God is powerful (part 2)
by Pastor David

God’s “weakness” is greater than all the power humans can muster. And God’s power is available to us. We can stand against Satan, and sin, and temptation with God’s power. We can endure persecution and loss in God’s power. We can and will overcome sin fully through God’s power. Several pastoral words ago we considered that God is powerful in creation and in the exodus. Let’s consider now God’s power in the Gospel generally and in resurrection specifically.

1. God is powerful in the Gospel
Oh the sweet and thrilling experience to know that the Gospel is God’s power to salvation. While the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, to us who are being saved it is the power of God. The Gospel shows us that God is more powerful than Satan, that grace is greater than sin, that the Fall can be reversed. In salvation, God powerfully gives life to people dead in their sins. Every conversion story is a story of God’s miracle-working power.

2. God is powerful in resurrection
In Ephesians 1:19, Paul had already pointed out that God has given the immeasurable greatness of His power to those who believe. That power is in keeping with His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised Christ from the dead. God raised up Christ and will raise us by His power (1 Cor. 6:14). God’s power is resurrection power. He can give life to dead bodies. He can do what no human could even dream to do.

Where does knowing that God is powerful leave us? It leaves us humbly worshipping a God whose plans are never frustrated. It leaves us hopeful and trusting, because God uses His power for His people’s good. It leaves us free from relying on our own power this new year, free from worry about how little we can control our lives, free from our fear that we won’t be able to do what we should. God is powerful, and His people delight in celebrating His power in the past and looking forward to seeing it in the future.