Empowerment over Effort

The Core of the Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NIV

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

The Problem with Effort

We feel we should get credit for effort

We feel we should get credit for good intentions

Effort and intentions are not enough - Romans 7:18-20

Romans 7:18–20 NIV

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Efforts can lead to pride and boasting - Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

God’s plan is to Empower Believers for Christian Living

The Gospel empowers our salvation - Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16 NIV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Christian character is empowered by the Spirit not our effort - Galatians 5:22-25

Galatians 5:22–25 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

These characteristics are not achieved through fleshly effort

They are the natural result of a Spirit controlled life

Three attitudes - Love, Joy, Peace

Three relational characteristics - Forbearance (Patience), Kindness, Goodness

Three characteristics of the inner self - Faithfulness, Gentleness,Self-control

God’s power is all we need - 2 Peter 1:3-4

2 Peter 1:3–4 NIV

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

We have all we need to be all that God has called us to be

Jesus promised power for witness - Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The disciples were to wait for the empowering of the Spirit

Our strength comes from God - Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 NIV

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Our weaknesses reveal God’s power - 2 Corinthians 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Without Christ we can do nothing - John 15:4-5

John 15:4–5 NIV

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

A close relationship with the vine (God) is essential to fruitfulness in life

With this power we will succeed

Without this power we can do nothing