THE POWER OF GOD TO DO HIS WILL

PART 1

Psalm 110:3 (KJV) — 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Psalm 110:3 (NLT) — 3 When you go to war, your people will serve you willingly. You are arrayed in holy garments, and your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew.

Psalm 110:3 (The Living Bible, Paraphrased) — 3 In that day of your power your people shall come to you willingly, dressed in holy altar robes. And your strength shall be renewed day by day like morning dew.

Isaiah 63:1 (NKJV) — 1 Who is this who comes from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah, This One who is glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength?— “I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”

When the Lord returns two questions will be asked of Him: Who is this? (twice in v. 1) and “Why are Your garments red?” (v. 2) He will be coming from Edom (cf. 34:5–9), the wicked nation southeast of Israel that often opposed God’s people and therefore is under God’s wrath (Mal. 1:4), and from Bozrah, a city (modern-day Buseirah) in Edom. Coming from there God’s garments will be crimson (Isa. 63:1) and red (v. 2) because they are stained with blood (v. 3) from slaughtering His enemies (the nations, vv. 3, 6) in Edom. Robed in splendor signifies His power and glory as He will stride forward toward Israel to save (deliver) her (cf. Rom. 11:26).

This chapter is generally supposed to refer to Christ's triumphs on the cross for all his people. It commences with a most interesting truth — the might or power of Christ to save. No object on earth can vie in importance with the salvation of the soul.

I. The Ruined Condition of Man Required a Mighty Savior.

As salvation means deliverance, it is evident that man was in a state of wretchedness, danger, and exposed to the wrath to come, when Christ came to save. Luke 19:10. He has lost God's image, his purity, his favour and communion. He has broken his laws; he is a traitor, and condemned to perish.

That this is the state of man, is proved by Scripture. Romans 3:11,12, etc. Man is so awfully ruined by sin, that the most striking figures are employed to represent it. Man is stated to be diseased, leprous, blind, naked, in beggary, a debtor, a prisoner, a captive, and as dead.

This ruination is universal. It has ruined the whole of man's body — and all the powers, purity, and happiness of his soul.

It has made man, therefore, spiritually impotent. He cannot deliver himself.

What a loss has man sustained! It is enough to make an angel weep. Think of his being created in righteousness, etc. — and now resembling a demon, etc.

Awful reflection! the sinner is insensible to his danger. He is asleep on the edge of the precipice of perdition. The dread disease of sin is devastating his soul — yet he feels not his danger!

II. Christ is Mighty to Save.

He is divine. The only begotten Son of God; "the brightness of," etc. John 1:1-4, and other passages.

He became incarnate, that he might suffer, and bleed, and die, for "without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin." John 1:14; Hebrews 8:3; 2:14, 15.

He was not only an excellent and holy man, but was God. Romans 9:5; Hebrews 1:3; Philippians 2:6.

The design of his mission was to save. For this sublime purpose, he was delegated, 1 John 5:11. He was consecrated as the foundation, Isaiah 28:16. His name is Jesus, the Savior Matthew 1:21. God declared him to be his Son. Matthew 3:17. "He was manifested to destroy the works of the devil."

Christ has done all that was necessary to save man. He has fulfilled the law; endured its penalty; expiated transgression by the shedding of his blood, 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:7, 8. He conquered man's spiritual foes, and rose to Heaven as a mighty conqueror. Hebrews 9:24, and to intercede for his people.

Observe now the display of his power. His power to save as Mediator, is founded on the efficacy of his atonement. Romans 1:4; Matthew 28:18.

He is mighty to save from the law's curse, Galatians 3:13. He who believes, is delivered from condemnation. Acts 13:39.

He is mighty to save from the defilement of sin. He can take the plague of sin away, and heal the leprosy of the soul. Zech. 13:1; 1 John 1:9.

He is mighty to save from the power and malice of Satan. Colossians 1:13.

He is mighty to save from all consequences of sin: the fear and sting of death, the dominion of the grave, and the wrath to come.

His might or power to save, includes elevation to glory — body raised — united to soul — and both glorified.

III. What is Necessary to Realize His Saving Power.

A deep conviction of ruin; that we are ready to perish.

A knowledge of Christ as the mighty Savior.

A conviction that we need such a Savior.

A cordial approval of the method in which he saves.

The renouncement of all self-dependence, and faith in Christ. It is the surrender of the soul to this mighty Savior; it is "trusting in him for all that the soul needs." Ephesians 1:13

APPLICATION

1. What encouragement to the despairing sinner!

2. How important that all should inquire after salvation!

3. How great the danger of those who reject it!

PART 2

At the beginning of the year, we introduced this scripture as the Scripture of the year, and up to this point we have been talking about the Power of God working on the behalf and benefit of the Christian believer

Now we shall shift gear a bit a and begin to talk about the responsibilities of the believer and the Power of God to do what God wants us to do

Philippians 2:12–13 (NIV) — 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Christians are supposed to work in cooperation with the Power of God, not just the Power of God benefiting us, and we doing nothing

Is the power of God just available to us to bless us?

We cannot just live anyhow we like as Christians, the Power of God as much as it can bless, can also judge and condemn with the Word.

1 Corinthians 11:32 (NKJV) — 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

Paul points to the value of ‘judging’ ourselves.

