God, the Almighty | Francis Chan

Father, we ask tonight that you would open our eyes to what you are like. God, get rid of any apathy that's in us, any casual attitude. Help us to realize what a privilege it is to talk to you, Almighty God. Just to be alive right now and speaking to ((music playing)) you.

Help us tonight understand just how powerful you are. God, if there's anyone in here who doesn't have a fear of you, an understanding of your holiness, we ask God that you would come down and open the eyes of our hearts. Enlightened us. Show us how great you are.

Show us your majesty. Show us your ((music playing)) power. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. You can have a seat. Well, tonight, um, let me explain again what why we're going through the Nian Creed, um, and kind of going through it word for word and showing you biblically, uh, why this has kind of been that central core uh, summary of scripture and the key foundational truths that believers have held on to really since the time of Christ.

And we know it in 3:25 the Nyian creed was written and these were the leaders of the church, the bishops, uh, godly leaders and they came together and they just said, "Look, what have we believed all of these years? It doesn't mean that they made up these words in 3:25, but they're really summarizing what the church has believed up until that point."

And uh it was a unique time because uh for those who know history that was when Constantine was the emperor and he actually allowed Christianity to flourish. Before that you really couldn't get all of the leaders together because they were scattered everywhere and they were afraid of the persecution.

So you have this little break in time when there was really only one church and now all the leaders of that one church were free to come together and say okay what is it that we agree upon if we ever get scattered again and everything else here's what we understand the scriptures to teach and the first thing in that phrase was I believe this is this is something the church would recite together and say, "I believe in one God."

It's taken from Deuteronomy 6:5. The Lord your God is one. I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. This line is a part of the Apostles Creed, a part of the Nyian Creed. It just seems like this is something believers have recited. we know at least for the last 1700 years.

And so when we studied Ephesians, we said we want to join with the believers that were built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets and God is building one temple and we're joining with that. So when we say this, we join with millions of people over the centuries saying, "Look, I don't care what the world believes.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. So with, you know, the the as the years went by, we have people saying, "Well, I don't believe that God created the world. I believe the world created itself.

I believe that dust and gas are eternal and those things turned into the earth. And that's okay. There's going to be so many more theories that will come out throughout time. But the believers would say, I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And remember, when we gather together, we want to bless God, right? We believe that he sees us. He hears us. And so what the church would do when they would gather is they would make these statements. They'd proclaim it to each other. They'd proclaim it to God to bless him.

And they would proclaim it to the world. And I really believe that in a world where there's so many people that are questioning God's word, his truth, his creation, that he sits enthroned in heaven and that he's pleased when his church comes together and from their heart they declare this to him.

So I want to do that tonight. I want us to do this from our hearts. Not just recite some words, but really believe that God Almighty is in this room. And just to say this one phrase to him from your heart that you would, if you can agree with this, that you believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

In fact, let's stand. Let's think about the millions of people who have said this over the centuries. Let's think about God in heaven right now hearing us, looking into each of our hearts. And let's say this to him together. I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

So God, we come before you as your church agreeing with the believers of all time that you are father almighty and you created us and everything we can see and even everything we can't see. be pleased with our declaration. We join with your eternal church in Jesus name.

Amen. Can you have a seat? So if you remember last time I spoke, I talked about I believe in one God, the father. Remember we talked about the father and what the father means. It means that he's the creator of all of us. So he may have used to well he probably used to humans to bring you onto the earth but he was where you originate from.

And remember he he calls himself father and he wants us to call him father. And so by the spirit remember that we were crying out aba father. I hope that in your prayer times as you commune with God, you even spontaneously cry out, "Aba, Father." That it wasn't just that one night or crying out to him because the Bible says this is what the spirit leads us to do is to cry out aba father and really mean that.

Um so because I taught on father I thought okay I should just teach on that word almighty also and this is a this is a foundational word uh if you don't understand the word almighty and the weight of that I've been praying that you would understand this tonight because this is huge this is foundational and I think there are too many people out there that talk about God and we talk about him so casually because we don't understand this word almighty and I'm praying that tonight somehow this just becomes a part of you whenever you heard hear that word god you think almighty god so I also want you to understand that we're just you know just like Justin was saying last week like I feel Like there's so much to say about this and we're just going to scratch the surface.

You'll spend the rest of your life trying to understand just how powerful he is. I love this verse in Romans 11:33. It says, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unarchable are his judgment and how inscrable his ways. As we look at the scriptures tonight, let's just humble ourselves before these words.

