Some Things God Cannot Do

SOME THINGS GOD CANNOT DO

Introduction:   Have you ever stopped to think about some things the Bible says God cannot do? Sometimes we say there are things we cannot do: (1) because it is inconvenient for us; (2) because we lack ability; or (3) because we do not have proper authority.

But as we consider the things which God cannot do, it is not because of inconvenience, nor due to a lack of ability, nor for want of authority. God’s power is in no way impugned when we are considering these things which He cannot do.

God is limited by His character! The attributes which he possesses are infinite: holiness; righteousness; justness; blamelessness; goodness; mercifulness; graciousness; kindness. By His nature, then, it is impossible for him to do anything which would contradict these attributes.

Let us examine several specific things which God cannot do.

I.             God Cannot Lie.

A.     Titus 1:1, 2 (contrast with v. 12).

B.     Heb. 6:16, 17, 18

C.     God is the fountain (source) of all truth; therefore he cannot lie!

D.     Satan is the father of lies (source).

1.        Jn. 8:44 - “When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

2.        See Gen. 3:4: “Ye shall not surely die!”

E.     Choice:

1.        Serve Satan, believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:10-12), and be forever lost!

2.        Believe, obey, and love the truth, and have a home in heaven! (Rom. 2:7-11).

II.            God Cannot Tempt Men to Sin

A.     James 1:13, 14

B.     Compare Genesis 22:1

1.        God’s tempting of Abraham (actually, proving.)

2.        “As much difference between tempting (to sin) and testing (one’s faith) as between encouraging a student to quit school and encouraging him to take an exam to determine his progress.”

C.     1 Tim. 2:4

III.          God Cannot Forget His Promises

A.     2 Pet. 3:3-9

B.     There may be a long period of time between the giving of the promise and its fulfillment, but never does God forget a promise.

1.        Gen. 12:1-4

2.        Gen 15:12-16 - about 400 years before it began to be fulfilled.

3.        Gal. 3:16 - ultimately fulfilled in Christ, almost

1900 years later.

IV.          God Cannot Break His Word

A.       Mt. 5:18 - not to destroy (by ignoring, etc.) but to fulfill, i.e., to accomplish all that is written therein.

B.        Jn. 10:35 - “... the Scripture cannot be broken.”

C.        The former things were temporary in nature and design:

1.      Patriarchal law was not intended to last forever.

2.      Moses’ law was not intended to be the final way of dealing with men.

3.      But, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:2) is God’s final, complete way of providing for man (Heb. 1:1—4).

D.       The prophecies of the Bible attest to the immutability of His promises.

V.            God Cannot Remember Some Things

A.       He has power to forget. (Illustrate: hard for us to forget some things.)

B.        He has power not to remember our sins (Heb. 8:12).

1.      Sins are covered (Rom. 4:7).

2.      Sins are purged (Heb. 1:3).

3.      Sins are blotted out (Acts 3:19).

4.      Sins are washed away (Acts 22:16).

5.      Sins are forgiven (Eph. 1:7).

6.      Sins are remitted (Acts 2:38).

7.      Sins are cleansed (1 Jn. 1:7).

VI.          God Cannot Do That Which Is Against His Revealed Will

A.       Ps. 119:89 - “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.”

B.        God cannot be pleased without faith (Heb. 11:6).

C.        God cannot be merciful to the impenitent (Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30,31).

D.       God cannot save men apart from Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).

E.        God cannot save men apart from the church for which Jesus shed His blood (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:23.)

F.        God cannot save one who does not obey (Heb. 5:8, 9).

G.       God cannot save one who rejects His commandments (Rev. 22:14).

H.       On the other hand, God cannot refuse one who humbly, obediently, and lovingly turns to him (John 6:37-40). Conditioned upon steadfastness, faithfulness (Rev. 2:10).