We should make a practice of distinguishing between what we are and what we ought to be.

If we truly know and understand what we are like, then we would not come under judgement

Being disciplined means that these judgements are not nameless evils, but the tokens of God’s love.

They are meant to bring us back from the wrong way, so that we will not be condemned with the world.

Hebrews 12:29 (NKJV) — 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

1 Corinthians 11:31–32 (NKJV) — 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

If you judge yourself, you shall not be judged and condemned with the world

2 Samuel 7:14 (NKJV) — 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.

Psalm 94:12 (NKJV) — 12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, And teach out of Your law,

Psalm 118:18 (NKJV) — 18 The Lord has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death.

Proverbs 3:11–12 (NKJV) — 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

John 15:18–19 (NKJV) — 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

1 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV) — 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Hebrews 12:5–10 (NKJV) — 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

Revelation 3:19 (NKJV) — 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

The Power to obey

The power to live above sin

The Power to serve

Dictionary of Bible Themes 1105 God, power of

1105

God, power of

God is all-powerful (that is omnipotent), and is able to do whatever he wills. His power is limited only by his character.

God is all-powerful

Mk 10:27 pp Mt 19:26 See also Ge 18:14; Ps 93:1; Mk 14:36; Lk 1:37; 2Co 4:7

God cannot be thwarted

Job 42:2 See also Job 9:12; Isa 14:27

God’s names denote his power

The uniqueness of God’s power Jer 10:6

He is the Almighty

“the Almighty” is Hebrew “El Shaddai”: Ge 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; Ex 6:3; Job 11:7; 31:2

He is the LORD Almighty and God Almighty

“Almighty” in these verses is usually Hebrew “Sabaoth”: Ps 24:10; 89:8; Jer 10:16; 2Co 6:18; Rev 11:17; 19:6

He is the Mighty One Ge 49:24; Jos 22:22; Ps 50:1; Isa 1:24; 10:21; 60:16; Mk 14:62; Lk 1:49

God’s power is seen above all in his acts of redemption

God is powerful to save Zep 3:17

God shows his power in the exodus Dt 9:29 See also Ex 13:9; 14:31; Dt 7:8; 9:26; Ne 1:10; Jer 32:21

God shows his power through the work of Jesus Christ Ac 2:24 See also Ro 1:4; Eph 1:19-21; Col 2:13-15; Rev 12:10

God shows his power through the proclamation of the good news about Jesus Christ Ro 1:16 See also 1Co 1:18,24-25; 2Co 10:4; Col 2:12

God’s power is shown in Jesus Christ’s life

God’s power in Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry Lk 5:17 See also Lk 6:19; 8:46; Ac 10:38; 2Pe 1:16

God’s power in Jesus Christ’s heavenly ministry Heb 7:16 In contrast to all other priests, Jesus Christ exercises his ministry now in heaven because death could not hold him. See also Ac 4:10; 2Co 13:4

God’s power seen in Jesus Christ’s second coming Mk 13:26 pp Mt 24:30 pp Lk 21:27 See also 2Th 1:9-10

The Holy Spirit demonstrates God’s power

Mic 3:8 See also Ac 1:8; 10:38; Ro 15:19; 1Co 2:4-5; 1Th 1:5

God’s power in the world

God rules the created order Ro 1:20 See also Ps 19:1; 65:6; 68:34; Isa 40:26; Mt 8:26 pp Mk 4:39; Mt 21:19; Heb 1:3

God’s works are powerful Dt 3:24 See also Ps 71:18; 77:12; 145:4; Jer 32:17-19; Lk 1:51

The ark symbolises God’s powerful presence Ps 132:8 pp 2Ch 6:41 See also 1Sa 5:1-12; 2Sa 6:6-8,11-12; Ps 78:61

God keeps his promises Ro 4:21 See also 2Co 9:8

God gives life to the dead 1Co 6:14 See also Mt 22:29 pp Mk 12:24; Php 3:21

God’s power in the lives of believers

God gives his own power to his people 1Ch 29:11-12 See also 1Sa 2:10; Da 2:27-28; 2Co 13:3-4; Php 4:13; 2Ti 1:7; 1Pe 4:11

God’s power achieves his purposes in his people’s lives 2Th 1:11 See also Mic 5:4; Ac 4:28; 1Co 5:4; Eph 1:20-21

God’s power completes his work of salvation in believers’ lives 1Pe 1:5 See also 2Ti 1:12; Heb 7:25; Jude 24

God’s power gives believers inner strength Eph 3:16-17 See also Eph 1:18-19; 6:10; Php 3:10; Col 1:11

God’s power is made plain through human weakness 2Co 12:9-10 See also Isa 53:1-3; 2Co 4:7; 13:4

God’s power gives help to believers in suffering 2Ti 4:16-17 See also 2Ch 25:8; Ps 46:1; Da 3:17; 2Co 6:7; 2Ti 1:8

God’s power is limited only by his character

God cannot deny himself 2Ti 2:13 See also Jas 1:17

God cannot tolerate evil Hab 1:13

God cannot be tempted Jas 1:13

God cannot lie Nu 23:19 See also 1Sa 15:29; Heb 6:18

God’s power is to be praised

Ps 68:35 See also Ps 21:13; 118:14; 1Ti 6:16; Jude 25; Rev 5:12