Okay? Do you get it? The depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable. So we can be studying all these things about God, but as human beings, we will not understand God completely. We'll understand the things that he's revealed to us in scripture, but to to to feel like we understand his ways.

Oh, I know what God's going to do next. I know why he's going to do, you know, why this is happening in the No. The Bible says his judgment's unsearchable and his ways are inscrable. You're not going to figure everything out. Okay, we all get that. And so, as we talk about God, he does reveal certain things about him himself and this idea of him being almighty.

There's three things I hope we get from this tonight. number one that we humble ourselves before him because he's almighty. But secondly, that we understand because he's almighty, we've been given power because we can be strong in the strength of the Lord. And then thirdly, I want us to be able to rest because he's almighty and because this almighty God loves us.

I mean, if I if I came in tonight and I I brought a little container and it had three beetles, four ants, and a cockroach. And I showed it to you. I said, "You see these bugs? They love you. Like they adore you. They would do anything for you.

How would that make you feel? Pretty good. That's cool. But they're bugs. You know, it's it's just like, okay, that's really not that big a deal. You know, it's great that those things love you, but what's amazing is when you learn that, wait, Almighty God loves me. Okay, that's a little different.

That's much different. You know, it's it's it's about his holiness. Like, when you talk about God and his love and you leave out his holiness, his love really doesn't mean that much. When you say God loves you, you're like, "Oh, great, great, great." But when you understand almighty God who spoke the world into existence, you really grasp the understanding of his holiness and you go, "Oh, he loves me."

Okay, that's that's a gamecher. That's lifechanging. That's perspective changing because of who he is. just throw some verses out there and I I want us just to tremble at these. Remember God says in Isaiah 66 like this is the one to whom I will look. He who is humble and contrite in spirit and who trembles at my word.

Let's just look at this. God says in Jeremiah, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? picture tonight if God would speak from heaven and you could hear a voice from heaven and he says, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh.

Is anything too hard for me?" This is what it means to be almighty. Anything Is anything too difficult for me? This is out of God's word, out of his mouth. In Luke 1:37, nothing will be impossible with God. In Genesis 17, this is the first time we see God use this term for himself.

When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless that I may make my covenant between me and you and may multiply you greatly." So, some of you may have heard the term El Shadai.

Have you heard that phrase before? It's Hebrew. Um, so those of you are older, there was used to be a song called El Shadai. El Shadai, Elona Adonai. Okay. Um, those of you younger, you have no clue. But, uh, this is the first time he uses that phrase.

I am El Shadai. I am God Almighty. That phrase Shadai carries with it the idea of destroyer. like nothing can destroy me but I can destroy anything. That's what El Shadaih carries with it. It's the idea of overpower. That means he can overpower anything. And so he speaks to Abraham Abram and he says I'm El Shadai.

I'm the ultimate power. No one can destroy me. I overpower everything. That's his name. It's the third most common name for God is El Shadai. It's used 48 times in the Bible. God Almighty. So that's Genesis. Let me take you to Revelation where he says, "I'm the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, who was, and who is to come."

The Almighty El Shadai Genesis revelation doesn't change. He goes, "I was, I am, I'm going to be, I will always be the most powerful being in existence. I am almighty." El Shadai is translated God Almighty. And that's the beginning and the end. So there's a story of someone in the Bible.

When I think about God Almighty, this person makes a statement about God and he understood God's control, his absolute power. And uh and he makes a couple statements, but I want to show you the story and what happens to him and why he makes these statements. I believe he's one of the people that best understood the sovereignty or control of God.

And that would be King Nebuchadnezzar. Okay? And uh in Daniel the king, it says, "All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar at the end of 12 months. He was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. And the king answered and said, "Is not this great Babylon which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?"

While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven. Oh king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken, the kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.

Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven until his hair grew as long as eagle's feathers and his nails were like bird's claws. At the end of the days, I Nebuchadnezzar lifted my eyes to heaven and my reason returned to me.

And I blessed the most high and praised and honored him who lives forever. For his dominion is an everlasting dominion. And his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. And he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"

At the same time, my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lord sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the kingdom of heaven.

For all his works are right and his ways are just and those who walk in pride, he is able to humble. So, King Nebuchadnezzar, he makes these great statements after this situation because at one point and you and you understand like the king of Babylon and you hear about Babylon the great in in Revelation and and it's mentioned in this old and here we have the king of Babylon.

