DEMONSTRATION OF POWER
JUST ANOTHER RELIGION
In Paul's day, Greek philosophers would meet regularly to discuss philosophies, viewpoints and various gods people believed in. But when it came to the message of Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the world and rose again, Paul was reluctant to allow these philosophers to view it in the same light as other religions and philosophies.
Acts 17:18 - 21
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? Other said, He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is? For you bring certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
The reason why Paul took this stand against the philosophers was because the message he preached was not a theory to be debated, but a living reality of the one and only true living God.
A DEMONSTRATION OF POWER
The difference was this - the demonstration of God's power evident in the midst of the people; a demonstration of power that no other god could perform.
1 Corinthians 2v 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.
The power of man's words are limited. However, God is not a talker - He is a demonstrator.
If you were to go out to purchase a new motor car, the salesman will give you written specification of the capabilities of the vehicle, he will show you the engine, point out all the features, and try to convince you that this is the best option available to you.
"SHOW ME !"
There is a saying that goes like this "The proof of the pudding is in the eating."
So, the one thing that will convince you would be the demonstration itself - to get behind the wheel and put the vehicle through it's paces which will tell you whether it lives up to the talk or not.
In Christian circles, there is a lot of talk. A lot of fancy talk, with enticing words, but what people want is a demonstration! "Quit the big talk and the small talk - demonstrate to me the power of your living God! "
THE END-TIME CHURCH
That is the problem with the end-time Church - a lot of talk, but no demonstration of power.
2 Timothy 3:1 - 5
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
ARE YOU A DEMONSTRATOR?
The bible says that if anyone is in Christ Jesus, he/she is a new creation. For example, you cannot say you are a new creation and not demonstrate the change in your life. You cannot say that you are new and demonstrate something else The proof of your talk lies in your walk - the demonstration of God's changing power and ability manifest in your life.
There must always be a demonstration; it separates the truth from the lies, good from evil, the genuine from the counterfeit. Remember, there is no middle ground with God.
If you declare that God is Jehovah Jirah, there must be a demonstration of supernatural provision in your life. If you say He is Jehovah Shalom, let us see a demonstration of supernatural peace. If He is Jehovah Rapha, let us witness a demonstration of supernatural health and healing . If you say that the joy of the Lord is your strength, your life must produce the evidence of joy.
There are too many believers confessing all kinds of things without any demonstration of God's supernatural ability. The world does not care about the name of your Church, what you call your vision, what your five year plan is, what call is upon your life etc. What they really want to see is the demonstration, the evidence of God's power working in you and through you with supernatural results.
They will say "You say He is a God of love, show me a demonstration of love. Show me that He cares, show me that He builds up. Show me the victory in your life. I've heard your talk, now show me the power. You say that you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. Show me the battles won - show me a defeated devil."
God is not a talker - God is a demonstrator
MOSES
When God told Moses to free His people from the bondages of Pharoah, Moses was reluctant to take God's word that he (Moses) was the one chosen for the job. What convinced him? Not the talk, but the demonstration of God's power. God told him to throw his stick to the ground. When he did so, it turned into a snake. When he picked it up by the tail, it changed back into the stick.
By this time, God was started to get through to Moses through His demonstration of power. The final convincing took place when Moses was told to put his hand into his bosom. When he pulled his hand out, it was leprous. After placing his hand back into his bosom, his hand was made normal again.
God is not only a talker, he is a demonstrator.
OBEDIENCE
Malachi 3:10
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Here God shows us that an act of obedience to God's Word results in a demonstration of God's power. So there is always a condition - obey the voice of the Lord.
ELIJAH
1 Kings 18 gives an account of one of the greatest demonstrations of God's power.
Elijah confronted King Ahab about bowing his knee to idols and false god's. King Ahab was convinced that Baal was the one and only true god. Elijah believed that there was only one true and living God - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God who supernaturally led the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land.
So who was right? Was it Ahab or Elijah? This matter could only be settled one way - by means of a demonstration!
And so Elijah told Ahab to call the 450 prophets of Baal together and then explained how the showdown should be carried out. He placed a bull on an altar and said "Let the God who answers by fire be the one and true living God."
First to go was the prophets of Baal. They began to call upon Baal to consume the sacrifice. Of course, nothing happened. In desperation, they began to cut themselves and proceeded to jump on the altar. To no avail.
Eventually, Elijah told them that their God was unable to demonstrate any miracle for them. So Elijah repaired the altar. He also placed 12 stones on top of the altar, representing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. He then dug a trench around the altar and soaked the sacrifice with water until the trench filled up.
He then called out to God to show himself as the true living God. In a mighty demonstration of His power, God sent fire from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. Through this demonstration God proved to everyone who was God and who was not. "Not by (man's, Baal's) might, nor by (man's, Baal's) power, but by My Spirit" says the Lord!
It did not matter how wet and soaked the wood on the altar had become; it did not matter how much water was in the trenches; no amount of physical restraint and resistance could quench the fire of God from being released.
FIRE FROM HEAVEN
It does not matter how "wet" your marriage is, God can light a fire in that relationship. It does not matter how "wet" your finances are, God can light a fire and turn your situation around.
But we need to do what Elijah did beforehand. We need to rebuild the altar of our worship and place Jesus as number one priority in our lives and to obey His Word. Just as Elijah placed those stones representing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, so we too must give heed to the name of Jesus - King of Kings and Lord of Lords. At the name of Jesus, every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord.
MAKE A DECISION TODAY
1 KINGS 18:38 - 39
Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
By means of this powerful demonstration, there remained no doubt as to the legitimacy of Almighty God. Elijah then asks this question "How long will you halt between two opinions?"
This is a question I believe we all need to ask ourselves. How long will we waiver between love for God and love for the world, between our idols and the Lord, between money and our faith in God? Make a quality decision today and let Him demonstrate His power in your life. Nothing is too hard for God. With God all things are possible.
Remember - God is not a talker - He is a demonstrator.
