Getting To Know God

Where do we get the power to live in today’s crazy world? In a world where bad things happen to good people, a world where life is hard? Where do we get the power to live in a world that’s filled with difficult challenges? Where do we get the power to keep going every day of our life?

The reality is that God never promised you or I that life would be easy. In fact, Jesus told us life would be tough, that it would be hard. We face life’s challenges every day. To face the challenges and succeed we need strength, we need endurance, we need power.

Today’s message is that you and I don’t have to live powerless lives. God says, “I want you to have My power in your life today and everyday.”

Job is a good example for us as we think about how to handle difficulty and times where we’re desperate for God’s power. Job experienced some amazing “life challenges” including pain, suffering and mind-boggling tragedy, and yet he didn’t run away from God.

He said in Job 6:10 “At least I can take comfort in this: despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.”

The words of the Holy One make us a promise. The promise is this… You and I can experience God’s power in our lives and live the way He intended us to live and, when necessary, endure pain and hardship.

God doesn’t want us to just talk about power. He wants us to live by it…

1 Corinthians 4:20 “…the kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God’s power.”

Psalm 68:35 “God is awesome… He gives power and strength to His people. Praise the Lord.”

Think about the words: “His people,” We’re going to come back to that at the very end of the message.

Most of us don’t question God’s power. We know that God is powerful. What we question is: Is God’s power available to me? And if so, how do I access it? Those are the questions that we have. But before we talk about how to get it, I want to take a look at three experiences of life, three times in life where we struggle, and where God says, “I will give you power when you face these things.”

1. When I’m Tired

Isaiah 40:28 & 31 “The Lord is the everlasting God. He never grows tired or weary. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Those who trust the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak.”

If you’re an adult. If you have kids, a job, or some circumstances keeping you from kids or a job. Or if you’re married, or just dealing with ups and downs of relationships… Whoever you are and whatever your life looks like, you’re probably tired. Put this verse somewhere you can be reminded of it. God’s power is unlimited. You can step into the grace of God and walk by His strength today. He never gets tired. He never feels weary. He has unlimited energy. And the coolest part… “He gives power to those who are weak and tired.”

2. When I Don’t Have Anything Left To Give

God says, “I’ll give you power when you don’t feel like you have anything left to give.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “God says, ‘My power shows up best in weak people.’”

Then Paul says, “Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities.”

God makes you a promise… When you feel inadequate. When you feel weak. When you feel like you have nothing to offer, He makes a promise, and His promise is this: He will give you the power you need to make it through the daily challenges of life.

3. When I’m In Pain

Pain is evident all around us. You don’t have to look very far to see someone hurting from devastation and loss, or simply disappointment and frustration. You might not have to look any further than yourself to find pain.

Where do you go with your pain? God promises us power in the midst of pain.

Psalm 41:3 “The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain…”

For Christians, God’s power doesn’t just pacify our pain. When we access God’s power, it so invades our life that it satisfies our soul and changes our ability to walk through pain. We no longer need to just get over it, but now we can actually advance through it. We can experience the fullness of joy that is in a relationship with God and the powerful peace that becomes all the more evident as we’re drawn in to Him, and by that same goodness and grace we can see Him do amazing things through even the most depressing circumstances.

The Bottom Line

• When you are burned out and tired, God wants to give you His power.
• When you are feeling inadequate with your life, God wants to give you His power.
• God wants to give you His power so you can handle the pain that you’re going through.

The good news of today is this: We don’t have to live powerless, weak lives. God wants to give you His power so that you can experience the fullness of joy and promise of peace that comes from a life cleansed by the blood of Jesus and fueled by the goodness of God.

Paul understood God’s power when he said…

Philippians 4:13 “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.”

Paul had the strength to face any condition of his life because of the power of Christ!

You may be thinking… “God may give Paul that power, but He doesn’t work like that with me. I’m just an average Christian. I love God but honestly, I’m fatigued, I’m tired, I’m stressed, my kids are out of control, my heart’s been broken, my prayers aren’t answered, I don’t see God’s power in my life.”

