Question 1

What is God’s power like?

Accepted Answer

Ezra 1:1-4In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.”Psalm 8:3-8When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are people that you should think about them, mere mortals that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.Psalm 20:4-7May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers. . . . He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power. Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.God’s power is immeasurable. What God has done within our view provides us with mere hints of what he can actually do. His power is greater than that of the greatest kings who have ever ruled or the mightiest armies that have ever marched. That power is yours as you trust him, obey him, and honor his name.2 Samuel 7:20-22“What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign Lord. Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant. How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!”Psalm 44:4-7You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us.Psalm 113:5-9Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high? He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people! He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the Lord!God’s power is incomparable. It is greater than any of the skills or resources you have at your disposal. Our powers are not diminished forms of God’s power; they are as different as a creature is from its creator; as different as a reflection is from the real thing. While you may use the means God has provided to you, you must remember that victory comes from God alone.

Question 2

How can God’s power help me?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 60:12With God’s help we will do mighty things.Try not to look at the size of your problem, but at the size of your God. When there are great things to be done, you have a great God who will do them through you.Isaiah 40:29He [the Lord] gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.2 Corinthians 12:9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.God’s power is not dependent on our strength. In fact, God’s power can be best seen through our weaknesses because any success we have beyond our abilities proves that God’s power is involved in helping us accomplish it.John 10:28-30“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.”Acts 1:8“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”1 Peter 1:5Through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.God’s power preserves and protects until he brings us to our eternal home. His power propels and prepares those who believe to tell others the Good News about Jesus.

Question 3

How can I experience God’s power working through me?

Accepted Answer

Philippians 2:13God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.Colossians 1:27-29This is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. . . . That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.1 John 4:4The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.God’s power is available because of his presence within you. You do not merely imitate Christ—trying through your own efforts to do right and seek God’s will—you are indwelt by the living Lord, the Holy Spirit, with his power working through you.Ephesians 6:10-12A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.Your spiritual growth will certainly stir spiritual opposition. Spiritual battles require spiritual power, which God has already made available for your use. God’s armor provides defensive and offensive power against the schemes of the world, your own sinful tendencies, and the schemes of Satan. Focus on the Lord’s protection instead of the devil’s threats in order to stand firm in your faith.

Question 4

How does God’s power help me to make the greatest impact?

Accepted Answer

Ezra 10:5-6So Ezra stood up and demanded that the leaders of the priests and the Levites and all the people of Israel swear that they would do as Shecaniah had said. And they all swore a solemn oath. Then Ezra left the front of the Temple of God and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. He spent the night there without eating or drinking anything. He was still in mourning because of the unfaithfulness of the returned exiles.Ezra’s passionate grief over Israel’s sin gathered a crowd and softened their hearts so that they responded positively to his call for repentance. Don’t underestimate the power of one. When you have few supporters, it is easy to become discouraged. But courageous individuals, through the power of God’s Spirit, have always made a difference. (For just a few examples, see Judges 6-7; 1 Samuel 17; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12, and the book of Esther.) Do whatever God calls you to do, even if you do it alone. Fear counts friends and concludes there aren’t enough. Faith has a different calculation: One plus God’s power equals impact.Acts 1:8You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Romans 1:16-17I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”Colossians 1:28-29So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.God demonstrates his power by working through you despite your limitations. Your primary contribution is availability and willingness to be the vehicle or channel God uses. As a believer, the Holy Spirit already dwells in you, equipping and empowering you to serve God in the spread of the Good News—the greatest accomplishment.

Power of God