Power in God's Commandments
There is power in the Commandment's of God. When God commands, He also provides the power to fulfill the command. Peter knew this, that is why he asked Jesus to command him to come to him on the water.
Jesus Walks on Water
Matthew 14 ...
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here![b]”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong[c] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
34 After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. 36 They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
Footnotes:
Matthew 14:25 Greek In the fourth watch of the night.
Matthew 14:27 Or The ‘I Am’ is here; Greek reads I am. See Exod 3:14.
Matthew 14:30 Some manuscripts do not include strong.
New Living Translation (NLT)
So...what was the way in which God brought the heavens into existence?
"By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." Psalms 33:6-9.
What is it that Christ uses to uphold all things?
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Hebrews 1:3.
Of what great truth are some willingly ignorant?
"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God he heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished." 2 Peter 3:5,6.
By what are the present heavens and earth reserved for a similar fate?
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7.
What other passage of Scripture also reveals that creative power is exercised through the word of God?
"Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created." Psalms 148:5.
What change is wrought out in the life of one who is in Christ?
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Jesus described this same experience in what other passage?
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3.
By what agency is this new creation or new birth accomplished?
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23.
What is the first creative commandment that is mentioned in the Bible?
"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." Genesis 1:3.
Did God also command another light to shine out of darkness?
"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6.
What was it about Christ's teaching that astonished people?
"And they were astonished at His doctrine: for his word was with power." Luke 4:32.
What important fact testified to the power of Christ's word?
"And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out." Luke 4:36.
In ancient times, how did God bring healing to His people?
"He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Psalm 107:20.
In what way did the Roman centurion reveal his strong faith in Christ?
"The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Matthew 8:8.
What did Christ say is the seed of the kingdom of God?
"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." Luke 8:11.
Where does God want Christ's word to dwell?
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16.
Could those who believed not on Jesus Christ receive this important seed?
"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not." John 5:38.
How does the Word of God work in the life of the believer?
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heart of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
What new nature is imparted to us through the promises of God?
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.
Remember, God's commandments are the most powerful of His promises, promises full of His power.
What is it that can cleanse the lives of believers in Christ?
"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." John 15:3.
How can a young man cleanse his ways?
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." Psalm 119:9.
So...what is the result of accepting the Word of God into the heart and life?
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11.
Jesus Walks on Water
Matthew 14 ...
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here![b]”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong[c] wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
34 After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. 36 They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
Footnotes:
Matthew 14:25 Greek In the fourth watch of the night.
Matthew 14:27 Or The ‘I Am’ is here; Greek reads I am. See Exod 3:14.
Matthew 14:30 Some manuscripts do not include strong.
New Living Translation (NLT)
So...what was the way in which God brought the heavens into existence?
"By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." Psalms 33:6-9.
What is it that Christ uses to uphold all things?
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Hebrews 1:3.
Of what great truth are some willingly ignorant?
"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God he heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished." 2 Peter 3:5,6.
By what are the present heavens and earth reserved for a similar fate?
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7.
What other passage of Scripture also reveals that creative power is exercised through the word of God?
"Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created." Psalms 148:5.
What change is wrought out in the life of one who is in Christ?
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Jesus described this same experience in what other passage?
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3.
By what agency is this new creation or new birth accomplished?
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23.
What is the first creative commandment that is mentioned in the Bible?
"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." Genesis 1:3.
Did God also command another light to shine out of darkness?
"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6.
What was it about Christ's teaching that astonished people?
"And they were astonished at His doctrine: for his word was with power." Luke 4:32.
What important fact testified to the power of Christ's word?
"And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out." Luke 4:36.
In ancient times, how did God bring healing to His people?
"He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Psalm 107:20.
In what way did the Roman centurion reveal his strong faith in Christ?
"The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Matthew 8:8.
What did Christ say is the seed of the kingdom of God?
"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." Luke 8:11.
Where does God want Christ's word to dwell?
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16.
Could those who believed not on Jesus Christ receive this important seed?
"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not." John 5:38.
How does the Word of God work in the life of the believer?
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heart of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
What new nature is imparted to us through the promises of God?
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.
Remember, God's commandments are the most powerful of His promises, promises full of His power.
What is it that can cleanse the lives of believers in Christ?
"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." John 15:3.
How can a young man cleanse his ways?
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." Psalm 119:9.
So...what is the result of accepting the Word of God into the heart and life?
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11.
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Monday, January 22, 2007
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