Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“CPR for a Healthy Walk Part 5
Live in the Power or the Holy Spirit
REVIEW
I. Cleave to and continually cultivate Relationship with Christ
A. Humbly Connect to Christ
B. Gratefully consecrate (present) your members to His service.
C. Continually renew our thinking or perception
D. Sincerely draw near to God
• Seek Him
• Move close to Him
• Communicate with Him.
Talk – Invite – Meditate – Embrace - Submit
God invites us to a special meal of honor and communication with Him. What keeps us from that dinner date?
“The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night. For all the ill that Satan can do, when God describes what keeps us from the banquet table of His love, it is a piece of land, a yoke of oxen, and a wife. Luke 14. (Quote from John Piper “A Hunger for God”).
E. Live in the Power of the Holy Spirit
INTRODUCTION
This morning we come to a fifth element absolutely necessary to restore a spiritual focus in life and escape the destructive effects of a fleshly focus.
A spiritual outlook comes from a spiritual energy or power granted only by God on his terms. A spiritual focus comes from the Holy Spirit Himself.
All through Scripture we are called to be rightly related to the Holy Spirit. Walk in the spirit, be controlled by the Spirit, the baptism of the Spirit, the leading of the Spirit, the anointing of the Spirit, the power of the Spirit. All of these and others focus on a right relationship with the Holy Spirit. Right here in Galatians, Paul emphasizes the place of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. In fact, in regards to victory over a fleshly focus and walk, Paul instructs us to “walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts or desires of the flesh.” We have grown accustomed to powerless living. It is a phenomenon of a fleshly focus. Our spirit cries, “There must be more!” Our flesh shouts, “Everything is fine!” “Don’t go overboard.” Christianity is more than embracing a new belief system. The New Testament is full of passages holding out hope for a transformed life both here and hereafter. You can’t read through the Acts of the early church without stirring a longing for a fresh manifestation of the power of God in our life and church. What in our life can only be attributed to the power of God in our life? We cry out for God to do something and show His power. There is a familiar passage that has taken on a fresh perspective for me.
Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephes. 3:14-21
God does in time (point time action) exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we continually as or continually think according to His power that continually works within us.
God does not act by some power surge from above. We need not cry for some special anointing from above. The things done in the world that exceed our grandest requests or wildest dreams come about by the power of God working WITHIN us! Beyond a solid connection or submission to Christ, a consecration of every member of our being, a continually renewing of our perception, a sincere drawing near to God in communion, we must live by the power of God. I want to search the Scriptures for answers to the basic questions concerning this power. What, who, when, why, where, how????
What is the power of God?
The word used here in this passage is the Greek word “dynamis”. Our English word dynamite comes from this word. The Greeks employed this word in a variety of ways.
Ability or capability, be able, possibility, power both physical and intellectual and even spiritual. It referred to anything from explosive ability and great might to a simple ability or talent. We find that word used in reference to the ability of God especially as manifested through Jesus. In reference to Jesus it indicated supernatural ability in many areas.
• Power to heal and cast out evil spirits
And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” Mark 5:30 faith as made you well
And it came about one day that He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. Luke 5:17
And amazement came upon them all, and they began discussing with one another saying, “What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” Luke 4:36
• Power over the elements of nature.
Who is this that even the wind and waves obey Him.
• Power for ministry
And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit; and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. Luke 4:14 He began teaching because God anointed Him to preach the gospel.
"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him. Acts 10:38
• Christ was the power of God on earth
but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Cor. 1:21-25
• Power to sustain all creation
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:3
This power of God touches every aspect of life in the universe.
• It is the ability to create and sustain the world
• It refers to the ability to give life.
• It refers to the ability to resurrect and transform a mortal body into an immortal glorified body.
• It refers to the ability to regenerate a dead spirit into a living soul.
• It refers to the ability to bring all things into subjection to God.
• It refers to the ability to work all things together for good.
The power of God refers to the ability of God to accomplish and do whatever He wills by the mere exercise of His will. It is unlimited ability, it is omnipotence, it is all power. God can accomplish anything as easily as he spoke the universe into being in the first place. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. This same power or ability resides within every believer because the God of all power indwells every believer.
Which brings us to our second question…
Who possesses the power of God? A few select saints throughout history have been channels of God’s supernatural power. Moses, Elijah, Elisha.
The disciples of Jesus experienced this power on a limited scale before Pentecost through association with Him.
And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases. Luke 9:1
"Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you. Luke 10:19
But God promised an outpouring of His Spirit on all flesh.
"And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:49
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17
And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:6-8
God fulfilled that promise on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit birthed the body of Christ and took up residence in them as His temple. God’s power was evident by the response to the word preached by the apostles and the touch of God on individuals.
From that time we see continuing demonstrations of the power of God in every sphere of life. The disciples wielded the power of God against the gates of hell and forces of the enemy. The church of God became a channel for healing of both soul and body.
But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? Acts 3:12
The disciples continued even in the face of persecution and imprisonment.
"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:23-35
Peter, Paul, Stephen, Philip, the apostles all experienced manifestations of God’s supernatural power.
Why or for what purpose does God empower us?
