Running On Empty

Running on Empty

October 14, 2012 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to display His power in our lives.

Focus Passage: Mark 5:25-34

Supplemental Passage: And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18 NASB)

and how very great is his power at work in us who believe. This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength which he used when he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly world. (Ephesians 1:19-20 GNB)

Introduction: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.

Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.

J.B. Phillips paraphrases Ephesians l:19-20, "How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God." When we make firm our connection with God, his life and power flow through us. Ernest B. Beevers.

http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/p/power.htm

I. Running on empty

a. The woman had suffered for 12 years

b. We get used to functioning without power; God has something better for you!

II. Inadequate Power

a. The woman used things other than God to make her well

b. We try to fill our lives up with things that don’t matter, or things that don’t last

III. The Power of God

a. Her faith was such as she only had to touch his clothes to be healed

b. When we are filled with the Power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to display God’s glory in our lives

Invitation: