Our Powerful God

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 5:1-8

I. Introduction:

II. Power of Creation

A. Genesis 1:1-2 – Spoke the worlds into existence

B. 2 Peter 3:5-7 – God’s word keeps all things together

C. God creates all things out of nothing; man makes things from existing materials

D. We should be in awe of God’s creative power

E. Nothing in His universe is out of His sight, Psalm 139:7-12

F. Nothing in His universe is out of His control

G. Through Jesus, we see the power of God over nature both to change its form and to bring it under control. God even controls the social world of man, Romans 13:1-3 He can do above all that we could ask, Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

H. Jeremiah 32:17-19 – Great God; nothing is impossible

III. Power over all so called gods

A. Power over the Egyptian gods, Exodus 7-12

B. (Most material from Moses and the Gods of Egypt by John J. Davis)

C. Pharaoh was a god-king

D. The Egyptians considered him the physical son of the god Amon-Re. He was considered the god Horus. In the Egyptian mind, when Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh, they were confronting their god.

E. The Nile River, which flows through the middle of Egypt, is the source of water—and therefore life—for Egypt.

F. It was the source of physical life both for the drinking water and its regular flooding which replenished the land. It was also the source of economic life for Egypt depended heavily on its waterways for commerce. The Nile was praised as a god and its health meant health to the nation. Egypt had many gods they worshipped yet none could save them from God’s hand when He determined to let His people go.

G. Plagues and the gods

H. Water into blood: Power over the Nile and their great god Isiris for the Nile was considered his bloodstream. Also power over the gods Hapi and Sepek who they thought were in the form of crocodiles and Neith and Hathor, gods of the fish. The other plagues manifested Gods power over the Egyptian deities that represented fertility, agriculture, and even the light itself. God’s power was manifest in bringing the plagues, removing them by His command, and allowing the Israelites, who dwelled in the middle of Egypt, to escape many of them. The death of the firstborn struck at the heart of the protection of Pharaoh as a god-king and any other deity for Egypt was completely vulnerable from the household of Pharaoh to the lowest servant in the land. Finally, God plundered the wealth of Egypt and destroyed Pharaoh’ army in the Red Sea. God’s hand was mighty over the Egyptians and their so-called gods could not answer or defend them.

I. Power over the Philistine god Dagon

J. The Philistines were a powerful warlike people who were enemies of Israel for much of the kingdom period.

K. In a war with Israel, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant.

L. Could God not protect Israel or the ark? The people had behaved wickedly and God said he would not protect them when they disobeyed.

M. The Philistines placed the Ark in Dagon’s temple, before his statue.

N. 1 Samuel 5:1-8 The statue of Dagon bowed before the ark to the horror of the Philistine priests and leaders.

O. Dagon could not protect the city from the hand of God.

P. Diseases prevailed until the ark was removed. The Philistines appreciated the power of God when Israel did not.

Q. Power over the Canaanite god Baal

R. 1 Kings 18:20-40 Baal is prominent Canaanite god and frequent problem for Israel. Elijah challenged Baal to manifest himself to his followers. God answered clearly, Baal said nothing, v.29.

S. None are like our God

T. Isaiah 46:3-10 – He has no equal Isaiah 44:9-20 – the foolishness of idol worship Not only would it be foolish to worship idols, it is foolish not to worship God.

IV. God’s power on an individual scale

A. Power of salvation

B. Romans 1:16 – the gospel is God’s power for salvation1 Corinthians 1:18, 24-25 – Jesus and His word have the power to save

C. Gives us the power to overcome temptation

D. Ephesians 6:10 – Be strong in the Lord and in His power1 Peter 1:3-5 – Kept by God for salvation Romans 8:31-39 – If God is for us, who can oppose us?

E. Power of judgment

F. Job 40:7-14 – His judgment prevails Matthew 10:28-33 – Fear God who can save us or destroy us; though He watches over us carefully and wants to save us. Romans 1:18-23 – God’s wrath is revealed against the unrighteous