The Heavens Declare the Glory of God!
December 24, 2006
Bro. Miles Crouse
Sunday School
Psalm 19:1
His Omnipotent Power (Continued)
Today, we are returning to the series, Knowing God Rekindling the Fire.
The purpose of this series is to rekindle our love for Christ by taking the time to reflect upon who He really is by looking at the awe-inspiring attributes of Christ. And it is my hope and prayer that over the following few weeks, we would fall more deeply and passionately in love with our King, Lord and Groom.
The first attribute that was introduced last week was the omnipotent power of Christ.
So join in prayer with me now as we continue with that same awe inspiring attribute.
Power: the ability to act or produce the effect desired. (2) the possession of
control, authority, or influence over others. (3) physical, mental, spiritual or moral
might.
Last week we saw that power, when harnessed for doing good, has an unlimited capacity for doing good and how that a person with great power and authority has it advantages. As the saying goes, “With power comes privilege”. Also we discussed how that If a person with great power and authority used it with mercy and goodness, righteousness and kindness well that can be a very enduring quality in a person. And how having such a friend would bring and awful lot of blessing and favor in our lives.
And in understanding and loving Christ it is vital that you have a right biblical perception of Jesus Christ. How its imperative that you think of Him as all powerful.
To think of him as any thing less will profoundly affect your understanding of doctrines of salvation and evangelism and human suffering and prayer and really ever other aspect of who we are and what we believe as Christians.
Last week we considered the Christ omnipotent power as he dwelt among us and we seen where time and time again he displayed his awesome power going about all Israel healing every sickness and disease regardless of it severity or incurability.
But today let consider His awesome power and authority from a much different perspective.
We are going to look at the omnipotent power of God over nature, angels and man.
Because that same power of Christ that heals at will rules just as powerfully and sovereignly over nature angels and men.
In Fact have you ever stopped to consider the amazing power of some of the countless creatures that walk upon the face of the earth? Take for example, the giant crocodile of the African Nile. His jaws can crush down on his prey at an amazing 3,000 pounds per square inch.
Or the silverback gorilla. It has been estimated that a silverback gorilla
could bench press 5,000 pounds. There are so many creatures we could look at, yet
He, Jesus Christ, created and sustains each and every one of those animals.
For it is written
Colossians 1:15 -20
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
So whatever capacity any creature has, whatever strength and power they may display, it has been given to them and is sustained by Jesus Christ. or as Hebrews chapter 1:3a puts it.
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power…
And speaking of power have you caught a sunset lately or stop to look up at a star filled night recently?
Though some times we take it for granted to the surrender heart and mind we see God power demonstrated ever day. Creation reveals God’s Majesty
The psalmist speaking of God power and Glory put it like this:
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
So first, we have the huge, panoramic view of God’s glory might and power displayed in the infinite array of planets, the stars, and the galaxy that we call the Solar System. He has made all of this down to the smallest interrogate detail work of beauty that the palmist called God’s handiwork.
Think about how both of those things display the unparallel power of Jesus Christ.
Because as we’ve have just learn in Colossians that it is Christ himself who created all things.
Consider the solar system and its infinite array of stars that is nothing short of spectacular
Our incredible God not only has placed each of them there he also knows each one by name!
Psa 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
(Video)
Scientists have discovered thousands of parameters within the universe that require a precise balance to make life here on earth possible. For example, if the atmosphere was a little thinner, the earth was a little bigger, or the sun a little smaller, etc., life could not exist. Jesus Christ created all these things and sustains all these precise balances just to make mankind the center of His masterful creation.
(End video)
The incredible sustaining power of Jesus Christ!
Although scientists believe they understand many things about the universe, to put things in perspective, let’s remember what God asked Job when He said:
Job 38:4-11, 31-35
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
And unlike many of the scientists in our day, Job at least had the wisdom to respond with these words:
Job 40:4-5
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
Now that is and appropriate response to the awesome solar system producing power of Jesus Christ.
And No less spectacular is the power of Christ as that power is displayed in the vast creative genius and handiwork of all the animals and creatures of the earth and sea.
Video (fluorescent jelly fish)
Is not our Lord Jesus Christ absolutely Amazing! Think about that He made all of
that. It was His creative power that said.
Genesis 1:20-25
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
So on any given day, you can look up and see amazing displays of spectacular sunsets or gaze at our complex solar systems that defy our imagination, or you can look down under perhaps a rock or fallen tree and see entire ecosystems of equal and amazing life which again all show God’s amazing handiwork. If there ever was a place Christ could have left empty and His work unfinished, it could have been in those rarely if ever seen places like under a rock or a fallen tree or in the ocean deep. But our Creator, the all powerful King of glory is not only a God of big things, He also a God who displays His power even in the smallest, seemingly insignificant things. This should give us great confidence in lifting our small, seemingly insignificant prayers up to Him.
Have you considered the power of storms recently?
(Video)
It has been estimated that a category 5 tornado has the power to exceed wind speeds of 250 miles per hour. The destructive power of a category 5 tornado is equivalent to a small nuclear explosion.
