2 – The Possibility of the Impossible

Watch Andy Stanley’s David Series Session 2

1 Samuel 17, Psalm 20

We all have seemingly insurmountable and impossible circumstances that God can make
possible by his power and strength. No one thought David could defeat the giant Goliath.
And in the natural realm, this was an impossibility. However, David had a perspective
that accounted for the spiritual realm in addition to the natural realm. We cannot manipulate
God or manipulate our circumstances by having more faith, but it is possible to increase our
faith and trust in God doing the humanly impossible, and that does impact reality. Was it
possible that David could have had amazing faith and belief that Goliath could be defeated,
and yet David be killed by Goliath. Yes. Of course. Incredible faith does not guarantee victory
and breakthrough. However, the victory David did have would not have happened apart
from his significant faith. The principle here is the Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
principle of Daniel 3:16-18, “God can, God will, but even if he doesn’t.

Questions

1. What are the struggle areas of your life where you are locked into human thinking
   only and need to consider God’s power and strength in the heavenly realm?
2. What is your loneliness, anger, or fear causing you to consider that you’ve never
   considered before? Like David, is your confidence in God being affected by fear,
   anger, or loneliness?
3. What advice would you give somebody who is you?
4. What is God asking you to do next?

The practice of Surrender and Submission

Surrendering Status

If Scripture said “God helps those who help themselves,” then every follower of Jesus could justly be in a race with one another to secure God’s help with their status. In the system of the world, the goal is to be on top, first, the best, the most famous, at the top of the ladder, popular influencers, and the list goes on. Yet, Psalm 75:6-7 tells us there’s ultimately nothing we can do to promote ourselves: “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” It doesn’t come naturally to be last in line. We are encouraged by culture to market ourselves, go for the gold, develop our own unique platform, and increase our following.

Social media marketing advice says “no one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret… show yourself to the world.” Jesus’ unbelieving brothers said to Him “go public” at the Festival of Booths in John 7:1-4

“After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.

John 7:1-4

You can’t follow God and fit into the kingdom of the world. Jesus didn’t fit it. If there was one group of people Jesus challenged more than any other, it was the religious leaders. Their problem was that they were more concerned with gaining the favor of men than that of God (John 12:42-43)- for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. Their actions reflected their desire to gain the respect and favor of the people. As followers of Jesus, we are often guilty of the same mindset.

When we make decisions based on how it will affect our popularity or reputations rather than our understanding of God’s leading, then we are putting this “possession” ahead of Him. We must let go of this desire and focus instead on what we believe God would have us do, regardless of the impact on our popularity.

This week, meditate on Philippians 2:6-8

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8

1. Think about all of the reputations, statuses, and titles that you have. What status do you have in your social sphere, church, or community?
   • One really helpful step for this is to write it all down. Make a list.
2. Pray to God and ask him to soften your heart.
   • Anytime you are surrendering something to God, you have to be willing. So,
     asking God to help soften your heart will help you to truly be willing to
     surrender to God.
3. Continue to pray to God and talk to him about what your reputation and status is.
   • Are there places where you are seeking to glorify yourself instead of God?
   • Are there situations where you are striving to be first, or be known, or be
     revered?
   • Do you often try to improve your status? How?
   • As you are talking to him, be honest to God. Don’t hold anything back.
4. Additionally, ask him to reveal to you what things you need to do or change in order to have the reputation as a disciple of Jesus.
5. Surrender your status and reputation to God.

Prayer of Surrender of Status

Father, I know I’m more than what I want others to think of me. I’m supposed to be discovering my mission and finding your will, but somehow I’ve been given a label and status that doesn’t represent the Kingdom way. It feels like everyone is watching, expecting, waiting for me to fail. I feel so desperate, alone, invisible, misunderstood, and fake.

I’ve misrepresented the way of Jesus and I know I’m following a pattern of this world. All I’ve ever wanted was to be accepted, but now I regret some of the things I’ve done. And I’m tired; I’m tired of trying to be who everybody wants me to be. God, I know it shouldn’t matter what others think, but it’s hard not to. I know you want me to be real, to be who you made me to be.

Lord, help me to surrender to you. Give me courage; give me strength, because I can’t do it on my own. Help me understand that what really matters is what You see, and who You designed me to be. I surrender the glory to you. Help me to be last, a servant of all, and pick up my cross daily and follow you and your way. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.