(Acts. 1: 1 – 8)
Our churches are too cold for lack of power. Power is not eloquence, or logic or argument, but utterance. in essence we will have much success in the Christian work as we have power. no more, no less. Nothing can stand against the power of God. Spiritual power is accessible and sustainable if we desire it. That is God’s promise and His provision. If power is so important, what are the paths to power?
1. There must be a dis-satisfaction with my present level or situation. Phil. 3:12-14 says we must forget past failures.
2. There must a burning desire a new power. Matt. 5:6. We must have a giant thirst for power.
3. There must be rugged determination. Elisha refused to give up until he got power (II Kings 2: 9-15).
4. There should be extreme desperation.
It is intensity of courage. Mk. 10:46-52 – the story of blind
Bartimaeus. The Master was also desperate for power (Heb. 5:7). The
woman with the issue of blood was desperate for healing (Luke. 8:43-48).
5. There must be a clear vision of why we need power. Where there is no
vision, the people are destroyed. Conditions for power include the
following:
1. Greatest hindrance is sin. Until sin is cured, power cannot flow. We
must quit sin for the Church to be powerful again. Genuine repentance
brings power to the Church. Psalm 66:18 says if I regard iniquity in my
heart, The Lord will not hear me. Sanctification is a lack of desire for
sin. Ezekiel. 36:27 says God will take away our stony heart and give us
a new heart.
Eph. 4:22- says we must put off the old man and put on the new man. We
must be dead to sin and it’s affections (rom.8:13, 14:8). When death
takes place, power will come. We must consecrate ourselves and dedicate
it to Jesus.
There should be a life committed to obedience. Isa.1:19.
We must be focused (concentration). Heb. 12:2 says looking unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith.
2. DISCIPLINE DETERMINES DESTINY. YOU CANNOT AMOUNT TO ANYTHING WITHOUT DISCIPLINE.
I Thess. 4:1 says we must live our lives to please God. For us to please
God, we must know the mind of God. Develop power habits such as: Fast
often, retreat often, pray often. There should be selfless dedication.
There are 3 things we can do with our lives. We can waste it, spend it,
or invest it.
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4 KJV)
3. Live a prayer and fasted life. Jesus prayed for 40 days and nights
There must be unity psalm 133:1 it is good to dwell together in unity. Unity precedes the blessing (acts 2:1-3).