The Power of God Sermon Series
1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Intro: Listening to some Christians talk, you’d think that God was dead or that He has clocked out.
They act like He’s detached from the world we live in and is unable to do anything about what’s going on.
I want to remind you this morning – God is still on the throne!!
God is alive, God is watching, God is working, and God is just as powerful as He’s ever been.
His strength has not been diminished.
His power has not been reduced.
God is still the one and only Omnipotent God!
The Apostle Paul was adamant that God’s people are not reliant upon the words and wisdom of men.
He wanted people’s faith to stand in the POWER OF GOD!
Too many people want their pastor to say something to help them survive their situation.
They want some wise person to say just the right thing or do the right thing to help them.
People have convinced themselves that things are just too bad for God to do anything.
This message has two goals:
1. I want to expose the threat, the presence and the reality today of satanic and demonic power. (Part 2)
2. I also want to exalt and extol the superiority of God’s Almighty Power.
This Series will deal with a number of subjects related to God’s Power.
· Part 1 The Revelation of God’s Power
· Part 2 The Imitation of God’s Power
· Part 3 The Demonstration of God’s Power
· Part 4 The Propagation of God’s Power
Recognizing the importance of the Power of God is absolutely essential for the people of God in these last days.
Jesus called ignorance of God’s power a major error.
· Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Make no mistake – Satan is working overtime.
The Bible calls him “the god of this world…” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
People can see the effects of Satan’s working and many times, that is all that they see.
They see the depravity, the crime, the heartache, the addictions, the broken homes and broken lives and forget that God is still alive, and that God is still powerful.
Part 1
The Revelation of God’s Power
I want to magnify the Lord this morning by drawing our attention to His mighty power.
God has revealed His Power in more ways than we have time to expound this morning.
Here is a short list of ways that God has manifested His unmatched power to us.
1. The Power of God is Revealed in the Creation of the Worlds
Romans 1
· 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
· 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
In just six days, God created the heavens and the earth.
Jeremiah 51
· 15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
· 16 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Colossians 1
· 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
· 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.
· 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
· 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
The judgment of God is upon our nation because of the decades of brainwashing about evolution.
SEE Romans 1:24, 25
· 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
· 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
2. The Power of God was Revealed in the Delivering of His People
· Deuteronomy 4:37 And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;
Exodus 15
· 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
· 5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
· 6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
The was the unprecedented and miraculous power of God that brought Israel out of Egypt.
The Ten Plagues, the parting of the Red Sea to the destruction of Pharaoh and his army, it was the POWER OF GOD!
Note the Testimony of Rahab the Harlot of Jericho forty years after this happened.
Joshua 2
· 9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
· 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
· 11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Part 2
3. The Power of God was Revealed in the Miracles of Jesus Christ
Luke 9
· 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
· 43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.
· Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
4. The Power of God was Revealed at the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Matthew 27
· 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
· 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
· 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Colossians 2
· 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
· 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
5. The Power of God was Revealed in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
· 1 Corinthians 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
· 2 Corinthians 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God…
The Bible explains clearly that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the result of the combined Godhead.
The Power of God the Father
· Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
The Power of God the Son
· John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
The Power of God the Holy Spirit
· Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
6. The Power of God is Revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
· Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
· 1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
· 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
7. The Power of God is Revealed in the Word of God
· Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
8. The Power of God is Revealed in the Church of God
Matthew 28
· 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
· 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
· 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
· Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
9. The Power of God is Revealed in the Salvation of the Believer
Ephesians 1
· 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
· 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Colossians 1
· 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
· 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
10. The Power of God is Revealed in the Security of the Believer
1 Peter 1
· 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
· 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
· 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Jude
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Part 3
The Imitation of God’s Power
Sermon Series TEXT: 1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Today’s text: Acts 8:5-11
Intro: Today, we are celebrating God and Country Sunday in honor of our nation’s 248th birthday.
I felt led to continue the series on The Power of God.
There is a power struggle in America today.
