Sermon Study Guides

God is all powerful, and He wants to empower us to live LIFE to the full.

1. The EXTENT of God’s power. Jeremiah declared, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (Jer. 32:17). That does not mean that He will do anything you want.

God CAN do ANYTHING but He WILL NOT do EVERYTHING. He will do ONLY what is consistent with His nature, character and purposes. For example, God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), He cannot be tempted by evil (James 1:13), and God will not go back on His promises (2 Tim 2:13). God never gets tired or weary (Isaiah 40: 28).

God doesn’t ALWAYS answer our prayers. Instead, He uses His power to fulfill His purposes and plans in and through our lives. He has our best interest at heart in all things and He knows what is best for us. God makes NO mistakes. His way is perfect and He can be trusted.

2. The EVIDENCE of God’s power is displayed …

(a) through miracles such as those recorded in the OT, the NT, and in church history. In modern times many of us have witnessed the miracle of radically changes lives, healed bodies, and restored marriages and relationships.

(b) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Phil 3:10). The same power that raised Christ from the dead enables us to live in victory over sin and will usher us into the presence of Jesus in glory when we die.

(c) through His creation. In Psalm 8 King David marveled, “Lord, …When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set into place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” God spoke all creation into being!

This all-powerful God knows and loves us, and not only wants to be in relationship with us but also wants to live His life of love, joy, peace and unlimited power through us.

3. How we can receive God’s power in our lives?

(a) totally commit your life to Him and earnestly seek Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord range [or search] throughout the earth to strengthen [or empower] those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” God is searching for people who want to know HIM, who want to have an authentic relationship with HIM, who are fully committed to HIM, and who earnestly seek Him. He longs for us to love and pursue Him, first and foremost for WHO He is, and not for what He can do for us.

God will grow your faith in Him by challenging you to move out of your comfort zone. Step out in faith and do what He’s calling you to do.

(b) humbly acknowledge your weakness and your need of HIS strength and power.

(c) practice His presence daily and ask for His power and strength. Take the first step, as the priests leading the people across the Jordan River did, so “you will know that the LIVING GOD is among you…” (Joshua 3:10). TRUST that God will grant you the power to do what He is calling you to do. Then your faith in God will grow, and you will experience first hand His power at work in and through you. Immaturity is living by your feelings; maturity is living by what you know to be true and right.

Study Questions

IN - PURSUE RELATIONSHIP

Describe a time when you were awestruck.
Share a story of how and when God nudged you. What happened?

UP - PURSUE GOD

Read Titus 1:2, James 1:13, 2 Timothy 2:13 and Isaiah 40:28. What can God not do? What does this say about His power and nature? What can we learn from God’s self-limiting of His power?
Read 2 Chron 16:9, Heb 11:6 and James 4:6, 10. What are the consequences of trusting in God? Or in yourself? What is necessary for God to display His power in your life?

OUT - PURSUE MISSION

Name some Bible stories (Eg. Joshua 3) in which God empowered people. Why was it important that they take the first step in faith? How might God be nudging your group to step out in faith?
How do you practice God’s presence in your day? Share and discuss strategies. Consider how you may use these strategies when you are struggling with fear, powerlessness, insecurity or lack of wisdom.

Personal Reflection

Take time to consider where God has been nudging you to step out in faith from your comfort zone into your ‘Jordan River’? What has been stopping you? Fear? Pride? Doing something only if you feel like it? Something else? Name it, take it to God in prayer, repent, and choose to step out in God’s power.

The Word (NIV)

Titus 1:2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,

James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 2

Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

James 4:6, 10 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

This Week's Writers: Elsa Henderson, Gene and Karen Gibbs, Deb Matiko, Sandi Somers and Jorel Quemuel