POWER
POWER
The late Dr. Henry Morris observed: “Three Greek words are translated “power” in Scripture —exousia (“authority”), dunamis (“ability”), and kratos (“strength”). Each is attributed in unlimited extent to God the Creator as incarnate in Christ the Redeemer. “All power [‘authority’] is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). “For thine is the kingdom, and the power [‘ability’], and the glory, for ever” (Matthew 6:13). “That ye may know . . . the exceeding greatness of his power [‘ability’] to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power [‘strength’], Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power [‘authority’], and might, and dominion” (Ephesians 1:18-21).
•
Exousia
is an Ancient Greek word meaning “authority,” “power,” or “right”. In a biblical context, it is most often used to describe the delegated power and authority of God, and by extension, the authority given to Jesus, his disciples, and governing bodies. It can refer to both legitimate power and the privilege to act, with a wide range of applications from forgiveness and healing to jurisdiction and freedom. “Exousia” occurs 103 times in the New Testament Scriptures in 93 different verses. It is used in Matthew 28:18 to show that Jesus has all “authority” in heaven and on earth.
•
Dunamis
is the Greek word for power, might, and strength. It is found 120 times in the New Testament Scriptures and often refers to the ability to work miracles as in Mark 6:2. Our word “dynamite” comes from the Greek word “dunamis.”
•
Kratos
also means power, might, dominion, or strength. It is used in Acts 19:20 to show that the Word of God had more “power” or “strength” than the words of sorcerers. Kratos was the Greek god of war.
•
God, of course, is the ultimate manifestation of all authority, power, and strength! While God has “all” authority, power, and strength, He has delegated “some” of His power to men. •
Jesus gave His apostles “authority” (exousia) while He was on earth! (Matthew 10:1) •
The “power” (dunamis) of the Most High came upon Mary when she conceived Jesus (Luke 1:35)
•
Jesus also wanted us to be strong in the Lord and in His “mighty” (kratos) power (Ephesians 6:10)
•
BUT THE AUTHORITY, ABILITY, AND STRENGTH CAME UPON THE APOSTLES IN AN EVEN GREATER WAY WHEN JESUS ASCENDED TO THE FATHER!
THE POWER OF GOD WAS PROMISED TO BE “IN” THE APOSTLES
AND ALSO “IN” US!
•
When Jesus was in His earthly body He could only be one place at a time. For example, when Jesus was with Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, He could not be with the other nine disciples down in the valley. In His physical body Jesus could be “with” His apostles, but not “in” them!
•
When Jesus returned to the Father, however, He would return to earth as the Holy Spirit. As a Spirit He would not be limited by a body and could be everywhere at the same time. Now Jesus could be “in” His followers and not merely “with” them!
•
So Jesus said: “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7) The “Advocate”, of course, is the “Holy Spirit.”
•
This promise was not limited to the Apostles for all believers have the Holy Spirit – For “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9) •
The Holy Spirit is our Counselor and will be with us forever! “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:17-18) •
The Greek word “mone” refers to an “abode” or “dwelling place.” It is only used two times in the New Testament Scriptures.
•
First Jesus told His disciples that in His Father’s house there were many “abodes”. Then Jesus continued: “I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
•
Then in John 14:23 Jesus said: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23) •
How beautiful! Jesus is going to heaven to prepare a “place” for us, while we are preparing a “place” for Him in our hearts!
•
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
THE APOSTLES WERE TOLD TO WAIT FOR THE POWER OF GOD
While Jesus was “with” the Apostles He gave them “some” power. When Jesus returned from heaven to be “inside” of them they would have much “more” power. Luke wrote: “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:3-5)
Just before ascending into heaven Jesus promised: “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.” (Acts 1:8)
•
This “power” enabled Peter and John to heal a man who was over 40 years old and had been crippled from birth (Acts 3:1-12; 4:22).
