Jun. 4, 2018

Matthew 17:1-20, John 14 & 20:22 and Acts 1-5

During the truly fun days of radio, part of my job was to come up with short phrases (called one liner’s) that were meant to entice someone to listen to our station. The term “Power” was used a lot with the frequency and call letters of the radio station. Power 99FM or Power 107.1 or Music Power 86AM …you get the idea. The premise was unless you listened to the station that had the Power, you were arguably listening to the wrong station.

In the Spiritual realm, we can talk about our belief in Jesus Christ all day but unless your witnessing to an unbeliever has “Power” that person does not feel the conviction or truth of your testimony because it has no Power to them.  Jesus selected 12 men whose livelihood was fishing when He first started His ministry with a single promise to them…follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

The 12 watched Jesus feed 5,000 men(not including women and children) with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread, saw Him walk on water, calm a strong wind and raging sea by speaking “Peace be Still” and healed person after person but none of the 12 could do what Jesus did because they had no Power.  

When they did try, they failed miserably…Matthew 17 is the story of Jesus taking Peter, James and John with Him to a high mountain where they saw him transfigured (changed to show His Glory) before their very eyes. The other 9 disciples were at the bottom of the mountain trying to help a man’s son who was brought to them. After all, they were Jesus chosen group but beginning at verse 14…the man finally asks Jesus to help him and he did but not before scolding His chosen ineffective group. When the disciples ask why could not they help the man and his son, Jesus told them in verse 20…Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If you have the faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place: and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.

Ok, so having faith is the key. Yes but you will discover your faith needs nurturing which is time spent in the Bible studying and attending Church. The two waters your faith for it to grow and strengthens it. But there was still something missing from the 12, that “Power” thing. The Gospel of John chapter 14 opens the door to “Power” when Jesus tells them He will be leaving them. Remember Jesus was on a mission to fulfill His purpose. That purpose was a date with unimaginable suffering and horrendous death on the cross. He tells them in verse 26…But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  After his resurrection (John 20:22) he breathed on them saying “Receive ye the Holy Ghost”

In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells them you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. On the Day of Pentecost (50 days after the resurrection) the group of now 120 receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and the “Power” needed to fulfill Jesus promise to them when they started together…becoming fishers of men.

In Acts 2, Peter (the same Peter that denied Jesus, had no power to do anything and constantly put his foot in his mouth when he opened it) preached the single most powerful sermon in recorded history through the Power of the Holy Ghost. Peter witnessed about Jesus life, mission while alive and what they did to Him in killing Him. Acts 2:37…Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest of the disciples, Men and bretheren, what shall we do? Verse38…Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Verse 39…For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord God shall call. Verse 40…And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Verse 41…Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls.

Acts Chapter 3 Peter healed a man that was lame for 38 years at the Gate called Beautiful using the POWERFUL Name of Jesus. Acts Chapter 4 Peter and John are put in prison for witnessing and preaching about Jesus. Acts Chapter 5…Peter spoke death to Ananias and Sapphira for lying to The Holy Ghost and though many people chose not to join the disciples they magnified them (to make great, to make them bigger than life).

Verse 16…There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

That is the POWER the disciples received and because of that Power, they truly became the fishers of men Jesus promised them they would become. The same is true for you my brothers and sisters. Why is this such a big deal? Because that soul that has been assigned to your hand is waiting for your testimony about how Jesus saved your life, stopped you from drinking, chasing men or women and in some cases both, stopped you from throwing your money away gambling, changed your tongue from a lying tongue to one speaking truth, helped you become a better mother, father, sister or brother, cleaned you up from the person you once were and after giving yourself to Him, accepting Him as your Lord and Savior…then endowed you with Power from on high.

The job of The Holy Ghost is to give your witness the life changing Power needed to convict that soul and bring them to Him. This world needs your witness, needs you to proclaim Jesus Christ in preparation for His return.

The world wants you to believe you have to be entitled for it's power. God just wants to know are you willing to allow Him to use you? Acts 5:32…And we are his witnesses of these things: and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them who obey him.

Thank You Lord For Your Word