Romans 13 clearly teaches that God ordained civil government and gave them power.
I am amazed at how many Christians fail to understand the biblical limitations of that power.
Many Christians have more regard for the power of government than they do the power of God.
And yes, God did ordain civil government, but to be a terror unto the evil doers; not to the righteous.
The government as a whole has turned that power against the church, against the believer, and the Word of God.
But there is another power behind that power.
There are unseen forces at work, pulling the strings of powerful men.
What we are seeing in America today is the results of full-blown Satanic power.
Satan has infiltrated the halls of Congress, the courts, the schools and colleges across this nation.
So-called Christians today have more respect for the ever-changing edicts of the Supreme Court than they do the unchanging truths of God’s Word.
Man’s laws change with the rise and fall of administrations; God’s Word will stand forever.
“…his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:5
But the power of a corrupt and godless government is not the greatest concern to the believer.
The greatest need for the believer today is the ability to discern between the power of God and the power of Satan.
Satan is a master counterfeiter.
In fact, he is not a creator; he is an imitator.
He cannot MAKE anything; he can only steal and MODIFY it for his own ends.
He will duplicate and replicate and imitate everything that God does.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
We need to understand something very clearly; there are multiple powers at play in our world today.
Satan has power.
His ministers have power. – and make no mistake; Satan has ministers.
His Antichrist will have power.
These are several key elements for us to recognize about these ungodly and demonic powers.
I. That Power is UNNATURAL
There is no question; the power that we see described in Scripture is of a supernatural nature.
In Acts 8:9, 10, we see that the people – from the least to the great had high regard for this man.
Satan is more than capable to do that which is supernatural.
Paul referred to him in Ephesians as “the prince of the power of the air.”
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
ILLUSTRATION: It is important to note that in Exodus 7 the sorcerers and magicians were able to imitate the power of God.
8 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents…
Notice their demonic power to turn the water to blood.
20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
Notice their demonic power to cover the land with frogs.
Exodus 8
6 And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
II. That Power is UNDENIABLE
Our text is clear in Acts 8:11 – he bewitched them with sorceries.
Make no mistake – this power was real. His sorceries were real.
This was not a figment of people’s imagination.
Satan has real power.
God’s word acknowledges that in Acts 26:18
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God,
It is not fake or imaginary.It is real, and it is convincing.
In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul clearly instructed the church that we are in a war against other powers.
Ephesians 6
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Make no mistake; the Antichrist will have incredible, supernatural and very convincing power.
2 Thessalonians 2
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
III. That Power is UNDETECTABLE
Satan is working overtime today to deceive people into thinking that his power is God’s power.
Acts 8 the people thought that Simon was literally “the” power of God.
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
I mentioned this in the beginning of the message, but Satan is a master counterfeiter.
He has the ability to persuade the multitudes with a satanic power that they are convinced is of God.
2 Corinthians 11
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Imagine that! False apostles transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
His (Satan’s) ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness.
There will be millions of people today sitting in churches all over the world deceived by Satan’s power and lies.
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
His power is so subtle and so convincing that it can literally creep into churches undetected.
Notice the power struggle in these verses described in Jude:
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s people are admonished to earnestly contend for the faith. Why? For there are certain men creeping in unawares.
The fight for truth and right is never-ending.
And it requires a lot of discernment!
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
BUT!!!...I love this last point!
D. That Power is NOT UNDEFEATABLE
In spite of Satan’s supernatural power, it is not unlimited.
God will not permit His created beings to have unlimited, omnipotent power.
Notice our text in Acts 8.
· 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
· 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
God was able to not only deliver the ones that were bewitched, but the one that was doing the bewitching!
And notice verse 13 – Simon wondered – beholding the miracles and signs that were done.
With all his satanic power, he had never seen anything compared to what God could do!!
In fact, the child of God has this promise:
1 John 4
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
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.
Jesus promised the church that the GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT!!
