The Power of GOD: Access
Notes
Transcript
We have established the fact that GOD is all powerful. His name and nature calls our undivided attention to his power. Again, when I speak of power, I am talking about the ability to perform something, and the ability to influence a thing. And the limitations to humans or believers’ ability to do a thing, depend on what source we derive our power. Well if we as believers intend to walk and live by the power of GOD, we must know the point of access to God’s power for our lives.
Illustration: A house or building may be built with many rooms. But if a line isn’t connected to the breaker box, furthermore, if more lines aren’t ran to every room to a receptacle, there will be no access to electrical power in the house.
This brings up two concepts that are crucial for us to access the power of GOD: From whom, that is the source agent we get it from, and from where, that being right location where it exists.
From where? The Kingdom of GOD
If we, that being people, preeminently the people of GOD, are going to access God’s power, we must be in the right location. I’m not referring to physical location, rather spiritual location. Because we must take deep note that the power of GOD is not of this earth. Therefore the spiritual location from where God’s power is available for believers is of a heavenly origin. And that location is none other than his kingdom!!
The Kingdom is where Christ reigns with power
Why his kingdom? First of all, when we speak of kingdom, it requires a king that has some level of dominion. Dominion is the sovereignty or power and rule that a king has over its subjects. When we speak of Christ as king and his kingdom, we are talking kingdom of divine power. He said his Father granted him this kingdom and it’s not of earthly origin (Lk 22:29 and John 18:36). And in terms of its power, the angel speaking to Mary said his kingdom would have no end (Lk 1:33).
Application: If anyone wants to access God’s power, we must be willfully subject to his power and authority and that is in his kingdom.
The Kingdom’s presence drives out satanic power
Not only that, but the presence of God’s kingdom or Christ’s kingdom crushes all other kingdoms. It was prophesied in Dan 2:44, that GOD would establish it, and it would subdue all other powers, earthly or spiritual. This is corroborated in Matt 12:28, where Jesus speaks of all satanic forces fleeing at the presence of the Kingdom of GOD.
Application: Whether people believe it or not, they are under one of two kingdoms. God’s or satan’s. The one that flees at the other one is weaker and is destroyed. We need to be assured that to be in Christ’s kingdom, means we have access to his power which drives out evil forces from our lives!!
From who? The Holy Spirit of GOD
This verse connects us to the second concept, and from who do we access the power of GOD.
The Spirit is God’s agent of power
When I say who, I am referring to God’s agent of power. Certainly Christ is the power of GOD. But his Spirit is the agent that emanates or provides access to believers. Notice too the connection between location and agent in Matt 12:28. If evil is cast out by the Spirit of GOD, it is evidence that the kingdom or dominion of GOD is on the scene. When I say agent, it is God’s power indeed, but the Holy Spirit acts with power in accordance to the Father’s purposes.
Seen in Creation
This is attested in many of God’s activities which demonstrate his power. But I will prove it by just a few. First off, creation itself. In Gen 1:1-2, it says GOD created. But notice in verse 2 it says that the Spirit was hovering over the whole surface of water. The psalmist and Job both agree that GOD sent forth his Spirit and creation got done.
Testified to by prophets
Micah comes around in Micah 3:8 and says he is full of power, and clarifies with the Spirit of the Lord. Isaiah 63:11-12 says it was God’s Spirit, also described as his arm, which was at Moses right hand when the waters were divided. Demonstrating the Spirit was the agent of God’s power.
Seen in Jesus
Lastly, in Jesus himself. In his conception, it is the Holy Spirit, the power of the Most High made Mary pregnant. Making signifying Jesus as the Son of GOD. Jesus drove out satan and his rule over humans by the Spirit of GOD. Lastly, many texts rightly claim that GOD raised Jesus. But Ro 8:11 shows that it was the Spirit of GOD, that being the power of GOD, is what raised him to life. Thus the Spirit of GOD is the agent of God’s power.
Application: Being in the kingdom is the location of the power. The Spirit is the agent by which we access his power. That’s why Jesus told the apostles that they would receive power, WHEN the Holy Spirit has come upon them. He is our receptacle of access!! It is paramount then that the Holy Spirit dwell in us!!