POWER IN YOU
Acts 1:4-8
Dunamis is a Greek word from which English word dy•na•mo was derived. In electricity, dynamo is a kind of electric generator, especially for direct current. In human description, it refers to a kind of energetic, hardworking, forceful person – hence, dynamic. Which is also akin to dynamite or a powerful explosive. Dunamis in short means power.
In our text in Acts 1:8 Jesus told the disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit would come upon them. In verse 4, Jesus commanded them to stay in Jerusalem and to “wait for the promise of the Father.” Then we read of the disciple going to the upper room and they abode there. We read that they were in prayer and supplication with one another. When we open Chapter 2 of Acts, we can read that the power of God fell on that place, and from henceforth effect dynamic growth in the church. People saw the difference in the believers that were there that day. This only means to say that people will always notice when you have the power of God in your life.
What about the church today? Can we have the same power that the early church in Acts experienced? Can we tap into the same Source of Power that they tapped into? Can we make an impact to the lives of people in particular and the whole society in general the way they did back then? On the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, the Bibles says that 3000 souls were saved. From there on the Word of God was boldly preached, lives were enthusiastically changed, communities were transformed by leaps and bounds, and Jesus Christ's name was uplifted with thunderous acclamation and praise.
Now, Let us focus our attention to our church today, even to ourselves, and ask this question:
“DO WE HAVE THE POWER OF GOD IN OUR CHURCH TODAY THAT RESULTS IN SAVING SOULS, CHANGING LIVES, AND TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES?” Are we making an impact in the lives of people around us, in our immediate neighborhood, and even in our homes?
We are talking about a dunamis church, a dynamic church, a kind of DYNAMITE church. When we talk about dynamite, we are referring to power. The power to move mountains of social problems, the power to break heart of stone, the power to melt conscience of steel. A child of God with this power can do marvelous things. So does the church that has this power.
But what really caused the early church to have the power of God? Our text gave us hints as to what brought about the power of God on the early church.
I. THE POWER OF GOD CAME ABOUT AMONG EARLY BELIEVERS BECAUSE THEIR WHOLEHEARTED DEVOTION IS CENTERED IN JESUS CHRIST. (Acts 1:6a)
We will never have the Power of God with halfhearted devotion to Christ. God does not bless halfhearted service, or obedience. Matthew 22:37 says - “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” This verse leaves no room for halfheartedness.
This is the catch, God’s full power necessitates full devotion to Christ. In other words, with great devotion to Christ comes great power. We can never fully receive God’s power if we are halfheartedly devoted to Christ. But take note, our devotion should be to Christ, and to Christ alone. Not to any person even pastors. Our devotion should not be placed on anyone, but to Christ alone. Many has a tendency to put into pedestal people whom they idolized. If we do the same what do you think will happen to our church? No church growth, no membership growth, no qualitative and quantitative growth! Remember, only a Christ centered church can receive power from God that could spell massive growth.
II. THE POWER OF GOD CAME ABOUT AMONG EARLY BELIEVERS BECAUSE THEIR FOCUS IS TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD (Acts 1:6b)
We are all called to take part in the building of the Kingdom of God. The kingdom that we are building is that of God and not of man. We are here to help the church grow, not for self glorification nor for self gratification, not for self satisfaction, not for us to feel proud about ourselves, or about our contribution to the church. So we give our tithes, we give our offerings, we take part in the ministry, we sing in the choir, we volunteer for medical and dental missions, we help as ushers and usherettes, we visit and pray for the sick, we do church ministry. for the soul reason of building the Kingdom of God. The power of God will only come about if our reason for being a church is to build God’s Kingdom here on earth.
