Power Tools for Life
Intro:
What is it about power tools and men?
Lowe’s yesterday/pick up/ WD 40/ looking at tools.
One area w/all the tools.
Drills & Grinders, w/9 volts…more power get one with 18 volts.
Reciprocating saws/jig saws/band saws.
Entry level tool/inexpensive.
Not much power.
What is it about more power?
As a nation/boast most powerful nation on earth.
Make bombs that can blow up world ten times…
Make more powerful guns/cars/computers.
We are constantly involved in a power struggle.
Husband and Wives.
Boss and employees.
Parents and children.
We want to be the ones with/most power.
We want to hit farther/kick longer/run faster.
We want to have more power over/adversaries.
Illustration;
Today, all across the nation/teams lining up.
Who has to most power.
Who can overpower the other team.
Both teams work at preparing/special tools.
Study plays/lift weights/eating right foods.
Over power the other team and be the victor.
As Christians you struggle with in world like everyone.
You have an real adversary that is trying to over power you.
Slide:
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
NKJV
We constantly struggle with powers of evil.
For the souls of Men, women, boys and girls.
For you to win the battle.
For you to come out ahead in this power tug-of-war.
You’re going to need the right tools.
You’re going to need power tools.
Slide: “Power Tools for Life”
Not a Higher Power / The Highest Power.
The same power that Paul used to get free from prison.
God has the “Power Tools”.
Question I pose to you today.
Are you ready to start rebuilding your life.
Are you ready to start using “Power Tools for Life?”
Recap;
Paul and Silas.
Tore off their cloths.
Beat them w/rods.
Threw in prison.
Put in stockade.
Slide: Acts 16: 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
NKJV
Acts 16:26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
NKJV
Praying and singing hymns to God!
Speaking directly to God!
Hold up fill in the blank;
Operating Instructions for using “Power Tools for Life.”
1. Put on the Tool Belt!
The breast plate of Righteousness.
The shield of Faith.
The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
To rebuild your life/need the basic tools.
The Shield of Faith for your protection.
The Word of God, is for your direction.
Paul has complete trust in the Lord.
Locked in prison/beaten and bloodied.
He pulls out the Shield of Faith.
He doesn’t know when/getting out/how?
But he knows who to go to.
He begins praying to God!
He begins to sing to God!
As he’s delivered by God.
v. 26 immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
Slide: Acts 16:27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
The guard drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
Guard see’s no way out. No hope.
With out hope/faith/we only have weakness.
Our strenght comes from faith/trust
And prayer.
One of the greatest “Power Tools for Life”
Prayer…
Testamony:
Carol Davis share on prayer
Your second step in…
Operating Instructions for using “Power Tools for Life.”
2. Plug into the Power Source!
Go immediately to the Lord.
Slide: Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
NKJV
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”
“Believe”
Plug into the Power Source. “Believe
Trust Rely Cling.
Trust in Him.
Rely on Him.
Cling to Him.
He is your source of power and strength.
The guard was witness to this power and strength.
Fell down trembling.
“What must I do…saved”
Believe in the Lord/you and your household.
Not salvation by proxy…
Salvation through opportunity.
Available to all.
Slide: Acts 16:32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
NKJV
Many time we see salvation come through suffering.
Troubles the guard went through.
Many time we see salvation come along side of suffering.
The guards family/washing of strips at the river.
v.34 he brought them into his house.
Just hours before preparing a cell for Paul.
Now he’s preparing a meal for him.
Paul did have the full armor of God.
Utilizing Gods power.
1. “Put on the Tool Belt.”
2. “Plugged into the Power Source.”
3. “Proceed with Confidence.”
Slide: Acts 16: 35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”
36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”
NKJV
This is where Paul “Proceeds with Confidence”
I believe Paul knew he would get out/Roman citizen.
It was illegal to beat/bind Roman citizen.
Slide: Acts 16:37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”
38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
NKJV
The magistrates who once had great power of Paul and Silas/now are powerless.
What began to look like something bad for Paul.
Turned out to be something good for Christianity.
Slide: Acts 16:39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.
40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
NKJV
They went back to Lydias house;
Encouraged them (strengthened, built up.)
Departed…
You think Paul was done in his life?
You think God is done in your life?
Let God began to rebuild your life.
Illustration;
Tools on display/empty shells.
“Power Tools for Life.”
1. “Put on the Tool Belt”
2. “Plug into the Source”
3. “Proceed with Confidence.”