Bulletin Insert, 10/24/2020: Omnipotent God

 

EL SHADDAI: God is Omnipotent

(Pastor Terry Reese; Valley GBC; 10/24/2020)

 

I. The Statement of the Doctrine.

God is all-powerful. He is able to do whatever He wills, in accordance with His Nature and good pleasure. He can do anything that is in harmony with His other perfections. Further, He has full mastery over His creation.

 

II. God is called the “Almighty;” Hebrew: El Shaddai.

“Almighty:” a term unique to Deity, used 58X’s in the KJV. El Shaddai: 48X’s in the OT; the Name by which he primarily appeared unto the Patriarchs (Ex. 6:3). NT term: “pantokratōr.”

 

III. Various Scriptures.

A. Nothing is too difficult or impossible with God! 

  (Gen 18:14, Job 42:1-2, Jer. 32:17, Luke 1:37, Matt 19:25-26)

B. God is a power source that can never be exhausted! (Isa. 40:28).

 

IV. Various Demonstrations of Divine Omnipotence.

A. Creation ex nihlo (out of nothing!): Heb. 11:3.

B. In the realm of nature (Jer. 10:13, Isa. 44:27).

C. In the realm of human history, politics & international affairs

(Ezek. 38:2-4, Dan. 4:17, 25, 32; 5:21; Amos 3:6, Prov. 21:1).

D. In the realm of the miraculous: John 11:20-45.

E. In the Resurrection of Christ (2 Cor. 13:, Eph. 1:19-20

F. In the various aspects of Human Redemption 

  (Eph. 1:18-22, Rom. 9:22, Rom. 1:16, 1 Cor. 1:18, 1 Pet. 1:3-5, Col. 1:29, 1 Cor. 6:14).

 

V. Practical benefits associated with the doctrine:

a. God’s omnipotence of aid to the discouraged (Isa. 40:28-31)

b. Seemingly impossible promises can be met! (Gen. 18:14)

c. The “impossibility” of salvation can be a reality! (Matt. 19:23-26)

d. The fulfillment of Eschatological expectations (Rev. 11:15-17, 19:6).

 

VI. Limitations or qualifications upon the Doctrine.

Omnipotence is limited by both natural & Self-imposed limitations.

 

A. Natural limitations. God cannot do things contrary to His Holy

Nature, or anything un-Godlike (Titus 1:2, James 1:13, 2 Tim. 2:13).

 

B. Self-imposed limitations. 

God chooses not to do certain things that are not in accordance with His eternal plan and    program (e.g., in the matter of Election; not all nations or persons are treated similarly; Deut. 7:6-8, Rom 9:13, Rom 9:18).