Untitled Sermon

God All-Powerful

Psalm 68

Topic: How does the power of God affect me?

Purpose: To remind God's people of who God is and how he has used his power for their good, and continues to use his power for their good; thus resulting in great prayer and praise

Point: God's awesome power should lead us to great praise and prayer

Prayer: Lord, may our thoughts turn to your benevolent power, and may those thoughts lead us to sincere praise and a deep faith in your provision

Intro: Famous Spider man quote: "with great power comes great responsibility." In the superhero world, characters have great powers (strength, speed, flying...). Almost every major character wrestles with what it means to use their power. Usually the superhero realizes that they must use their power for good, but the super villain, on the other hand, decides to use his power for selfish or destructive ends. So, why does God use his power? Some think God should be a Genie in a bottle and use his power to give us whatever we want (IOW, he should serve me). Others think that God uses his power to make life miserable or that he intentionally withholds it and refuses to use it to help us (Mean or selfish). Today we will try to answer the question, "Why does God use his power and how does his power affect me?"

I. [General principle and response] Sing for joy because God uses his great power for our good (1-6)

A. When God arises in power, his enemies flee and his people rejoice

1. To arise is to act or to show his power

2. Result 1: enemies are defeated

a. We all have enemies (people, world, flesh, satan)

b. Why? Because his power is great

i. It is like the wind blowing smoke away and fire melting wax

ii. IOW, he is All-powerful, Almighty, Omnipotent

3. Result 2: His people rejoice

a. Notice the piling on of joy words (glad, exult= to show triumphant or great joy, jubilant with joy)

b. IOW, God's people see his power as being used for our good!

B. Sing for joy because God uses his great power for our good

1. As a result of this news, praise God!

a. How? With songs of praise, with cries of triumphant joy to him

i. It's ok to say amen, to shout, to clap, to sing loudly, smile, be happy in Jesus

iia. Choose joy, ask for it

ii. When my team scores a touchdown I exult, but often, my response to God is muted, stifled, watered down.[girl who runs with arms lifted]

iii. Our problem is not that we are too passionate for God; it's that we are too solemn and passionless

2. But how good is his power? How does it affect me?

a. It is uniquely directed toward the needy

i. Orphan, widow, lonely, prisoner

ii. I will be like a Father to you, a spouse, a friend, a rescuer

iii. God is near the needy, walks with the weak

iv. This means he is far from the proud too. When we act like we can handle it all, God is far from us ["cry of the broken"]

3. But be warned. The wicked do not receive the blessing of his power

a. They are like those who live in a desert, dry, alone, wasting away

b. The righteous are like trees by streams of water, we pant for the Lord's presence like the deer pants for streams of water, we open wide our mouth in faith that the Lord might fill us, we who are weary come with our burdens so that he will make them light...

c. So come to God. Pray to this God!

II. [Past Record] God has a history of acting in power for his people (7-14)

A. Answering the question, "but how do I know that he will act in power for me?"

1. Are you a part of God's people? Yes? Then know this. God has a history of acting in power for his people [Tale of 2 Mechanics]

B. In the wilderness, God acted in power for Israel

1. He was powerfully present (cloud/fire)

a. God acts in power to be present in your life

2. He was powerful in his provision

a. Rain is seen as a good provision for his people here

b. Think also of manna, Red Sea crossing, water from the rock

3. He was powerful in his protection

a. They faced attacks from other nations, but God intervened in power

b. As a result of God's power...

i. Good news of victory is announced

ii. Enemies were defeated

iii. Blessing was experienced

-See "spoil, wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold."

- "Snow on Zalmon"- could mean a complete victory, be a symbol of peace [Zalmon means "black mountain"]

c. Do you see the gospel here?

i. God's power is used for our salvation and joy. It provides, protects, and it is present...So rejoice

ii. Don't forget what God has done [Joshua]

-Write them down [Joke about actual stone altars at home]

-why do we have anything good?

III. [Present Work] Our God remains powerfully present with us to meet our daily needs (15-27)

A. God shows his power for a purpose (15-16)

1. God's work is not limited to the past

a. It's a mistake to see the Bible as only about the past

2. Zion is seen as the goal of God's powerful acts in Egypt, wilderness, PL

a. IOW, God brought Israel from Egypt to Zion (Jerusalem/PL) so that he could uniquely dwell with them as their King

i. Sinai is now in the sanctuary- i.e. God's work begun on Mt. Sinai has led Israel to where it is now, to Zion

b. The other mountains are poetically jealous of Zion's role of housing the tabernacle and symbolic presence of God

B. In Zion, God reigns as a conquering king (17-18)

1. True kingship must have true power [Tozer]

a. God's power is immeasurable- like a million chariots [think tanks, F22s, aircraft carriers, nuclear weapons]

2. His power is illustrated by the great victories over all of Israel's enemies

a. David's time marked the greatest peace and blessing that Israel had experienced

b. When the tabernacle was brought to Zion/Jerusalem, it was like God the King had ascended to his rightful throne

3. The NT uses this passage in Eph 4 to describe X's kingship and ability to give spiritual gifts to us

4. He is a king whose door is always open for his children. Great power, loving presence

C. So what?

D. Praise the Lord because he is powerfully present with us to meet our daily needs (19-23)

1. He daily bears our burdens

a. How many have daily burdens? Bring them to God daily! Exchange your daily burdens for daily bread

2. He saves us from death

a. This God is uniquely capable of doing the impossible. In fact, he has done the impossible. He has rescued us from eternal death

3. He will avenge injustice

a. God promises a judgment day for all

E. How?

F. By throwing a parade of praise for God (24-27)

1. This section describes a parade, a procession for a king

2. It involves singing, playing music, and verbal praise of God

3. Notice, this is response of all the congregation

a. From least (Benjamin) t0 greatest (Judah), from old to young, from here to there (Ben/Judah in south to Naphtali/Zebulun in north)

4. On a scale of 1-10 (1= policy/procedure mtg, 10= parade of praise), where do yo fall? Us?

a. Join in the joy. Participate in worship.

b. Illustrated in "Come ye sinners..."

[A new need arises] As future needs arise, we must continue to seek God's help (28-31)

A. The people ask God for help

1. They remember his power and his use of it for their good

2. This turns them to faith and prayer

B. The problem involves the attack of other nations

1. Seems like Egypt and Cush are the subjects

2. The violence and greed of these nations are called out

C. God's glory among the nations is seen as a wonderful result of God's power being used

1. Nobles coming and stretching out hands implies tribute to God!

V. [Response] God's awesome power should lead us to great praise and bold prayer (32-35)

A. We should turn to God with great praise for his awesome power

1. This power is for the good of all nations

2. So, declare appropriate praise to the Almighty God

B. We should trust that he still provides for us according to his awesome power

1. The power from his sanctuary reflects his presence among his people

2. This is for our good

3. Trust in him!

C. Conclusion

1. Take time this week to exult in the Lord. Ask God to give you joy, to give you a song of praise to sing, a changed attitude. Make me happy in you.

2. Make this commitment. Lord, I trust that you desire to use your power for my good. So, I will praise you and trust you to provide for my needs.

3. God's power is drawn to the weak. Humble yourself. Admit your need to God and trust his work.

4. Remember that God uses his power in certain lanes

a. Salvation

b. Protection

c. Presence

d. Provision

e. His glory (worship, ministry, outreach)

f. Our growth

5. Remember that prayer is the means of accessing God's power