God’s power is not automatic. A lot of Christians live their life with no more power than a non-Christian. They may have salvation, but they live with no more power than a non-Christian.

There are action steps that you can take to receive God’s power.

If You Want God’s Power In Your Life

A = Admit You’re Weak

Admit that you don’t have it in you to do life on your own anymore. Admit that you really don’t have it all together. For some of us, this is tough because…

• We are afraid to admit weakness.
• We would rather pretend that we have it all together. Or,
• We actually think we do have it all together.

When we pretend to be self sufficient—and the key word is “pretend”—we short circuit God’s power for our lives. If you want to access God’s power, you start here. You admit that you’re weak.

The Bible talks a lot about pride. It tells us that God hates pride. Pride says, “I don’t need God.” Pride says, “I have it all together.”

Proverbs 29:23 “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.”

If you want God’s power, you have to humble yourself before God and say, “God, You take control. I’ll ride shotgun. You get in the driver’s seat of my life.” Then you open up the channels for God’s power to flow in. It starts with the admission that it will require God’s strength to advance you in life.

B = Be Connected To The Source Of Power

If you want power… Get connected to God!

John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, (those who are connected) will produce much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

When you are connected to God, God gives you what you need to face the challenges you face.

C = Choose God’s Way With Faith

The Bible makes it very clear that God’s power and my faith are connected. For me to get God’s power, I have to make a faith choice. By faith I choose God’s way.

What does “Choose God’s Way” mean? It means I step out in obedience to what God calls me to do before the power shows up. Before. God wants us to take action before He supplies the power. Some of you may be thinking, “You mean I have to take action and act as if I have the power even before I have the power in order to get the power?” Yes! That’s where faith enters in.

Hebrews 11:1 “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.”

You act in faith. You choose God’s way in faith and then God responds to your faith and He blesses you with strength and power. It works! There is a real connection at work.

B and C work closely together. When I’m connected with God, my choices become a lot clearer. They don’t necessarily become easier, but they become more clear. I choose God’s way and God says, “Ok, now My power is going to show up.” He sees our faith and He turns on the power in our life.

The Bible teaches that God supplies power according to our faith. The same God who intervened and expressed His power throughout the pages of the Bible is the same God who says to you today, “I want to infuse your life with My power.”

Admit that you’re weak, be connected to the source of power, and choose God’s way with faith that God’s power will show up.

Making God’s Power Real In Your Life

If you’re not yet a believer, and you’re checking this whole thing out, we’re thrilled that you would come and investigate Christianity with us. And… based on what we’ve talked about, you need to start walking in the direction of Christianity. Visit with us at Church on Sundays. Talk to someone who is really living the Christian life. Then, commit your life to Christ and God will give you what you need for whatever you’re facing.

Isaiah 40:31 “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.”

“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.” You don’t get the power without trusting in the Lord, in the person—the person is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is Lord. “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.”

At the beginning of the message on the verse that says, “He gives power and strength to His people,” we had you notice the words: “His people.”

Now look at this verse…

Romans 8:17 “And since we are His [people], we will share His treasures—for everything God gives to His Son, Christ, is ours, too…”

If you are someone who has never opened up your life to Jesus Christ, would you do that now? In your heart say, “Jesus Christ, please come into my life and give me the power that I need. I want to live life Your way. I want to experience the Christian life!”

For the rest of you, what area of your life do you need God’s power in?

Choose God. Choose God’s way. Choose to follow God wholeheartedly. Choose to step into His grace and to experience the fullness of His power in your life.

1 Corinthians 4:20 “…the kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God’s power.”

Reflection Questions

1. What areas do I need God’s power in?
2. What are some possible benefits of relying on God’s power in my life?

Application Questions

1. Which of the ABC’s do I need to apply right now?
2. Who can I share this with? How can I encourage them to rely on God’s power?

Prayer

Father, I am so grateful for how you work in my life. I am so grateful that you have sought me out. That you want more than anything for us to know you and to live life amidst the struggles with your power. You want to give me power, and when I struggle I need to turn to you. I need to rely on you all days of my life. Please help me to walk forward with you and to acknowledge your ways and power forever. I pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.