WE HAVE MORE POWER THAN WE THINK
Luke 10:19-20
Intro: In verse 1 of this chapter we find Jesus has appointed 70 followers to go out into the harvest. He has given them orders to carry neither a purse nor scrip nor shoes and he has told them to salute no man by the way. In other words Jesus was saying don’t take anything with you because I have got a few things I need to show some folks. He also said not to salute any man by the way. The urgency of this mission did not allow for the usual elaborate greetings. In verse 9 he has even commanded them to heal the sick. When these followers return after their mission they are beside themselves saying even the devils were subject unto them. They knew they had the power to heal people but to have enough power that even the devils were subject unto them. They had power with God they didn’t even realize they had. In verses 19 and 20 Jesus acknowledges their power but he tells them not to get two high-minded about it. I want to preach this message but I want to preach it with all warning on the subject “WE HAVE MORE POWER THAN WE THING WE HAVE.”
I. WE HAVE THE POWER OF POTENTIAL
A. Demas had great potential
B. However, Paul stated in (II Timothy 4:10) “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world
C. Demas loved the world better than he did the way of the Lord
D. Matthew 25:15-30 tells of three men.
1. The first got 5 talents, the next got 2 talents and last got 1 talent
2. The first two servants doubled their talents but the last buried his
3. His talent was taken away from him and he was called a wicked and slothful servant in verse 26 and was thrown into outer darkness
4. This servant had the same potential as the other two
II. WE HAVE THE POWER OF PERSISTENCY
A. (Luke 18:1-8) Importunate Widow – to request with urgency ; to urge with frequent or unceasing application
B. There was a judge that not God nor regarded man. But there was also a widow woman who was being oppressed by some unnamed adversary
C. The woman was so persistent about her adversaries being avenged that the judge finally give in
D. Jesus used this as an example in verses 6-7 saying, “Hear what the unjust judge saith (v7) And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them.”
E. In other words if this unjust judge will avenge this woman’s adversaries that he didn’t even care about will not God take care of his own people
III. WE HAVE THE POWER OF PRAYER
A. (Acts 12) James has just been killed and Peter was in prison awaiting execution
B. We read on in the chapter how Peter was led by an angel out of the prison
C. In verse 12 Peter comes to Mary’s house where many were gather together praying
D. If people would gather again and pray and forsake not the assembling of ourselves together we could see a lot more people delivered from sins prison
E. As children of God we have the POWER OF PRAYER
F. People who are considered heroes in Bible are just ordinary people who too the time to pray
IV. WE HAVE THE POWER OF PURPOSE
A. (Daniel 1) But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
B. Regardless of the circumstances Daniel refuse to compromise
C. (Psalms 57:7, 108:1, 112:7) Three times the Psalmist said “My heart is fixed.”
D. David had purposed in his heart to live for the Lord
E. We can have the power of purpose because we have been promised it
F. (Romans 8:28)And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
V. WE HAVE THE POWER OF PROOF
A. This is your testimony
B. Testimony – a solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact. Testimony is different from evidence in the fact that that testimony is the declaration of the witness and evidence is the effect of that declaration on the mind, or the degree of light for which it affords.
C. Apostle Paul’s testimony was simply this:; ul speaking on his conversion said:
1. (Acts 9:3) And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
2. (Acts 22:6) And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. (speaking to the mob)
3. (Acts 26:13) At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
D. Paul’s testimony was our evidence
Close: We have all this power available to us. Most of it is just a prayer away. But we sell ourselves short sometimes for petty reason. Would you come and ask God for that power today.
