Great Yet Approachable

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Take a few moments to think about the God of the Bible. Therein we read about a God who is great yet approachable. From the beginning chapters in Genesis we find a God great enough to create the heavens and earth along with animals and people to populate it. This same God would walk with Adam and Eve in the garden and talk with them until they sinned against Him. Yet, we continue to read throughout Scripture of a great God desirous of a relationship with people, so much so that He sent Jesus so we could be reconciled to Him and live with God throughout eternity (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Scripture concludes with the book of Revelation where we see Him as an awesome and powerful Judge who triumphs over death, Satan, and all else, and reigns supreme. Though this book serves as a warning from a great God, it also ends with a gracious invitation. — “‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (Rev. 22:17)

A Great God

God who is Great Yet Approachable
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To be God, He would have to be great — but how great? Certainly He would have to be more powerful than any other force and wiser than the wisest of men or spiritual beings. Scripture describes His greatness and understanding as that which no one can fathom — unfathomable (Ps. 145:3; Isa. 40:28). Read previous articles about His greatness and the difference it makes when we view Him as such:

We could have a large number of expert theologians form a symposium to lecture us on different aspects of God and barely scratch the surface. We could spend a lot of time studying about His character and ways, yet in reality know so little. That’s how great He is!

A God Who is Great Yet Approachable

But, here’s the thing. In all of His unfathomable greatness, the God of the Bible is approachable, having made a way for us to be in fellowship with Himself through Jesus Christ. We can communicate with Him on a personal level. — “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 Jn. 5:14)

He relates with us as our Father who deeply loves us and cares for us like none other. He’s always working on our behalf for the good (Rom. 8:28). Read the following articles about this approachable God and how we respond when we view Him as such:

This is a God worthy of our full love and devotion. Even when we don’t understand His ways, because of His greatness, we can know that He not only has the power and wisdom to do what is right but the love and compassion to have our best at heart.

We’re blessed with a God who is approachable even though He is so much greater and better than us because He is the sum total of all His attributes, all the time, without fail. For a look at His various traits, order the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download which provides alphabetical renderings of this great yet approachable God.

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We All Need God’s Power

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God’s power isn’t just for church leaders. We all need God’s power regardless of how we might serve.

That’s why the Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide addresses a leader’s responsibility to not just point people to God’s power but be an example of pulling on that power in all they do. (Click on the link to learn more about that resource.)

God’s power isn’t just for church ministry. We all need God’s power wherever we are, in whatever we’re doing. God’s power isn’t just for “normal” times. We all need His power during whatever the season of life in which we find ourselves.

Availability of God’s Power

God will help us live for Him no matter the circumstances, in whatever we have to do.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him … (2 Pet. 1:3)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know … his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead … (Eph. 1:18-20)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us … (Eph. 3:20-21)

Notice in the above verses how the power He makes available is divine (supernatural), incomparably great, and immeasurably more than we could even conceive on our own. It’s the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and will one day raise us as well (1 Cor. 15:51-58).

We All Need God's Power

Tapping into God’s Power

It begins “through our knowledge of him …” (2 Pet. 1:3). Take time to get to know Him better. The more fully we know Him as the Great God He is, — the Almighty One, the Creator of heaven and earth, — the more we will learn to rely on Him. We will cease striving and let God be God in and through our lives (Ps. 46:10).

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Our Unfathomable God

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Our God is greater than any other force or being. And, He is greater than all that pertains to us.

— His greatness no one can fathom! (Ps. 145:3)

Our God is wiser than the wisest of men or spiritual beings.

— His understanding no one can fathom. (Isa. 40:28)

Unfathomable God in Greatness & Understanding

If we could grasp the greatness of our God and figure out all of His ways, He would fail to be God for He would be no greater or wiser than our understanding. But, with unfathomable greatness and wisdom, we have an infinite God who “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20).

Essential for Both God’s Greatness & Understanding to be Unfathomable

We find verses in Scripture where God’s greatness and might accompany His wisdom and understanding.

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. (Dan. 2:20)

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. (Ps. 147:5)

This essential combination brings reassurance for we can know that we have a God who will exercise His might with wisdom.

Creation of the Heavens and Earth: Think about the chaos had God merely brought things into existence without exercising wisdom so all the variety fit together in a coordinated and good functioning design.

But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jer. 10:12)

He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jer. 51:15)

Conclusion of the Heavens and Earth: Think about the judgment God would bring if only exercised by His mighty wrath and not accompanied by wisdom. All would undoubtedly be annihilated in the blink of an eye. His wisdom, however, bridles His great power so as to allow for the salvation of all who would come to Him.

… the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. … The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:7-9)

A God with unfathomable greatness and wisdom can be trusted to not only take care of us now and through eternity but also to do it well, in ways that are for the good. — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

Learn more about Our Great God from A to Z. Click on the link to check out a resource that can be used for personal growth or as a discipleship tool. This resource looks at various attributes and ways of God using five different alphabetical renderings. Put all of those traits together and you’ll have to conclude that the God of the Bible truly is unfathomable for our finite minds.

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God, Greater Than All That Pertains to You

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Great is the Lord - God is Greater Than You
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Certainly if God is greater than all other forces, natural and supernatural, He is greater than all that pertains to you!

We will never fully comprehend the magnitude of “his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Eph. 1:19).

But, as we grow into a deeper understanding of how great He is, we will gain a peace and confidence to face whatever comes into our lives.

How God is Greater Than All That Pertains to You

… greater than your circumstances

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:12-13)

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor. 9:8)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Rom. 8:35-37)

… greater than your weaknesses

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isa. 40:29)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)

… greater than that which seems to confine or limit you

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)

… greater than temptations that come your way

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Cor. 10:13)

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb. 2:18)

… greater than all your sin and failures

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:11-12)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn. 1:9)

… greater than the condemnation and insecurities of our own heart

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 Jn. 3:19-20)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:1-2)

… greater than your fears and opposition you might face

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isa. 41:10)

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isa. 41:13)

The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Ps. 118:6)

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Heb. 13:6)

The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1)

The above Scripture verses speak for themselves about the difference it makes when we truly believe God is greater than all that pertains to us.

Learn more about the God of the Bible in the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download. This resource provides five alphabetical renderings that should lead you to conclude that our God certainly is greater than all that pertains to us. You’ll find alphabet listing of God’s attributes, God as our Creator, and our Triune God (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

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God, Greater Than All Other Forces

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God is Greater than can be Fathomed
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Like the psalmist, we may acknowledge and praise God for His greatness.

Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. (Ps. 48:1)

Praise the LORD, my soul. LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. (Ps. 104:1)

But, do we acknowledge that He is greater? … greater than all else? When we do, we can also say with the psalmist …

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. (Ps. 86:10)

To truly be GOD, wouldn’t He have to be the one of whom there is none greater?

God is greater than all other forces, natural or supernatural.

… greater than the spiritual forces of evil

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 Jn. 4:4)

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Col. 2:15)

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Cor. 10:4)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Eph. 6:10-11)

… greater than all other gods or anything set in place of Him

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? (Ps. 77:13)

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. (Ps. 95:3)

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. (Ps. 96:4)

I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. (Ps. 135:5)

… greater than all nations of this world

Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. (Ps. 99:2)

“My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty. (Mal. 1:11)

When we acknowledge that God is greater than any of these forces, it changes our whole perspective about His rights and sovereignty. We find ourselves submitting to Him and trusting Him to do what’s best. Though we may not understand why He allows what He does in this world, we rest in the confidence that in the end He triumphs over all. We don’t have to understand everything to trust Him. He is GOD, the One of whom there is none greater!

The more we get to know the God of the Bible, the more we should find ourselves concluding that He is greater than all other forces. The five alphabetical renderings in the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download will help you know Him better with suggestions to get beyond mere head knowledge to truly trusting and aligning with Him.

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The Power of God at Work in the Church

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Scripture is filled with verses and examples of the power of God at work in and through His people.  Below are three passages from which we can pull out some wonderful truths about God’s power.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)

 

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Pet. 1:3)

 

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  (Col. 1:10-12)

We cannot begin to comprehend all God wants to do in and through the church.  To think that an Almighty, infinite, eternal God would work through weak, finite beings is mind boggling.  Let’s not take it for granted.

More for Church Leaders:  God’s Power for the Church

Ministry Empowerment, a Key Elements to Doing Ministry God's Way

 

The Ministry God’s Way Discipleship Tool gives a summary list of five truths from the above verses plus more about ministry empowerment, along with 8 other key elements in doing ministry God’s way.

Leaders, also check out the Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide for how you can lead by example in pulling on God’s power to fulfill all your responsibilities. Learn more about what it means to rely on God in ways described in the above verses.

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