•
“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.” (Acts 4:33)
•
“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8)
•
When Jesus appeared to Saul of Tarsus (Paul) on the Road to Damascus He said: “‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and
will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” (Acts 26:15-18)
•
When he was at Ephesus “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19:11-12)
•
As Jesus promised, Paul’s ministry would turn people from the power of Satan to God: “Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” (Acts 19:18-20)
•
Years later Paul would write to the believers in Ephesus: “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:16-21)
•
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
“I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28)
“Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true.” (John 10:41-42)
- 1 - How is it possible for John, who “never performed a miraculous sign, to be greatest person ever born of a woman?
- 2 - How is it possible for the least in the kingdom of God to be greater than John?
Most prophets worked miraculous signs!
Consider Elijah! The Bible mentions at least 8 miracles performed by Elijah
1. I Kings 17:1 NO RAIN FOR 3 1/2 YEARS
2. I Kings 17:14 MEAL AND OIL FAILED NOT
3. I Kings 17:22 RAISED THE DEAD – WIDOW’S SON.
4. I Kings 18:38-40 Mt. CARMEL. CLEANUP OF THE PROPHETS OF BAAL.
5. I Kings 18:41 RAIN RELEASED
6. II Kings 1:10 ANTI-GOD ARMY – FIRST 50 CONSUMED BY FIRE.
7. II Kings 1:12,14 SECOND JUDGMENT OF 50.
8. II Kings 2:8 JORDAN OPENED.
Please also consider Elisha! Elisha received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit and performed even more miracles than Elijah! (2 Kings 2:9-12)
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR JOHN THE BAPTIST WHO DID NO MIRACLES TO BE GREATER THAN ELIJAH AND ELISHA?
WHILE THE FOLLOWING THOUGHTS ARE ONLY MY OPINION, PLEASE CONSIDER THEM AND CHECK THEM BY YOUR OWN BIBLE.
JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS UNIQUE
•
The Spirit of God came upon King Saul with power (1 Samuel 11:6). The Spirit of God also came upon Samson with power (Judges 14:6). This power of the Spirit, however, on other men was only temporary. John the Baptist, by contrast, was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth (Luke 1:15).
•
Isaiah predicted the ministry of John the Baptist centuries before John was born (Matthew 3:3; Luke 3:1-6) The ministry of no other prophet was predicted in this way!
•
Malachi predicted: “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” (Malachi 4:5-6) John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy (Matthew 11:14; 17:11-13).
•
John was a cousin of Jesus and when his mother, Elizabeth, heard the voice of Mary, the mother of Jesus, John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb even thought it was three months before he would be born (Luke 1:39-45).
•
John the Baptist preached “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:5; Luke 3:3) The forgiveness of sins is a “spiritual” miracle far more important than “physical” miracles.
•
Even though Jesus had not sins, John baptized him that He might fulfill all righteousness: “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17) No other prophet had such an honor!
•
Those who refused John’s baptism were rejecting the purpose of God: “But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.” (Luke 7:30)
•
Even though John worked no miraculous sign “People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” (Matthew 3:5-6) Perhaps for this reason the disciples came to Jesus and said: “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)
•
Other prophets “predicted” the coming of Christ, but John the Baptist “prepared” for the coming of Jesus! Apparently without the preparation done by John, the ministry of Jesus would not have been successful!
•
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) When Jesus saw a poor widow put two small copper coins into the treasury “Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)
•
Apparently John’s heart was uniquely devoted to God
!
•
These are a few things to consider helping to explain how “among those born of women there is no one greater than John”.
HOW IS SOMEONE WHO IS LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
GREATER THAN JOHN?
•
To understand this we must also understand this promise of Jesus to His disciples on the night before He was crucified. “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14;12)
•
Obviously the “greater things” Jesus referred to are not physical miracles. Jesus fed 5,000 men plus women and children with 5 small barley loaves and 2 small fish (John 6:9). Jesus was not promising that they would be able to feed 10,000 men with 1 small loaf and 1 small fish. We must think of “spiritual” miracles, not “physical” miracles. As Paul said: “For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) So Jesus said: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.” (John 6:27)
•
When the disciples of Jesus returned with joy saying “Lord even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10:17) This was temporary! Jesus answered: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20) This was eternal!
