Power Or…

If you’ve ever flown on a commercial flight, especially one that crosses the ocean with hundreds of passengers, you’ve encountered an amazing display of applied power. Jet engines have initiated enough thrust for angled wings to lift an unbelievable weight in people, luggage, and fuel. Not only is there more than enough power to get such a large mass off the ground, but this force is maintained for hours on end.

An endless amount of implemented design and resources have gone into producing this wonderfully useful form of transportation. As great as its potential for lifting and moving things across the world is, however, the airplane is but an expensive obstruction until it is put into motion and its power applied. Without application, its incredible power is but a meaningless concept.

The truth of the Gospel, that Jesus became the sacrifice for all sin and then defied death in resurrection life, is a display of power that far exceeds our most extreme encounters with actual and even conceptual power. Overcoming the weight of death was a lifting force that has been consistently applied since the first moment of His triumphant new life. It powerfully overwhelms any burden or baggage that once demanded grounded bondage. There is no condemnation, failure, or verdict that can withstand the power of His shed blood when applied. As powerful as this death-defying life is, however, it is much like a grounded super-plane until the full force of its love is put into motion against any of death’s curses. We’ve been freely given this undefeated resurrection life of Christ, the most overwhelming of powers, but it is much in need of release from a nodded ascent to its soaring liberations in actual motions and sounds of faith. Nothing is impossible to those whose belief is experienced in a power that lifts far above any storm or obstruction.

Notes

Peril of no Power

2 Timothy 3:5 (NLT) 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

Before the Master, every difficulty is a Power opportunity

John 9:2-3 (TLB) 2 “Master,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?” 3 “Neither,” Jesus answered. “But to demonstrate the power of God.

What appears to be a “Power” will bow before His

Romans 9:17 (TLB) 17 Pharaoh, king of Egypt, was an example of this fact. For God told him he had given him the kingdom of Egypt for the very purpose of displaying the awesome power of God against him, so that all the world would hear about God’s glorious name.

Power faith vs human wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NKJV) 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Power in the Gospel

Romans 1:16 (NKJV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Power with the Holy Spirit – free gift

Acts 1:8 (TLB) 8 But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about me with great effect, to the people in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about my death and resurrection.”

God’s kingdom – power in motion

1 Corinthians 4:20 (TLB) 20 The Kingdom of God is not just talking; it is living by God’s power.

Faith – the overwhelming power of God responding to commands of belief

Mark 11:22 (TLB) 22 (22-23) In reply Jesus said to the disciples, “If you only have faith in God—this is the absolute truth—you can say to this Mount of Olives, ‘Rise up and fall into the Mediterranean,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and have no doubt!

A power experience enables endurance through a storm

Luke 9:43-44 (TLB) 43 Awe gripped the people as they saw this display of the power of God. Meanwhile, as they were exclaiming over all the wonderful things he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Listen to me and remember what I say. I, the Messiah, am going to be betrayed.”

Christ is the Power

1 Corinthians 1:24 (TLB) 24 But God has opened the eyes of those called to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, to see that Christ is the mighty power of God to save them; Christ himself is the center of God’s wise plan for their salvation.

Must use or lose

Matthew 25:29 (NLT) 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

The Power of His might requires “Being”

Ephesians 6:10 (KJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.