God's work working in us
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Refining the light
Refining the light
(God said it that settles it picture)
The truth is the truth regardless if you believe it to be the truth or not. For us to refine our light so we can shine brighter, we need to know the truth, believe the truth and walk in the truth.
To be a shining light that together we are a city set on a hill, well, it can be a daunting task, tiring, discouraging at times, even disappointing. Christ does not tell us to be light, He calls us light and tells us to let our light shine
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You are light, so let it shine (Mt5:14-16)
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14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
We live in midst of a crook and perverted generation, but there is hope for we are to appear as lights in the world (Php2:12-16)
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
(Let your light shine-2 picture)
Previously we have already discussed
Intro - Letting our light shine
Work out - work our your salvation
Fear and trembling - a proper balance of fear and trembling of the Lord
If you have your bible and look at (v.13) you will see that it is “for it is God who works in you.” It is God’s work, God’s power, for God’s purpose. Tonight we are going to look at the work, the why, the how and the what it is. God did not leave us alone and tell us to be light. He is with us and works in us!
God Works in you, and will continue to work in you (Php1:6)
(Below not on screen, just quote it)
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
God strengthens you so you can be a light that shines brighter (Php4:13)
(Below not on screen, just quote it)
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
So in our lesson tonight we are looking at
Power of God working in us, the source of that power
Power of God working in us, the purpose of the power
Power of God working in us, accessing the power
Source of power working in us
Source of power working in us
Power has a power source. It creates the power and then moves the power.
Power source not a mystery, it is known (Eph1:15-23)
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Look at (v.19) whose power is at work in us? (God’s) and what kind of power (exceeding greatness, mighty power); What is the power source (Holy Spirit)
21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
What more do you learn about the poewr (v.21)? - it is far above all
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
That power that is at work in us is the same power that raised Christ from the dead! That power raised us too.
Power source has resurrection power (Eph2:1-6; Tit3:5; Eph3:14-20)
We were dead in our trespasses, but God made us alive in Christ and raised us up to sit in the heavenlies together with Him.
That power that raised Jesus, raises you! This is the power necessary for the forgiveness of sins and brings the dead sinner back to life by the regeneration and washing.
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Divine power needed, divine power delivered so we can accomplish what the Lord wants us to be and wants us to do. Be a shining light! That when we come together we are a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.
If you need further description of the power, Paul addresses it further in Eph3:14-20. The power and the source are found in 3:16, which we will get to shortly, and the exaltation or what could be called the doxology is in 3:20.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
Exceedingly abundantly above, or in some versions says more - - - that is the power source that works in us! Now we do have to take some responsibility about the power, we need to understand the power, understand the purpose of the power and use, or access of the power too.
Promise and Purpose of the power
Promise and Purpose of the power
Power has a purpose, but the power we have came with a promise and a purpose and that is what we are looking at now.
More on the power source (Eph3:16)
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Power source is promised (Jn7:37-39; Act2:38; 1Cor3:16; 1Cor6:19; Eph2:22)
37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
What is the power source listed in (v.39)?
Promised to the believers by Peter (Act2:38)
Referred to by Paul (1Cor3:16; 1Cor6:19)
Promised power is God’s instrument at work in us (Eph2:22)
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
While there maybe some that want to argue about how the Spirit works in us, may we all agree that He does work in us as noted in Eph3:16 as previously read.
Purpose of the power; to strengthen us (Eph3:16)
So to work out our own salvation (Php2:12-13)
So we can put to death the things of the flesh (Rom8:12-13)
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
To glorify God in the body (1Cor6:19-20)
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
(Lighthouse picture)
We are working at refining our lights so we can shine brighter for Jesus like a light house, like a city set on a hill. The Holy Spirit does what is necessary in us so that we can let our light shine!
This power, this power at work in you, you received when you were baptized. This power, The Holy Spirit is there to e used for God’s purpose and glory, but you have to allow it to work in you. Understanding the power source and the purpose of the power should be a motivating factor for us to want to access the power!
Accessing the working power
Accessing the working power
Made available, given access does not mean you access what is available to you or that is in you to be used for it’s intended purpose. Let’s look at accessing the working power in you.
(Power access picture)
Access through prayer (Eph3:16-21)
That God would grant according to the riches of His glory
working power to strengthen the inner man
So that you maybe rooted and grounded in love
So that you may comprehend the depth of God love
To be filled to the fullness of God!
Access comes sometimes with waiting (Isa40:28-31)
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
This power that is at work in us is powerful, look at what it says here, what do you see?
The power does not grow weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable
He gives strength and increases power!
30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Can’t stop there, what is the promise of these verses?
(Power Access picture again)
So you want access, access to the power that is purposed and provided, prayer is a powerful tool to do it, prayer that comes with waiting. Couple that with the word of God, protected by the Armor of God.
Access through Word of God (Eph6:10-13)
The word tells us our struggles are not against flesh and blood, they cannot be fought in this realm, they are spiritual in nature and need Gods tools, God’s weapons that are provided the the Spirit that works in us.
Access through the armor of God (Eph6:14-17)
God’s truth, God’s gospel of peace, taking up God’s sword,the Word of God, the enduring Word of God.
Access so can be born again through enduring Word of God (1Pt1:23)
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
Have to stop here, at least for a minute, what do you see in this verse? Tell me about the seed and how is the seed born?
born again so that we can be light so shine the light of Jesus on others so souls can be saved.
The enduring, implanted word that is able to save souls (Jm1:21)
I read once:
“Allow the word of God to be an avenue through which God strengthens us in the inner ma, and to work in us, both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
We need to decide if we are willing to allow the power that is promised, provided, purposed is going to be allowed to work in us and through us. It is God’s work, may we remember our passage tonight.
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
It is by grace we are saved through faith, it is by faith that we believe that God gives us the promised power to will and work in us for His good pleasure. It is by faith that we plug into the source and turn on the power!
(Invitation/encouragement Slide-God’s divine power picture)
Are we allowing God’s divine power to work in us to refine our light so that we may shine just a little brighter?
Are we people who struggle to believe in the power of the Spirit and the work of the Spirit?
Join in prayer, and in prayer and access the power to do what God wants and to be what God called you
(Encouragement slide 2- Be light) - encouragement, prayer (Exit slides)