Embracing God's Omnipotence: Faith in Action

 

Summary

In the passage from Jeremiah 32:26-27, God poses a profound question: "Is there anything too hard for me?" This question is not merely rhetorical but serves as a powerful affirmation of God's omnipotence. It invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of God and His limitless power. The Socratic method of questioning, as used by God, is a way to engage our minds and hearts, prompting us to internalize and affirm the truth of His omnipotence through our own reflections.

God's questioning is a method of teaching that challenges us to consider His absolute power and sovereignty. It is a call to meditate on His greatness and to recognize that nothing is beyond His capability. This truth is not just a theological concept to be acknowledged but a reality to be embraced and lived out in our daily lives. We are reminded that even the most faithful servants of God, like Jeremiah, need to have these truths impressed upon their hearts repeatedly. It is one thing to know a doctrine intellectually and another to experience its reality in our lives.

The narrative of Jeremiah purchasing land during a time of impending destruction serves as a vivid illustration of faith in action. Despite the apparent futility of the purchase, Jeremiah obeys God's command, demonstrating trust in God's promises and power. This act of obedience, even when it seems irrational, is a testament to the belief that nothing is too hard for God. It challenges us to act in faith, trusting that God will justify our actions and fulfill His promises, even when circumstances seem dire.

Furthermore, the sermon encourages us to apply this truth to various aspects of our lives, including our prayers, our understanding of difficult truths, and our engagement with the world. It calls us to trust in God's ability to transform even the hardest hearts and to bring about His purposes in seemingly impossible situations. The question "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" becomes a source of comfort, a challenge to our unbelief, and a call to greater faith and action.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Omnipotence and Our Reflection: God's question to Jeremiah is a powerful affirmation of His omnipotence, inviting us to reflect deeply on His limitless power and to internalize this truth through our own reflections. This method of questioning challenges us to consider His absolute power and sovereignty, prompting us to meditate on His greatness and recognize that nothing is beyond His capability. [01:20]

- Faith in Action: Jeremiah's obedience in purchasing land during a time of impending destruction illustrates faith in action. Despite the apparent futility, Jeremiah trusts in God's promises and power, demonstrating that true faith acts in obedience, even when circumstances seem irrational. This challenges us to trust that God will justify our actions and fulfill His promises, even in dire situations. [09:53]

- The Necessity of Divine Instruction: Even the most faithful servants, like Jeremiah, need God's truths impressed upon their hearts repeatedly. It is one thing to know a doctrine intellectually and another to experience its reality in our lives. This highlights the necessity of divine instruction and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in teaching us the fullness of God's truth. [03:44]

- Applying God's Power to Our Lives: The truth of God's omnipotence should be applied to various aspects of our lives, including our prayers, understanding of difficult truths, and engagement with the world. We are called to trust in God's ability to transform even the hardest hearts and to bring about His purposes in seemingly impossible situations. [32:36]

- Comfort and Challenge in God's Question: The question "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" serves as a source of comfort, a challenge to our unbelief, and a call to greater faith and action. It reminds us that God's power is sufficient for all our needs and encourages us to trust Him in every circumstance, knowing that nothing is too hard for Him. [42:53]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:07] - Introduction to Jeremiah 32:26-27
- [00:26] - The Socratic Method of Teaching
- [00:54] - God's Questions as Affirmations
- [01:35] - The Challenge of God's Omnipotence
- [02:25] - The Necessity of Divine Instruction
- [03:44] - Knowing vs. Experiencing Truth
- [05:58] - Obedience and Faith in Action
- [08:29] - Jeremiah's Act of Faith
- [11:26] - Greater Manifestations of Faith
- [15:49] - The Decisive Argument of God's Power
- [20:18] - The Self-Existence of God
- [23:29] - God's Relation to Humanity
- [29:00] - Applying God's Power to Our Lives
- [35:41] - The Hardest Case: Human Salvation
- [42:53] - Comfort and Challenge in God's Question

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 32:26-27

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Observation Questions:

1. What question does God pose to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 32:26-27, and what is its significance in the context of the passage?

