"The Power Of God" Series

“THE POWER OF GOD”

Allan H. Kircher

Second Chronicles 7:14 “ If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Time and time again we ask one another, “Why can’t I win my friends to the Lord? Why is it that my family members just don’t seem interested in God?”

The answer may shock you in its bluntness, but the truth often hurts.

The reason people who know you aren’t interested in your God may be because you don’t have enough of the presence of God in your life.

You see, there is something about God’s presence and power that makes everything else crumble in comparison.

Without it, you will be just as pale and lifeless as everybody around you.

No matter what you do, without the power of God in your life, you will be “just another somebody” to those around you.

I don’t know about you, but I was tired of just being “another somebody” to the lost around me.

I made my mind up and set my heart to declare, “I am going to pursue the power of God in my life.”

I am going to get so close to God, that when I walk down the street people will meet Him.

They will not know that I’m there, but they will definitely know that He is there.

Acts 2:28 “You have made known to me the paths of life: you will fill me with joy in your presence. “

When I live in the presence of God, I am naturally joyful. I have a natural glow because it is God’s power and presence in my life.

I don’t have to act……I don’t have to hide myself or my identity within my shell when I come into God’s house or around other Christians.

I don’t have to have people ask me if I’m a Christian………they know……. They see…..they feel….the presence and power of God.

2 Timothy 1:7 “God did not give us the spirit of Timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. “

What are you timid for? God says to proclaim His name above all. Proclaim boldly. Do you remember what it was like in your earthly life?

Remember how you were dead in all your ways? Depression, anxiety, worthlessness, despondency, loneliness, pride, …..

Where is the God that has delivered you from all these? Have you forgotten Him so soon?

The same God that has delivered you, is waiting for you to respond.

Claim your identity…..your identity as a disciple for the Lord.

To work in His Spirit, not yours.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that our God is the same yesterday (when he delivered you) as today (when you trust him) and forever (when you spend eternity with him).

How can you not be elated with Joy……?

Your joy is in the presence and the power of God.

The Spirit’s role is to empower you. Jesus probably left His disciples flabbergasted when He said,

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).

These greater works were apparently dependent on both his going and the Holy Spirit’s coming, for the two events were closely linked.

When the disciples were evidently grieved at the thought of his leaving, Jesus said: “ But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you”) John 16:7.

Can you imagine the disciples? They were very much aware of their weaknesses and shortcomings. …..now they would do greater works than the Master Himself had done?

Don’t you know your weaknesses and shortcomings? ….. Can you believe a person like you could do greater things than the Master?.

Isn’t it breathtaking to hear Jesus’ brother James say in 4:2 “you do not have, because you do not ask”?

Ask and you will receive. You will receive all the blessings, riches, and promises that are true and steadfast when you have true saving faith in the power of God.

Ask Peter, who preached on Pentecost Sunday and three thousand believed.

As far as we could tell Jesus never had that type of response. Perhaps He did not gather that many genuine converts in his entire ministry!

Wake up today Christians……. for the key to the disciples’ success was not in their abilities and strengths.

Jesus had told them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5), who would give them the power that He had promised, the ability to do the things that He had predicted: