PLUGGING INTO GOD'S POWER SUPPLY

PLUGGING INTO GOD’S POWER SUPPLY
(Sermon delivered at Under The Juniper Tree Chapel on Resurrection Sunday, April 12th, 2009)

A 1000-power microscope can magnify an image to 1000x its original size. A 3000-power telescope can do the same thing – looking deep into galaxies previously unknown.

Shuttles to the international space station need a lot of power, provided by large rockets, to free themselves from the power of gravity of the earth.

Just this week, North Korea was in the news because it launched a rocket into space which could have carried, according to Canadian and US officials, nuclear power heads. One nuclear bomb could flatten an area as large as Saskatoon and Prince Albert together – such a devise could literally wipe both cities of the map of the earth. In addition, it would kill thousands upon thousands through its residual radio-active effects.

These are some excellent illustrations of how science has progressed and how practical the application of "power" has become.

But there is one type of power which tops them all - a power, which the world believes is impossible. It is the power to prevent physical death.

And yet, it is a historical fact that such power has existed and still exists in today’s world.

Phil 3:10
Paul tells the Philippians, after Jesus has left the earth, : "I want to know Christ and the power that raised him from the dead."

Paul knew and believed by faith (we do not know if he was present when Jesus died on the Cross) that Jesus indeed had died and had resurrected after three days in the tomb. He must have heard that not only Jesus resurrected but that many others had resurrected at the same time – people who died maybe many years prior to that date.

Matthew 27:52-53
"The graves opened, and many of God’s people who had died were raised from the dead. They came out of the graves after Jesus was raised from the dead and went into the holy city, where they appeared to many people."

The single event of Jesus’ resurrection unleashed such "power" that, at the same time, many others came back alive and, in fact, lived to tell about it.

And where did this all start ? Let’s turn to the Book of Genesis 2:17 :
"...but you must not eat the fruit from the tree which gives the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat fruit from that tree, you will die."

And we all know the rest of the story.

But God, in His mercy, provided a way out...

Heb 2:14
"Since these children are people with physical bodies, Jesus, Himself, became like them. He did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death – the devil."

So, Jesus died, he rose again and shortly after that, he was taken up, with His resurrected body, into the clouds to sit on the right hand where he has been and is interceding on our behalf.

However, before He left in the clouds, He told His disciples (and us) something astounding...

Matt 28:18-19
"Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All power in heaven and earth is given to me. SO (emphasis added) go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.’"

And Mark in Mark 16:16, added :
"Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved, but anyone who does not believe will be punished. And those who believe will be able to do these things as proof : They will use my name to force out demons. They will speak in new languages. They will pick up snakes and drink poison without being hurt. They will touch the sick and the sick will be healed."

Jesus was just extending what He already had given to His disciples earlier.

Luke 9:1
"Jesus called the twelve apostles together and gave them power and authority over all demons and the ability to heal sicknesses."

Luke 10:19
"Listen, I have given you power to walk on snakes and scorpions, power that is greater than the enemy has. So nothing can hurt you."

Also, before He left He told His disciples (and us) :
Luke 24:49
"I will send you what my Father has promised, but you must stay in Jerusalem until you have received that power from heaven."

Acts 1:8
"But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power."

So, what is our problem in 2009 ? Why are we not exercising the greatest gift ever given ? Where is that so-called "power" in my life and in your life ? What’s the use of being saved and not exercise that power ? All legitimate questions if you carefully look at today’s church.

The apostle Paul already noticed it 2000 years ago. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul tells us (II Tim 3:5): "...(they) will act as they serve God, but will not have His power."

But prior to that, in the same chapter, Paul describes the world, and yes indeed, many individuals who call themselves (then and now) "Christians" :

II Tim 3:1-5
"Remember this! In the last days there will be many troubles, because people will love themselves, love money, brag, and be proud. They will say evil things against others and will not obey their parents or be thankful or be the kind of people God wants. They will not love others, will refuse to forgive, will gossip, and will not control themselves. They will be cruel, will hate what is good, will turn against their friends, and will do foolish things without thinking. They will be conceited, will love pleasure instead of God, and will act as if they serve God but will not have his power. Stay away from those people."

1. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

Besides staying away from them, what can we do to exercise the power of the Resurrected
Christ in us ?

I Pet 1:5
"God’s power protects you through your faith until salvation is shown to you at the end of time"

2. HAVE FAITH
and Resurrection power will sustain you and you will be able to use it as God intended it to be used.

3. RECOGNIZE AND BE HUMBLE
in your weaknesses. This is what God tells us in II Corinthians 12:9 :
"But he said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.’ So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me."

4. FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD
John 1:12
"But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God"

(I suggest you quickly review points 1, 2, 3 & 4 above)

So, now we are ready!!!

Eph 3:10
"With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine."

Luke 18:27
"Jesus answered, "God can do things that are not possible for people to do."

Mark 9:23
"Jesus said to the father, ‘You said, If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes.’"

Let us be true to the Word of God!!! Let us live in His Power and exercise it daily. I pray that you might know Him and the power of His resurrection.

Pastor John Fryters