Sermon Tone Analysis

Power Source

(insert picture here of power source; saved as plugged in to power on computer already)

Insert illustration of being plugged into power then turning on the power to allow the power to work.

Whose power do we operate under?

We may say we operate under God’s power, under the power source of the Holy Spirit, but do we?

Tonight we are looking at the power source, the examples, the need, the application

We all need strength to the inner man (Eph3:16)

Do you feel you need strength to go on, to endure, to persevere?

You are not alone, we have some great bible examples of others that needed it too

Moses need it for He did not think people would listen (Exo4:10)

(expand on what the results were) the power parted the Rea Sea

Exo14:17-18

Gideon needed it for he did not think he had any strength (Jud6:15)

Gideon needed it for he did not think he had any strength (Jud6:15)

Judges6:15

(expand on what the results were) God delivered Israel and demolished the Midiannites (Jud7:19-22) - just reference this passage

How about a few more just to drive home the point?

David needed God’s power to deliver (1Sam17:45-47)

Peter needed God’s power to walk on water (Mt14:28)

Paul needed God’s power to save after understanding God’s creation in HIm,

and calling him (Gal1:1; Rom1:16)

So, again, let me ask the question do you ever feel you need strength, power to carry on, to endure, to persevere?

Look at Paul’s prayer (Eph3:14-19)

Don’t we all need Gods strength and power for salvation, and for sanctification?

Because of who Jesus is, our High Priest, His power makes it possible for us to draw near to God the Father through Christ the Son who sent His Spirit to dwell in the heart of the believer.

We can never separate the power of God from the Spirit of god, for God’s Spirit is power (Act1:8)

ASK EVERYONE TO TURN IN BIBLES TO 1COR12:1-13 WE WILL GET THERE EVENTUALLY

I. God’s power at work

In the scriptures previously used, the stories previously told we can see God’s power at work.

Not just at work in the people, but through the people too.

First the power was to grow their personal faith and trust in God (Heb6:1).

Power to leave the elementary principles behind

Then it was to grow them by transforming them (Php3:14; 1Cor9:24; Heb12:1)

Then it was to grow them by transforming them (Php3:14; 1Cor9:24; Heb12:1)

Power to press on to the goal!

Power to run the race and receive the prize

Power to run with endurance

It is the same for us, God wants to grow us and transform us by the power that is at work in us.

Back in Eph1 we are told about the power that God has towards us (Eph1:19); and here in Chapter 3 we see the power that strengthens us

What kind of power?

Resurrection power (Php3:10)

Transcending power (Act1:8; 2:4)

Already mentioned Act1:8 of the power of the holy Spirit, then there was the outpouring and proof of it.

Transcending power (Act1:8; 2:4)

Subduing, captive taking power (2Cor10:5)

Act

Power that can take every thought captive

Subduing, captive taking power (1Cor10:5)

Subduing, captive taking power (1Cor10:5)

​An overruling power over the powers of darkness of this world (Eph2:2)

​An overruling power over the powers of darkness of this world (Eph2:2)

(expand on this some)

This power does not originate in us; it originates in heaven from the throne of God.

Power poured out as promised on Pentecost on all flesh

Being plugged into the power does not mean you turn on the power switch and unlock the power that is there to accomplish was God wants to accomplish.

This power when unlocked is as the scripture says, power to strengthen the inner man (Eph3:16)

This power comes with a reason

II.

Power has a reason

The power available, the power at work in us comes with a reason (Eph3:17).

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts!

For when Christ dwells in your heart, then you are giving Him your all and His all will work through you (Mt9:4; Heb4:12; Jn16:6, Act11:23; 1Jn3:20)

For it works in the mind

For the power at work in you, is active, sharp, piercing and able to judge the intentions of the heart

It works on the emotions

and it works on the will

So the heart, the place in which Christ sent His Spirit, His power to dwell encompasses all of us including our conscience

We need the power, the power to strengthen our inner self, so we do not condemn or discount ourselves.

Don’t have Christ just in your heart, allow Him to be settled in your heart.

(insert illustration) - visiting someplace or being a guest, compared to being a resident)

Our inner man (3:16) needs to be strengthened by the power for there is much to be accomplished.

But first we need the power to

Swallow up all our deadness

To conquer all rebelliousness

To take captive the troublesome things, thoughts

And to exercise the overruling power of the Truth!

When we recognize the power available, accept the power and unlock the power, in other words exercise the power, then we will be strong in our spirit, which is what Paul’s prayer was about in the first place.

III.

Power to fill us

Power available, power provided, power will accomplish it’s task (Eph3:19)

Fullness of God dwells in Christ (Col1:19) and that dwells in you and you are made complete (Col2:10)

All His fullness dwells in You!

And in doing such you have been made complete!

Not just filled with knowledge or doctrine (teaching) but with the fullness of God!

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit all at work in you and through you.

THis is the power that can do all things (Eph3:20)

How do we unlock, turn on this power-source that is in you?

IV.

Power unlocked

Power available, power known, power delivered still needs to be turned on.

(Eph1:19; Psm27:8; Php3:10-11 and Psm119:11)

The power at work toward us is the power that is available to work in us

David wanted the power, by the word to work in and through Him

And how about a reason?

So we may not sin, and in the N.T. look at what Paul says

Php

So we may know the power of the resurrection, fellowship of suffering with end result resurrection from the dead.

Are we desperate while others are indifferent (expand) - power works when we turn it on and put it to use to accomplish its given task.

We need to be desperate for God, Don’t be in indifferent christian who is content on just having the power but doing nothing with it, for this is a matter of life and death, could be yours, could be others in which you were to share the gospel with.

When we unlock the power and use the power then God is glorified (Eph3:21)