More Power

Acts 1:1–8 ESV

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Made witnesses

But first they must receive power—the power of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 24:49 ESV

49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

This power made them Christian witnesses.

“A man may be highly talented, intensively trained, and widely experienced, but without spiritual power he is ineffective. On the other hand, a man may be uneducated, unattractive, and unrefined, yet let him be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit and the world will turn out to see him burn for God.”

The fearful disciples needed power for witnessing and holy boldness for preaching the gospel.

They would receive this power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Their witness was to begin in Jerusalem.

Then Judea, the southern section of Palestine with its strong Jewish population.

Then Samaria, the region in the center of Palestine, with its hated, half-breed population with whom the Jews had no dealings.

Then the end of the then-known world—the Gentile countries which had hitherto been outside the pale as far as religious privilege was concerned

Power from the presence

Acts 4:13 ESV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

They were identified as being present with the Lord.

They became like him!

They actually knew Christ! And it was evident!

“The modern church is producing passionate people filled with empty heads who love the Jesus they don’t know very well.” - Voddie Baucham

1 Corinthians 2:5 ESV

5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The Evil Eye

Galatians 3:1 (ESV)

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.

In the ancient world there was widespread fear of the “evil eye,” the belief that “certain individuals, animals, demons, or gods have the power of casting an evil spell or causing some malignant effect upon every object, animate or inanimate, upon which their eye or glance may fall.

Through the power of their eye, which may operate involuntarily as well as intentionally, such Evil Eye possessors were thought capable of injuring or destroying the life and health of others, their means of sustenance and livelihood, their honor and personal fortune.”

The departure from Paul’s gospel message by the Galatians is so unexpected and shocking—and so clearly evidence of evil spiritual influence—that he says it is as if someone has cast the evil eye upon the Galatians.

Power through weakness

2 Corinthians 12:6–10 ESV

6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

True weakness produces humility.

“It’s a contradiction in terms - to be a Christian, and not humble.” - Richard Baxter

Isaiah 40:29–31 ESV

29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

How do fight when you have no strength?

David said it so eloquently when he told Goliath, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

How to get your fight back

Who’s powerful??

Not YOU. Not Me.

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

And Paul also addresses the Corinthians...

1 Corinthians 6:14 ESV

14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.

Look at one more.

Ephesians 3:20 ESV

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

It’s His power, not ours.

We fight from faith...

The fight is because of faith.

1 Timothy 6:12 ESV

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

“man of God” - Is an ot expression referred to prophets

a man who speaks on behalf of God.

Timothy serves in a similar capacity because he preaches the word of God (2 Tim 3:17).

6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith - Timothy must remain faithful to God and His gospel message, despite opposition (compare 2 Tim 4:7).

1 Corinthians 4:20 ESV

20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

Paul understood that the fight was because of faith.

Paul understood it was a kingdom conflict.

Paul was a WITNESS!

I have the scars to prove it

Galatians 6:17 ESV

17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Apostles bare scars.

Apostles know what it’s like to be persecuted.

Paul, once the slave of the law, had been delivered from that bondage by the Lord Jesus. Now he belonged to the Lord as a willing slave. Just as slaves were branded with the mark of their master, so Paul had the ownership marks of the Lord Jesus on his body.

What were they?

They were the scars which he received at the hands of his persecutors. Now he says: “Don’t let anyone try to reclaim me. Don’t talk to me about the brand-mark of circumcision, indicating bondage to the law. I wear the brand of my new Master, Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.