Experiencing the Power of the Mighty God

 

Summary

In a sermon delivered by Ps Treena Madar on December 10, 2023, titled "HE SHALL BE CALLED: MIGHTY GOD," the pastor explores the multifaceted nature of God's might and how it manifests in the lives of believers. The sermon series delves into the different names given to Jesus, focusing on His identity as the "Mighty God."

The pastor begins by instilling hope in the congregation, emphasizing that every moment with Jesus is an opportunity to live victoriously. The pastor references the Israelites' miraculous escape through the Red Sea and Jesus' resurrection as prime examples of God's power. The pastor warns against the enemy's attempts to sow doubt and assures that God's power is available for every situation, sharing a personal testimony of transformation through an encounter with Jesus.

The importance of seeking God's forgiveness and mercy is highlighted through the story of the paralytic man whose friends brought him to Jesus. The pastor encourages the congregation to pursue God with desperation and bold faith, assuring them of victory in various life areas and reminding them of their potential as creations of the Creator.

A personal anecdote about a disappointing gift exchange serves as a segue into a discussion on Isaiah's prophecy of Jesus' coming, which brought hope to the Israelites. The pastor questions whether believers today truly know the Mighty God and if He is active in their lives, citing Paul's words about Jesus being the image of the invisible God.

The pastor shares a touching story of leading their 80-year-old mother to Jesus, highlighting the transformative power of God's grace and compassion. The importance of intimacy with Jesus is underscored through the story of Daniel, who overcame challenges through his trust and daily prayer.

The sermon also addresses the need for recognizing God's lordship and sovereignty, stressing that obedience is not optional but required in God's kingdom. The consequences of disobedience are illustrated through biblical examples, and the pastor calls for repentance and a life of worship.

Finally, the pastor encourages the congregation to be trailblazers, showcasing God's glory, and to live in the security of God's omnipotence. The sermon concludes with a prayer for God's power and sovereignty to be evident in the lives of the believers.

Key Takeaways:

- The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that resides in every believer, offering hope and victory over life's challenges. This divine power is not just a historical fact but a present reality that can transform lives, as evidenced by the pastor's personal testimony of encountering Jesus. [20:30]

- God's forgiveness is not just a theological concept but a transformative force that can lead to miraculous changes in one's life. The story of the paralytic man and his friends' determination to reach Jesus exemplifies the lengths to which we should go to seek God's healing and mercy. [31:31]

- Knowing the Mighty God is not merely about historical knowledge or religious tradition; it is about experiencing His active presence in our lives today. The pastor challenges believers to reflect on whether they truly know Jesus as the Mighty God and if they see His power at work in their daily experiences. [06:39]

- The power of grace and compassion in bringing about transformation and breakthroughs in relationships is a testament to God's sovereignty and ability to accomplish His purposes. The pastor's personal story of reconciliation with their mother illustrates the miraculous changes that can occur when we step out in faith and allow God to work through us. [23:42]

- Recognizing God's lordship involves more than intellectual assent; it requires obedience and reverence. The pastor warns against the dangers of disobedience and calls for a renewed commitment to living lives that honor God as the ultimate act of worship, emphasizing the urgency of aligning with God's will as time is running out. [27:47]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 9:6 - "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulder, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
2. Colossians 1:15-18 - "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the different names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His character?
2. According to Colossians 1:15-18, what roles and attributes are ascribed to Jesus?
3. In the sermon, what examples did the pastor give to illustrate God's might and power? ([00:41])
4. How did the pastor describe the Israelites' reaction to Isaiah's prophecy about the coming of Jesus? ([04:14])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as the "Mighty God" impact a believer's view of their daily challenges and struggles? ([07:23])
2. What does the story of Daniel in the lion's den teach us about trusting in God's protection and might? ([09:36])
3. How can the personal testimony shared by the pastor about their mother illustrate the transformative power of God's grace and compassion? ([20:30])
4. What does it mean to recognize God's lordship and sovereignty in our lives, and why is obedience emphasized as a requirement in the sermon? ([25:23])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's power in your life. How did it change your perspective on your situation? ([07:23])
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of seeking God's forgiveness and mercy. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God's healing and mercy? How can you take a step towards that this week? ([28:32])
3. The sermon challenges believers to reflect on whether they truly know Jesus as the Mighty God. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus to experience His power in your daily life? ([05:52])
4. Think about a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation. How can you extend grace and compassion, as the pastor did with their mother, to bring about transformation? ([20:30])
5. The pastor emphasized the need for obedience to God's will. What is one area of your life where you struggle with obedience, and what steps can you take to align with God's will? ([25:23])
6. How can you be a trailblazer in showcasing God's glory in your community? Identify one specific action you can take this week to reflect God's power and love. ([31:31])
7. The pastor spoke about the importance of hope in the life of a believer. What is one practical way you can fill yourself with hope this week, especially in challenging times? ([13:17])

