I'm In The Know – Are You? Series

“I’m in the know – are you?”

Gladstone Baptist Church – 6/8/06 pm

S1 - Many people have sought to find power in the past – but many have looked for it in the wrong place (sought the wrong god) – OOPS

Over history many, many people have sought to get power – power to change their lives and others around them. Some have gone on a quest for an artefact which would give them power.

Many people for example have sought after the philosopher’s stone. This was a legendary substance that supposedly could turn inexpensive metals into gold and/or create an elixir that would make humans younger, thus delaying death. It was also believed that the Philosopher’s stone was able to allow humans to perform human transmutation (creating a human body with a soul attached). This meant that alchemists could possibly bring humans back to life after death, and also create whole new humans through alchemy. Needless to say, no such stone has ever been discovered.

Some have turned to magic spells or rites to gain power over others of over nature. Some have sought positional or political power to achieve their ends only to end up disillusioned

Alexander the Great, so completely conquered the nations of earth that he wept because there were no more to conquer. Eventually he died at age 33 with no heir or future.

There was Hannibal, the great Carthaginian general who ravaged Italy, who filled three baskets with gold rings taken from the hands of slaughtered knights, finally committed suicide by poisoning himself.

Julius Caesar conquered 800 cities and dyed his garments with the blood of a million of his foes, but was finally stabbed by his best friend, in the court where had been his greatest triumph.

Many dictators believed that they could have ultimate power in themselves. They thought they were the equivalent of a god and that people should worship them. Hitler believed he would be the saviour of the world by creating a super Arian race.

But unfortunately, many people have looked for power in the wrong place and have not ended up getting the power that they sought, but rather a cheap imitation.

S2 - However, Jesus says that power isn’t the be all and end all – it is whether we have salvation – UGH

Jesus says that power isn’t the be all and end all of life. Although many, many people seek for power, Jesus, says – it is not the most important thing!!!!

Last week if you were with us, we spoke about a time when Jesus sent 72 followers out to minister for him. They went through all the towns and cities in the region preparing the way for Jesus. They were to be an extension to his ministry by reaching out to others – healing them and telling them that the Kingdom of God was near.

Well you might remember that when the 72 followers returned to Jesus, they were pretty excited. They came back feeling like supermen. If you’ve got your bibles there, open them up to

Luke 10:17

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

The 72 followers came back excited. They said “Jesus, you wouldn’t believe what happened … even the demons submitted to us in your name.” They’d found power. Power to heal, power to cast out demons. Power to really make a difference in someone’s life. That is power and Jesus agreed. He said “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”