Lesson Two
Mighty God

My niece and her husband have triplets, identical twin boys and a girl. I remember when they were four and full of energy. When you tease with one, you get all three. I asked Erika if my hair was curlier than hers. She exclaimed, “You do not have any hair!” I acted astonished as I grabbed my bald scalp. I then pretended to cut her hair and both boys with my fingers. She boldly announced that she had a superpower. Her amazing power was to grow her hair back quickly.

1. What superpower would you like to have?
   
   

Superheroes have been introduced with all kinds of powers: Teleportation, invisibility, flight, x-ray vision, time travel, and superhuman strength. Isaiah 9:6 introduces us to the greatest “superhero” of all time, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

He is the “Mighty God.” It can be translated as “God is mighty” or “God is a mighty warrior.”

The Mighty God is a warrior.

This child (Jesus) is called a Mighty God. He was and is a warrior. He is not a wimp. Psalm 24:8 says, “Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!” David repeats himself to make sure his point is clear. He uses a question to emphasize his point. The Lord is mighty. He is a battle-tested warrior.

Psalm 147:5 adds, “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” Power and understanding are a great combination. He knows what to do and has the power to back it up.

2. What are some examples that show Jesus as a warrior?

Isaiah 64:8 points out that the Lord created us, “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Scripture repeatedly points out that God created us. He created something from nothing.

Isaiah 40:28 adds, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” Again, we have questions used to get our attention. The Lord is powerful and does not wear down. He just keeps going, and going, and going.

3. How is this passage comforting and challenging to us?

Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

4. How does the Lord use His mighty power?
5. Do you believe we are called to be warriors? If so, how?

John Piper wrote, “Jesus is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) and the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:6) - He was lionhearted and lamblike, strong and meek, tough and tender, aggressive and responsive, bold and brokenhearted. He sets the pattern for manhood.”

The Mighty God cannot be manhandled.

The Lord does not misuse His power. He cannot be manipulated, tricked, or bribed. Deuteronomy 10:17 says, “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.”Moses says, “My Dad is bigger than your dad.” The Lord is the greatest God and loftiest Lord. He is mighty and even awesome. Moses adds a side note: The Lord is fair and honest.

6. How is this verse comforting and challenging?
7. What comes to mind when you see or hear the word “awesome”?
   
   

Paul reiterates the concept of the Lord being fair and honest in Romans 1:4, “And was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

8. What can happen when “power” and “holiness” do not go together?
   
   

Martin Luther knew he could trust the Lord. He wrote, “I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”

9. Why do we place things in God’s hands? How?
   
   

The Mighty God has the power to accomplish His purposes.

The Lord has a plan for our lives. He wants us to follow Him in salvation and repentance. Holiness and obedience are important to Him. Paul states that Jesus’ title also describes His mission. Titus 2:13 says, “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

10. What comes to mind when you see the title “Savior”?
    
    

David asks a great question in Psalm 8:3-4, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” David points out that God created everything, but that He gives special attention to people.

11. What does the word “mindful” mean and imply?
    
    

Finally, Jeremiah 29:11 points out that God has a plan for our lives, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

12. How does the Lord’s title of “Mighty God” relate to Him having a plan for our lives?
    
    

Finally, think about Franklin Graham’s statement, “There is no question that America has been a nation that has been blessed by almighty God. There is no other nation in the history of mankind that has done what His nation has done - and it’s because of God’s hand and His blessing.