We Have the Power

Scripture:

·         Ephesians 3:20  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

·         1Cor. 2:4, 5 ⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

·        1Cor. 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

·        Ephesians 1:19,20 ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,  (resurrection power)

Definition:

            Power <L to be able> the ability or capacity to act or perform effectively; authority 

Why do we refer to electricity as power?

1.      It can do a lot of things

2.      We do not totally understand it.

3.      We have a certain amount of fear or respect for it.

4.      We cannot see it. We know it by what it does

5.      Unharnessed electricity

a.       Unharnessed, it is not useful

b.      Lightning is electricity generated by a storm

Where do we get electricity?

1.      Hydroelectric dam

2.      Fossil fuel turbines

3.      Solar (from the sun)

4.      Nuclear power plants

*Each of these sources requires the exertion of another form of energy before the production of electricity. 

Where do we get OUR power?

1.      On High (Luke 24:49)  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

2.      Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

3.      The Word/Jesus   Ro. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Matthew 10: And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power (authority NIV) over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. (NKJV) 

Why do we need power?

1.      It makes life easier and reduces effort

2.      To do things that could not be done otherwise

a.       This applies to our personal lives as well as our day to day electrical usage

What does electricity do?

1.      Illuminates

2.      Attracts

3.      Chemical effects (battery)

4.      Generates the ability for other machine functions

5.      Heats, cools (comforts)

What does the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives do?

1.      Illuminates (John 16:13) Guides into all truth

2.      Attracts (convicts) (John 16:7,8)

3.      Produces changes (2Cor. 5:17, Ga. 5:22)

4.      Comforts  (John 14:16)

5.      Generates ability for other functions

a.       Trample on snakes and scorpions (Luke 10:8)

b.      Overcome all power of the enemy (Luke 10:19)

c.       Drive out unclean spirits (Mt. 10:1)

d.      Heal every disease and sickness (Mt. 10:1)

e.       Preach (Luke 9:2)

f.       Raise the dead (Mt. 10:8)

g.      Cleanse th3e leper (social outcast) (Mt. 10:8)

How do I make it work?

1.      There needs to be:

a.       A power source (God)

b.      We need to be connected to the source (Be a Believer)

c.       Need to be correctly wired (In touch with the Source)

d.      Need to turn the switch (use the Power)

                                                              i.      Unlimited to believers (John 15:7) If you abide, ask what you will.

                                                            ii.      Conditions:

1.       (John 14:13,14) Glorify God

2.      (James 5:14) Call the elders of the church

2.      How do we turn the switch?

a.       Prayer (Mt. 21:22) Ask in prayer, believing

b.      Praise (Acts 16:25,26)

*If we have never actually used electricity, or God’s power, how do we know how it really works? 

*You only get enough power to do the job. You do not get all the power from the plant to light a 60-watt bulb, only enough for your needs. Incidentally, a single electric generator will put out one million Kilowatts at 22,000 volts, which is boosted to 765,000 volts for transmission. In order for us to use the produced power, it must be “stepped down”. God’s power must be “stepped down” for our use also; we would never be able to withstand that great of an amount. 

*A substance that conducts electricity must contain charged particles that are free to move. In order for God to use us, we also must be free to move on demand. 

What about when power blacks out?

            Causes:

1.      Storms

2.      Accidents

3.      Disconnections

Power blackouts between God and us

            Causes:

1.      Stresses, worries, concerns

2.      Something between us and God

3.      Sin

Christians as conductors

            What is a conductor? 

                        A substance that transmits electricity (power) 

            Are you a:

1.      Conductor

2.      Insulator: conducts hardly any electricity (power)

3.      Semi-conductor: conducts better than an insulator, but not as well as a conductor

4.      Super-conductor: conducts electricity (power) without resistance 

*Remember: Christians operate on alternating current not direct current. It is a two-way communication with God, not merely one way. 

*Direct current: an electric current that flows in only one direction.

*Alternating current: an electric current that reverses the direction of its flow many times a second 

*We have the power to light the world, if we use it. What kind of conductor are you? 

*If we never turn the switch, the light will not come on. 

*Electricity travels at the speed of light (186,000 mi. per sec. or 7.5 times around the earth in one second) 

*If we can all agree that we need to use the power provided, why are we still standing in the dark?