Overwhelming Power A few years ago, a dominant force in the Middle East presented themselves as a caliphate that would eventually take over the world. They committed many heinous acts which they filmed and submitted to news broadcasters everywhere. Their purpose was to terrorize into submission all who would be impressed by their show of claimed superior power. This was successful and they enjoyed quick and massive expansion as long as their ruse was allowed to persist as if valid. Their reign was short-lived, however, as soon as our president refused to be impressed by their ruckus. He chose, instead, to show them what real power is, completely overwhelming and removing them as a threatening entity. It wasn’t appeasement and worry about stirring them up, though, that brought an end to that evil power. The only thing that would overcome them was an overwhelming taste of their own medicine. Coexisting and getting along with a wicked regime is only a recipe for lives and freedoms lost. Their power must be met with completely overwhelming and debilitating power. Though it might seem that challenges we face are in need of a natural response, there is also a spiritual element that is in need of an overwhelming response of power from us. It’s not enough to just somehow get along with a how-to book or attempts at coping. For that power that is overwhelming in the moment, there is only one answer that will bring relief from its ruckus. There is need for the power of the Spirit of God to show that enemy of ours what real power looks like. Just knowing that God is all-powerful and the appropriate scriptures that pertain to the conflict will only result in a prolonged dominance of that tiny power. What will enable complete dominance of the foe is becoming full of God’s power ourselves by His Spirit. Then, as a true representative of His greatness, the enemy will run as if in terror from that overwhelming power residing within. Notes God’s Response to overwhelming threats – OVERWHELM Isaiah 59:19 (NKJV) So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19 (NLT) In the west, people will respect the name of the LORD; in the east, they will glorify him. For he will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the LORD. 5 P’s HG Extreme Response Plan Purity | Partnership | Power | Prayer | Proclamation Power Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Power Source – Spirit Samson – Judges 14 - (Spirit Came Powerfully Upon) Killing of the lion Killing of 30 Philistines Burning of the fields Another slaughter of Philistines Escape from ropes and killing of 1,000 Gaza gate incident Escape from the bowstrings Escape from the new ropes Escape from the loom Final destruction of 3,000 Judges 16:30 (NKJV) Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life. David’s acknowledgment of God’s Overwhelming Power 1 Chronicles 29:9 (NKJV) Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the LORD; and King David also rejoiced greatly. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (NKJV) Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. [12] Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. Power reservoir - Spirit Psalms 51:10-11 (NKJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. [11] Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Gift of the Spirit/Power Acts 1:8 (NKJV) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Residence of Power Romans 8:11 (NLT) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Demonstrated Message – by the Spirit 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV) For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, With the Spirit – Power/Authority Luke 10:19 (AMPC) Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. Necessary Spirit maintenance Ephesians 4:29-30 (AMPC) Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). The Spirit – both Power Source and Preserver 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Overview: God’s response – Overwhelming Power. The Power Source – Spirit. All power is in and from God. Our spirits are the reservoir of the Spirit’s Power. Grieving the Spirit disables the power. The purpose for Power – demonstrated love. The Spirit is the power both to prepare/preserve and to perform. Prayer: Father, You have bought me by Your blood in the most incredible demonstration of power. I am so grateful for my new spirit and the gift of the Holy Spirit to abide here continually. I desire for Your Spirit’s power to prepare this vessel to be a demonstrator of Your love’s power. May others know and be drawn to You as Your power is seen in and through me. Proclamation: For every threat of the enemy to overwhelm and overcome, there is a God response in me that will completely crush him beneath my feet. I have a new nature and spirit that is united with Christ and His body to be a reservoir of His Spirit’s power. The very power that raised Christ from the dead is living in me to purify and prepare a vessel for His demonstrated love. The power that has come to reside in me is so far greater than any power of darkness. As I walk in the light of His love my spirit will not grieve the Holy Spirit, but will be prepared for the flow of overwhelming power for His glory.