According to His Power
Notes
Transcript
Experience the Difference… That has been the series we have been in for the last several weeks. What difference are we talking about? The difference that knowing Jesus makes in our lives!
Jesus makes all the difference! I’m glad that we know this truth and reality today! I am also glad for a church who desires for the world to know this reality as well!
We have been walking through the two greatest commandments as given by Jesus in Matthew 22.
One - Love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul and mind.
Two - Love your neighbor as yourself.
These two commands cannot exist without the other.
The Bible tells us it is impossible to love God and harbor hatred toward another.
We cannot love our neighbor as instructed if we do not first know the love of God.
This is why it is CRITICAL that we have a Christ-Centered focus. Jesus must be at the center of who we are and of what we do in order to live out these commands on a daily basis! If we desire to see the world as God sees the world, then we need to operate through love that is NOT of this world!
The mission statement of HWC is formulated from these two commandments. We take the words of Jesus… seriously. Our stated mission as a church is Loving God. Loving People.
If we desire to lead the heartland back to the difference maker (who is Jesus) then we must take these commands and this mission to heart. This is why we are here. This is who we are. This is our reason for being.
And I am thankful to be able to say… that you… the church… the body of Christ, have placed this mission in motion over the last 365 days!
Despite the challenges and the changes we have been facing, this church has remained in Christ and remained on mission. You have not swayed, you have not wavered, you have not compromised nor have you turned away. Your faithfulness to the work of God in the heartland… makes a BIG difference!
I want to give you some quick celebrational points to consider regarding what you did last year.
In 2021, we averaged 2-3 hands raised every Sunday morning for salvation or re-dedication! That’s AMAZING! We are excited for the continued spiritual growth in our congregation and we are believing God for additional transformed lives this next year!
Our in person remained strong. Our volunteer base stepped up to make sure every ministry need was met. Our services have pressed forward with anointing and excellence!
Our online presence is growing! Our ability to reach people around the globe with the gospel message is increasing and it is looking and sounding better every week! I can’t tell you how many people have stopped me to express their appreciation for our online content!
2021 was one of our strongest giving years yet! We saw an increase in tithe, was saw an increase in offerings, we saw an increase in our missions giving, and we saw an increase in overall ministry support.
Even in the face of pandemic talks, widespread sickness in the area, and cultural economic challenges, you didn’t skip a beat! You continued to worship the Lord through your giving and you know what? God is going to honor you for that!
We are looking to ad missionaries to our support list because of YOUR increased giving! These men and women around the world are making a difference in others… because you are making a difference in them! Your prayers and your dollars help open the door for ministry around the globe!
In 2021, our children’s and youth ministries have been reaching students and pouring into lives. Our Wednesday night meetings have remained steady. Our Children’s church has remained steady. Our Youth group has remained steady.
All three groups are currently lead by volunteers who all work 9 to five and then give more time for these kids.
Our bus drivers and riders who help with these groups keep the wheels turning and the kids coming! Oh yeah, let’s not forget the new bus we acquired to help with our transportation needs in Phillipsburg! The Lord has provided!
In 2021, we saw the launch of our Living Free Ministries - a ministry designed to help those who are struggling with life-controlling issues.
We had a class running on Tuesday nights and on Sunday nights! We have another class starting up soon called, “Free to Grow” and it focuses on helping people overcome disappointments and setbacks in life.
This is a ministry for all! And it is touching lives. And we believe through this resource, we are going to see people set free and delivered in Jesus’ name!
These are just a few of the many incredible things we have seen God do this year! And church, I believe God is just getting started… there is MUCH more to come!
And as we move forward, we want to do so with a Christ-Centered focus… with an undeniable love for God and an indisputable love for people. But there is one more thing I want to talk about… one more point to bring up as we talk about making a difference for Jesus in the heartland.
Everything we just celebrated was not by our power… but was accomplished by the power of God.
Yes… there is an element of obedience. When God’s power says move, we can choose whether or not to be moved by His power.
But church… all of this is a result of the power of our God at work in us and through us. And that’s what I want to talk about this more. My message title is “According to His Power.”
I like… power. Not so much holding power but certainly the effects of power.
I like roller coasters and the power of speed. The twists and turns at loops and spirals are exciting to me!
I like tools… POWER tools… that can drive in screws, ratchet off bolts… and rip through boards.
I like horse power… torque… the roar of a V8 and the smell of high-octane fuel.
I like things that go BOOM! be it fireworks, firearms, etc., I like feeling it in my chest and hearing it echo through the air.
All these things can thrill or wow a person… but today we’re talking about a power that can TRANSFORM a person.
This kind of power is not of this world. This kind of power is un-containable and incorruptible. This kind of power will impact a person from the inside out. This kind of power… can only be found in the all-powerful God!
And it is a power… that God wants to put… IN YOU! God desires for His power to be at work within YOU!
Ephesians 3:20-21 serves as our main text today and it reads,
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
You’ve heard me say it a thousand times… God has GREAT things in store and He is able to do things beyond our imagination or comprehension! And this verse gives us insight as to how those things are going to come about and what those things are going to lead to!
If we want to see God move… WE MUST
Love Him with all that we are.
Love our neighbor as our self.
Look to HIS POWER to get the job done!
God has a great work in store… but it is a work that can ONLY be done according to His power.
As we move forward, we must never forget that what lies ahead is BIGGER than us… but it is NOT bigger than our God.
We must depend on His power and be led of His Spirit. We follow in faith and act in obedience. THIS IS ESSENTIAL to seeing His work accomplished in us and through us!
There are two points I want to pull from our main text today. These two points will give the “how” we can expect God to move and the expected results of His move.
And the key word here is EXPECT. Are you expecting God to move? Are you expecting for the power of God to make a difference in you? Are you expecting the power of God to make a difference THROUGH you?
His Power At Work.
His Power At Work.
Church, make no mistake about it, God’s Power IS at work. His power has never stopped working nor will it ever stop working!
I want us to pause for a moment of reflection and transparency. I want you to be real for a moment. In the last 365 days, did you ever find yourself overwhelmed by your personal circumstances and/or your surrounding circumstances or cultural circumstances?
I think it is fair to say that most all of us have. Things have changed a lot over the last several months and these changes have hit us in various ways.
These rapid changes and these sudden adjustments might make a person feel… powerless over their situation.
But let’s go even a little deeper than that.
Let’s talk about sin for a moment. Sin is something that looks to rob us of power. It is designed to look good on the outside, but once it takes hold, its consequences are anything but pleasing.
Sin looks to bind you today. Sin looks to place you in bondage… to make you a slave to its ways. And no church, those words were not chosen for dramatic effect. Look at Jesus’ words in a dialogue He had with Jews who believed in His teachings…
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Now answer me this… what other context has the ability to completely strip a person of power better than slavery? The master is the one in control! And when that master is sin… we truly have no power on our own to break free.
Our circumstances are intense. The spiritual reality of our culture and society is troubling. But… this does NOT mean that God is not moving. This does NOT mean that His power is not at work!
God’s power IS at work and our main text specifies WHERE His power is working. The text made clear… God’s power is at work… WITHIN US! His power is moving within those who have called on the name of Jesus!
Remember that talk of slavery to sin a moment ago. There is only ONE power great enough to deliver us from that situation - that power is found in the blood of the Lamb who is Jesus.
Freedom from sin is found in the power of Jesus!
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
And this freedom is not just a momentary or seasonal freedom...
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
God sent His Son Jesus so that we could be set free! Set free from sin and set free from the “power” of our circumstance.
These things going on around might have a person feeling powerless… but God has ready a work only He can do… a work that will only be accomplished ACCORDING TO HIS POWER AT WORK WITHIN YOU!
Knowing Jesus is the key to knowing the power of God! Knowing Jesus is the key in breaking free of the sin that once mastered you and coming alive in the One who gave His life for you!
And what kind of things can we expect the power of God to do?
Things that are immeasurably more than we could ever ask for or imagine! Things bigger than anything we could ever dream of!
All of what we have seen done and all of what we see coming will ONLY be accomplished according to HIS POWER at work within us. We cannot do this without the power of God. We SHOULD NOT attempt to do this outside the power of God.
God has the power to break the chains that bind the heartland. God has the power to do a new work in every heart and life. God has the power to transform the heartland through community care and discipleship.
I believe God desires to pour out His power on you today that His power might be poured out on others through you today. I believe We will realize His power in our relationship with Him… and we will operate in His power in our relationships with others.
Today is not a day to be overwhelmed… it is a day to be overcomers! If you are in Christ… EXPECT the power of God to be at work within you!
Secondly, we need to know what to expect regarding the results of His move of power. We can expect… GLORY. Not for us… but for His name!
To God be the Glory
To God be the Glory
I want us to look at verse 21 again of our main text.
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
To the One who is able to do… the impossible. To the One who is able to do more than any person could possibly imagine. To the One who’s power is at work within us according to His will.... BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH throughout all generations!
First off… God is to be glorified simply for who He is… HE IS GOD. And… HE IS GOOD. He is WORTHY of our highest praise!
We should never limit our praise for God for what He has done… God deserves our highest praise simply because of who He is!
Secondly… He is glorified in the church AND in Christ. Jesus has brought glory to God the Father! And… Jesus continues to glorify the Father through the work of the church.
How so? We, the church, ARE the body of Christ. We, the church, are the extension of Jesus’ ministry until He returns!
20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
The church IS the representation of Jesus! We operate according to HIS plan and with the help of the Holy Spirit. GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS SPIRIT TO DO WHAT? TO EMPOWER OUR WITNESS!
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
And… with Christ as our Savior and the Spirit of God as our empowerment, we can expect God to MOVE in powerful ways!
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
ALL OD THIS results in GOD RECEIVING THE GLORY! ALL OF THIS results in GOD BEING LIFTED UP!
The move we see coming in the heartland is NOT a move to glorify the work or name of any one church… it is a move that will glorify God and God alone. It is a move that will come through proclaiming the name that is above all names! It is a move that will result in the transformation of lives for the sake of the gospel!
Listen, in our meeting we will be giving an update on the Dream Team work regarding our need for a youth and student center.
If that dream is limited to constructing another building made of steel and morter, THAN WE ARE MISSING THE POINT!
If, however, that dream is centered on the souls that God is going to set free through the use of this new potential ministry tool… than I am all for it! And church… we will not need to worry about how it is going to get done… If God is in it… IT IS ALREADY DONE!
The results of an immeasurable move of God ACCORDING TO HIS POWER AT WORK WITHIN US will be glory to God!
All of this is for Him! All of this is for His glory! All of this is about His plan! And all of this… is IMPOSSIBLE without the help of our God. It will ONLY happen ACCORDING TO HIS POWER!
Conclusion
Conclusion
So how do we position ourselves to be used in such a way? How do we align ourselves with the work God desires to do through us in the heartland?
First, we start by having a relationship with Him. We have to know Him in order to know His power.
And the greatest power a person could possibly know today… is the redeeming power of the blood of Jesus. His blood is enough. His blood is powerful enough to wipe away ALL of your sins. His blood has the power to do something we cannot. We it comes to sin… we do not have the power to break free from its bondage.
Those who sin… are slaves to sin. A sinner cannot break free of this master on their own.
But… in Christ, that sinner can find freedom. In Christ… this sinner has found freedom! And… in that freedom I was given a new identity!
The Son wants to set you free today. The Son wants to help you with something that you are powerless to do on your own.
He died for you… He was raised to life for you. He wants to set you free with the power of His blood. He wants to fill you with the power of the Spirit.
Is anyone getting this today? JESUS WANTS TO TRANSFORM THE POWERLESS… INTO THE POWERFUL! And its ALL for the glory of our God!
So if you are here and you desire to make that move in your life… then it’s time to start or restart that relationship with Him.
Prayer - SALVATION
Secondly, I want us to remember and celebrate the work Christ did in order to make our spiritual transformation a reality today.
He died… so we could live again. He took on our sin that we could be made righteous in the eyes of the Father. He did what we could not do on our own.
His body was broken. His blood was spilt. And the power of redemption became known by all who has called on His name.
It truly is immeasurably more than we could ever ask for or imagine!
Serve Communion
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.