Mighty God

This week – He is Mighty God (A Warrior God)
• Our way of wanting Him to be mighty is different than His way of doing it
Bill –Question 1: What does the Lord’s kind of Mighty look like?
(scripture reveals our God in the scriptural story)

A. God partners with humans to do His work –from Genesis to Revelation
B. God is outside of time and works behind the scenes in time and space
C. He allows people to choose and still brings the big picture to His conclusion
D. His intention is to win the spiritual battle for our hearts rather than the temporary battle for our personal happiness
E. The truth is –we want God to be overt but He is often covert –
Romans 15:4 (NIV) — 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Jim –Question 2: How do we deal with the Lord’s kind of mighty? Overt versus covert

A. We have to trust God –walk by faith –based on His record in scripture/History
B. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) — 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
C. We must believe that God will work out all things for good for those who love God and
Romans 8:28–30 (NIV) — 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
D. Gods people place their hope in the God who has revealed and fought for our victory
Hebrews 11:32–38 (NIV) — 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

Because we have relationship with God –in and through Christ –our Mighty God works in us.

Ephesians 1:18–21 (NIV) — 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

E. We partner with God to fight in the light
2 Timothy 2:3–4 (NIV) — 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
Ephesians 5:8–9 (NIV) — 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Romans 13:12 (NIV) — 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Small Group Discussion Questions:
Scriptures to consider: Isaiah 9:6; 2 Kings 6:8-23; Matthew 11:7-11; Hebrews 11; Psalm 89:5-9

1. If you possessed great power and strength, what would you do with it?
2. What examples from scripture can you think of, where God has proven Himself to be mighty?
   o After coming up with your own examples, read together 2 Kings 6:8-23.
3. Share an example from your own life when God has proven Himself to be mighty
4. How do you respond when God doesn’t show His might in the way that you think He should?
5. Can you think of a time when God’s mightiness was not evident in the moment, but became clear later?
6. How can you be more mindful of God’s might in your everyday life?
   o Read Psalm 89:5-9
7. What are some specific ways can you focus on God’s might during this holiday season?
   For more resources go to realliferesources.org