God: Omnipotent / Sovereign
Omnipotent means...
Omnipotent means all-powerful, almighty. Nothing is too difficult for God. God is not only most powerful, but is infinitely powerful. (Meaning, no matter how much power God uses, He still has just as much afterwards as he had before. God never tires. Isaiah 40:28)
How do we know God is omnipotent?
Jesus said that nothing is impossible for God (Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:37), and that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26). The Bible also says that nothing is too hard for God in Jeremiah 32:17, 27.
God created the universe out of nothing by simply speaking it into existence (Genesis 1:1, Psalms 148:5, John 1:3, Romans 4:17, Hebrews 11:3), and His power continues to sustain the universe (Nehemiah 9;6, Acts 17:24-28, Colossians 1:17). God is the source for our strength ( Psalms 68:35, Philippians 4:13).
Questions such as "Can God make a rock too heavy for Him to lift?" are not valid because the question tries to force a limitation (i.e. "too heavy to lift") on a limitless God.
There are things that God cannot do, but they have to do with His character, not His power. He will not violate His character. For example, God cannot lie (Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18).
Sovereign means...
Sovereign means God does whatever He wants. Nobody and nothing hinders Him.
How do we know God is sovereign?
God is sovereign. There is nothing that can prevent God's will from being accomplished. Whatever God sets out to do, is done (Psalms 115:3, 119:89-91, 135:6, Proverbs 16:9, Isaiah 43:13, 44:24-28, Daniel 2:21, 4:35).
What significance does God's omnipotence and sovereignty have for us?
Believers can find great comfort in this. What seems hopeless to us isn't to God. Whatever God sets out to do, He accomplishes. Nobody can stop Him.
God made certain promises to those who believe in Him. For example, He says He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Since no one can prevent God from fulfilling His will, Paul says "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?..." ( Romans 8:31,35-39).
God is also the source of our strength. In our weakness, we are to trust in Him. (Isaiah 40:25-31)
Sometimes, God puts us in situations where we can see no way out, for the purpose of increasing our trust in Him. While we can't see any hope, it's easy for God.
All content written by Andrew Bernhardt unless otherwise noted. Site hosted on lunarpages.com.
Topic viewed 1226 times since 2009-07-02 02:50:14.
Last updated by System on 2004-06-08 12:00:00.
