What My God Can Do! - Pastor Michael O. Oyedokun, II, M. Div.

Scripture unfolds a rich list of spiritual blessings granted to believers: chosen in Christ before the world's foundation, predestined for heavenly union, secured by the Holy Spirit, rescued from death by grace, and already seated with Christ in heavenly places. The passage emphasizes transformation—people once alienated by sin now stand near through the blood of Christ, become fellow citizens, members of God's household, temples, and the body of Christ. A doxology crowns these truths and introduces three prayer petitions for the community: empowerment by God's power, intimate knowledge and experience of God’s love, and the fullness of God Himself dwelling among the people. Those petitions ground hope in a present-tense Lord who acts with dynamite-like power, able to create, fix, and change circumstances and hearts.

God’s ability does not rely on human strength; divine power displays capacity to reorder creation and repair broken lives. The promise extends beyond human requests and imagination—God gives far more than asked or conceived, refusing to be boxed by limited expectations. This abundance flows from covenant faithfulness and mercy that renew each morning, enabling life that overflows rather than merely survives. The inward working of divine power becomes visible now: an inherent, explosive energy placed within believers that, when ignited by God, produces real change—moral turning, fresh zeal, and endurance amid trials.

The transformed community bears visible witness: the church exists to ascribe glory to Christ, demonstrating God’s power and faithfulness through lives changed and hope secured. Belief must accompany expectation; trust unlocks participation in what God already wills to do. The text calls for immediate, lived response—praise, steadfast faith, and active reliance on present power—while looking forward to ultimate fulfillment. The overall tone urges confident gratitude: God is able, gives more than imagined, and bestows power that works in believers now, and the rightful reaction is glory and devoted living.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God is able, here and now God acts in the present tense, not merely as a past or future possibility. Divine ability operates with decisive force—creative, restorative, and transformative—so faith does not hinge on human effort but on recognizing and cooperating with that present power. This assurance invites bold requests and steady hope even in dire circumstances. [13:39]
• 2. Grace delivers far more than asked Grace consistently exceeds human petitions and imagination, refusing confinement within human expectation. When God answers, the provision often transforms categories—need becomes abundance, rescue becomes restoration, request becomes a richer gift than the mind conceived. Learning to expect God’s “more” reorders prayer and trust toward largeness rather than scarcity. [21:19]
• 3. Inherent power works inside believers God deposits an inherent, operative power within persons that changes desires, choices, and capacities. That power does not wait for heaven to begin its work; it ignites conviction, endurance, and holy joy now, producing tangible spiritual growth and public witness. Cultivating sensitivity to this inner working allows cooperation with God’s transforming energy. [32:19]
• 4. The church exists to give glory The community of faith functions as the arena where divine glory becomes visible through transformed lives. Worship and witness should point outward to Christ’s ability and faithfulness, not inward to personal merit. Corporate praise flows from recognition that salvation, sanctification, and future hope all magnify God. [36:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [09:41] - Chosen and secured in Christ
• [11:34] - Doxology: words of glory
• [12:34] - Three prayers for the church
• [13:39] - God is able, present power
• [16:05] - Able to create, fix, change
• [21:19] - More than we can ask or think
• [31:17] - Bestowing power that works in us
• [36:56] - Church's calling: give glory
• [41:33] - Call to believe, praise, respond

1. What three things does the passage say God is able to do in relation to our requests and thoughts?
2. According to the verse, what is the source of the power that enables this incredible work?
3. Where and for how long is glory to be given as a result of this power?
4. The sermon described God's ability as a "present tense" reality. What does this imply about when God's power is available to us? [14:53]

1. The phrase "far more abundantly" is a compound adverb meant to express an immeasurable amount. [26:17] What does this teach us about the nature of God's generosity compared to human generosity?
2. The power at work within us is described as "inherent," meaning it resides in us because of our new nature in Christ. [32:34] How does this inherent power differ from a power we might occasionally borrow or request from God?
3. The ultimate purpose of this display of power is glory "in the church." Why would God choose to display His power and receive glory through a community of people rather than just through individuals?
4. If God's ability is not limited by what we can "ask or think," what might be some limitations we mistakenly place on Him in our own lives?

1. God is able, here and now. [13:39] What is a current situation where you find yourself waiting for God to act in the future, rather than trusting in His present-tense ability to work? What would it look like to actively rely on that power today?
2. Grace delivers far more than asked. [21:19] Can you recall a time when God answered a prayer in a way that was completely different and far better than what you had originally asked for? How does that memory shape the way you bring your current requests to Him?
3. Inherent power works inside believers. [32:19] The power within is compared to dynamite that explodes when it meets fire. [33:00] What would it look like for you to consciously "ignite" that power through prayer, worship, or obedience in a specific area where you feel weak?
4. The church exists to give glory. [36:56] How does your participation in the local church move beyond personal fulfillment to actively giving glory to God for His power and faithfulness? Is your involvement more about what you get or about what God gets?
5. We can put God in a box by limiting Him to our own expectations. [22:46] In what area of your life are you currently struggling to believe that God can do "exceeding abundantly" more? What is one practical step you can take this week to trust in His limitless nature instead of your limited imagination?
6. God's mercy is new every morning, enabling a life that overflows rather than merely survives. What does a "merely surviving" faith look like versus an "overflowing" faith? Which one characterizes your current walk, and what would need to change to move from survival to overflow?