What Can I Do?
A Question of Potential

Potential is:

• Something that can develop or become actual
• Latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness

Potent (root word)

The ability or capacity to achieve or bring about a particular result

“When did you stop using your imagination?” – Pastor Billy Johnson

GOD IS OMNIPOTENT – ALL-POWERFUL

Psalm 62:11 (NKJV)

¹¹God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God.

No one can do anything beyond what God can do.

God has given each of us potential.

Although we all are not gifted to do the same thing, there is something that each of us can do.

IT IS ONE THING TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO.  IT IS ANOTHER TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

¹⁰For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

¹⁰For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

WE ARE God’s workmanship/masterpiece/handiwork

–

GOOD WORKS

• The work is GOOD – useful, beneficial
  Good works are what you were CREATED FOR – to be brought into existence
• The good works were PREPARED IN ADVANCE
  Prepared beforehand – to prepare at a previous time in expectation of an event
• “Good works” is WHAT WE ARE TO DO
  Should walk – to go about doing

–

Good works are to be PRAYED FOR

Colossians 1:9–10 (NKJV)

⁹For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

¹⁰that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

• I pray to know His will.
• Knowing His will enables me to walk worthy of Him.
• My walking worthy causes me to be fruitful in every good work
• Paul asked for prayer as he was going about doing the good work of preaching the gospel

–

PAUL REQUESTED PRAYER

Ephesians 6:18–20 (NKJV)

¹⁸praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

¹⁹and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

– 

Good works are to be PREPARED FOR BY US

2 Timothy 2:20–21 (NKJV)

²⁰But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

²¹Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

• Cleanses – to cleanse thoroughly, purge

 

2 Timothy 2:20–21 (NLT)

²⁰In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.

²¹If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

“How much stuff do we have in our lives?” – Pastor Billy Johnson

–

Good works are PROVIDED FOR BY GOD

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (NKJV)

⁶But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

⁷So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

⁸And 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 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT)

⁸And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

“If God ordered it, He will pay for it.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

Get your mouth out of the way of the provision.

–

Good works are to be PERCEIVED BY OTHERS

Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

• They may see – to take notice if, to consider, to pay attention to, perceive by sight
• Good – fine, praiseworthy
• Works – something that people do or cause to happen
• Glorify – to positively acknowledge

–

WHAT DOES GOD CONSIDER “GOOD WORKS?”

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

• Good works are deeds that you can carry out in His Name.
• Good works are things that you can give thanks for.

If you can’t do something in God’s name then, perhaps, you should not be doing it.

What would you attempt to do if you knew that failure was not an option?” – Pastor Billy Johnson