IFGFLA + R-LIFE BETTERTOGETHER

ISAIAH 9:6-7 (NKJV) 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. This scripture was written by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before the birth of Jesus. We have spoken about the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and today we want to talk about Might God. We serve a Mighty God, who is able.

When we look at creation we see God When we look at creation we see God. When you look at the mountains, the ocean, the stars, the planets, we see the hand of God. He is a Mighty God. Romans 1:20 says man is without excuse, because all of creations speaks of God. All of this didn’t just happen, God is Mighty. MIGHTY GOD

Ruth 1: 1-2 1 In the days when the judges ruled,[a] there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah,together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

Story of Ruth Elimelech = God is HIS King Bethlehem = House of Bread Naomi = PLeasant.

There is famine in the land… If God is almighty, why there is suffering? Why bad things happen to good people? Why Good Things happen to bad people?

Does suffering show that God is not an Almighty or through suffering God reveals His Power? Does suffering break us or make us?

NAOMI BECAME BITTER Ruth 1: 20-21 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them NAOMI BECAME BITTER Ruth 1: 20-21 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

JESUS’ POWER IS AT WORK IN You The first thing for us to understand is that the power of Jesus is working in us. Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”

PHILIPPIANS 2:13 (NLT) 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Often we have a misconception when we enter into a relationship with God, through His Son Jesus. We tend to believe God’s here to serve us, and to make life easier. Maybe God could give me the winning lottery numbers, or give me the keys to easy street. But the reality is, according to the scripture we just read, God’s power working in us is to give us the desire to do what pleases Him. It isn’t about us, or our comfort, wants, or plans. It is about pleasing Jesus with our lives. It is about a willingness to allow Him to change us. Yet, we need to understand His changes are always the best…. Jesus said in John 17:22…..

JESUS’ POWER IS AT WORK FOR You Not only is Jesus’ power at work in you, but His power is at work for you. Isaiah 40:29-31 reads, “He gives strength to the wary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, (youth in Hebrew means Olympic athlete, best of the best) and young men stumble badly and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” Maybe you are weary and tired. Maybe with the end of the year, you’re thinking, “I can’t wait to get this year over and done with, I’m exhausted”. Well the great news is, God gives strength to the weary. At this time of year we have to ask, why would Jesus become one of us? John 1:14 says, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus took on human flesh for you and me. He did this so He could become our kinsman redeemer. You see, in ancient Israel, if you had lost your land or something through poverty or bad debts, it’s possible to have someone buy it back or redeem it for you. However, that person had to meet three conditions. Firstly, he had to be a relative of yours. Secondly, he had to be wealthy enough to buy back the land. Thirdly, and most importantly, he had to be willing to do it. My friend, Jesus came down to us in human flesh so that He could fulfill the first condition, that is, become our relative or one of us. Now, do you think that as King of the universe, He had the means to buy back all that we’ve lost? Yes, of course, but most importantly, He was willing to do it and He demonstrated this with outstretched arms at the cross! My friends, have you lost your health? Have you lost your peace of mind? Have you lost your direction in life? Jesus, is your kinsman redeemer. Look to Him and let Him restore all that you’ve lost, and bless you with more than you can imagine. God’s power is at work you !   The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10,

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10 (NLT) 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Ruth 3:18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.” “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”   Jesus came to redeem us, and He is waiting for us, like Paul, to recognize our need. When we say, “I can’t”, that’s when God CAN! Admit your need for Him! Let go and let God! Let His power work in you and for you and….

JESUS’ POWER IS AT WORK THRU You Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”

ACTS 1:8 (NLT) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. You will receive power. God’s power in us, and for us, is so that it might work through us! God’s power in us is so He might change us God’s power for us is so we might learn to be weak so He might be strong in us so we manifest….. God’s power through us! So we, like Paul can say, “My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” 2 Corinthians 2:4-5  

You are invited to experience our Mighty God You are invited to experience our Mighty God! He is able to meet you at the point of your need. Rest in Him. Let go and let Him work in you, for you and through you! MIGHTY GOD