It's this spirit that says, "Look what I did. Look what I created. Look at the reputation I built for myself. Look at the money that I earned by myself. Look at the the fame that I created for myself. Look at anything that I built for myself. And at that point, God humbles Nebuchadnezzar.

And I love what he says. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. Because he realized, well, I'm the king. I've got this massive kingdom. I'm the king of Babylon. Look what I pulled off. And God turns a human being into a beast. Okay. To where he's literally eating the grass from the field.

Now, some of you hear that and you're like, "Wait, did that really happen?" Okay, what did we just read before that? All those verses, God saying, "Are you saying that's too difficult for me?" You remember the voice from heaven saying, "I'm the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for me?

So, you're saying, "Okay, yes, I can speak a world into existence. I can form a man from dust, but I can't make him turn into a beast and eat grass from the field and have his hair grow out to where he just looks like looks like feathers. And I can have his nails come out like claws.

And he's just some weird creature in in some pasture somewhere for seven periods of time. Whether that was seven weeks or seven years, whatever it was, he I do whatever I want. And at the end of it, Nebuchadnezzar goes, "Hey, he does whatever he wants. He can humble me."

And he says, "And among the heavens, the earth, none can stay his." Who's going to stop God? If he if he wanted to take Jesse Kim right now and just turn him into a beast, give him hair, feathers, whatever, could he do it? He can do it. And and and if we don't want him to do it, who's going to stop him?

He goes, "Who can stay his hand or say to him, what did you do? Why did you do that?" He goes, "No one can do that." Nebuchadnezzar understood that. Man, so many times on the How many times have we heard people say on this earth, why would God do this?

I have a question for God, man. When I when I see him, I'm going to ask him, why did you do this to me? Why? And God says, do you understand who I am? He gives. He takes away. And Nebuchadnezzar understood that. He says no one can stop him.

It doesn't matter if everyone he says all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. Okay? So you can gather all of the people. Isaiah 40 says this too like like they're like a drop from a bucket. All the nations, they're nothing compared to him. He's the Almighty.

Isaiah 45. Let's tremble at these words. I form light and create darkness. I make well-being and create calamity. I am the Lord who does all these things. This may be uh tough for some of you to stomach. This is scripture. I make well-being and create calamity. Where does calamity come from?

Looks like God. Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness. Let the earth open that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit. Let the earth cause them both to sprout. I, the Lord, have created it. Woe to him who strives with him who formed him.

A pot among earthn pots. Does the clay say to him who forms it, "What are you making? or your work has no handles. So he woe to him who strives. Woe to the person who thinks that he can actually compete and question God. He goes, "Wo to the He goes, that's like a a a piece of clay questioning the person forming him."

This anatomy, remember, we're made from dust. This God spoke us into existence. If I'm I'm making a a a little clay pot and my handle isn't, you know, the for the thing to look at me and go, I don't like my handle, it's like the gap what what what scriptur is trying to get across is look, you're a human.

And his woe to you when you start striving with God like you're on the same level, like you're talking to him. Remember, his ways are unsearchable. You can't figure him out. I I remember uh I was golfing with this guy. This was years ago. And I just started sharing with him like, you know, about God.

And uh I said, "He's the creator of the world." just kind of nods his head and and uh he goes he goes I can't believe in the Bible. I go why? He goes Noah's arc. You really believe in Noah's ark? I go yeah I do. And he goes I don't even want to talk about it.

I go no. What's your deal with Noah's ark? He goes actually believe two of each animal walked on the boat. So, two little ants walked on and then two little kitties walked on and then two dogs followed him. He goes, "You believe that?" I go, "Yeah, I do."

And he goes, "I can't believe that." I go, "But if he's the creator, you're telling me you could believe that he could create two ants out of nothing, but he's not powerful enough for to make them walk side by side onto a boat." I go, I mean, I get it.

It's farfetched. I go, but you got to understand the gap between a creator and you. And I I just said to him, I go, "Look, I can't make anything out of nothing, no matter how hard I try." I go, "Watch nothing." You know, like like if we all just like let's just try to make something in the middle of this room appear and we're just like, "Come on."

It's just there's nothing. We're talking about a complete different being. We don't understand how do you create creator? We believe in God Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. We don't even understand how he creates visible things like trees and people.

So to understand even the invisible world and so that's why when we we look at things on the earth and the way it happens we we there's got to be a humility that just goes okay I I don't get it but I I understand my place I'm like a piece of clay.

