6.19.8 "The Power of God's Message"

"The Power of God's Message"

I Kings 20:1-21:29
Acts 12:24-13:15
Psalm 137:1-9
Proverbs 17:16

There are so many crises in this world. Families are in trouble because of lack of communication. Cities are in trouble with crime and poverty. So many problems... If only Jesus would just fix them right? Well, the truth is, Jesus didn't come to solve the world's problems. I believe that was one of the misconceptions of what everyone thought the Messiah was to do. But when you think about it, Jesus didn't come to fix social problems, or political issues, or anything like that. Jesus came to change hearts so those hearts would change the world.

Think about that. We pray "Thy kingdom come, they will be done..." as if that's something the God is going to do on his own. The actuality is that His will is done first in our hearts. When you allow God to change your heart, God wants to use YOU to change your world.

In Acts, God was using the apostles to change the world. It's amazing to see what God did through men that are just like you and me. Paul, Barnabas & John Mark all went to see Sergius Paulus, a governor who was "a man of considerable insight and understanding." (Acts 13:8) God performed a miracle in his presence.

Acts 13:12 "When the governor saw what happened he believed and was astonished at the power of God's message."

I love the phrase "astonished at the power of God's message." We all have the same mission: "Reaching our world for Christ..." It seems impossible in human terms, mainly because in human terms it is. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, amazing things happen.

Let's just look at Acts 13 "DREAM Goggles":

D- Acts 13:2 - "One day as these men were worshiping and fasting the Holy Spirit said..." The Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship was a part of their lives. They worshipped and sought God & received instruction. And they walked in obedience (the highest form of worship)

R - verse 3 says - "...the men laid their hands on them..." There's an element of unity we must never forget. When God directs an individual, or individuals to a duty/task/ministry/mission, we ALL are a part of that process. We are a part of the body, so we need to take ownership of each other's burdens & pray for one another and carry one another.

E - These church leaders were disciplined in being empowered through biblical training. in verse 14, it says "on the Sabbath they went into the synagogue for the services." They weren't just there because they were ministering. As it turns out they were called upon to share a word, but that wasn't their sole purpose for being there. In tomorrow's reading we'll see that they teach through the eyes of history, which reveals they've been trained in the word.

A - Going back to verse 2, it says, "dedicate Barnabas and Paul for a special job I have for them." As God placed a call on their lives they were faithful to complete it. John Mark had gone with them, but in 13-14 he "deserted them... But Barnabas and Paul went on..." They took responsibility for what they were called to do.

M - They knew what their mission was. vers 6,7 says "Afterwards they preached from town to town across the entire island..." They proved faithful in their mission.

In your mind you may be thinking, yeah, but these were apostles. Every one of us are able to walk in these steps. Not that we literally need to go to Cyprus, but the ingredients of the Balanced Christian Life are right in front of you this day. Apply these things and see what happens. As you faithfully and intentionally do your part, the Holy Spirit will direct you, position you, and work through you. It may begin small, but you never know the day when you will be in the place where God will give you words to say that will cause others to be: "Astonished at the Power of God's Message."

God wants to use you to change the world. Apply the principle of his word to your life. Live the DREAM! We too often forget the transforming power that needs to happen inside of us. Let it happen!



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