The Mighty Power of God in Us

I have the special privilege of sharing the word of God with you today. Have you thought about how important this hour on Sunday morning is? This is one hour a week, there are only 52 weeks a year, so only 52 messages you can hear this way. In this message, you will hear about the mighty power of God that is available to us and you will also hear about the opposition we face that holds “mighty powers in this dark world”.

Lets begin with prayer from Ephesians 1:18-23

Ephesians 1:18–23 NLT

18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

God has given us His Word which is His power to save us and transform us.

10:00 AM

Pastor Theresa has recently taught from Ephesians 6:13-20 which says to “put on every piece of God’s armor”.

This message isn’t about the armor.

Let’s go back a few verses to Ephesians 6:10 which says

Ephesians 6:10 NLT

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”

How do you think about yourself? Do you recognize the “mighty power” God has given to us?

Jesus said this to His disciples in Matthew 28:18–20

Matthew 28:18–20 NLT

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This authority, this power was confirmed in them with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and from that day, God has been confirming His word with signs following as we, the Church, the Son’s and Daughters of God declare the “good news” of the gospel of Jesus Christ that John the Baptist began to preach in Mark 1:15.

Mark 1:15 NLT

15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

After this, as the Apostles preached the word, it says in Acts 14:3

Acts 14:3 NLT

3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.

Do you hear this? Do you see what happened?

“the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders”.

10:10 AM

How does God work in you?

As I was asking God what to say as I was preparing for this message I walked by my wife Noemi’s desk and there was a little book sitting there. The Title of the book was “Ruling in the Midst a Bible Study on Spiritual Warfare” by June Lewis. While I haven’t taken a lot from the book, it did remind me that as long as we are in this world, at least until Jesus returns, we are in a battle against an unseen enemy.

This book brought me to the them verse for today which is Ephesians 6:12

Ephesians 6:12 NLT

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Our enemy is not flesh and blood.

Our enemy exists in the “unseen world”, the realm of spirits.

Our enemy has ruling power and authority, and as it says here, they are “mighty powers in this dark world”.

Our enemy is evil and they exist as “spirits in the heavenly places”.

As I first thought about this, I thought, this is too much. How can we battle these forces? Well, in our natural ability we can’t.

Then I thought about how much of my time I spend just doing what is required to exist.

10:15 AM

We Live in the Flesh

The reality of life is we live in the flesh.

After eating and sleeping and working there are only about seven (7) hours a day for other things like groceries, laundry, exercise, and for spending time with God. For most of us, finding an hour a day to read the Bible and Pray is a challenge. And there are many people that can’t find even an hour or two a week to gather together in Church.

Before we have any discussion about spiritual beings we must deal with our natural life.

Our Fallen Human Nature is an Enemy to our Souls

There is a sinful nature in our flesh as it says in Galatians 5:17.

Galatians 5:17 NLT

17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

We that are “born again”, that have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. We have the Holy Spirit in us so that we now have the power of God in us to begin to control the way we live as it says in Romans 6:12.

Romans 6:12 NLT

12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.

This mighty power of God that is now in us is at war with our fallen sinful nature as in Romans 7:14-23.

Romans 7:14–23 NLT

14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

The power of the Spirit is given to us by God so we can put to death the deeds of our sinful nature, see Romans 8:13.

Romans 8:13 NLT

13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.

Since we have the power of the Holy Spirit, then we should “put to death” the “sinful, early things” as in Colossians 3:5.

Colossians 3:5 NLT

5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

We often get caught up in quarrels and fights because of our own evil desires that war within us. see James 4:1.

James 4:1 NLT

1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?

We need to engage our spirit, under the control of the Holy Spirit, to bring our flesh into control.

10:25 AM

We Live in the World

As we come into a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ and begin to listen to the Holy Spirit, we free ourselves from the power of the devil and his world system as it says in Ephesians 2:1-2.

Ephesians 2:1–2 NLT

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

The world is an enemy because it is under the influence of the devil who is “the God of this world”

The “world” in James 4:4 refers to the sinful human race that is hostile to the truth of God and to the people of God.

James 4:4 NLT

4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

In these verses, “the world” refers to the world system that is controlled by the devil. We are told not to love “the world” in 1 John 2:15-17.

1 John 2:15–17 NLT

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

The world hates Christians

Because “the world”, the system is under the control of the devil we can expect the same hatred that was demonstrated to Jesus as He said in John 19-20.

John 15:19–20 NLT

19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

Just as the religious leaders of Jesus day turned against him, they will also turn against us in John 16:2.

John 16:2 NLT

2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.

The world has its own false teaching and religion

There are people that have great education, the philosophers of the world and we might recognize some of them that are lost in the confusion of their own minds. But here in Colossians 2:8 he also talks about “the spiritual powers of this world”

Colossians 2:8 NLT

8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

There is spiritual power that is not from God. There are deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons in 1 Timothy 4:1

1 Timothy 4:1 NLT

1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

These deceptive spirits will come with messages that deny Jesus Christ came in a real body like in 2 John 7

2 John 7 NLT

7 I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.

These deceptive spirits will also come with messages that God’s grace allows us to live immoral lives like in Jude 4

Jude 4 NLT

4 I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

The world seeks to seduce Christians

This seduction that is from the world is based on lust of things, cravings as in 1 John 2:16.

1 John 2:16 NLT

16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

We are warned to guard against greed in Luke 12:15.

Luke 12:15 NLT

15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

10:30 AM

The devil is the god of this World

Jesus told His disciples in John 10:18

Luke 10:18 NLT

18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!

The devil and the demons that follow him have dominion on the earth until Jesus Returns but lets look at him and his power

But lets look at Angels and Demons for a moment.

The Bible characteristically uses the same word “malʾāk” to designate human messengers (e.g. 1 Sam 11:4; 1 Kgs 19:2) and this word is also used in the Old Testament to refer to God’s supernatural emissaries.

As God’s envoys, they represent extensions of God’s authority and activity, beings “mighty in strength, who perform His word” in Psalms 103:20.

Psalm 103:20 NLT

20 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.

These angels, these mighty ones that live in the spirit realm where God is, these angels are ministering spirits in Hebrews 1:14.

Hebrews 1:14 NLT

14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

We need to recognize that these angels are sent for our benefit but the also will execute God’s word without any regret or empathy. Jesus, through the mercy seat, made a way for us to be reconciled to God but even God’s angels can oppose us when we act contrary to God’s word.

But there are also fallen angels, these that follow satan, these demons are bound to the earth until Jesus returns and the final judgement is completed.

Get the point here, the devil is an “Angel” a “Messenger”, just like the other angels except that he and those that follow him have rebelled from God. The devil and these demons have rejected the boundaries set by God through His word. The devil and his demons will usurp your authority and ...

The devil is an Enemy to our Existence

This is why 1 Peter 5:8 says

1 Peter 5:8 NLT

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

He seeks to deceive

The devil no longer has power over us. Yes, he still has authority to be on the earth and has established “principalities and powers” as in Revelation 12:9.

Revelation 12:9 NLT

9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

The devil continues to exercise his dominion in the world and the unseen heavenly realm but he has no power over those of us that believe “the good news” in 2 Corinthians 4:4.

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT

4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

10:50 AM

Overcoming Our Enemies - Spiritual Warfare

We as Christians are at war with the world, the flesh and the devil.

Satan empowers the world to attack believers externally, persecuting, deceiving and seducing them. Internally, sinfulness frustrates the efforts of believers to serve God fully.

But Jesus did not pray that we be taken out of the world. Instead, he prayed in John 17:15.

John 17:15 NLT

15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

Jesus wants us to overcome the world as He said in 1 John 5:4.

1 John 5:4 NLT

4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

Jesus knows exactly what we are facing from our enemy the devil because He has experienced it Himself in Hebrews 2:18

Hebrews 2:18 NLT

18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Jesus has given us His name. Jesus has given us His authority. God has given us His Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us in 1 Corinthians 2:12.

1 Corinthians 2:12 NLT

12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

We do not have the spirit of the world so in Titus 2:12 we are instructed in the way we should live.

Titus 2:12 NLT

12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

The word of God, the power of God, the work of Jesus Christ at the cross, and the Holy Spirit are working together to transform us as in Romans 12:2.

Romans 12:2 NLT

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

We have authority over the devil and demons just a the disciples did in Jesus day. Jesus had sent them out under His authority and they returned saying in Luke 10:17-20

Luke 10:17–20 NLT

17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” 18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

11:00 AM

Call The Will of God Into Existence

As we come to a close, we are to call the will of God into existence. Jesus told us in John 14:13-14

John 14:13–14 NLT

13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

God has made a way for us to have a direct relationship with Him through Jesus Christ and is connected to us through His Holy Spirit and He asks us to inquire about “the work of my hands” in Isaiah 45:11.

Isaiah 45:11 KJV 1900

11 Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, And concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

One commentary describes this verse this way,

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 45

11. Ask … command—Instead of striving with Me in regard to My purposes, your wisdom is in prayer to ask, and even command Me, in so far as it is for My glory, and for your real good (Mk 11:24; Jn 16:23, 13, latter part of the verse; 1 Jn 3:22).

God says for us to ask Him about His purposes “and even command Me … for your real good”

Jesus said this in Mark 11:24

Mark 11:24 NLT

24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

Jesus also said in John 16:23.

John 16:23 NLT

23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.

Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit in John 16:13

John 16:13 NLT

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

And in 1 John 3:22 it says

1 John 3:22 NLT

22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

We will receive.

11:10 AM

Invitation and Closing Prayer

Is anyone facing hardship? It says to pray in James 5:13

James 5:13 NLT

13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

Is any sick among you sick? It says call for the elders of the Church in James 5:14-15

James 5:14–15 NLT

14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

Have you committed any offence? It says to confess your sins in James 5:16

James 5:16 NLT

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Earlier we read in Mark 11:24 that you can pray for anything and it will be yours but it follows that “forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against” in Mark 11:25

11:20 AM

Falling on My Knees

11:24:01 AM

The Blessing

Numbers 6:24–26 NLT

24 ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. 25 May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. 26 May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’