Believing God for Mighty Things | Robert Madu

Nothing Is Impossible: Respond Like Mary

Scripture References

• Luke 1:37

Overview

God often reveals His might in what feels ordinary. Looking at Luke 1, Pastor Robert showed how two different responses to God’s promise—Zechariah’s doubt and Mary’s faith—lead to very different outcomes. The call is to keep a child-like wonder, live with long-haul consistency, and echo Mary’s words: “Let it be to me according to Your word,” because our mighty God still brings the impossible to pass.

Context

Pastor Robert opened with a lighthearted story about sending his parents on a 42-year-anniversary trip and warning them not to give him another sibling. His mom joked that such a thing was “impossible,” prompting him to point to Luke 1:37—“Nothing is impossible with our God”—and launch into the Christmas story’s lesser-known beginning with Zechariah and Elizabeth.

Main Points

Consistent faith positions you for God’s sudden moves

• Luke starts the Christmas narrative with Zechariah and Elizabeth, an older couple who had served God faithfully yet remained childless.
• They were called “righteous and blameless”—not perfect, but consistent.
• Illustration: Robert prefers the quiet, elderly couple at a restaurant and the older man lifting just the bar at the gym over flashy, short-term intensity—because consistency gives God “mileage” to display His might.

When your name declares a promise your eyes can’t see

• “Zechariah” means “God remembers,” and “Elizabeth” means “His oath.” Every introduction of their names announced, “God remembers His promise,” even while they carried the shame of barrenness.
• The tension: What do you do when your situation contradicts what God calls you?
• We must rely on what God has spoken, not the whispers of others.

Disappointment can age your spirit

• Gabriel appeared in the temple and promised Zechariah a son, yet Zechariah asked, “How can I be sure?”—revealing how years of disappointment had aged his faith.
• Pastor Robert distinguished between chronological age and “faith-logical” age: some young people are old in spirit, while some seniors remain youthful in faith.
• Jesus calls us to be child-like (trusting wonder), not childish (immature entitlement).

Mary’s wonder versus Zechariah’s doubt

• Gabriel’s similar announcement to Mary received a different response: “How will this be?” Mary sought clarity, not certainty.
• Zechariah requested proof, so Gabriel muted him until the promise materialized; Mary’s quick agreement brought immediate explanation and praise.
• Takeaway: Don’t let doubt be the first thing out of your mouth. Respond like Mary—agree with God even when you don’t understand the process.

Partner with God—He does the miracle, you do your part

• God opened Elizabeth’s womb, but Zechariah still had to “go home and do his part.”
• Humorous aside: With Zechariah unable to speak, Elizabeth felt wonderfully “heard,” underscoring how God orchestrates even small details.
• Principle: God may provide the opportunity, job, or building (as with Pastor Robert’s $30 million renovation need), but we still fill out applications, raise funds, or take steps of faith.

Praise seals the promise

• At John’s circumcision, relatives tried to name the boy after his father. Elizabeth insisted on “John.”
• Zechariah wrote the same name on a tablet—finally aligning his words with God’s—and immediately regained speech, bursting into praise.
• Pattern for us: Receive the word, agree with it, then praise until the promise is visible.

Key Truths

• Long-term consistency creates space for God to showcase His power.
• A mighty God can hold promise and contradiction in tension until the appointed time.
• Child-like wonder keeps faith young; chronic disappointment ages the spirit.
• God’s promises require our participation—belief first, obedient action next.
• Praise is the proper posture while waiting for fulfillment.

Response

• Choose consistency over short-lived intensity in serving God.
• Speak agreement with God’s promises instead of rehearsing doubt.
• Rekindle child-like wonder: expect the miraculous in ordinary days.
• Take practical steps that align with the promise you’re praying for.
• Praise God openly while you wait, trusting His timing and power.

Closing

Even when circumstances clash with what God has called you, He remains mighty. Like Mary, dare to say, “Let it be to me according to Your word.” Align your words with His promise, act in obedient faith, and watch the impossible become reality, because nothing is impossible with our God.

Prayer

Father, You are the mighty God. We lift every need—healing, provision, reconciliation, conception, guidance—knowing that nothing is beyond Your power. Strengthen our faith, silence our doubts, and meet each situation with Your miraculous touch. For those seeking salvation, reveal Jesus, forgive sins, and fill them with Your Spirit so they may walk in Your power and show Your love. We give You all the glory, in Jesus’ name.