The Power Of God

The Power of God
Mt. 28:18; Rom. 1:16

Intro: We all know the inconvenience of being without power. Some times it’s a real bother and some times it becomes a distress. It’s Amazing how difficult “normal” life is without power. We don’t even realize how dependant we are on it until it is gone. We have an Even Greater Need for God’s Power- need it for our physical human life but we also need for our Spiritual Life; for our Eternal life.
Jesus said that All Power in heaven and in earth had been given to him; and that he was sharing it with his disciples so that they would go throughout the whole earth preaching, teaching and baptizing converts in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Paul said that the Gospel of Christ IS the Power of God. The Power of God is still Real today; still Available today; still working today; still effective today.

I. Redeems the Fallen.
Paul said in Rom. 1:16 that the “gospel of Christ is the power of God unto Salvation.”
John 1:12- To those that received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.
In Matthew 9- 4 men brought friend who was paralyzed- Jesus said to the man- Thy sins be forgiven thee. The Pharisees murmured against Jesus for forgiving sin. Mt. 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,)Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
God still redeems the Fallen; his power still Saves; Forgives; Cleanses from Sin.

II. Revives the Fainthearted.
1Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. [Your faith should Stand]
Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel...
Isaiah 40:29- He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might, he increaseth strength.
1 Peter 1:5 we are “Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation”
2 Cor. 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me
Paul makes it clear that the sufficient grace and the perfect strength come by the Power of Christ resting upon us.

III. Reassures the Fearful.
Paul told Timothy- 2 Tim. 1:7- God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.
[Albert Barnes- The state referred to here is that in which the mind is well balanced, and under right influences; in which it sees things in their just proportions and right relations; in which it is not feverish and excited, but having everything in its proper place.]
[M. Henry- quietness of mind, a peaceable enjoyment of ourselves; for we are oftentimes discouraged in our way and work by creatures of our own imagination; this sound mind is a sober, solid, thinking mind which eliminates these disquieting and discouraging fears.]

I Know we are living in Uncertain Times- Wonder about Political World- Economic system- world of foreign affairs- international relations- war and terrorism- Uncertainties in our own Homes and Families. Still let me Remind us all; the spirit of fear does not come from God. Where then does it come from? From our Enemy, the Roaring Lion. Why does the Lion roar? To intimidate his prey- to paralyze them- to freeze them- immobilize them. The Words of Jesus are still True and In Force today- Let Not your hearts be troubled- You believe in God, believe also in me- In my father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you- I go to prepare a place for you that where I am there you may be also- And if I go away I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also. The Power of God reassures the Fearful!

IV. Rewards the Faithful.
Many of these rewards are received right here on the earth.
Acts 1:8- ye shall receive power after that the H G is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me...
Rom. 15:13- Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Some of our rewards are yet to be received.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
1Co 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
1 Cor. 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed
Verse 43 says that our body is sown in weakness, but raised in power.
The Rewards of the Faithful continue on throughout eternity- For God’s Power never Fails.
Mt 26:64 Jesus saith unto him,... Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power
Lu 1:33 and of his kingdom there shall be no end.