5/19/13 DESIGN FOR LIFE
GOD’S POWER IS ALWAYS GREATER
Let me start off by telling you a true story that happened approximately 2,800 years ago.
II Kings 6:8-23 NLT
Elisha Traps the Arameans
8 When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, “We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.”
9 But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.” 10 So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on the alert there.
11 The king of Aram became very upset over this. He called his officers together and demanded, “Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?”
12 “It’s not us, my lord the king,” one of the officers replied. “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!”
13 “Go and find out where he is,” the king commanded, “so I can send troops to seize him.” And the report came back: “Elisha is at Dothan.” 14 So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.
16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
18 As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please make them blind.” So the Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked.
19 Then Elisha went out and told them, “You have come the wrong way! This isn’t the right city! Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to the city of Samaria.
20 As soon as they had entered Samaria, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, now open their eyes and let them see.” So the Lord opened their eyes, and they discovered that they were in the middle of Samaria.
21 When the king of Israel saw them, he shouted to Elisha, “My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?”
22 “Of course not!” Elisha replied. “Do we kill prisoners of war? Give them food and drink and send them home again to their master.” 23 So the king made a great feast for them and then sent them home to their master. After that, the Aramean raiders stayed away from the land of Israel.
What an amazing story of the knowledge and power of God. He knows what to do and will use those who are willing and submissive to be used. Nothing is too hard for God.
We live in a time when many Christians are fearful. We are seeing an onslaught of evil like we have never personally witnessed. We are shocked and disgusted by what we see happening all around. It seems as if the foundations are being shaken on everything we have relied on. God is rejected and mocked.
When this is happening, it is very easy to be consumed with the fear that wants to make us give up. We have lost the battle, so we might as well quit. It is at these times that we must step up and put our complete trust in the Lord and be reminded that God really is in control and He is not surprised by what is happening. The church has faced these challenges before and God has come through.
What did the early church face? They faced a powerful and despotic government. But it was because of their assurance of the resurrection that they took on all challenges. The miraculous power of God made them bold to not quit or give up. The resurrection was their theme and they proclaimed Jesus as the risen Savior.
Note that is was and is still the story of the power of God that gives the church victory.
GOD’S POWER IS ALWAYS GREATER
What does the BIBLE tell us? Let’s look at some passages and key words.
The Battle Is Real
We wrestle not against flesh and blood. The battle was real back in Bible times and it is still real today.
Ephesians 6:11-13 NIV
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Yes, the battle is real, but we don’t give up.
God’s Power is Real
All things are possible. Note: A similar statement by Jesus in two different situations.
Matthew 19:26 NIV
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Mark 9:23 NIV
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
How we look at situations makes all the difference. We won’t see the results we want in the timing we want, but God makes all things possible.
The Battle Is The Lord’s
David and Goliath
1 Samuel 17:46-48 NIV
46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 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.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.
David’s confidence in God was not diminished. He sensed in His heart that God was leading him and nothing was going to stop him.
God Empowers His People
Acts 1:8 NIV
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.
The power of the Holy Spirit will take us to spiritual places and victories we never thought possible. The Spirit empowers us to be overcomers.
The Battle Is For Eternal Souls
John 3:17 NIV
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
This is the foundation of all the struggles we face. It is about trying to keep people from receiving Jesus as Savior or to get them to walk away when things get hard. Bottom line: Jesus came to save souls.
How do we see that happen?
God wants to use us just as He used Peter.
Acts 2:37-39 NIV
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
The power of the Holy Spirit had just been poured out on the church. They waited for the power Jesus promised, and, when that happened Peter preached a sermon that brought 3,000 people to the Lord at once.
The work God has called us to do has nothing to do with our ability to tell a funny story or impress others with our eloquence. It has all to do with speaking with the power of the Spirit of God as He stirs hearts and exposes sin. As the Spirit uses a person results come.
GOD’S POWER IS ALWAYS GREATER
We can read what happened in the Bible times. Many doubt anything like that can happen today. Is it possible to see the supernatural today? Can we, just ordinary people see it?
One of the missionaries we have supported for many years, who has been here several times, is Rocky Grams. God has used them in Argentina in awesome ways. Here are just a few of the examples he has shared in the past few months.
A phenomenal beginning to the marriage retreat. Serarfín and Alva Contreras ministered to us about “God’s Design for Marriage.” It has already been worth the eight hours of travel to get here.
A tremendously impacting message today in the Missions devotional. Tony Pedrozo was very much used of the Holy Spirit.
What an evening service at IBRP! Many tears of commitment at the altars! The disposition to pay the price to take the Gospel to the most oppressed regions. Ric Shields preached and shared many testimonies about the persecuted Church and the perilous times we live in. Help us, Lord, to be true to your purposes.
God is at work! The worship at Avance Cristiano today was so deep we almost could not make the transition to the Word. The Lord used Norman Knoodle once again in such diverse ways. Baptisms in the Holy Spirit, physical healings and healings from anguish along with very specific an confirmed words of knowledge. The service started at 10:00 A.M. and we were still there praying for people at 1:15 P.M. As we were walking out the door, Sabrina and her mother came up and excitedly told us that God had placed the arches in both of Samantha's feet. I insisted that she take her tennis shoes and socks off and we wet her feet and had her walk around on the bare floor. The wet footprints showed perfectly formed arches! God is so good.
These are just a few of the hundreds of stories that are coming out of the Bible School and the churches. These are happening NOW.
Lord, do Your same work here. SEEK GOD AND THE FULLNESS OF HIS POWER both here when we are together and when you are at home praying.
Questions about seeking God, His fullness and the power of the Spirit.