Job says in Job it talks about we're all just pinched off of this lump of clay. I'm just another piece of clay that was taken off of this big lump. That's all I am. And God says, "Okay, so don't challenge me. Woe to you who try to strive with me, who try to contend with me.

That'd be like a pot or a cup questioning the creator." I love this. Ephesians 3 verse 20. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think according to the power at work within us. So we understand God's power, right? He can do anything, anything he wants.

No one can stop him. No one say, "Hey, why'd you do that? His ways are beyond ours." Do you get that? Are you seeing the gap between you and God? He He was He is He is to come. You're not eternal. Okay? You became, you came into existence.

He's he's the I am. You are the I showed up one day. Okay? He always was, always will be. At some point, he thought to make you, and that's why you exist. You were just a thought in the mind of God. And if he never thought that thought, you wouldn't be here.

Okay? That's the gap. big big gap between God and man. But here's the beautiful thing. He says him, we all agree he's able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or imagine. Do you believe that? So if you imagine him making another earth, he can do that because you can imagine it.

He goes, he can do anything. He can go beyond that. The hard part what we struggle with according to the power at work within us. Do you believe this? That he can do anything in you according to the power at work within you. Ephesians 1:19-21, it says the same thing.

Remember when he's praying that the eyes of your heart would be enlightened that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you. What is the what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints? But then he says, "And what is the immeasurable greatness of power toward you who believe according to this is important according to the working of his great might."

Ephesians 1:20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one that is to come.

Oh, there it is. Okay. So he wants us to know what is the immeasurable greatness of power toward us. Okay? So we humble ourselves before his power. We don't question. We don't try to strive with God. We don't quoke us into existence. He's God. We are not. He's the I am.

I became. And he says, "But I want you to know the immeasurable greatness of power toward us who believe. I want you to know how much power I've given you who believe." This is where we start to struggle. How powerful are you? Almighty God says, "There's an immeasurable greatness of power towards you according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule, authority, power, dominion above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come."

He says, "Look, when Christ was raised from the dead, it's not like he went into the heavenly places and now he's equal with some of these spiritual beings and these demons are challenging him and it's this big fight and we don't know who's going to win." No, it says he's far above.

It's not a It's not a challenge for him. He's far above all rule, authority, power, dominion. You know how Ephesians 6 says our our wrestle isn't against flesh and blood, but there's these these these demonic forces, these this this spiritual darkness, these these beings, these cosmic powers in in the heavenly places.

And but the Bible says, but Jesus when he rose from the dead, he ascended far above all that, far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion. And he says, "And that type of power that raised from the dead and went up there, that's the greatness of power towards you."

That's why in Ephesians 6:10, he says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." So somehow almighty God's strength is somehow available to us. Do you believe that? That's why you guys it is so belittling of God and his word when you say I can't I can't defeat this sin.

I can't get these thoughts out of my head. I can't stop thinking about this or I can't what whatever it is like you're you're doubting God's word. He says, "Wait, are you doubting what I'm capable of doing that that you remember the the 12 spies when they're going into the the the promised land and they're going, "Man, but there's giants in there.

We we can't we can't do it." Does God say, "Oh, that's good that you're being so humble." No. God's going, "You can't what? Are you doubting my power?" And he says, "You know what? You're all going to die. And everyone that followed you, they're all going to die.

Joshua and Caleb, they believe that I could do anything. They believe they could go in there and take the promised land by themselves. So, they're going to live, but the rest of you, you're going to die. And you're going to wander around in the desert for 40 years and then die."

Why? because you doubted me. You doubted El Shadai. You doubted the Almighty God. I told you there's nothing impossible for me, nothing I can't do. And now what the word says is there's this power towards us to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we can imagine according to the power that's at work within us. 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.

God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. But with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it." So if there's any sin in your life right now where you go, I can't. God made a promise from Almighty God who I can do anything and I can do beyond what you can even imagine according to the power at work within you.

Promises you there's nothing there's no temptation that you're dealing with right now that others have not dealt with. Don't think you're the first person on earth to deal with your temptation. It's common to others. Whatever your situation is, I promise you I can find someone in history that had it worse.

And God says, "I'm faithful. I won't let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But with every temptation, I'll always give you a way of escape. I'll always make it so there's some path out of this. I won't let Do you believe God's word? Is God capable of that?

