Growing in the Power of God

SERMON TITLE:

TEXTS:

Acts 8:5–24 NKJV

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

Luke 10:19 Acts 1:8, James 4:7New Testament: 

Luke 10:19 NKJV

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

James 4:7 NKJV

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Daniel 11:32 NKJV

Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

Psalm 24:3–4

Psalm 24:3–4 NKJV

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.

Isaiah 40:29–30 NKJV

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,

INTRODUCTION

The desire for power is not wrong—it is human. But the source of that power determines the outcome of your life and ministry.

The Bible says in Daniel 11:32, “But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

Notice:

Not people who know about God

Not people who imitate power

But people who know their God

There is a difference between:

Real power from God

And counterfeit power from darkness

Today, we are looking at how to grow in the true power of God.

1. TRUE POWER COMES FROM EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Power is not a formula—it is a relationship.

In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God. This is not head knowledge; it is intimacy and encounter.

Key Truth:

You cannot walk in divine authority beyond your level of relationship with God.

Many people seek:

Methods

Techniques

Shortcuts

But God is saying: “Know Me, and power will follow.”

Contrast with False Power:

In Acts 8, we see Simon the sorcerer operating power—but from a wrong source.

He amazed people

He controlled minds

He created influence

Yet his power was:

Manipulative

Temporary

Demonic in origin

Scripture Insight:

Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives power to the faint…”

👉 God gives power—not sells it, not hides it—but gives it to those connected to Him.

2. AUTHORITY FLOWS FROM RELATIONSHIP, NOT FORMULAS

In Luke 10:19, Jesus said: “I give you power… over all the power of the enemy.”

But this authority is not mechanical—it is relational.

Problem Today:

Many believers:

Pray but lack authority

Speak but see no results

Why?

Because authority is not in:

Volume of prayer

Length of fasting

Repetition of words

It is in alignment with God.

Jesus’ Model:

Jesus did not beg sickness—He commanded it.

“Be healed”

“Come out”

“Rise up and walk”

Key Principle:

Prayer is not just asking—it is enforcing God’s will from a place of authority.

Practical Insight:

If authority is weak:

Check your, not just your relationship method

3. GOD REQUIRES SURRENDER, NOT SELF-EFFORT

In James 4:7: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee.”

Notice the order:

Submit to God

Then resist the devil

Many people reverse it:

They try to fight spiritual battles without surrender.

True Growth Requires:

Dying to self-strategies

Letting go of control

Trusting God’s timing

Old Testament Example:

Psalm 24:3–4 “Who shall ascend… He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.”

Power is not just about gifts—it is about purity and alignment.

4. ACTS 8: A CASE STUDY OF TRUE VS FALSE POWER

Let’s examine Acts 8.

Philip’s Ministry:

Philip came into Samaria and:

Preached Christ

Cast out demons

Healed the sick

Result: Great joy in the city (Acts 8:8)

Simon the Sorcerer:

Simon had:

Influence

Control

Reputation

He was called “the great power”—but it was false.

His Mistake:

Even after “believing,” Simon:

Desired power without transformation

Tried to buy the Holy Spirit

Peter’s Response:

In Acts 8:20–21: “Thy money perish with thee… thy heart is not right…”

Lesson:

You can:

Be in church

Be baptized

Even appear spiritual

…and still have a wrong heart.

5. DISCERNMENT: NOT ALL POWER IS FROM GOD

Peter operated in something Philip did not fully demonstrate—apostolic discernment.

This teaches us:

Ministry Dimensions Differ:

Philip: Evangelistic power

Peter: Apostolic discernment

Key Lesson:

Not everything that looks like power is from God.

1 John 4:1 – “Test the spirits…”

6. TRUE POWER CANNOT BE BOUGHT—IT IS RECEIVED THROUGH SURRENDER

Simon wanted:

Power without process

Influence without transformation

But God’s power comes through:

Brokenness

Surrender

Intimacy

Isaiah 40:31:

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: HOW TO GROW IN GOD’S POWER

1. Pursue Intimacy Daily

Not religion—but relationship. Spend time in:

Prayer

Word

Worship

👉 Power grows in the secret place.

2. Submit Fully to God

Stop negotiating with God.

Obey completely

Align your life

👉 Partial surrender limits power.

3. Develop Spiritual Authority

Start speaking God’s Word with faith.

Command situations

Stand on Scripture

👉 Authority grows with use.

4. Reject Shortcuts

Avoid:

Spiritual imitation

Occult substitutes

Manipulative practices

👉 There is no shortcut to genuine power.

5. Allow God to Process You

Your trials are not punishment—they are preparation.

👉 When self fails, God’s power begins.

CONCLUSION

The difference between:

Philip and Simon

True and false power

Authority and imitation

…is the condition of the heart and the depth of relationship with God.

Daniel 11:32 again: “They that know their God shall be strong and do exploits.”

ALTAR CALL / CLOSING CHARGE

Ask yourself:

Do I truly know God, or do I just know about Him?

Am I walking in power, or just appearance?

Is my heart right before God?

Final Charge:

Don’t pursue power—pursue God. When you find God, power will find you.

——————