The Power of God

The dictionary defines power as:
1. The ability to act; capability.
2. Potential capacity.
3. Strength of force actually put forth.
4. The right, ability, or capacity to exercise control; legal authority, capacity, or competency.

The Bible says over and over again in the book of Genesis, "And God said, Let.... and it was so. In Genesis 1:1 the Bible says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." And, then, in John 1:1 it says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Notice the phrase, "In the beginning..." in both books. Let's examine this for a minute.

"In the beginning God created..." Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning was the Word...and the Word was God." Can this leave any doubt that the Bible is the Word of God and existed in Heaven before the world began?
Notice then John 1:3, "All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made." So okay, "In the beginning God created..." and, "All things were made by Him..." that word made means to become, to bring into being. Sounds like "created" to me. One of the great preachers of the past A.W. Tozer said, "The power of God...is not something God has; it is something God is. Power is something that is true of God as wisdom and love are true of Him." He, also, said, "The power of God is one with God's Will, and works only as He wills that it should."

The Bible gives us many examples of God's power. We have already mentioned one: Creation. We can, also, see the power of God manifested in the miracles performed by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, God in flesh. Let's consider some of these.

Jesus changed the water into wine in John 2:1-11 demonstrating that He has power over matter. In John 4:46-54 He healed the nobleman's son showing that He has power over the physical.
In Matthew 8:1-3 Jesus healed the leper demonstrating power over defilement.
Again in Matthew 8:5-13 He healed the centurion's servant without even being where he was, showing that Jesus has power over distance.
In verses 23-27 He calmed the storm, this is power over the deep. Verses 28-34 shows Jesus has power over demons.
And in Matthew 9:18,19,23-25 He demonstrates that He has power over death. We could go on but you get the message.

Let's look at the way God showed His power in the Old Testament. What about when God parted the waters of the Red Sea and the Israelites crossed over on dry ground. Then when Pharoah's army chased them God caused the waters to flow back and Pharoah's army was drowned. How about when He used ravens to feed Elijah in the wilderness or when David slew Goliath. And then we could talk about when Gideon's army of 300 defeated the army of the Midianites. An army some Bible scholars estimate to have been about 160,000 to 180,000 men. And, speaking of God's power what about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?

In Luke 4:32 the Bible says, "And they (the people of Capernaum) were astonished at His doctrine:for His Word was with power." Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Psalm 29:4, "The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty." Psalm 33:4, "For the Word of the Lord is right; and all His Works are done in truth." Verse 6, "By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." And verse 9, "For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast."

Abraham Lincoln once said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

That has been proven in some of America's CEO's today.

When Christ laid His life down willingly that was another manifestation of His power. Likewise when He took His life up again. The resurrection is another way in which God showed His power. And Jesus' second coming will be yet another way in which His power will be proven. It could be today or tonight depending on when you are reading this.

God can give power to others for:
1. Service
2. Witnessing-Acts 1:8
3. Living-Phillipians 4:13
4. Supply-Phillipians 4:19
5. Overcoming Temptation-James 4:5-10

He has power to:
1. Forgive sin-Matthew 9:6,8
2. Give Sonship-John 1:12
3. Save-Romans 1:16, Hebrews 7:25

How should this affect us?
1. We ought to praise Him-Psalm 21:13.
2. Sing to and for Him-Psalm 59:16,17 and Psalm 81:1
3. Talk of Him-Psalm 145.

What power!!

One New Year's Day, in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. It was out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas. The amusing thing was this float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck was out of gas.

Often, Christians neglect their spiritual maintenance, and though they are "clothed with power" (Luke 24:49) find themselves out of gas."
Steve Blankenship in God Came Near by Max Lucado, Multnomah Press, 1987, p. 95.

Don't find yourself out of gas today. Connect with the One Who holds All Power, the Lord Jesus Christ. Call on Him today for salvation and forgiveness.