POWER TO MOVE
Acts 2:4
There are all types of power:
Man’s own power (our physical ability)
Man-made power (machinery; generators; etc.)
God’s power (in nature [glaciers; earthquakes; volcanos]; in Spirit [thru us])
We can use one or more of these different powers
either separately or in conjunction with another.
1. We can use our power in conjunction with man-made power.
My good friend, Tommy Rhodes, owns a "re-make" of Schwinn’s mid-1900’s motor powered bicycle. You start the engine by peddling the bicycle and once it starts, you can relax and enjoy the ride as the engine does the work for you. (we start it going and the motor keeps it going)
2. We can also use our power in conjunction with God’s power.
(Our bodies- We begin the task and God provides us the power to complete the task)
Power is required in both cases, and also,
the need to replenish the source of the power.
Tommy’s bike will only carry us so far, and then we must add fuel for more power.
It came with a tank to hold the fuel but we must seek the fuel on a regular basis or we find ourselves peddling under our own power.
Let us compare the mechanics of Tommy’s bike
to the Spiritual wholeness of the Christian man or woman.
I. There Must be a Tank
A. Every new power-bike is manufactured with a tank.
1. It is mandatory- not just an option.
2. It is permanently installed-
not something we have to "keep" up with.
3. It serves a "specific" purpose-
it stores the fuel for power.
B. Every new Christian is "born-again" with the
Holy Spirit (Holy Spirit is like a tank).
1. It is mandatory- not just an option.
2. It is permanently installed-
it’s not something we have to keep by works.
3. It serves a specific purpose-
it is (stores) the fuel for power!
II. It Must be Refilled
A. Every motor-bike tank must be refilled periodically.
1. If not used, the fuel will evaporate over time. (wasted)
2. If not used, the carburetor will "gum up" and cannot operate.
3. When used, the fuel becomes a power and a driving force.
4. The fuel carries you places and distances you couldn’t go alone.
5. You must stop and refill every so often or you will lose power.
6. You can continue on your own, but the results are far less and the efforts can become very painful.
B. Every Christian’s tank must be refilled periodically.
1. If not used, the Spirit’s power will slowly evaporate from your life.
2. If not used, your heart will "harden up" and will not operate.
3. When used, the Spirit becomes a power and a driving force.
4. The Spirit carries you places you wouldn’t go on your own.
- The Spirit gives you the power to accomplish impossible task.
- The Spirit gives you the boldness to tackle the improbable knowing that you "will not" fail because God "cannot fail"!
5. You must stop and refill every so often or you will lose the power.
- You must stop to pray
-You must stop to study
- You must stop to fellowship (share testimonies; encourage others)
-You must stop to worship (that you not forget the source of the power)
6. You can continue own your own, but the results are tragic.
- the power diminishes
- the results become less
- the effort becomes painful (you eventually quit)
- one day you began to wonder where God is in your life (if He’s there at all)
Conclusion:
So why do some Christians appear to be "on the move" for Christ while others seem to be "spinning their wheels" and getting no where?
1. They all have a vehicle (body).
2. They all have the Holy Spirit (tank).
Jesus said, "...ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost..."
(No question about that...if you’re saved...you’ve got the Holy Spirit)
3. Not all tanks are filled.
-there is no command by God to be baptized with the Spirit-
that is God’s choice and gift to us.(He gives us the "tank")
-there is a command to be filled - God would not command us to do something that He was going to do for us.
God says in Eph. Chp.5, for us to be "followers of God, as dear children;"
1. He gives us several commands to fulfill this relationship.
2. One of them is that we be "filled with the Spirit."
3. It is something that each of must choose to do.
4. If we disobey this "command" we are like a motor bike with pedals, but no fuel.
God wants all people to be Christians
and He wants all Christians to be Spirit Filled!
