3. PERSONAL DECLARATION

A KEY SCRIPTURE

Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (KJV)

The Lord Jesus declared it, creation affirms His all-power and Scripture emphatically states His omnipotence. The Lord God has the Almightiness to accomplish whatever He may will. His all-power encourages us to pray for the worst of sinners, even those whom men have concluded it is not possible for such to be saved - with God it is possible.

A KEY SCRIPTURE

Philippians 3:20,21 "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." (NKJV)

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We have DISTINCTION because of the all-powerful Lord Jesus

The word "our" (Philippians 3:20 ) draws distinction from those described as "the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction" (Philippians 3:18-19 NKJV). These are counterfeit believers whose fleshly, shameful practices and opposition to the cross expose them for what they are. The "our" is embracive of all true believers who are marked as such by their dependence on the finished work of the cross, and the living of their life under the control of the all-powerful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who said before ascending to the throne:

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (KJV)

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We have ADMINISTRATION because of the all-powerful Lord Jesus

The word "citizenship" (Philippians 3:20 ) implies privileges, benefits, benevolent rule that is the right of all heaven's resources available to fulfill His will for us and in us. Our response to Jesus the sovereign Lord must be a life accountable to Him in every way.

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We have ANTICIPATION because of the all-powerful Lord Jesus

The word "eagerly wait for" (Philippians 3:20 ) is tiptoe anticipation and longing for the return of the all-powerful Christ. This is not a novel idea - it is a basic truth held by the first witness of the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus, and has continued to be an integral tenet of the faith adhered to by true believers including those of today.

Faith's anticipation of the return of "the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20 KJV) has a practical and personal effect. It motivates a determined lifestyle of accountability; it encourages daily preparedness; it causes a focussing on the right priorities; it aids the development of a love relationship with the Lord.

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We have TRANSFORMATION because of the all-powerful Lord Jesus

The word "transform" (Philippians 3:21 ) refers to the miraculous change of our bodies at the return of our all-powerful Lord. "Our lowly body" (Philippians 3:21 ) speaks of our present state of having a natural body (1 Corinthians 15:44 ). Such will be the transformation effected by the all-powerful returning Lord, that our bodies will be conformed to the character of His resurrection body, in a moment, whether by resurrection or by rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 ). For a description of your glorified body (1 Corinthians 15:40-44 ). The change expected is as real as the all-mighty Christ who will effect it, by the working of His power - nothing can stop Him!

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We have MANIFESTATION because of the all-powerful Lord Jesus

The word "subdue" (Philippians 3:21 ) has to do with the ability of the all-powerful Lord to subject all things to His supreme rule. At the Lord's return there will be manifestation of His omnipotence that will bring all things under His authority and control. He is able - hear His own declaration:

Revelation 1:8 "8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (NKJV)

A KEY SCRIPTURE

Romans 15:19 "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." (KJV)

The inherent all-power of the Holy Spirit is manifest in the mighty signs and wonders that confirm the message of the Lord's sent ones. Paul testified to the power of "word and deed" when it is given in the Holy Spirit and signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God (Romans 15:18-19 ). Paul is saying that he would not dare to speak anything which Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit did not do or speak by him . Neither should we dare.

Herbert Lockyer wrote: "The power of the Spirit is the power of God, who is the omnipotent one (Revelation 19:6 ). Christ cast out demons by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28 ), by the finger of God (Luke 11:20 ). The arm, hand, finger of God are titles descriptive of the Spirit's unlimited power (Micah 3:8; Romans 15:13-19 )." All the Doctrines - Zondervan