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."

HB 9B The anointing Versus Performance: (God's hand or Natural Gifting?)

What is the anointing? I would venture to say that the majority of church goers have never experienced the anointing and could not discern what it really is. If they had they may have characterized it as inspiration or just a talented presentation. There is a difference between learned performance skills and the anointing. Without the Spirit of Truth one would have trouble distinguishing the two. In 1 Peter 4:11, Peter advises us about the anointing: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies..” This scripture points to the work of the Holy Spirit which inspires the thoughts and the words that are spoken by the man or woman of God. This portion of Peter's epistle is a very important one. First it speaks of ALL who have received the gift (being born of the Spirit) and second, the expectation of sharing between one believer to another for the purpose of edification. When the Holy Spirit is in control laborious preparation and skilled presentation by the presenter is de emphasized.

Worship in evangelical churches today, sadly is modeled after popular professional media artists. Have we reached the place where worship becomes a show? In larger congregations there is usually ample vocal and instrumental talent and technology to reproduce a professional worship service (concert). The fashion of contemporary worship produces a mixture of the profance into the Spiritual world. Spirit led worship lifts the name of the Savior, Jesus and produces a fellowship with the Holy One. Worship should never draw attention to the performer or to ourselves as participants. Performance can appear spiritual but too often draws attention to the individual on the stage. Professional performance even when practiced to perfection may have the vanity of ego as a byproduct. This is the measure of success in the world but we are not of the world.

When do we see the Power of God in manifestation?

In fervent prayer
In answered prayer
In healing
In the times that a prophetic Spirit is manifested
When the Spirit brings liberty
When a Spiritual song breaks forth
When the Pastor is free to go 'off script'
In the times when Joy breaks forth
With messages brought forth that are spoken as the "Oracle of God"
When individuals are delivered from bondages
When brokenness, tears and repentance break forth
When revival is in evidence

A final thought:

Bible teaching churches even those that don't have Spiritual Power in manifestation but teach the reality of a supernaturally changed and morally upright life have been the preserving force of moral excellence through the Gospels. These Christian churches have guided nations in moral righteousness over the years. Today as this is written, darkness and the enemy of “good” has encroached upon freedom to worship. The time of judgment against the ungodly approaches. A separation between good and evil is being clearly delineated. The way of truth is now under attack and spoken of as evil. We were warned that these days would come.

September 26, 2020