Good Battery Bad Connection

Good Battery Bad Connection

1 Corinthians 1:18 (AMP) “For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but unto us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God.”

Introduction: Power Without Connection Is Useless

My brothers and my sisters the word power comes from the Latin word potere, which means to be able. But things with power much more than just table they possess the ability to exert a lot of force. For example, the powers that be are those who hold positions of authority and the power behind the throne refers to someone who exerts influence without being formally in charge. Now when we use the word as a verb it means to supply with mechanical or electrical energy.

Now there are about 10 definitions of the word power when used as a noun possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or to get something done. When it comes to physics power is defined as the rate of doing work measuring watts. Power also refers to physical strength, as well as possession of controlling influence. Ladies and gentlemen, it's also referred to as someone having possession of it as well as exercising it influence or authority. It's a state powerful enough to influence events throughout the world. Could be a very wealthy or powerful businessperson, when it comes to government holding an office means being in power. Even in mathematics power is mathematical notation that gives an indication of the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself.

Now having said all of that may I suggest to us this afternoon that power without connection is absolutely useless. My brothers and my sisters for power to be useful there must be connection.

My Saint Thomas Baptist family and friends, at one time or another, we’ve all seen that Energizer Bunny commercial on TV. You know the one! That little pink bunny just keeps going… and going… and going!

But let’s pause for a second—because the commercial is not really about the bunny! The real focus is on the battery inside the bunny. And that battery is what keeps it moving!

Now, it’s a good thing to have a strong battery because weak batteries cause problems. Can I talk about it?

A tape recorder with weak batteries will drag.

A flashlight with weak batteries will give you dim light.

A cell phone with a weak battery will shut off at the worst time.

And a car with a weak battery? It won’t even start!

The reason? Because the battery is the power source—but even a good battery is useless if it has a weak connection!

And in our text today, Paul tells us that the cross of Christ is the power of God for salvation and for living a victorious Christian life. But just like a battery, we must stay connected to the power!

So, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the real preacher I would like to raise a few things that will help us to have a Good Battery and a Good Connection, and the first is this!

The Cross Is Our Power Source

Paul makes it plain: “For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but unto us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God.” The cross is not just a symbol—it is the source of our strength.

Before Jesus, the cross was a symbol of shame—a place where criminals were executed. But when Jesus died on that cross, He transformed it from a place of punishment to a place of power!

Paul tells the church at Colossae: “Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us which were hostile to us. And this certificate He completely removed by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14)

Because of the cross:

Our sins have been forgiven, and we have new life!

That’s why Romans 5:8 says: “But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The curse of the law has been broken.

The power of death has been defeated.

The cross is our power source—but a power source does no good if we’re not connected to it!

The Right Connection Matters

My brothers and sisters you see, it’s not enough to have access to power—you have to have the right connection to receive it! The Bible says, (James 4:8) “Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

Let’s talk about electricity for a second. There are two types of current: Alternating Current (AC) – It flows on and off, switching directions. Direct Current (DC) – It flows consistently in one direction.

Now, some people in the church are operating on Alternating Current faith!

They come to church on alternating Sundays.

They pray on alternating occasions.

They worship on MY Sunday—my Sunday to sing, my Sunday to usher, my Sunday to lead devotion.

But God is not looking for Alternating Current Christians! He’s looking for some Direct Current Believers! People who stay connected to the power source! In other words my Saint Thomas Baptist family and friends God is looking for some F.A.T Christians Faithful, Available, and Teachable.

Tell your neighbor: God is looking for you!

A DC Christian is:

Faithful to the Lord (Matthew 25:21) – “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Available to the church (Isaiah 6:8) – “Here am I; send me.”

Teachable in the Word (Proverbs 4:7) – “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].”

They stay connected to the power source no matter how tough life gets!

Tighten Your Cables

Now, ladies and gentlemen it’s one thing to be connected—but you’ve also got to make sure your cables are tight! (Psalms 73:28) “But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God; I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him, That I may tell of all Your works.”

If you’ve ever had corrosion on your car battery, you know what happens. You might have a good battery, but when you try to start the car, all you hear is a clicking sound.

And that’s what’s happening to some of us spiritually! We’re trying to move forward, but every time we try, all we hear is click… click… click.

Why? Because corrosion has gotten in the way.

Sin can corrode your connection(Isaiah 59:2) “But your wickedness has separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”

Disobedience can corrode your connection(1 Samuel 15:22) “obedience is better than sacrifice.”

Doubt can corrode your connection(James 1:6) “But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.”

Bitterness can corrode your connection(Hebrews 12:15) “See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.”

That’s why Paul tells us in Romans 8:38-39:“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced beyond any doubt], that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Nothing should come between you and your connection to God! If your cables are tight, you’ll stay grounded in faith.

If your cables are tight, you’ll be able to pray with power.

If your cables are tight, you’ll be able to walk in authority.

If your cables are tight, you’ll be able to stand against the enemy.

So, let me ask you—is your connection strong? Or are you hearing that clicking sound?

Conclusion: Plug Into The True Power Source

My Saint Thomas Baptist family and friends as I close my little sermon, let me encourage you to “Plug Into The True Power Source” and at the same time remind you—this power source I’m talking about is not new!

This power has been around since the beginning of time! John 1:1: “In the beginning [before all-time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.”

This power will never fail, leave or forsake you! (Matthew 28:20) Jesus Himself said: “Lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

This power will protect you!Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon formed against you will succeed; and every tongue that rises against you in judgement you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me.” That means this power will protect you!

This power will sustain you!David said in Psalm 37:25: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned, or his descendants pleading for bread.”

This power will provide for you!Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

This power will carry you through!And 2 Corinthians 12:9 says: “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough always available regardless of the situation]: for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.”

This power will bless you beyond your imagination! Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.”

And the best part? It’s free!

Because John 3:16 tells us: “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trust in Him [as Savior] shall not perish but have eternal life.”

So today, I ask you: Are you connected to the power source?

If you’re disconnected, it’s time to reconnect.

If your cables are loose, it’s time to tighten them.

If corrosion has set in, it’s time to clean it off.

If you’ve been running on low power, it’s time to charge up!

If you’ve been stuck in neutral, it’s time to shift into drive!

If the enemy tried to unplug you, it’s time to plug back in!

If life has drained your battery, it’s time to get a full recharge!

If you’ve been running on an Alternating Current faith, it’s time to switch to Direct Current devotion!

Because God has all the power you need—but you’ve got to make sure you have a strong connection!