Sermon : God Can And He Is Willing Page 1 INTRODUCTION : God Can And He Is Willing Text : Ephesians 3: 14-21 A. We serve an amazingly awesome God. S#1. 1. When our God speaks things happen just because He wills them to happen. 2. God spoke the world into existence from nothing. S#2. a. Man can only make things out of elements that already exist. b. Man s creativity is expressed in the way he uses things God already created. B. Mere man cannot even comprehend God. 1. We have no foundational concept from which to reason to an infinite God. S#3. a. We are limited by time, by position in space, by power, etc. b. God is infinite in all His attributes. He is not limited in any way. S#4. 2. Rom. 11: 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 3. Eph. 3: 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that S#5. we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, a. Our prayers are often insultingly small for God. b. We can t even imagine what God can do through us. S#6. C. Because man does not comprehend the awesomeness of God : 1. We don t realize what a great privilege it is for Him to grant to us access to Him. a. Some view God as little more than an ATM machine to get what they need. b. Some view Him as their heavenly butler who handles all their problems. c. God does bless us and He does watch over us, but He is SOOoo much more. 2. We can t even imagine the great things God can use us to accomplish. D. God uses men to accomplish His will on the earth. S#7. 1. Though God has the power to override any natural law, He chooses to work via men. 2. Though God most often uses men, He wants it to be clear that He is behind it. 3. Let s take a few minutes to consider : a. How God operated in the Old Testament b. How He operated in the New Testament c. What the implications are for us today.
Sermon : God Can And He Is Willing Page 2 I. Remember some of the great things God did in the Old Testament.. S#8. A. When God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage : S#9. 1. God allowed the Pharaoh to withstand the plagues in order to display His power. #10 Exod. 9: 14-16 For this time I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. 15 For if by now I had put forth My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, you would then have been cut off from the earth. 16 But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. ( Compare : Rom. 9: 17 I raised you up ) 2. Exod. 13: 14 But Moses said to the people, Do not fear! Stand by and see the S#11. salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. 3. God made it clear that it was HE who was working in their behalf. B. Israel prevailed against Amalek only while the hands of Moses were raised. S#12. 1. Exod. 17: 8-13 ( By this, God made it clear who was fighting the battle. ) 2. Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses a. Moses was 80 years old. b. He needed help to overcome his physical limitations, BUT he served. 3. God placed Moses in plain sight so all could see the victory was from God. C. Israel marched around the great city of Jericho; God destroyed the walls. S#13. 1. Joshua 6 Marching around the walls was in no way responsible for their fall. 2. It was by trusting in the power of God to accomplish victory through them. 3. They obeyed, but it was obvious God worked. ( God made it clear, He did it. ) D. When Gideon defeated the great multitude of Midianites, Amalekites, S#14. 1. Judges 6-7 Gideon was called from his hiding place in the wine press. 2. 32K came out to fight, but only 300 were sent into battle against a great multitude. Judges 6: 2 The Lord said to Gideon, The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, My own power has delivered me. 3. Why so few? God made it obvious that HE was delivering the victory to them. E. When Samson killed 1000 Philistines with only the jawbone of an ass S#15. 1. Judges 15
Sermon : God Can And He Is Willing Page 3 2. No matter how strong a man is, he cannot destroy 1000 enemy fighters with a bone. 3. Everyone knew that God was working through Samson. ( Hair was a symbol of vow ) S#16. F. When a young boy ( David ) defeated a giant warrior with only a stone in a sling, 1. I Samuel 17 2. Young David couldn t even carry the armor and weapons of a warrior. 3. It was obvious that God was working through the teenager. * David through the stone, but it was God who slew Goliath. * G. These are but a sampling of OUR God s mighty works. S#17. 1. Our God does amazing things through men, but He makes it clear that HE did it. 2. This is the same great God who works through us today. Compare Text : Eph. 3: 21 according to the power that works in us. II. In the N.T. Jesus gave credit to God for the mighty works He performed.. S#18. A. Jesus Himself gave God the credit : 1. John 9: 3-4 Jesus answered, It was neither that this man sinned, nor his S#19. parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 2. John 17: 4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work S#20. which You have given Me to do. B. The Apostle cautioned that our faith must be in the power of God, not men. #21. 1. I Cor. 2: 3-5 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, S#22. 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 2. II Cor. 4: 6-7 For God, who said, Light shall shine out of darkness, is the S#23. One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; C. Jesus chose only 12 Apostles to start a worldwide movement. S#24. 1. There were 120 in the upper room.(ax 1:15) and above 500 witnesses. (I Co 15:6) a. More men were available. b. The power was not in the men, but in God.
