There is Power in Jesus Our Savior (Matt. 28:18-20)
Too many people live powerless lives as they fail to appropriate the power given through Jesus Christ our Savior. It is an equivalent to trying to drive a big car up a long steep hill while one’s engine operates only on one cylinder. There will be a lot of disappointments, discouragements and feelings of distress for those who choose to live powerless lives.
Paul wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Rom. 1:16)
Jesus said, "You error because you do not know the scripture or the power of God."
The following are a few suggestions for learning to live in the power of the Jesus Christ our Savior:
1. There is power in the NAME of Jesus our Savior and Lord. "There is no other name under heaven by which men must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Only the name of Jesus Christ, saves men and women from sin, death, hell and judgment.
Illustrative Song: ’Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;
’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
’Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”
Refrain
He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”
’Tis the grandest theme in the earth or main;
’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal strain;
’Tis the grandest theme, tell the world again,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”
Refrain
’Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,
To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”
2. There is power in the GREAT COMMISSION of Jesus our Savior and Lord. Jesus said, "All power and authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, go therefore and make disciples of all nations." (Matt 28:18-20) Those who are involved in the great commission will more fully realize the empowerment of Jesus than those who are maintenance oriented believers.
3. There is power in the BLOOD of Jesus our Savior and Lord. The words to the old song ring true even today, "Would you be free from the power of sin. There’s power in the blood. Power in the blood...There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the lamb." Appropriat that power by claiming the overcoming power to break loose from the chains of sin, fear and anger through the power found in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. There is power in the RESURRECTION of Jesus our Savior and Lord. Paul wrote, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection." (PHil. 3:8) He liberated us from the fear of death and hell through the power of His resurrection and conquering of the grave. Let us appropriate that resurrection power in our prayers, relationships and personal lives.
5. There is power in the VICTORY of Jesus our Savior. Paul wrote about this victory to the Corinthians: "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I cor. 15:57) Let us live victoriously overcoming the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the boastful pride of life. Stop giving in to boredom, selfishness or insipid thinking.
6. There is power in the HOLY SPIRIT of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "But when He the, Holy Spirit, has come upon you. You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the utter most parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8) That dynamite power found in the Holy Spirit is to be appropriated through our prayers, relationships and speech every moment of the day. Ask the Lord to empower you more through the Spirit’s working in your body, mind, heart, soul and attitude.
7. There is power in the PROMISES of Jesus Christ. Peter wrote, "Seeing that His divine power has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who calls 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 corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Pet 1:,3,4) Ask the Lord to help you realize that all the promises of God are yes and amen to the glory of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 1:20)
8. There is power in the KINGDOM of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed, "Your kingdom come and your will be done. ON earth as it is in heaven." (Matt 6:9-11) Ask the Lord to help you be a part of helping to expand Christ’s kingdom in greater qualitative and quantitative ways. Surely you will experience opposition from the powers of the kingdom of darkness but be of good cheer, as Jesus said, "I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
9. There is power in the WORDS of Jesus Christ. "Jesus said, "Sanctify them in your word. Your word is truth." (John 17:7) Memorize, meditate and apply God’s word to your life in all aspects of its relationships and activities and experience greater power. Too many people settle for powerless lives because they are not saturating themselves with the power of God’s word. David wrote, "How can a young man keep his way pure, by keeping it according to your word. Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psa 119:9,11)
10. There is power in the CROSS of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
Song: The old rugged cross so despised by the world is a wondrous attraction to me. For I love that old cross for the dearest and best, bled and died there on old Calvary. Yes, I’ll cherish the old rugged cross. Where my trophies at last I’ll lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross. And exchange it someday for a crown."
Ask the Lord to help you to gain empowerment, energy and enlightenment through the power found through identifying more closely as you take up your cross daily and follow Him.
Song: I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene
And wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean
Chorus:
How marvelous! how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! how wonderful! Is my Savior’s love for me!
For me it was in the garden He prayed, "Not My will, but Thine"
He had no tears for His own griefs but sweatdrops of blood for mine
In pit-y angels beheld Him, and came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows He bore for my soul that night.
He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calv’ry and suffered and died alone.
When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy thru the ages to sing of His love for me.
BIBLE PASSAGE:
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