2. How does the sermon describe the method of questioning used by God, and what is its purpose? [00:26]

3. What specific action did Jeremiah take that demonstrated his faith in God's promises, despite the circumstances? [09:08]

4. According to the sermon, why is it necessary for even the most faithful servants of God to have His truths repeatedly impressed upon their hearts? [03:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the question "Is there anything too hard for me?" serve as both a comfort and a challenge to believers, according to the sermon? [42:53]

2. In what ways does Jeremiah's obedience in purchasing land during a time of impending destruction illustrate the concept of "faith in action"? [09:53]

3. The sermon mentions the necessity of divine instruction. How does this concept relate to the difference between knowing a doctrine intellectually and experiencing its reality in one's life? [03:44]

4. How does the sermon suggest believers should apply the truth of God's omnipotence to their prayers and engagement with the world? [32:36]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a situation in your life where circumstances seemed dire. How can the question "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" change your perspective on that situation? [42:53]

2. Jeremiah acted in faith by purchasing land despite the apparent futility. Is there an area in your life where you feel called to act in faith, even if it seems irrational? What steps can you take to follow through? [09:53]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of experiencing God's truths in our lives. What is one truth about God that you know intellectually but struggle to experience fully? How can you seek to internalize this truth more deeply? [03:44]

4. Consider your prayer life. How can you incorporate the belief in God's omnipotence into your prayers, especially when praying for seemingly impossible situations? [32:36]

5. The sermon challenges us to trust in God's ability to transform even the hardest hearts. Is there someone in your life you find difficult to love or forgive? How can you apply this truth to your relationship with them? [32:36]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by a problem. How can the reminder of God's omnipotence help you approach similar challenges in the future? [42:53]

7. The sermon calls us to greater faith and action. What is one specific way you can step out in faith this week, trusting in God's power to guide and support you? [42:53]

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting on God's Limitless Power
God's question to Jeremiah, "Is there anything too hard for me?" is a profound invitation to reflect on His omnipotence. This question is not just rhetorical; it is a powerful affirmation of God's limitless power and sovereignty. It challenges us to meditate on His greatness and recognize that nothing is beyond His capability. By engaging with this question, we are encouraged to internalize the truth of God's omnipotence, allowing it to transform our understanding and trust in Him. This reflection is not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to embrace and live out the reality of God's power in our daily lives. [01:20]

Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV): "Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust in God's limitless power today? How can you remind yourself of His omnipotence in moments of doubt?


Day 2: Faith in Action Amidst Uncertainty
Jeremiah's obedience in purchasing land during a time of impending destruction is a vivid illustration of faith in action. Despite the apparent futility of the purchase, Jeremiah trusts in God's promises and power, demonstrating that true faith acts in obedience, even when circumstances seem irrational. This act of faith challenges us to trust that God will justify our actions and fulfill His promises, even in dire situations. It calls us to act in faith, believing that nothing is too hard for God, and to trust in His ability to bring about His purposes, regardless of how things appear. [09:53]

Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."

Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today, trusting in God's promises, even if it seems irrational or uncertain?


Day 3: The Necessity of Divine Instruction
Even the most faithful servants, like Jeremiah, need God's truths impressed upon their hearts repeatedly. It is one thing to know a doctrine intellectually and another to experience its reality in our lives. This highlights the necessity of divine instruction and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in teaching us the fullness of God's truth. We are reminded that spiritual growth requires continual learning and openness to God's guidance, allowing His truths to shape our hearts and actions. This ongoing process is essential for deepening our relationship with God and living out His will. [03:44]

Psalm 25:4-5 (ESV): "Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to allow for divine instruction and the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?


Day 4: Applying God's Power to Our Lives
The truth of God's omnipotence should be applied to various aspects of our lives, including our prayers, understanding of difficult truths, and engagement with the world. We are called to trust in God's ability to transform even the hardest hearts and to bring about His purposes in seemingly impossible situations. This application of God's power challenges us to live with greater faith and confidence, knowing that He is capable of accomplishing His will in and through us. It encourages us to approach life's challenges with the assurance that nothing is too hard for God. [32:36]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to apply the truth of God's omnipotence today? How can this change your approach to that situation?


