"More than Words"
Text: 2 Cor 4:20
Intro:
This morning I would like to bring you a message entitled “More than Words…”
Illus:
A woman went to the doctors office, where she was seen by one of the new doctors, but after about 4 minutes in the examination room, she burst out, screaming as she ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she told him her story. After listening, he had her sit down and told her to go relax in another room. The older doctor marched down hallway to the back where the first doctor was and demanded,"What’s the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 63 yearsold, she has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?" The new doctor continued to write on his clipboard and without looking up said, "Does she still have the hiccups?"
Words are powerful…
They have caused nations to rise and nations to fall
They have cause hearts to swoon and marriages to collapse. But words can also have the opposite the effect. They can lull the listener even turn the listener away. Even Paul had the misfortune of having one of his listeners fall asleep and unfortunately
fall out of third story window. (Acts 20:9)
That story makes all preachers a little bit more comfortable.In the day an age in which we live we are subjected to so much rhetoric…just empty words.In Politics we have politicians who just ramble on and on with out seemingly saying a thing.Unfortunatley we have the same problem within the church. So many times we ramble on and on with our religious ease…but it is no more than a mantra that we have memorized.
Illus
It’s like the Lutheran pastor who always started each service with "The Lord be with you." The people would respond, "and also with you.” But, one Sunday the PA system wasn’t working so the first thing he said was "There’s something wrong with this microphone." The people responded, "and also with you."
This morning Paul encourages us in our text to be more than words…he encourages us to walk in Power.
Lets look real quickly at some definitions before we get into the heart of the message…
“Word” logos something said
“Power” Dunamis; force specifically miraculous power
If we were to restate verse 20 based upon these definitions we would say…
"Christianity is more than something said, it is something that is marked by miraculous power”
1 Cor 4:18-20 “The Message”
“I know there are some among you who are so full of themselves they never listen to anyone, let alone me. They don’t think I’ll ever show up in person. But I’ll be there sooner than you think, God willing, and then we’ll see if they’re full of anything but hot air. God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.
This word “Dunamis” very key it shows up many times throughout the New Testament. We are instructed, encouraged, admonished, and asked to walk a powerful, and victorious life throughout the Scripture, not just speak the words. So where is the gap between the words we speak and the lives we many times live. We must remember that we fight from a “Position of Victory.”
When we sign up for this thing called Christianity, it is not like joining the Boy Scouts…we become new creatures. And with that change there are some things that become available to us. We have more to offer than nice and encouraging words. We have a power that is available to those who are willing to search out the source.
This morning I would like to share for a few moments on this word Power…or “Dunamis”
There are Five Powerpoints that are available to those who call themselves Christian…
1)INHERENT POWER
According to Thayers Greek dictionary…this is a power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
You are now longer operating as you always have, you are not longer operating as this world operates.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
When God comes into this house, something happens.
You upfront receive a powerful enhancement.
Illus:
The high performance chip they put into vehicles. The vehicle could have done it before, but not without the chip.
This is what God does for us…but we cannot tap into that new life power unless He dwells in us. He completes you and makes you whole.
That is why Paul said that God is His sufficiency.
This is just the beginning…there is so much more.
We must move beyond talking about it, and begin living it.
2)POWER FOR PERFORMING MIRACLES
Peter and John were at the gate beautiful. There was a man lame from birth. Through the name of Jesus Peter brought this man healing… To the astonished crowds Peter said…
Acts 3:12 “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?”
Sometimes when we pray for healing and God answers…we are surprised! Although this type of power is promised over and over in scripture to us.
Zech 4:6…”Not by Might, Nor by Power…But By my spirit says the Lord”
John 14:12-14(NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV) “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Supernatural, Miraculous, Life Changing Power has been granted to us. Are we using it, or are we just talking about using it?
3)MORAL POWER
There is a third power that is granted to us to walk in…
It is a moral power…or the ability to have “excellence of soul”
Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) “Come now, let us reason together,”says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
What is the best of the Land…Standing Clean and Blameless Before a Holy God.This morning a power has been granted to you through the Blood of Jesus Christ…
a power that can bring you excellence of soul. Are you walking in that power or just talking about it? Are there habits you have in your life that you have said…I will never be rid of…
I tell you this morning that is a lie from the pit of hell. This morning you can be set free right here and now.
4)THE POWER AND INFLUENCE WHICH BELONG TO RICHES AND WEALTH
Illus:
At church one morning, my friend Gwen was about to start her 4-year-olds’ Sunday school class when a little boy showed up without any identification. Gwen managed to get his first name, but couldn’t find out his last name. "Brian, what’s your daddy’s name?" she asked. "Daddy," he replied. She tried again, "Brian, what’s your mommy’s name?" "Mommy," he answered. Suddenly she realized exactly how she could get the answer she needed. "Brian, what does your daddy call your mommy?" His face lit up. With a grin and a deep voice, he replied, "Hey, Babe."
Another power in our life comes from being a Joint heir with Jesus Christ.When we take the name Christian and submit to our heavenly Father we come under his jurisdiction. With our submission to His Lordship in our Life he returns to us some incredible
perks.
Illuss:
Japan Submitted to the US by surrendering in WW2. We in return protected her.
We could compile and incredible list of Christian Perks this morning…but I want to focus on just one.
One perk that is associated with the name Christian.
A power that enters our life because we have bowed our heart to the Lord.
Acts 4:12 (NIV) 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and very tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Folks there is power in the name of Jesus!
Do we just talk about it?…or do we use it?
5)THE POWER AND RESOURCES ARISING FROM NUMBERS
One last power that comes as believers is simply strength in numbers.
Galatians 6:2 (KJV) Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
There is strength in numbers. There is a reason why God put us together as a church…to help one another.
It takes work to not only function, but also flourish as a church…but O there is power when we do more than just talk about…
-Loving One Another
-Forgiving One Another
-Meet each others needs…
This is where we begin to step into the Dunamus power that the Church was intended to be in.
CONCLUSION
Illus
President Franklin D. Roosevelt got tired of smiling that big smile and saying the usual things at all those White House receptions. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was paying attention to what he was saying. As each person came up to him with extended hand, he flashed that big smile and said; "I murdered my grandmother this morning." People would automatically respond with comments such as "How lovely!" or "Just continue with your great work!" Nobody listened to what he was saying, except one foreign diplomat. When the president said, "I murdered my grandmother this morning," the diplomat responded softly, "I’m sure she had it coming to her."
I have said a lot to say “God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.”
Is your life empowered?
1) Do you realize that you are a new creature?
2) Do you have the miraculous available to you
3) Do you have “excellence of soul”
4) Do you know the Power behind the name you bear?
5) Do you understand the concept of strength in
numbers?