Of keeping his children from being tempted beyond what they can handle? So, we can look at the world and I get it. Temptation is crazy right now. the the opportunities for sin, pornography on your cell phone. But guess what? God says, "I won't let you be tempted beyond what you can handle.

I'm Almighty God, and I will give you power, and there's a way out of this, whatever addiction it is." And listen, as as a pastor, I want to be patient. Um, you know, first Thessalonians says that that we should be uh encourage we should encourage those who are faint-hearted, but then we're to confront those who are rebellious.

And there comes a point, and I'm saying this out of love for you guys. There are certain personalities that are like, I can't, I can't, I can't. And so the her whole church comes alongside of them. No, you can do it. You can do I I'll hold you accountable.

I'll do this. I'll do that. But at some point, you start becoming rebellious. When you say, "I can't." at some point you're we're not trying to be like we're not belittling your struggle, but we also have to be careful that we don't let you belittle the word of God and the power of God and almighty God.

And I just don't want you to stand before God one day always blaming something else or always saying you're the victim and this was too hard for you. There comes a point where we've got to remind you. That's what Paul says to Timothy. Look, God didn't give you that spirit of timidity.

He gave you a spirit of power, love, self-control. And there comes a point where you've got to believe the word of God. And again, we understand the Bible says that we're supposed to bear one another's burdens. So there are times when it feels insurmountable. I am not denying that.

And you just feel overwhelmed and it's so much. And we want to come alongside you and go, man, we want to help you lift this burden because that's just too much for you. But the Bible also says, but each one must carry his own load that there's some response as this mutual thing.

So So if there was a Oh, there is a piano. Okay. So, if this piano I'm I'm just looking and I'm going, "Okay, I got to lift this up and and put it in Zeke's truck. I might be able to do it." No, I can't. So, it's just one of those things where the Bible's saying, "Hey, when you see a brother with a load that is just he's not going to be able to pull it off," he says, "That's when you bear one another's burdens."

And a few you come alongside, you go, "Dude, that's too much for you." you know, uh, let's help you carry this out, you know, but then once I start whining like, "My Bible's really heavy. Can someone else carry?" It's just that whole, well, wait a second. At some point, you've got to believe this power that's within you.

And I remember when we used to uh um have this recovery home. I mean, that's where I met Rob uh coming out of prison and and there were other guys that were coming off addiction. And I remember this one guy that just kept falling back and and we kept encouraging him, helping him.

Amber, at one point, the leader of our home looked at him and said, "Look, I want your sobriety way more than you want your sobriety. So, this is never going to work. Like, I can't do it for you. At some point, God has to enlighten the eyes of your heart.

And that's what it is with your sin. Whatever issue it is, we want to come alongside. We understand some things feel insurmountable, but at some point, you also have to believe the word of God for yourself and to go, you know what? No, I do believe. I do believe that there's no temptation that's overcome me except that which is common to man.

And God's faithful to me. He won't let me be tempted beyond what I can handle. And part of that is us as a church coming alongside of you. And we're part of your escape and helping you through that. But you've got to believe in the God inside of you.

It's got to come from within. I love this. He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the almighty. I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. We abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

El Shadai. Picture that right now. Almighty El Shai God who says, "Is anything too difficult for me?" And he says, "We get to live in the shadow of that God. And I hope these things bring you rest. You know, the Bible says that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, but at the same time, it's saying, but we can be strong in the strength of the Lord.

I mean, picture that. Imagine if there's a lion out there, okay? And as you walk out, good luck. But then also imagine resting in the shadow of the Almighty. Picture his hands around you that whatever is coming your way, he say, I won't let you be tempted beyond what you can handle.

I'll fight for you. You rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I love this passage. Most of us know this. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. Do you believe these things? Do you believe that not a single bird would fall to the ground? So there's probably a bunch of birds that died today. Do you do you really believe that there's almighty God that knew every single one that fell, how long they lived, how old they were, what color their wings were, whatever.

Do you believe he knows every hair on Jesse's head? Like every hair. Like every single like think about that. Does he know every You got a lot of hair. I just noticed that. I never really noticed before. You're blessed. Imagine like do you really believe that? like every single hair that God knows every detail about you and you just rest in the almighty.

Are you resting in this? Almighty God. Romans 8:38 and 39. I'm sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

See, why is it important that Christ rose above all authority? Everything far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion. Because he says, look, I'm the one that overpowers everything. Nothing can destroy me. I was, I am, I will be. I'm El Shadai. I will be El Shadai. I'm the Almighty.

