| The Grapevine Number 79 May 23, 2004 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 The Power of God By Jack Northart What separates Christians from non-Christian people? Is it merely just a different religious point of view? Is it another set of rules and regulations? No, it is the spirit of God in Christ in Christians, the hope of Glory. It is the power of God that is in operation that is available within each believer. Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: II Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. The epistle to the Colossians and the epistle to the Corinthians are addressed specifically to the Church, the born-again ones, Christian believers. It tells us that we have Christ in us, the hope of glory. What does it mean to have Christ in us, the hope of glory? Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Christ told his disciples that he would send the promise of the Father which was power from on high. They were to wait in Jerusalem for this event to occur. The spirit that he would send would be the power from God. He reiterated this again on the day of his ascension into heaven. Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. This wonderful event took place on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts, chapter two. Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place [the temple]. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind [heavy breathing], and it filled all the house [the temple] where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. This was the moment in time that would forever change the course of human history. It was the original outpouring of the gift of holy spirit upon those men assembled in the temple. It was the fulfillment of the promise of the Father. They were endued with power from on high. What was the evidence that they had received this power? “…and [they] began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. It was the “complete package” from God. Now they had the power to do those things that Jesus told them they would do in Mark 16. Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; [If] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. As we read the records in the book of Acts, which records the history of the first century church, we see these very things happening time after time. They did cast out devils, they did speak with new tongues, they did all of the things that Jesus told them they would be able to do. It was something that the world had not seen before. It was the power of God in Christ in action in the life of each Christian. This power would rock the spiritual world for it would enable each believer to issue blow after blow to Satan and his forces of evil. Had the Devil known that this would happen, he never would have killed the Lord Jesus Christ. He would have much rather had one Jesus Christ to contend with, than thousands, even millions of people who have Christ in them, and could paralyze his kingdom on every hand. I Corinthians 2:4-8 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world [Satan and his hosts] , that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in [or regarding] a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. What great power must be resident in the Church! For Satan to be convinced that he should not have crucified Jesus Christ because of this power in each believer means that we must be sitting on a gold mine from God Almighty! It should then be our fervent prayer to see this and demonstrate this same power in our daily lives. Ephesians 1:18,19 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. This is God’s Will for our lives. We are to walk in this power, love and greatness that He has called us to. We are to act on the promises that He has made to us. We have His power. I Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. What manner of people are we? Do we simply “talk the talk” or do we “walk the talk?” Do we evidence the power of God in our lives on a daily basis? Do we see signs, miracles and wonders following us? Do we see God do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think? It the answer is no, then perhaps we should evaluate what we are believing; is it God’s Word or simply the words of men? It is time to rise up and manifest it forth, believing what God has given to us. |
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