The Power of God?

What does it mean to have/hold power?

How do we view power in a worldly sense?

-Alexander the Great

Julius Cesar

(Ask Youth for More Examples)

Does the Bible view power differently than the world? How so?

This is how the Bible defines power (4 points)

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Power

Power. Ability to do things, by virtue of strength, skill, resources, or authorization. In the Hebrew of the OT and the Greek of the NT there are several different words used for power. What the Bible says about power may be subsumed under four headings: (1) the unlimited power of God; (2) the limited power God gives to his creatures; (3) the power of God seen in Jesus Christ; (4) the power of God (by the Holy Spirit) in the lives of his people.

What is the common theme throughout all these points?

GOD’S POWER

The Bible views God as the primary holder of power

English Standard Version Chapter 8

17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. 20 Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.

17 portrays God as the holder of ((UNLIMITED POWER (Enc. 1)) that he can distribute willingly “for it is he who gives you power to get this wealth”

So who does God provide his power to?

(Youth Response)

28  Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

29  He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength.

30  Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

31  but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.

God provides power to those who are weary and call on His name

Many times in life we come face to face with something we can’t handle

It makes us feel weak, helpless, worthless even

Tell story about personal anxiety and my difficult trials (10 min)

But when I called on the name of God and waited patiently he answered my prayers and gave me a new understanding and love for his faithfulness to me

That fear that I once had was transformed into burning passion for the Lord that I’ve found to be one of the greatest assets of my life

Understanding true struggle has allowed me to be able to talk to those going through similar situations

The point is, no matter how much you struggle keep calling on the name of the Lord and wait on his perfect timing to pick you back up off your feet

Regardless of the struggle or difficulty you are going through God knows it intently, all you have to do is be patient and call of his name