I will be the Almighty. Nothing's going to challenge me. And now what I'm telling you is nothing will be able to separate you from the love of God. So God loves me and because no one can stop him, no one can stop him from loving me. No one can break up this relationship.

No one can end it. He's almighty God. Let me close with this verse from Jude. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy. To the only God our savior through Jesus Christ our Lord be all glory, majesty, dominion and authority be before all time and now and forever.

Amen. So what is God capable of doing now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling? Think about all the challenges in your life right now. And what does God say? I can keep you from stumbling. He can make you stand in his presence. I we we're going to be able to stand in his pre presence blameless in the presence of his glory.

Okay. So right now in our flesh we know and we've talked about this before. He dwells in unapproachable light. So so right now if the roof is off this place, God looks down. We die. But because he's almighty, he says, "What I can do, I am capable of keeping you from stumbling, walking down my path so that one day you can stand in the presence of my glory."

Okay, think about a God who dwells in unapproachable light. Man, how many times have you heard the story of the angels covering themselves up because of his glory? And he says, "Look, I can make you because I'm almighty and because of my power that's in you. I can do things through you you can't even imagine right now."

And one of those is you're going to be able to stand in my glory. And you'll be able to stand there blameless and with great joy. Okay? So, not just like, "Ah, I'm terrified. This is insane. I'm a sinner. Oh my gosh, I I'm melting." Whatever. You know, it's like, "No, I can make it so that you stand before him blameless.

This is God. I can wash you whiter than snow." And you come before the glory of God with joy. Not terror, but that's my God. I'm in his shadow. He loves me. He sees me as perfectly blameless. He goes, I'm capable of doing that. Now, to him, this is the prayer who is able to keep you from stumbling, no temptation, that there's not a way of escape.

He is almighty God. And he's able to have you stand in the presence of his glory blameless with great joy to the only God, the only God. We believe in one God, our savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever.

So there is one being on this earth who was all things came from him. He created everything visible and invisible. and he'll be there in the end. And he says, "And I can make you stand in the presence of my glory blameless with great joy." See, it's understanding that that has kept me from ever walking away from him because how do you walk away from that?

You know, it's it's just like, you know, in in John 6 that that some of us read this week, it's just like when everyone else is leaving and he looks at the disciples, you guys going to leave me, too. Pet goes, where am I going to go? You got the keys to eternal life.

You're the one that can make me stand in the presence of God, blameless, with great joy. You have the keys to eternal life. Where am I going to go? I don't care what everyone else does. That's why God says, "Don't fear people. The greatest thing they could do is kill you."

In Matthew 10, he says, "I can destroy your body and soul in hell, and I can also make you stand in my presence blameless with great joy. I'm the Almighty. I'm El Shadai." Do you believe this? I pray that we understand as a church what it means to have a God who is almighty.

Tonight, um, I'd like to spend some time in prayer now that we've established this that there is power towards you who believe and he gives you power over every temptation. He won't let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But maybe some of you did come here tonight just feeling like overwhelmed, defeated, and maybe you just need some people to lay hands on you and remind you of who you are.

There is something about the church body when we come together and pray for you. There's a power in that. and we're going to pray to the God who is able to do beyond what you can ask or imagine. Maybe some of you tonight are dealing with anxiety because you just feel like this is too much and you don't know how to rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

And we're just going to pray that Ephesians 1 prayer that God would enlighten the eyes of your heart. So would you would know how much power is coming towards you. You've got power. You guys, this is our almighty God. And we don't want to walk around like a powerless church.

He said, I want you guys united and fearless. Philippians 1:20. I want you striving side by side, not afraid of anything. That's our God. I want you walking through the valley of the shadow of death, fearing no evil because I'm with you and you're in my shadow and I'm your shepherd and I love you and I want to make you blameless standing before God with joy.

And so let's not belittle his power tonight. Let's not be like those who doubted in the desert and wandered and died. Let's be like the Joshua and the Calebs and go, "He's almighty. I'm this piece of clay, but he says that he could do things through me beyond what I can imagine."

And if you just need power to believe, then uh I'm going to have Diana come up and just lead us in some worship. But I also want this to be a time of prayer. And so I'm going to ask some of the leaders if you're here just to come up um and just be here for people who need prayer.

So we can just lay hands on you and remind you of the power that's at work within