that too many possessions can prevent someone from entering the Kingdom of God... However, in doing so, he prompts Peter to help us understand even further what Jesus is saying...

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

Matthew 19Jesus it not just talking about possessions or wealth!It's about giving up or leaving anything or anyone that would hinder your entrance to the Kingdom of God!Whether they be mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, relatives or friends (or, I suggest, any cult, denomination or job that was taking you away from God.)

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

Matthew 19Jesus told the rich young man to sell all he had and give to the poor.In the early First Century church, the more wealthy believers were instructed to sell their properties and possessions, in order for there to be no poor amongst them.(This parallels a similar teaching in the Old Testament.)

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

Acts 4 v 32 - 35The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which they possessed was their own, but they had all things in common. With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

OPEN QUESTIONWhy don't we still practice the

custom of the wealthy and rich amongst us selling their properties and possessions, in order for us as Christian believers to have all things in common and make sure there are no poor amongst us?

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

15. Matthew 24 v 24 Negative (or Positive?)IF it were Possible to lead the Elect astray

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

16. For I am sure that neither death

nor life, nor Angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to

come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all of Creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of

God in Christ Jesus our Lord(Romans 8 v 38 & 39)

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

17. Matthew 26 v 39 NeutralIF Possible, please don't let me go through this!

18. Mark 9 v 23 * ( Read Mark 9 v 17 29 ) Positive EmphaticEverything is Possible (for a believer) 19. Mark 10 v 27parallel passage with Matthew 19 v 26 Contrasting Negative and PositiveImpossible for man... Possible for God

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

20. Mark 13 v 22parallel passage with Matthew 24 v 2421. Mark 14 v 35parallel passage with Matthew 26 v 39 22. Mark 14 v 36continuation of above versePositive EmphaticEverything is Possible (for God, our Father)

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?23. Luke 1 v 37

citing Genesis 18 v 14 Positive Emphatic (Double Negative)Barrenness v FertilityNothing... Impossible for God

24. Luke 18 v 27parallel passage with Matthew 19:26 & Mark 10:27 Contrasting Negative and PositiveImpossible for man... Possible for God25. Acts 2 v 24Positive (Effective Double Negative)Impossible for the grave to hold Him

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

26. Acts 8 v 22parallel with Luke 1 v 37 citing Genesis 18 v 14 Positive Emphatic (Double Negative)Barrenness v FertilityNothing... Impossible (for God)

27. Acts 17 v 15NeutralTimothy came as soon as Possible

28. Acts 20 v 26NeutralTo be at Jerusalem, if Possible

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

29. Acts 27 v 39NeutralIF Possible, to run the ship aground

30. Romans 12 v 18Positive (Conditional)IF Possible, Live at Peace with Everyone31. Galatians 4 v 15Negative

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

32. Philippians 3 v 11PositiveIF by any means Possible I might

attain the Resurrection33. Philippians 4 v 13PositiveI can do all things through the One

who strengthens me

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

34. Hebrews 6 v 4 6Conditional NegativeIn regard to those who have been enlightened and tasted the Heavenly Gift, sharing in the Holy Spirit, tasting the Goodness of the Word of God and the Powers of the Age to come. IF they turn aside, it is Impossible to restore them to Repentance again35. Hebrews 6 v 18 (we'll come back to this)

Nothing is Impossible Possible or Impossible?

36. Hebrews 10 v 4Negative (Positive Implication)It is Impossible for the blood of bulls and goats

to take away sins37. Hebrews 11 v 6Conditional Negative and Implied Positive (Double Negative)It is Impossible to please Him without Faith. Whoever would draw close to God must believe not only that He exists, but also that He rewards all of those who seek Him

IsIs Everything Everything Possible Possible

for Unbelieversfor Unbelievers?

IsIs Everything Everything Possible Possible

for Believersfor Believers?

IsIs Everything Everything Possible Possible for GODfor GOD?

YES YES oror NO NO?

NONO!!

??

GOD GOD cannotcannot

lie!lie!

GOD GOD cannotcannot

break His break His Promises!Promises!

God wanted to show the Unchangeable Character of His Purpose more

convincingly to the Heirs of the Promise. So He Guaranteed it with an Oath. In this

way, by two Unchangeable things, because it is Impossible for God to Lie. So, for us who have fled to refuge, we have a strong Encourage-ment, so we

can hold on tight to the Hope set ahead of us. We have this as a Sure and

Steadfast Anchor of the Soul, a Hope that enters our Inner Heart

( Hebrews 6 v 17 19( Hebrews 6 v 17 19 ))

GOD GOD will will NOTNOT Accept Accept Unrepentant Unrepentant

SinnersSinners

GOD GOD will will NOTNOT

Condemn the Condemn the Righteous!Righteous!

Jesus Christ is not YES and NO! In Him it is always YES!

For ALL the Promises of God find their AFFIRMATION in Him.

This is why we speak our Amen through Him, in order to give

Glory to God

( 2 Corinthians 1 v 19 & 20( 2 Corinthians 1 v 19 & 20 ))