Is God able?
As we go through life living it out day by day we ultimately will face many troubles, hardships, trials and tribulations. As we pass through troubled times, we will inevitably come face to face with a real question. A question, we sooner or later must all ask ourselves. It’s a question that only has three words. Individually these words have no real significance in and of themselves, but when put together, they leave some with a sense of hope; for others it leaves them with a sense of helplessness. I am sure everyone in this room has pondered this question one time in their life.
The question is “Is God able?”
Moses
Picture it…Moses is standing before this burning bush having a conversation with the most Holy God. And God tells Moses to go to pharaoh and tell him to free the Israelites. Now this is a big undertaking. Go to pharaoh and tell him to free the Israelites. Yeah right. I believe that if there was ever a time when Moses asked himself this question if God is able it was right now. Actually I would say that Moses probably asked himself this question on many occasions.
The Israelites
Can you picture it; he is standing before the red sea. The Egyptians are on their way to slaughter them, they are scared to death, thinking that it was probably best to not have left. Now if there was every a time in these Israelites minds that they would ask themselves this most powerful question. If there was ever a time that each person would wonder
Sandy
Fourteen years ago, Sandy met her husband, Mitch. The marriage at first was a happy marriage. Like every marriage they enjoyed being together all the time. But as time went bye she watched their happy marriage crumble as Mitch succumbed to alcoholism. Mitch became verbally and physically abusive to Sandy and their daughter, Jacqueline. After years of abuse, he would finally leave without a trace. Even though it was healthier to have an abuser out of their lives, his absence also brought its own problems. When Mitch left, he cleared the family’s bank account. “They didn’t have money for food, rent, or anything,”
And that’s when everything started to fall apart for Sandy and Jacqueline. Their dog, “Puppy,” died and Sandy’s mother got sick and nearly died, too. Their challenges continued to mount. Sandy even had her laundry stolen and Jacqueline did not have any clothes to wear to school the next morning. “She felt like she was in hell,”
Now if there was any time in Sandy’s life that she would ask herself this question it was at this moment in time.
Young Boy
I can remember a story of a young boy sitting with his friend outside the doors of a catholic church. They were recovering from a night of hard partying. There were drugs and alcohol involved and they knew the life they were living was going to lead them nowhere. They both said a prayer asking God for His help. He knew he needed to change but didn’t have the strength. The young boy to this day can remember wondering this same question.
“Is God Able?”
It is interesting to note that the apostle Paul knew the answer to this question when he wrote.
Ephesians 3:20 answers this question very clearly. Paul had been through a lot. He was flogged, ship wrecked, stoned, put in prison. During this Paul learned a lot about God. That’s why he was able to confidently write in
Ephesians 3:20
20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
This scripture doesn’t just say God can do it. He said God can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. So if you can imagine it God can do exceeding abundantly above all that. I can get excited about this.
Exceeding, abundantly. Now that’s what I am talking about. If you can’t get excited about that…..You cant get excited. When you think about the fact that God can do exceedingly abundantly above, ALL that we ask or even “THINK” Now that’s an amazing God.
Let’s to try and clear it up lets see what God is able to do.
1. When the Enemy is at your door “He is able” to save you.
a. That’s what Moses learned.
b. Tell short story of Moses learned.
c. Is the enemy at your door?
d. I know he is at the door of many in this world. Just look around.
i. He is trying to take our mind away. Just look at television. You can’t watch a decent show that doesn’t destroy every bit of family values. Long gone are the days of watching TV with the family and expecting to see something good.
ii. There are broken homes, sexual immorality everywhere. There are suicides. Kids are shooting people at school. If there was ever a time that the enemy was at your door it is right now.
iii. Scripture says in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
iv. So yes our enemy is at the door.
v. But the best part is the last part where he says “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
2. When life is closing in on you. “He is able” to give you strength
a. Is anyone overwhelmed today? Has anyone ever just been on their last leg hoping for a miracle? Maybe somebody needs that miracle now.
b. Life is hard folks. Times can be rough. It isn’t hard to get to a point where we are feeling just a little bit overwhelmed.
c. We are working longer and longer hours these days for less and less money. Bills keep piling in. Responsibility is the same.
d. Sometime is can feel as if the walls are closing in on you.
e. God is able
Isaiah 40:28 28 (Mention Hank)
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Captivity
I can remember a story about a grandfather who walked into the family room to discover his little grandson Jeffy in a playpen crying with his arms raised calling for his grandfather’s help. He looked so pitiful, as he cried “Papa out” What grandfather could resist such a plea? So he reached down to lift his grandson when the babies mother walked into the room and said “put him back, he is being punished, leave him right there!
