It is impossible to adequately describe the power of God. We can measure and describe all power on this earth, but we cannot measure or describe the power of God. Everything, except God is limited in power, but there is no limit to the power of God. God is the Almighty and can do anything he desires to do.

Job 23:13 reveals that God’s power is absolute, "...and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth." The only limit to God’s power is self-imposed, based on his personal desires. There is absolutely nothing God cannot do if it suits His purpose. Ephesians 3:20 states God is "...able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think..." What marvelous power! God can do such wonderful things that we cannot even think of them! Matthew 19:26 speaking of the salvation of sinners, states, "...With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Romans 1:20 describes God’s power as "eternal power", or unchanging. This means that God’s power has not increased or decreased. His power is not like the power or strength of men. A person can gain strength as he exercises, or lose strength as he fails to exercise. But God’s power and strength remains exactly the same at all times. He cannot gain power, for he already has all power. He cannot lose power or strength, for this would mean he does not have eternal power as described n Romans 1:20. Isaiah 40:28 declares, God "…fainteth not, neither is weary."

God’s power is manifested in the material world. Job 26:7 states that God hung the earth upon nothing. This is a marvelous thing indeed. Everything a man builds must be supported by something. In fact, everything a man builds must be supported by something God has already made! For example, man might build an enormous skyscraper, but that skyscraper is built on ground created by God with materials originally created by God. Man might build huge earth moving equipment; but that equipment is built out of the very material it will be moving! God has created the world out of absolutely nothing, and hung it upon absolutely nothing. Man goes into outer space and looks back at the earth and behold, it is hung upon nothing! God has created light, and darkness. He has created a thing called "time" that we use to measure our lives. He has created the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth, the sea and all things thereon. Job 26:8 declares that God binds water in the thick clouds and the clouds are not rent under the weight of the waters. But most marvelous of all is that God created life. Genesis 2:7 states, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Jeremiah 32:17 correctly reflects God’s power by stating, "...there is nothing too hard for thee."

In describing the material manifestations of God’s power, we must agree with Job 26:14, "Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?"

God’s power is also manifested in the spiritual world. Luke 1:35 records the amazing incarnation, not "reincarnation", of Jesus Christ. God was made in the form of sinful man, yet without sin, Philippians 2:7,8. He was conceived in the womb of a virgin, born in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manager, Luke 2:7. In process of time, he gave his life for sinners. The death of Christ does not reflect a change in the power of Christ, because he rose from the dead while he was dead! In John 10:18, Jesus said concerning his life; "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again..."

Romans 1:16 reveals that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. I Cor-inthians 1:18 states, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." The Holy Spirit makes gospel preaching and witnessing effective, drawing sinners to Christ who forgives sin.

This world is a better place because of the many people who are saved by the power of God. They hate sinfulness and strive to live holy and righteous lives before an all-powerful God. This is a force for good that is unstoppable. There are those who say the gospel and the power of God is empty and vain but the lives of saved people are an unanswerable argument in favor of the power of God.

All things are created for the pleasure of God, not for the pleasure of man. In Revelation 4:11, the 24 elders worship God by saying, "Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Colossians 1:16,17 states, "...all things were created by him, and for him..."

Many people believe that God has "absolute power" in everything except those things concerning men. Many believe God has shown his power in the creation of this world, and the establishing of the laws of science that govern our world and give it stability. But they believe God is powerless when it comes to the salvation of souls, and in dealing with the human will. They use phrases such as: (1) The banners of God’s army halt outside the little fortress of our hearts inviting us to surrender; his mighty love and grace and power, wait for our decision. (2) We are bidden to make a choice. No man can choose for us. God Almighty cannot choose for you and me. I can put God who made me, and who gives me the breath I breathe at arms length and say, "I will not"; or I can turn to him, through the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit and receive his salvation. (3) Omnipotence itself is powerless in the presence of stubbornness. Even a child can raise its hand and shake its tiny fist in the face of God Almighty, and God Almighty can do nothing. (4) God votes for you, and the devil votes against you, and you cast the deciding vote.

These four major objections to the absolute power of God are full of fallacies. We will discuss them one at a time.

Objection 1. This objection ignores the fact of total depravity. All are total sinners and are not seeking God to begin with. It is because God makes the first move toward the sinner that the sinner beholds his sinfulness and desires salvation. A sinner left to himself will never turn to Christ.

Objection 2. It is absolutely preposterous to speak of an Almighty God we can resist. If God is Almighty, he cannot be resisted.

Objection 3. It is a contradiction of terms to say that Omnipotence, which means all powerful, is powerless. Proverbs 21:1 states that God turns even the king any way he so desires, while Jeremiah 18:6-10 reveals that God can build or destroy any nation.

Objection 4. Biblical election is not God voting for us, Satan voting against us and us casting the deciding vote. Election is God choosing us to himself, John 15:16. Satan had nothing to do with this election, for it took place before Satan was revealed as the fallen angel. We did not cast the deciding vote because the election took place before the foundation of the world.

Some people believe God elected his children according to his foreknowledge. That is, he elected those to salvation that he foreknew would believe. Psalm 14:1-3 is the perfect answer to this objection. This passage reveals that God looked down upon the children of men to see if there were any that would seek him. He found absolutely none! All were without understanding, having done abominable works, all were corrupt, and all were altogether filthy! It is at this point that God elects his children to salvation. It is here that God bestows mercy on the undeserving, that he gives grace (undeserved favor) on his filthy, hell deserving creatures. He saves his elect, not because they deserve to be saved, or because they have worked to earn salvation. He saves them because he chooses to save them. John 15:16 states, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit".

God’s power is the confidence of the Christian. We do not trust in our wisdom, strength, or power to work out the problems of our lives. We turn to Almighty God for we know he has created this entire, complex universe by his power, he has saved us by his power, and he keeps us by his power. Therefore he will willingly use that same power to control the circumstances of our life.

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Independence Baptist Church is a happy church, a friendly church, which has a great desire to share God’s happiness, God’s joy and God’s friendship with you. If you are looking for a church home, please consider Independence Baptist Church. You are welcome in all of our services.

Sunday School 10:00 A.M.

Worship 11:00 A.M.

Prayer Services 4:00 P.M.

Worship 4:30 P.M.

Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 P.M.

8:00 - 8:15 A.M.