The Power of God, The Missing Ingredient of Faith

Foundational Scriptures:

(a) Mark 12:24- “Are you not therefore mistaken, (you don't understand) because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?” (Jesus addressing the experts in the law.)
(b) Acts 1:8 - “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
(c) Romans 1:16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
(d) 1 Corinthians 1:18- For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(e) 1 Corinthians 2:5- that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
(f) 1 Corinthians 2:14 “- But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
(g) 2 Timothy 3:1 and 3:5 “-But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: - -
having a form of godliness but denying its power - And from such people turn away!”
(h) 1 Peter 1:5- “ "-who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
(i) 1 Corinthians 4:20 " -For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power."

One important difference between Christian traditional "religion" and Christianity is to understand that true faith is activated and governed by the power of God. I hope to explore this subject in this serving of Hallelujah Bread. The point to be made and understood is that the power of God is THE indispensable element of faith and believing.

There are two words that are translated “power” in the New Testament. One is exousia which pertains to authority or permission; the other is dunamis which refers to power which is of the God-kind. Dunamis emanates directly from God Almighty. Since it is activated by God himself, this power is supernatural, entirely outside of ourselves. It is always confirmed by the Word of God. The dunamis power of God is the miraculous and revelatory power of the Holy Spirit (see also rhema word). It emanates from a divine source beyond this natural world.

The dunamis power of God is the foundation of the gospel (see reference C above). It is God who wills us to do and God who executes His plan through us, thus producing a result in a believer's life. Phillipians 2:13- “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” The true spiritual life that is promised in the gospel is one in which God executes his pleasure in and through his chosen ones. (See also Jude v.3)

Constraints of the natural man (anyone is not yet spiritually renewed)

The “natural man” (psuche or “soulish” person) does not receive revelatory understanding of Spiritual things because the domain of knowledge must be opened by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14) “- But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Yet, is is evident that one can excel in religion or philosophy and advance academically to receive theological degrees qualifying them to lead “Christian” congregations without ever experiencing the power of God. Today, just as in Jesus' day, there is the learned class who are actually without spiritual understanding. See note (a). The natural mind can contemplate and invent its own philosophic theories and religious protocols. These all have an appearance of Godliness but are outside the domain of God as the source. See note (g). The apostle Paul writes a special caution that religion or ministry without God's power being manifested should be rejected. “-But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: - - having a form of godliness but denying its power; And from such people turn away.”

The apostles of Jesus knew and demonstrated the dunamis power of God from the day of Pentecost forward. It is evident in their ministry, their teachings and their writings. Believers were baptized by the power of God. They had no trouble facing lions in the arena because they knew God in Spirit and Truth. Each believer fully realized that this world was not their home. They did not die for a principle, a theory, or a social cause. The promise of eternal life was real and an unshakable, living reality in their lives.

What is it that characterizes most religious experience in churches today? Today, church culture is modeled after a combination of long-held tradition and the modern day business model. Leadership strives to package the program and services after modern trends that foster church growth. Leaders are sought who are eloquent, inspiring speakers with the ability to communicate effectively. Pulpit ministers who possess doctoral theological degrees are in demand. It is rare that the power of God is in evidence. Catholic churches for the most part, stay rooted and grounded in ecclesiastic tradition.


September 26, 2020