Devotional

Day 1: Victory Through Divine Power
Divine power is not a relic of the past but a dynamic force in the present, offering hope and victory over life's challenges. This power, which raised Jesus from the dead, is available to every believer, transforming lives and circumstances. It is a power that transcends human ability and brings about divine outcomes in the most desperate situations. [20:30]

Ephesians 1:19-20 - "And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms."
Reflection: In what situation do you need to experience God's mighty power today, and how can you open yourself up to it?

Day 2: The Transformative Force of Forgiveness
God's forgiveness is a transformative force that can lead to miraculous changes in one's life. The story of the paralytic man illustrates the lengths to which individuals should go to seek God's healing and mercy. This forgiveness is not just a concept but a tangible experience that can restore and renew. [31:31]

Psalm 103:12 - "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to seek or offer forgiveness, and what steps can you take today to move towards that forgiveness?

Day 3: Experiencing the Mighty God
Knowing the Mighty God is about experiencing His active presence in our lives today. It is a call to move beyond historical knowledge or religious tradition and to witness His power at work in our daily experiences. This knowledge is transformative, leading to a deeper understanding and relationship with the divine. [06:39]

Colossians 1:15 - "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's active presence in your life, and what might be hindering you from recognizing it?

Day 4: Grace and Compassion's Transformative Power
The power of grace and compassion is a testament to God's sovereignty and ability to accomplish His purposes. It brings about transformation and breakthroughs in relationships, as seen in the reconciliation between a mother and child. This power is available to all who step out in faith and allow God to work through them. [23:42]

2 Corinthians 5:18 - "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reflection: Who in your life might be waiting for a gesture of grace or compassion from you, and how can you extend it today?

Day 5: Obedience to God's Lordship
Recognizing God's lordship involves obedience and reverence. It is a call to live lives that honor God, not just with words but through actions. The urgency of aligning with God's will is paramount, as time is running out. This obedience is the ultimate act of worship and submission to His sovereignty. [27:47]

James 4:7 - "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice greater obedience to God, and what practical steps can you take to submit to His lordship?

Quotes

"The mightiest power ever unleashed on the Earth was when Jesus was raised from the dead, and that same power that rose Jesus from the dead is living inside each and every one of us." [18:16] (Download)

"Out of desperation and with determination, these four friends sought after Jesus like their friend's life depended on it. This is the way we ought to pursue our Mighty God: chase him down, hunt him down, be desperate to be in His presence." [29:15] (Download)

"No weapon formed against us can prosper because Jesus is still the champion, and He is the mighty king. Satan cannot stop what God has ordained unless we let him." [31:31] (Download)

"Our ability to rise above our struggles depends on our intimacy with Jesus. Daniel was already prepared for the battle; he had prayed every day, three times a day. We often use prayer as a vehicle to get to a destination... but we need to see prayer as our destination." [11:07] (Download)

"Never did I ever think that my desire to be set free from my past was connected to my mom being set free herself. Her breakthrough became my breakthrough, and to see what was once so broken between us become so beautiful, so whole, can only be because of the power of God." [22:04] (Download)

"One of the most powerful miracles that Jesus can ever do is the one that he does in us, where both grace and compassion that he freely gives to us becomes our expression of his love that we then extend grace and compassion to others so that we may reflect him." [22:53] (Download)

"To know a mighty God is to recognize his lordship. God is great and mighty, and we should, like Moses, tremble in his presence. We are to revere him in awe and wonder, not just to study and memorize his words, but to believe it and obey it." [25:23] (Download)

"God made us for his purposes, but you will find many a believer struggling to fulfill their calling. We need to restore honor and majesty towards the Lord, and put him in his rightful place. Our lives should be lived out as an act of worship to God." [26:56] (Download)

"Jesus says, 'I died for you, I shed my blood for you, I gave my whole life so that you can have eternal life. What else do you want me to do for you?' Time won't wait for us when we're too busy running away, when we're too busy disobeying, we actually don't realize that time is running out." [27:47] (Download)

"Do we really know the Mighty God? Now we might be familiar with the gracious God, the loving God, the compassionate God, but do we know the Mighty God and is he at work in our lives today?" [05:52] (Download)

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