III. THE POWER OF GOD CAME ABOUT AMONG THE EARLY BELIEVERS BECAUSE THEY SEEK THE WILL OF GOD OVER THEIR OWN WILL AND ALLOW GOD’S PURPOSE TO TAKE PLACE IN THEIR LIVES. (Acts 1:7)
Jesus, in verse 7, made it clear among his disciples that they need to surrender their own will to the sovereign will of God. People of today, just like in the times of the Old and New Testaments, has tendency to create God, so to speak, by changing God’s word, with their own interpretation of how the Scripture should be understood. People tend to encroach on the sovereign will of God – predicting when an event will happen or why events happened – making themselves a demi-God as if they know and can predict the future. Our text today is telling us that the power of God will only come about if we will not superimpose our will over the will of God and just let his purpose
to take place in our lives. Letting God’s will flow in our lives hence precipitate the power from God to us.
Now, when Jesus Christ becomes the center of our devotion, when the Kingdom building is the reason for all our actions, and when God’s will is highest priority of our being, then the Holy Spirit will descend upon us and enveloped us with his presence and we will have power.
Acts 1:8 is telling us that when this power, the Holy Spirit, descends upon us then we will become bold in witnessing for Jesus Christ. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to be witnesses for Christ. The Power that comes from the Holy Spirit gives us the same boldness that Peter experienced in preaching. This same power is still available to us today!
It is Gods choice to use us to manifest his power to the world. Isa 43:7 says, “for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” We were created for the power of God. We are born of the Spirit. Filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, taught by the Spirit, kept by the Spirit and empowered by the Spirit.
We have a High and a Holy Calling on our life. Mt 5:14 says, “Ye are the salt of the earth”. Salt has healing influence, It preserves, it seasons, it gives joy. Christ in us causes our lives to be a channel of healing and comfort, a seasoning and preserving influence, making life exciting and joyous. Mt 5:14 says, “Ye are the Light of the world.” Christ in us causes our lives to be a beacon in the night. Our lives, our words, our attitude, our actions can be and should be a light to those who are in darkness.
There’s a story about a man at the beach throwing the dying star fish back into the ocean, the tide had washed them ashore, and they were dying. Some young folks came by and saw it, they said “you’re wasting your time you’ll never make a difference. There are millions of star fishes here.” As the old fellow lifted one star fish and threw it back into the ocean, he said with a smile “it made a difference to that one.”
There are only two essential powers on earth, one is the power of God and the other is the power of the devil. Both are supernatural, both have kingdoms. You are either in God’s Kingdom or You are in Satan’s kingdom, There is no middle ground. You can’t live in God’s kingdom and derive your pleasure and your enjoyment from Satan’s kingdom. It’s either you are hot or cold Christian. You can’t be a lukewarm Christian, Rev. 3:16 says, “... because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.” We are not made to be lukewarm Christians.
God’s power is available to us, so we can be witnesses who are on fire for Jesus Christ. There Is nothing Satan fears more than to see people who are on fire for God. There is nothing Satan desires more than to see the energy of people perverted in the pursuit of natural earthly, carnal and selfish desires, or wasted wrapped up in a “don’t care”, “so what”, “it’s my life”, “what’s in it for me” attitude. God is offering his power to all of us so that we can be witnesses of Jesus Christ whose life and teachings can change life, transform community, and make everything new. While we are comfortable coming in and out of our church, Sunday after Sunday, the door to Satan’s kingdom is wide open, and multitudes of spiritually hungry people young and adults, are streaming into the door of Satan’s kingdom. There are so many people who are hungry for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now, say, “Jesus is Lord!” (just say it ok? Say, “Jesus is Lord”) There’s the proof! The power is in you already! The Bible is saying that we cannot say “Lord Jesus” if the Holy Spirit is not in us (1 Cor. 12:3). Therefore if we are able to say Lord Jesus, it means the Holy Spirit is us. And if the Holy Spirit is in us, it means we already have the power in us. Do you believe that? Now, you need to take hold of God’s power in you, and be instrument in changing lives and transforming communities by witnessing for Christ in your homes, in your neighborhood, in your school, in your offices, in your businesses, even in your social media accounts.
You are called to be channels for his power to flow-through to meet the needs of humanity.
You are sent forth for God's mission and service. The power is in you. Amen.
