GOD IS OMNIPOTENT - ALL-POWERFUL
The Bible is packed with examples of the next attribute of God. There are so many that it was very difficult to summarize this subject into one sermon and not share multiple stories. However, getting to know God is not limited to once a week, on a Sunday morning. Because we have the Bible, we have the ability to read or listen to the hundreds of fascinating stories and examples of God’s omnipotence. Today, we cover just a tiny fraction of the subject of God’s power.
Definition:
God’s power is without bounds or limit in ability; He is almighty. God’s omnipotence is sovereign and independent. God is entirely self-existent, self-sufficient, and not dependent on anything outside Himself; God is all-powerful, over all created things.
There is no created power that can compete with God; His power stands over all.
God’s power is demonstrated in executing His will in three categories: creation, sustaining creation (providing, protecting, and preserving), and redeeming His creation (missions, salvation, and spiritual-transformation).
Scripture
Just for fun and since we have been getting so much snow lately, here’s an example of God’s power in nature:
Job 37:6-7 “He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. 7 Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power.
I think we need to pinch ourselves every once in a while because we are surrounded by God’s power every day. We must not lose our awe of God and take for granted His power in creation (next series).
God created all things by the power of His word.
Psalm 33:6 The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.
Nowhere is God’s omnipotence seen more clearly than in creation. God said, “Let there be…” and it was so. Humans need tools and materials to create, but God simply spoke, and everything was created from nothing.
Isaiah 40:25-26 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Jeremiah worships and prays to God with these words: Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
God sustains all creation by His power
Psalm 147:7-9 Sing out your thanks to the Lord; sing praises to our God with a harp. 8 He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures. 9 He gives food to the wild animals and feeds the young ravens when they cry.
By His power, God provides for all of creation what we need to live.
Hebrews 1:3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
Jesus says to His disciples before sending them out in Matthew 10:28-31 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
God redeems creation by His power
Most demonstrations of God’s power throughout the Bible fall into this last category.
Since the fall of man in the garden, God has been actively working to fulfill His will to redeem us. The Bible is full of God intervening, rescuing, protecting, performing signs, wonders, and miracles. Most importantly, God raised Christ from the dead to fulfill His plan of redemption. God continues to work among us.
Even when it comes to governments, kingdoms, and leaders, God’s sovereign power is involved (Daniel 2:21). God restrains or lets powers of this world go their way according to His plans and purposes (Proverbs 21:1). Jesus reminded Pilate that he had no power over Him unless it had been granted to him by God (John 19:11).
God gives Abraham and Sarah a child in their old age (Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 21:1-6) - God’s omnipotence is expressed with this rhetorical question from an Angel of God, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
God performed 10 plagues in Egypt and then parted the Red Sea so His people could escape (Exo. 7-11).
When Joshua called upon God during battle, the sun stood still in the sky for an entire day—an unprecedented event where the LORD halted natural laws in response to a need and faith (Joshua 10:12-14).
Where do we get the famous words, “The Battle Belongs to God?” When Jehoshaphat is facing a massive army from Moab and Ammon. God fought and destroyed the enemy for His people because they sought and trusted in His help i(2 Chronicles 20:1-30).
Or what about Gideon when facing an army of about 135,000 with only three hundred men? Why? To demonstrate the power, faithfulness, and glory of God!
But of course, the most important demonstration of God’s power is when God raised Christ from the dead. The implications of the resurrection power of God mean Christ overcame sin and death so that all who trust in Him could receive new life, and the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us, through the Holy Spirit.
God’s power works in unison with His character and will.
God’s omnipotent power is governed by his will, which in turn is governed by his character—he cannot will to do anything contrary to his character, such as lying or denying himself. This means God’s power operates within the framework of his perfect nature, not arbitrarily. -R. Allan Killen, “Omnipotence,” in The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia, ed. Charles F. Pfeiffer, Howard F. Vos, and John Rea (Moody Press, 1975).
God’s omnipotence means that God can do all of His holy will. There are no limits on God’s power to do what he decides to do. There are some things that God cannot do because it would go against His nature. God cannot will or do anything that would deny his own character. This is why the definition of omnipotence is stated in terms of God’s ability to do his holy will. What he does with his power is always consistent with His character. -Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, pgs 98-99
An ancient philosophical dilemma asks whether God is able to create a rock that is too large for Him to move. If He is not able to move it, then He is not all-powerful. If He is not able to create one that large, then that proves He is not all-powerful. This logical fallacy simply plays with words and overlooks the fact that God's power is intertwined with His purposes. The more honest question would be…Is God powerful enough to do anything that He clearly intends to do and that fulfills His divine purpose?-Stanley Horton, Systematic Theology, pgs 123-124
We can exalt Him, not just because He is omnipotent and His power is greater than that of any other, but because His purposes are great and He applies His great power to accomplish His will. -Stanley Horton, Systematic Theology, pgs 123-124
God’s omnipotence provides assurance that he will keep his word, whether in predictions about the future or promises in the present. An all-knowing God can predict the future, but only an all-powerful God can perform what he predicts, and only an all-powerful God can accomplish what he has promised. -Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology, Volume Two: God, Creation (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2003), 160, 162.
Application
Jesus is the power for salvation from sin and death
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Christ is “the power of God” to save (1 Cor 1:24).
There is no power in us to be free from us. Our sin needs an answer outside of ourselves, and that answer is Jesus.
The power of the gospel is that Jesus changes hearts and minds. One could argue that this is harder than a miracle that changes the laws of nature, like water into blood, because the heart of man is prideful and has free will. Whereas the laws of nature are completely subject to God's omnipotence. Either way, it is the same power over all of us, the power of God, provided salvation through Christ, for those who repent of their sin and believe in Him for salvation!
The Spirit gives us power over sin and the flesh
Romans 8:11-14 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
We are instruments of God’s power
We are not omnipotent. But God has given us power to bring about results, both physical power and other kinds of power: mental, spiritual, persuasive, and power in various kinds of authority (family, church, government, and so forth). How we use and steward the power we have been given needs careful attention because it should bring God glory and reflect His character to those around us.
Psalm 147:10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. 11 No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Power from God is given to those who fear and follow His will and plan. God gives authority and the Spirit’s power to do His will to people who have yielded to God, fear and follow Him, and seek to bring God glory.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Empowerment of the Holy Spirit for witnessing and ministry - This is power for a purpose.
Ephesians 3:17-21 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
We can do more than we think with His power at work in us…
Rely on God’s power, not your own
Be humble and weak before the Lord so He can make you strong
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God had permitted a thorn in Paul’s flesh to keep him humble and reliant on God. “The ‘thorn’ is a metaphor for a persistent problem or affliction. The exact nature of this thorn is not specified, leading to much speculation. Some suggest it could be a physical ailment, a spiritual struggle, or opposition from others.” -Berean Study Bible, 2 Cor. 12:7
We are most powerful when we are less reliant on our own resources. Our human weaknesses serve as a reminder so that we do not confuse the power of God with our own power and lose God’s power by attempting to rely on ourselves. Illusions of our own strength cause us to overlook divine power. When we accept our own weakness, we learn that we must totally rely upon God.
Discussion
What does it mean that God is omnipotent?
What are some examples of God’s power in creation that you see in everyday life?
How does God’s power in salvation differ from miracles in nature?
In what areas of your life do you most need to rely on God’s power instead of your own?
How does believing in God’s omnipotence bring comfort in difficult situations?
What additional notes did you make during the sermon?
How can we pray together for you today?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life, we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and, when you’re ready, say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways, and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!