EXAMPLE: After the magicians of Egypt were able to duplicate three of the plagues in Egypt, God finally drew the line and pulled the plug on them when it came time for the plague of lice. They tried, and they failed.
Exodus 8
17 … for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
Not only could they NOT perform the miracle, but they also ultimately had to give God the glory for it!
19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God…
Over and over again in the New Testament, we find the power of Satan overruled by the power of God.
The verses that list the multitudes of people being delivered from the power of Satan are too numerous to list.
There are several places where the Bible is clear that the very words and presence of Jesus struck fear in the hearts of the unclean spirits and devils that Jesus encountered.
In one place, the devils thought God had moved up His timetable and rescheduled their destruction.
Matthew 8
28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
The devils asked Jesus for permission for where to go next after He cast them out.
30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
In Luke 4, Jesus forbad them to speak.
Luke 4
40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
NOTE: I find it fascinating that in Revelation 20, God sends ONE angel to lay hold on Satan and to bind him a thousand years with a chain and cast him into the bottomless pit. Just one angel!
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.
Don’t tell me that Satan has unlimited power – God only needs one angel to play catch and release with ole Slewfoot!
After a season on the earth, Satan will finally meet his demise.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Part 3
The Demonstration of God’s Power
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Intro: We need to be crystal clear – the power of God cannot be hidden. It will be clearly seen.
The Power of God is Demonstrated in many ways, but we will look at three of them this morning.
I. The Preaching of His Cross
In our text, the Apostle Paul is adamant that the power of God be front and center in his preaching.
He started all the way back in chapter 1 in verse 17 driving home this crucial point.
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
How could the cross of Christ be made of none effect?
The answer is simple; if it was preached WITHOUT the power of God.
He went on to say in verse 18 that the preaching of the cross…is the power of God.
If all it took was the preaching of the cross, how could it be made of none effect?
The combination of an anointed preacher preaching the Gospel is where the power is found.
There is a direct correlation in the MESSAGE that is being preached and the MANNER in which it is preached.
We must understand Paul’s burden here:
The preaching of the cross is the power of God when preached in the power of God.
The power of God is absolutely essential in the performance of the work of God.
1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
We are living in a day where the power of God is absent from many ministries, messages and men.
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
I have also noticed a lot of confusion about the work of the Holy Spirit and the unction and anointing of God.
Jesus consistently demonstrated the power of God in His preaching and teaching.
Luke 4
31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Luke 4:36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
The importance of God’s ministers demonstrating the power of God cannot be minimized.
2 Corinthians 6
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
We live in a day where there are a lot of PREACHERS but there is not a lot of POWER!
There are many messages being preached, but there are very few that have the power of God on them.
God is not interested in your intelligence, your vocabulary or your abilities.
He’s only concerned if you are a vessel He can use to demonstrate His power to a lost and dying world.
MAJOR POINT: Not every preacher has the power of God on their preaching.
Not every believer has the power of God upon their life.
God’s power is essential to do the work of God.
If every believer had equal power through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, why would Paul pray this:
2 Corinthians 12
· 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
· 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
· 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
· 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
II. The Prayers of His Children
One of the greatest demonstrations of the Power of God found in Scripture is the phenomenon of prayer.
The God we serve not only has ears that can hear, but He has the power to respond.
A. The Access through Prayer
For a child of God to be able to call out to the Creator of the universe is a miracle in itself.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Because of the priesthood of Jesus Christ, the child of God has direct access to the very throne room of God.
Hebrews 4
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
After 47 years of being a born-again child of God, I am more amazed than ever before at the ACCESS we have to God through prayer.
B. The Answers to Prayer
ACCESS to God through prayer is powerful; what is even more powerful is the fact that He ANSWERS prayer!
For a child of God to be allowed to call out to God is miraculous.
But for God to hear that prayer, and to answer it in an unmistakable fashion is an even greater miracle.
I’m talking about the miracle of the God of heaven fulfilling the request of one of His children.