Day 5: Comfort and Challenge in God's Question
The question "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" serves as a source of comfort, a challenge to our unbelief, and a call to greater faith and action. It reminds us that God's power is sufficient for all our needs and encourages us to trust Him in every circumstance, knowing that nothing is too hard for Him. This question challenges us to confront our doubts and fears, inviting us to place our trust fully in God's capable hands. It is a call to live with the assurance that God is able to accomplish His purposes, no matter how impossible they may seem. [42:53]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: What is one area of unbelief or fear that you need to surrender to God today, trusting in His power and sufficiency? How can you take a step of faith in that area?

Quotes



Questions from the lord are very often the strongest affirmations. He would have us perceive their absolute certainty. They are put in this particular form because he would have us think over his great thought and confirm it by our own reflections. The lord shines upon us in the question, and our answer to it is the reflection of his light. [00:55:44]

The utterance of these words was no superfluity. There was need for them to be spoken. Flesh is frail, and mortal minds are forgetful, and Jeremiah great as he was, was but a man. It was needful to tell the prophet this, though he knew it. He never doubted that the lord is almighty, and yet it was needful for Jehovah himself to speak home this truth to his mind and heart. [02:48:16]

We learn much in many ways but we learn nothing vitally and practically till the spirit of god becomes our school master. The god of truth must teach us the truth of god or we shall never learn it. Jeremiah knew this truth in his inmost soul. See the 17th verse of this chapter I prayed unto the lord saying ah lord god behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. [03:36:08]

Brethren it is one thing to know that such a doctrine is true, and quite another thing to know the truth itself. We need to be persuaded of it so as to embrace it. It is a glorious thing to see truth blaze out as if written in letters of fire. We are far too apt to put truth down in our creed and after that to shut it away from practical everyday use. [04:19:68]

Jeremiah did not doubt debate or even delay he signed the deed and took care to have it properly preserved if you see any difficulty obey the lord first and seek an explanation afterwards, for so the prophet did he obeyed in the full confidence that nothing was too hard for god. After his obedience he began to look back on what he had done, and to be considerably bewildered while having to make out how god would justify what he had done. [09:37:04]

The lord himself came to his servant Jeremiah and thus prepared him for those greater things which he was about to reveal. The lord had told him what to do and he had done it, and thus he had believed up to the highest degree of that which was revealed to him and therefore the lord was going to reward his obedient faith by committing to him other mysteries and prophecies of the future. [13:10:72]

The argument is that since Jehovah is the god of all flesh he can affect his purposes by men and work among them things which seem impossible. The argument is so great that it puts all other arguments out of court. Poor Jeremiah is puzzled, he has been buying that acre or two of land which he will never see, and his pockets are empty, and Barak has been putting away the title deeds in an earthen vessel with a half smile upon his face. [27:36:56]

Apply this question to the justification of your obedience when you know what is right it will happen more often than not that to do right will be costly or at least risky, and if you judge after the manner of worldly wise men you will consider yourselves likely to be losers by obeying god you may lose friends, reputation assistance and peace. This question of loss is answered at once by this fact, that if you do what god bids you the responsibility of your conduct lies with him and he will bear you through. [29:57:39]

Apply this to any case of great sin select anyone whom you know to be especially hard-hearted and pray for him earnestly and hopefully. Choose out some glaring sinner or special heretic or fierce hater of religion and pray for him. You say to yourself I will choose an easier case do not so, is anything too hard for the lord, will you in your judgment set anyone beyond the reach of mercy and out of the bounds of grace. [32:00:48]

The solving of this great problem constrains me to worship the lord for he does solve it in actual history. I could understand god's executing his purposes upon material substances such as stones and wood, but this is the grandeur of his power, that while he leaves men free agents and does not in any case lead them to sin, yet they do act exactly as he foretold that they would do. [34:12:48]

Consider another hard case the hardest of all human salvation. Sin must bring with it punishment. It is an inevitable law of moral government that if you break the commandment the command will be avenged upon you, yet god is merciful and he is willing to forgive sin. How could it be possible for god to exercise the fullness of his mercy and yet discharge the necessities of his justice. [35:36:48]

Expect the unexpected to happen to you, he who whispers to himself god is going to do something for me that I have never looked for is the brave man. A storm is brewing cries one is it, my way of putting it is rain is being prepared for the earth. Brethren the lord's blessing is coming upon the churches, look for it. [43:22:72]

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Transcript
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