SERMON BY: OKPAN CLEOPAS (MINISTER)
TOPIC: SOME “IMPOSSIBILITIES” TO NOTE
INTRODUCTION
The word “impossible” is an adjective which means “not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with”; “totally unlikely.” “Impossibility,” therefore, is a noun which means “incapable of existing or occurring.” In this message, we shall be considering three impossibilities recorded in the epistle to the Hebrews which convey very strong messages to the Christians, and which we must observe with care and pay close attention to as we continue our Christian race.
THE IMPOSSIBILITIES
1. It is impossible to renew to repentance those who fall from faith (Heb. 6: 4-6). Why is this so?
a). They were once spiritually enlightened. They knew that one is not justified by the works of the law (Rom. 3: 20; Gal. 2: 16; 3: 11, 24). They were privileged to know the truth which makes men free (John 8: 32). They understood that the just should live by faith (Rom. 1: 17); and they knew that death and judgement are inevitable (2 Cor. 5: 10; Heb. 9: 27).
b). They have tasted the heavenly gift – the grace of God which brings salvation to all men (Titus 2: 11) through their personal obedience to the gospel (Mark 16: 16).
c). They were partakers of the Holy Spirit. They had received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 38; Rom. 8: 11). They were sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (Eph. 4: 30).
d). Despite the fact that they knew the truth, received God’s grace, and received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they turned away from all these and fell from their state of salvation. That is why it is impossible to renew them to repentance. Therefore, every Christian must take serious responsibility of their faithfulness (1 Cor. 15: 58).
2. It is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6: 18). Why?
a). God is not a man that He should lie (Num. 23: 19; 1 Sam. 15: 29). His ways and thoughts are higher and better than ours (Isa. 55: 8, 9). He cannot be faulted in any way, because He is always right and perfect (Psalm 18: 30; 19: 7).
b). His promises cannot be changed (Titus 1: 2). He does what He says He will do (Isa. 55: 10, 11). Nobody has ever held Him responsible for any unfulfilled promises, because He is indeed a perfect God and Father.
c). His Word is truth (John 17: 17), and His truth endures forever (Psalm 117: 2). So, the Lord can never lie about His Church (Matt. 16: 18; Eph. 1: 22, 23; Col. 1: 18); Salvation (Mark 16: 16; 1 Pet. 3: 21); the danger of worldliness (Matt. 16: 26). In fact, His word is highly profitable for doctrine, correction, and instruction in righteousness, equipping the saints for good work (2 Tim. 3: 16, 17).
3. It is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11: 6).
a). Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11: 1). One who possesses it does not give up hope in what God has promised as a reward to the believers.
b). The faith that pleases God is an active faith (Rom. 1: 17; Jas. 2: 14, 17).
c). Faith must act in obedience to the will of God (Matt. 7: 21 – 23). So, what is the will of God concerning Christian fellowship (Heb. 10: 25), baptism (Mark 16: 16; Acts 2: 38; Gal. 3: 27), faithfulness (Rev. 2: 10), etc?
d). Without obedient faith, one is merely deceiving himself about pleasing God.
CONCLUSION
It is important for us to be more serious with our faith so that we do not find ourselves in a regrettable spiritual condition where it becomes impossible to believe or please God anymore.