C. The Affirmations of Prayer
How many examples could we recount this morning of the Power of God manifested through answered prayer.
Moses prayed for God to do something new, and He did. (Numbers 16:30)
Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still, and it did. (Joshua 10:12)
Elijah prayed on Mt. Carmel, and fire fell from heaven. (I Kings 18)
Elisha prayed for the enemy to be smote with blindness, and they were. (2 Kings 6:18) …Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
The early church prayed for Peter to be released from prison, and he was. (Acts 12:5)
Paul and Silas prayed and midnight, and the prison was shaken. (Acts 16:25)
We don’t have time to mention them all. But the Bible is clear – prayer is powerful because God is powerful!
James 5:16 …The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
III. The Proof of His Cleansing
There is no greater demonstration of the Power of God than that of a transformed life.
Matthew 9
1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
There’s no greater testimony of God’s amazing power than to see a life wrecked by sin saved by God’s grace.
We see the Power of God when we see the sinful woman washing the feet of Jesus with her tears.
We see the Power of God when we see the publican Zacchaeus repenting and making restoration.
We see the Power of God when we see the Roman soldier confess, “Surely this was the Son of God.”
We see the Power of God when we see the malefactor hanging on the cross accept Christ as his Saviour.
We see the Power of God when we see Saul, the greatest enemy of the church become its greatest ally.
The Power of God is demonstrated every time a sinner gets saved!
Verse 1 Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood; Would you o’er evil a victory win? There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.
Verse 2 Would you be free from your passion and pride? There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood; Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide – There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.
Verse 3 Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood; Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow – There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.
Chorus: There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r In the blood of the Lamb; There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r In the precious blood of the Lamb.
So, what was it again that you struggle to believe God can do?
Are you doubting God’s power this morning to save you from your sins?
Your faith should stand IN THE POWER OF GOD!!
Part 4
The Proclamation of God’s Power
Intro: We live in a world that is mostly ignorant of the Power of God.
Every child of God should make it their life-long ambition to correct that.
People are turning to drugs, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, even suicide in their deep depression and pain.
Someone needs to tell them of the Power of God!
We have a role to play in the proclamation of the Power of God.
Here is a list of five things we can do.
I. We should SPEAK it!
Stop talking about all the problems in the world and spend some time bragging on the Lord!
Stop magnifying the devil and telling the world how good he is at his job!
Stop with the negativity and the belly aching and the murmuring and complaining.
Stop talking about all that’s wrong in your life, and use your tongue and lips to proclaim the power of God!
Psalm 145
· 1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
· 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
· 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
· 4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
· 5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.
· 6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
· 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
· 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
· 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
II. We should SING it!
Psalms 21:13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
How Great Thou Art!! is a perfect example.
Did you know that the very first song service recorded in Scripture was a song proclaiming THE POWER OF GOD?
READ Exodus 15:1-21
III. We should SHOUT it!
· 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:
The people of God have always been a shouting people.
1 Samuel
· 5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
· 6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
· 7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.
IV. We should SHOW it!
Psalms 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
What a blessing to be a living, breathing, walking display of God’s amazing power!
People are looking for proof that there is a God. They can’t see Him, but they can see you!
What kind of God are you showing them?
A weak one? A God that doesn’t take care of His children? A God that abandons His very own?
V. We should SPREAD it!
· Matthew 9:31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
· Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
Charles Wesley wrote the hymn O For A Thousand Tongues in 1780. The original version had 18 verses! Here are just 6 of them. Listen to these great lyrics.
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise,the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim,to spread thro' all the earth abroad the honors of your name.
3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease,'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.
4. He breaks the power of cancelled sin, he sets the prisoner free;his blood can make the foulest clean; his blood availed for me.
5. He speaks, and, list’ning to His voice, New life the dead receive,The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, The humble poor believe.
6. To God all glory, praise, and love be now and ever givenby saints below and saints above, the Church in earth and heaven.
Conclusion: May the people of God never fail to proclaim the Power of God to a lost and dying world!
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