No what’s a grandpa to do. “He couldn’t stand staying in the same room with the boy, reading his newspaper and pretending to be aloof. Nor could he turn around and walk out the door without feeling like a betrayer to his little pal. What could he do?
Love found a way. “Since Grandpa couldn’t take Jeffy out of the playpen, he climbed in with him. “If you’re in the playpen, Buddy, I’m in the playpen.
f. That’s God folks. God comes right along side of us during our times of despair and gives us strength to pull through. He helps us in our weakness. He is able to climb right into the playpen with us.
g. He was able for Sandy.
h. Tell story of how she recovered
3. When you need victory “He is able” to see you through
a. Anyone here need a little victory in their Christian walk?
b. Anyone been loosing too many battles to Satan? Is anyone ready to start seeing some triumph?
c. The bible tells us in Heb 2:18 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
d. Heb 7:25 25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
e. Jude 1:24 24To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy
f. Listen those that come to God trough Jesus Christ don’t have to worry about whether or not they will see heaven. We don’t have to worry if we have victory. The victory or war has been won. Satan just doesn’t know it yet.
g. Jesus’ death and resurrection not only give us forgiveness but it gives us the power to over come.
Its just sad that some of us never realize this
God died
Martin Luther once spent three days in a black depression over something that had gone wrong. On the third day his wife came downstairs dressed in mourning clothes.
"Who’s dead?" he asked her.
"God," she replied.
Luther rebuked her, saying, "What do you mean, God is dead? God cannot die."
"Well," she replied, "the way you’ve been acting I was sure He had!"
h. Sometime we act just like Martin Luther. We act like God is dead.
i. The enemy has us so confused, he makes us think we are on our own, but the battle has been won and Jesus is our victory.
j. We need to start acting that way and coming close to Jesus each and everyday.
4. Young Boy
a. Look at what happened to the Boy. It took a little while but he ultimately joined the Marine Corps. He was on the U.S. Nassau and God brought a few faithful marines in his life who told him the true gospel of Christ. He was in the middle of the Mediterranean ocean when he gave his life to Christ. His life has never been the same. There have been ups and downs, but that little boy now stands before you now.
b. I don’t claim to be the best Christian in the world nor in this room.
c. But I am defiantly not that selfish, lying cheating, womanizing, alcoholic, drug user that I used to be.
d. I am now a saved by Grace, Sanctified wholly, Spirit filled, fired up, sold out soldier with a cause. And that cause is for Christ. That’s what I am talking about.
e. Oh I stumble now and then, but I also give Satan a black eye now and then to. I am in the war and the victory has been won. Through Christ
f. There is just something special about His regenerating power that restores me
What is it you are wondering is “God able to do? Is the enemy at your door? Are the walls closing in on you? Do you need some victory?
What ever it is, remember God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think and that comes form the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in us.
We don’t have to go look for the power it has already been implanted in us when we gave our life to Christ.
We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. That’s why Paul was able to boldly say that he could do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1. Listen he helped
a. Moses, Israelites, Sandy
He also helped me and many others who can testify to God’s saving and changing power.
Story of milking a cow
A fellow who had been reared in the city bought a farm and several milk cows. In the feed store one day he complained his best cow had gone dry.
"Aren’t you feeding her right?" asked the store owner.
"I’m feeding her what you’ve been selling me," said the man.
"Are you milking her everyday?"
"Just about. If I need six or eight ounces of milk for breakfast, I go out and get it. If I don’t need any, I don’t get it--I just let her save it up."
The feed store owner had to explain it doesn’t work that way. With cow’s milk, like God’s presence, you take all that’s there, or you eventually have nothing. Asking for God’s power in six-ounce doses, or asking sporadically only at our convenience, may mean that for us, the source dries up.
These alters will be open for those who the Holy Spirit has made clear to you a need you have. If there is something you need to bring to God tonight I challenge you to come forward to these alters and give it to God this evening and let him work through you to work it out.
I also wonder if there isn’t a few people here who are just excited about God’s super abundant grace and power in their lives. I wonder if there are a few people who want to come up front and give God all the praise that he deserves.