Scientists have also discovered that tsunamis can travel up to 450 miles per hour,
stripping entire coastlines down to the bedrock. And we have seen the destructive power of category five hurricanes often reducing buildings to there foundations and destroying giant swaths of land 100 0r 200 miles wide.
(End Video)
Yet, despite all that raw, intimidating power, Jesus Christ is more powerful still and it is He who commands the wind and the waves.
Matthew 8:2327
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Yes, it is Jesus Christ who commands and has power over the wind and the waves. .
Some need to relearn that lesson today because when confronted with natures sheer power they ascribe that power to most any thing and every thing but Christ.
Video
When I listen to men who have lived through a powerful natural disaster ascribe that power to mother nature and or ascribe their survival to some generic god or some generic good fortune of some kind I want to scream at them like Elihu had scream at Job when he seemed to be missing the voice of God in his circumstances.
Job 37:1-24
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.
He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
JobDost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.
Plain and simple certain and true Jesus Christ has complete power over all of nature.
And we therefore we would do well, to be like Job and stop consider and stand in awe of the power of the God behind the nature. Or better yet respond like The four and twenty elders and fall down before him and say Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power.
But the power and authority of Jesus Christ does not end there. Jesus Christ also has complete power over the angels both bad and good angels. In fact, he has power over all spiritual powers, principalities, and forces.
Hebrews 1:5-14
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Let us consider the significance of these verses because Jesus Christ having dominion over the all the Angels and spirits is no small matter. For starters, angels are incredibly powerful beings. Just look at the power they had over this man and the men who tried to restrain him.
Mark 5:1-5
And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
And Demons, which are morally fallen angels, are very much real. And they hate us! And they resent our position of grace with God who they primarily hate. So they want to harm us.
That is why the Apostle Paul wrote:
Ephesians 6:11-13
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
So thank God that Jesus Christ is stronger more powerful than those sadistically cruel and evil entities whose only goal is to hurt God through hurting us. Because otherwise they would have free reign over us. But as it is Jesus Christ controls and restrains their behavior just as He did when he walked upon the earth.
As this similar passage records.
Matthew 8:28-34
Mat 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
Mat 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
Mat 8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
Mat 8:31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
Mat 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
Mat 8:33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
Even when Jesus Christ was arrested and was about to be crucified, He made it abundantly clear that if He chose to, He could have had literally thousands of angels at His beckoned call.
Matthew 26:47-54
Mat 26:47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Mat 26:48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Mat 26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
Mat 26:50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Yes, Jesus Christ also rules and reigns over all men and all rulers good and evil. Good men He leads with an irresistible love and sovereign lordship.
Ezekiel 36:26-37
Ezek 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Ezek 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
And Evil men, though they think they have autonomy and freedom to do whatever they please, even they have every one of their actions is controlled, restrained and channeled by the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Psalm 2:1-6
Psa 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psa 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Psa 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psa 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Psa 75:7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding
Dan 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Prov. 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
In fact two other examples of this sovereign reign over rebellious men is found in the Gospel of John when Roman soldiers, under the misconception that they were in charge, came to arrest Jesus. When they attempt to enforce their authority, well look at what happens:
John 18:1-6
John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
John 18:2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft times resorted thither with his disciples.
John 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
John 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
John 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Jesus merely invoking the divine name of God, the great I Am, as recorded in Exodus 3:14 and caused these men to fall back on each other as mere toy wooden soldiers.
And similarly When Pontius Pilate got a little proud with his misplaced power and authority over Jesus, let us just say that Jesus corrected his theology as well.
John 19:4-12
John 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
John 19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
John 19:6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
John 19:7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
John 19:8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
John 19:9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
John 19:10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
John 19:12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
The crucifixion itself, although the scripture makes it crystal clear that wicked men will be held accountable for their complicity in that act, it was at the bottom line that it was God’s own power that controlled those events.
Acts 2:22-23
Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Yet even the most heinous event in all of human history, the murder of the humanity of Jesus Christ, even that was according to God’s own purpose and foreknowledge.
But what about those seemingly uneventful circumstances in our lives like getting a cold or losing our keys, traffic jams, flat tires, or long lines at the grocery store or airport? Does God have power over these events?
Well, of course the answer is yes He does! Oh, the countless hours of needless anxiety and doubts that arises, due to our unbelief during such events! In fact Scripture puts it like this:
Matthew 10:29-31
Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Mat 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Mat 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Yes, my brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is now reigning and has supreme power over even the smallest details of our lives…awesome and total almighty power!
Jesus Christ has all power in heaven and in earth, all power over disease, nature,
angels, demons, good men, bad men, and every seemingly insignificant detail of our
lives.
And next week, we will be discussing the tremendously comforting fact that it is Jesus Christ himself who has total power over life and death itself. But for now, let us allow ourselves to be drawn into His everlasting, all powerful arms. For it is He who says:
Psalms 55:22
Psa 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
And again:
Matthew 11:28-30
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.