• Power for witness
The Gospel message and the message of the cross itself is the power of God to save.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor. 1:18
Although we emphasize other signs and wonders, God places emphasis on the declaration of the truth that transforms. The early church was empowered to be witnesses. The early church prayed for boldness to proclaim the good news of the resurrected Christ. Paul put confidence in the power of God rather than the persuasiveness of words.
And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:4-5
for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 1 Thes. 1:5
• Power for ministry
of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. Ephes. 3:7
And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Col. 1:28-29
The gifts and manifestations or effects of the Spirit for ministry are all manifestations of the supernatural power of God for ministry to one another. Both the speaking and serving gifts must be employed by the power of the Spirit.
• Power for steadfastness and long-suffering
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Col. 1:9-12
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Cor. 12:9
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us, and called us 1 Tim 7:7-11
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; 2 Cor. 4:7
• Power for maintaining and abounding in hope
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
• Power for resurrection
Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. 1 Cor. 6:14
For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. 2 Cor. 13:4
• Power for the signs and wonders
Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:5
• Power for protection
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5
• Power for living
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Peter 1:2-4
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Gal 5:22-25
Paul told Timothy that in the last days there would be those whose lives were full of fleshly pursuits and even though they would hold to a form of godliness, they would deny its power.
Where does the power of God reside?
Is this something that we need to call into ourselves?
Is this power something that God showers from on high?
Is this power of God something that we must go somewhere to get?
It is clear that God focus His divine power to the inner man.
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39
For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; Eph 3:14
There is a supernatural ability granted to every believer by the Holy Spirit for life, ministry, witness, strength, endurance. This power centers in the inner man and manifests to the whole being. The final question is how?
How do we access the power of God?
Later we will spend some time on how we might block the power of the Holy Spirit working in our life by grieving Him or quenching Him. This lesson I want to finish our time looking at how this power is appropriated. Much has been written over the years about how one appropriates the power of God as described in the Scriptures. Who would not want the all-powerful God to demonstrate His infinite power through these frail earthen vessels to His glory. Who would not want to appropriate the power of God in every circumstance of life? There are a few key passages I would like us to examine briefly that I believe hold the key to experiencing God’s power in our life.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:2-4
be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord Col 1
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places Eph 1
This is not just a basic intellectual knowledge but an experiential knowledge. This is a knowledge and comprehension that gives birth to faith. Hebrews 4 talks about a rest in the power of God. The Israelites were not able to enter the promised land because of unbelief.
The Holy Spirit says in that passage that “we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word did not profit them, because it was not united (perfect tense verb) by faith in those who heard. For we who have believed enter that rest.
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles (dynamis, power) among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:5
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
This power of God is appropriated by faith which comes by hearing and receiving the truth.
Like the Israelites we know about God.
Like the Israelites, we have seen the works of God or at least read about them.
(Refer to 1 Cor 10)
Like the Israelites we have identified with Christ, we have been baptized into Christ, we have tasted spiritual food, we have drunk spiritual drink.
Yet, sad to say, like the Israelites with many of us God is not well pleased because like the Israelites we have craved evil things, put our trust in other things besides God, acted immorally, tested the Lord by our attitudes, grumbled about our circumstances questioning His goodness on our behalf.
Like the Israelites, we have run from the giants inhabiting a land promised to us.
We have failed and perhaps even refused to believe the promise of God regarding the victorious life in the promised land. We have dared longed for the old life of bondage because the new life of freedom required surrender to the purposes and will of God.
• Do you believe that God can bring other to Christ through your testimony?
• Do you believe that through the power of God you can rise victorious over lifelong habits?
• Do you believe that God will actually bring about things that exceed all that you could ask or think through YOU?
• Do you believe that the power of God can really make a difference in your marriage, your family, your work, your school, your, neighborhood, your friends?
• Do you believe YOU, through the power of God in your innermost being will conquer giants in the land?
• Do you believe that you can endure suffering and trial through the power of God?
• Do you believe that God has really ranted you everything pertaining Old Testament life and godliness through knowing Christ?
• Do you believe that you can really live like Christ in word and deed and thought?
• Do you believe that God will really answer your prayers?
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
If we are to appropriate this power for living it will come by a new comprehension.
• Submit to God
• consecrate your members
• Renew you mind
• Draw close to Him
• Live by His power through believing.
Paul’s prayer for the believers at Ephesus captures the process.
For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
First
to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;
Paul prays for an inner strengthening with diving power and ability in the inner man.
It is this power that enables the second stage.
Second
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
By the inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit we are drawn to give Christ full access to our life in full confidence that every promise of God would be fulfilled as promised and that Christ can much better handle the reigns of my life than I can. When we have come to the point of allowing Christ to occupy every part of our life we can then come to understand that He really does love us. We begin to understand the full dimensions of His love for us and through us.
Third
that you, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,(being rooted and grounded in love) and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,
Two kinds of knowing here.
A comprehension of God’s great love for us and an experiential understanding of His love for us and the full dimensions of His love through us. Once we come to this place in our relationship with God we discover true divine power.
Fourth
that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
It is really not all that complicated. The power of God is appropriated by faith in the person and promise and purpose of God.
Believe God.
Ask God!
Or more simply, Pray in faith!
After such a bold request for divine fullness Paul himself cries out…
Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephes. 3:14-21
