Introduction

"Can God create a rock so big He cannot lift it?" Can He? This is a question that many skeptics and atheists ask to disprove the existence of God.

Unbelievers argue that if God is all-powerful, then He can create a rock so big that He cannot lift. If He cannot make a rock like this, then He is not omnipotent. If He can make a rock so big He cannot lift, then He is not omnipotent either. Either way demonstrates that God cannot do all things. Therefore God is not omnipotent. Therefore God does not exist.

So how do we answer the question, "Can God create a rock so big that He cannot lift it?"

First of all we all know that God exists. Secondly, that this God is omnipotent. God is almighty.

God's omnipotence is clearly declared in the OT and NT Scripture...

God declares His name ...

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Job spoke of God's power in ...

Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

Job was acknowledging God's omnipotence in carrying out His plans.

Numbers 11:23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.

Moses was reminded by God that He had all power to complete His purposes regarding the Israelites.

Psalm 62:11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Other Scriptures that speak of God's omnipotence...

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

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

But going back to the question, "Can God create a rock so big that He cannot lift it?" How do we answer this question?

1. The question is illogical

First of all, this is not a question of power but a question of logic. It is like asking, "Can God make a square circle?" or "Can God make a two-sided triangle?"

By definition a circle cannot be square, a triangle is always three-sided, so to create a square circle or two-sided triangle would be to violate the law of noncontradiction. They are both logical impossibility under any circumstance. So this question is not a question of power but a question of logic.

2. The question is based on wrong premise

The question is really showing that skeptics and atheists have a misunderstanding of the concept of the omnipotence of God. It is based on a false idea - that God being almighty means that He can do anything. Omnipotence does not mean that God can do anything. 

I am aware of the passage where Job said ...

Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

But what does it mean for God to do everything, for clearly there are things which God cannot do. 

In fact, the Bible itself lists things God cannot do ...

1. God cannot lie

Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

That does not mean He lacks the power to lie, but that God chooses not to lie in accord with His own moral perfection. 

He will not lie (Numbers 23:19;1 Samuel 15:29).

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

1 Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

2. God cannot change

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

God Himself declares His unchanging character. God cannot become greater than He is, or change in any way.  

3. God cannot deny Himself or do anything contrary to any of His virtues

2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

He cannot go contrary to His word. If He acts contrary to His nature and perfections, and would be a denying of Himself, which is not possible. His faithfulness will never fail, even though, the faith of His people does, as to the exercise of it.

So, what does omnipotence of God means?

Omnipotence of God means He possesses all power. 

He has all power over all things at all times and in all ways.

It is God's ability to accomplish whatsoever He pleases, in harmony with His will and all His perfections. It is God's ability to do anything that He desires. It is he ability of God to do that which God wants to do, what He desires to do.

God has no desire to lie since lying is a sin. He has no desire in denying Himself. He has no desire in sinning.

The reason He cannot do these things is exactly because He is God and because He is omnipotent. He does what He pleases and He has power to do what He wants.

Where is God's power seen?

1. We see God's power in creation and nature

God's omnipotence is clearly in creation.

Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (6, 9, etc.)

God said, "Let there be..." and it was so.

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7: He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 8: Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9: For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Before man can work be must have both tools and materials, but God began with nothing, and by His word alone out of nothing made all things.

By merely speaking it, the universe and everything in it came into existence! What a revelation of power! Who can understand it, or appreciate it enough?

2. We see God's power in governments and leaders

Daniel 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

He restrains them or permits them go their way according to His plans and purposes.

Jesus reminded Pilate that he had no power over Him unless it had been granted to him by the God of all power.

John 19:9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10: Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11: Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

3. We see God's power over Satan

God power is unlimited in regard to Satan and his demons. Satan's attack on Job was limited to only certain actions. He was restrained by God's unlimited power.

Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Job 2:4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5: But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6: And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2: And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3: And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

He promised to give us the power to overcome he that is in the world.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

I will rely on God's power when Satan tries to tempt me. I will call upon the name of Jesus to provide me with the protection and the peace He promises to those who call upon Him, because He is powerful enough to keep that promise.

4. We see God's power in providence (preservation and provision)

God's power is also seen in the preservation of His creation. All life on earth would perish were it not for God's continual provision of everything we need for food, clothing and shelter, all from renewable resources sustained by His power as the preserver of man and beast.

Psalm 36:5 Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. 6: Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

No creature has power to preserve itself. God preserves and maintains what He has created.

Job 8:11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? 12: Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.

Both man and animal would perish if there were not herbs for food, and herbs would wither and die if the earth were not refreshed with fruitful showers.

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2: Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3: 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;

Having created all things by His Word of power, God continues to uphold or preserve His creatures by the Word of His power.

Nehemiah 9:6 Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

5. We see God's power in salvation

Hebrews 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25: Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Application

How do you respond to God's omnipotence?

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

1. Humility

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

We realize that without His almighty power, we can do nothing.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

2. Trust

Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Should cause us trust such a God!

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2: When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3: Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Knowing that He has all power, no prayer is too hard for Him to answer, no need too great for Him to supply, no passion too strong for Him to subdue; no temptation too powerful for Him to deliver from, no sin is too vile for Him to forgive, no misery too deep for Him to relieve.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

3. Worship and adoration

Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

4. Faith

Hebrews 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25: Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Come to Him who is able to save and who forever lives to make intercession for sinners!