Sermon : God Can And He Is Willing Page 4 2. Jesus chose average men... not highly educated... famous or powerful. 3. Jesus made it clear that the power was in HIS message, not the messengers. S#25. D. God made it clear that Christians can do great things because of HIS power. 1. Phil. 4: 13 - I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. S#26. 2. I John 4: 4 - You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 3. Eph. 3: 20 - Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that S#27. we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, * Right here, right now, God is able to use you and me to accomplish great things, not because of our might, but because of HIS. III. How can you or I be used by God to accomplish His will.. S#28. A. One must have faith before God can use him. S#29. 1. Even in the physical realm one can seldom accomplish that which he doubts. a. Prov 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so is he.... b. Matt. 14: 30... Peter began to sink as soon as he doubted. 2. James ( 1: 6-8 ) tells us that the prayers of the doubter will not be granted. 3. The Christian must fully embrace the promise of Jesus. S#30. Luke 17: 6 If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, Be uprooted and be planted in the sea ; and it would obey you. B. One must be willing for God to use him. S#31. 1. God desires service, but never forces it. 2. There is no example of God forcing anyone to serve Him. a. Love can never be forced. b. God loved Israel, but never forced her to serve Him. c. Jesus grieved over Jerusalem, but didn t force her to surrender to Him. Matt 23:37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings and you were unwilling. 3. There are consequences to every choice one makes : a. Reward for faithfulness Well done, good and faithful slave. ; enter into the joy of your master. Matt. 25: 21 b. Punishment for rebellion Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt. 25: 30
Sermon : God Can And He Is Willing Page 5 c. That was the lesson of Israel in the O. T. and also of the 7 churches in Rev. 2-3. C. The great deeds of the O.T. involved men allowing God to use them. S#32. 1. Noah built the ark. ( hard physical labor consumed his life and vast resources ) 2. Moses faced Pharaoh, stretched his staff to divide the sea, held his hands up on Mt. 3. Samson attacked the 1000 with only a jawbone, destroyed the arena killing himself. 4. Gideon attacked an enormous multitude with only 300 men. 5. While but a teenager David stood eye-to-eye with the fiercest warrior on the planet. * In each of these incidents a man stepped forward and allowed God to use him. ) D. Even today, men of faith must be willing to commit themselves to God s use. S#33 1. Matt 16: 24-27 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. 2. Christians must willingly surrender themselves to God. a. When one becomes a Christian, he surrenders his life to Christ, to God. ( His slave b. When one is born again, he is born crucified. ( Gal. 2:20, II Cor. 5: 14-15 ) E. In order to be used by God one must have a desire for God s will to be dones#34. 1. What is most important to God, must be most important to the one God uses. 2. Example of Jesus in the garden : a. Luke 22: 42 - Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. b. Jesus was anguishing over what He was about to face. ( response = prayer ) c. An angel came to strengthen Him. d. God s men will not be stopped; they overcome every obstacle to do HIS will.s#35. 3. Example of the Apostle Paul : a. I Cor 9: 16-18 I am under compulsion.. I have a stewardship entrusted to me. b. Phil. 3: 7-10 I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 4. The Apostles in Jerusalem would not be silenced.
Sermon : God Can And He Is Willing Page 6 Acts 4:20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard. 5. The prophets of old would not be silenced. S#36. Jer. 20:9 But if I say, I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name, then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it 6. That s what loving God is; putting HIS will above our own. a. Definition of agape Have a passion for the welfare of another above our own. b. When we learn to agape God, His goals, His desires, His will supersede ours. CONCLUSION : A. When we reach this point in our faith, God can use us beyond our imagination. 1. God has a proven record of using ordinary people to accomplish great things. 2. God takes small men and uses them as mighty men. ( He makes average great. ) 3. God has turned defeat into victory without even using an army II King 7 fears B. We can limit ourselves, but we can t limit God. S#37. 1. If we will not do God s will He can and He will raise up others to do it. Matt. 3: 8-9 Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; 9 and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father ; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 2. Israel had times of great glory, but was ultimately destroyed, replaced by the church. 3. Rev. 2-3 The 7 churches of Asia were warned and then destroyed. C. I challenge each of us to dream a dream for God. S#38. 1. Dare to challenge God to do great things with us ( individually / collectively ) 2. Eph. 3: 20 - Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that S#39. we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 3. GOD can do more with us than we can even imagine, IF we let Him. 4. We need to set goals for ourselves and for this congregation. 5. Each of us should pray every day for one specific goal. S#40. D. We serve a truly awesome God. S#41. 1. He wants ONLY good for you, for me and for all people. 2. He wants to use you to accomplish good for others. 3. He does not want for any person to perish. 4. He does not want for you to perish. S#42.
Sermon : God Can And He Is Willing Page 7 INVITATION : S#43. Lesson Text : Ephesians 3: 14-21 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.