•
Nobody knows how many miracles Jesus performed on earth. On various occasions Jesus healed great crowds as in Matthew 15:29-31which undoubted involved hundreds, if not thousands whom Jesus healed. But the Scriptures do list at least 37 specific instances of miracles performed by Jesus. Virtually all of these miracles were of a temporary nature. The first miracle of Jesus was turning the water into wine (John 2:1-11). Obviously in only a few hours they would be thirsty again. A few hours after Jesus fed the multitudes they also would be hungry again!
•
All the sick people Jesus healed ultimately died! Even Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, died again!
•
The “Gospel” or “Good News” is that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus makes it possible for us to have “eternal life” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The words “eternal life” are found 41 times in the New Testament Scriptures.
•
Before Jesus died and rose again millions of animals had been sacrificed but “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)
•
Human priests offered thousands of sacrifices which could never take away sins, but Jesus, our Great High Priest, by sacrificing Himself one time provided forgiveness for all believers from Eden unto the end of the world: “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:11-14)
•
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)
•
“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15)
•
A “will” is only valid after someone dies. So the “New Testament” or “will” of Jesus only was valid after He died: “In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.” (Hebrews 9:16-17)
•
JOHN THE BAPTIST DIED BEFORE JESUS DIED! THEREFORE IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO OFFER ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE WHOM HE BAPTIZED!
•
THE “LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD”, HOWEVER, ARE GREATER THAN JOHN FOR SINCE JESUS DIED AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD, WE CAN PROMISE ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL WHO BELIEVE!
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!
•
Nicodemus was an intelligent Bible student and a member of the Jewish ruling council. Yet Jesus said to him: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)
•
“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:7-8)
•
It is possible for the kingdom God to be in our midst, like the wind, without being seen. Jesus continued: “I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (John 3:12)
- It is those who are born again that recognize and experience the power of God!
A LESSON FROM ROMANIA
•
Nicolae Ceausescu became the dictator of Romania in 1967. He brutally oppressed his people. While they shivered in long lines begging for bread laced with sawdust.
•
Meanwhile Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu routinely dined on three kinds of caviar, pâté de foie gras, filet mignon, roast beef, baby pork, pork chops and pork loin, venison, roast turkey, Cornish game hens, pheasant, lobster, frogs' legs, smoked salmon, and three kinds of trout.
•
Laszlo Tokes was the pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church in the center of Timisoara. This was the capital city of Timis County and the main economic, social, and cultural center in Western Romania.
•
Revival broke out and within two years the attendance of this church swelled to 5,000 zealous followers of Jesus.
•
The Government tried to intimidate the Christians by stationing guards with machine guns in front of their church buildings.
- Pastor Tokes was denied his ration book and firewood in an attempt to starve him out.
•
Four government men in ski masks broke into his tiny apartment leaving him wounded, broken, and bleeding.
- A court ordered his eviction from his home and church on December 15, 1989.
- On Sunday, December 10th, Tokes advised his congregation that he would defy that order.
•
When he did, the secret police raided their apartment before dawn on the 17th to take him and his wife prisoners. But hundreds of faithful believers, however, stood in their way.
- Soon thousands of believers gathered in Timisoara square to protest.
•
These devout followers of Jesus were not intimidated by tanks and armed soldiers with shields and attack dogs.
•
When Ceausescu ordered the soldiers to open fire, hundreds died but the Christians refused to flee.
•
Chuck Colson, in his book The Body, states that the crowd consisted of Baptists, Adventists, Pentecostals, Orthodox, and Catholics. Though many of them spoke different languages, they all had the same Bible and followed the same Christ!
•
The Christians did not take up arms, but their unity and love caused the government itself to collapse.
•
Thus, on December 25, 1989 Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena, were executed by a firing squad and Romania was free.
•
Jesus said: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (Matthew 13:33)
- FORTUNATELY, THOSE WHO ARE BORN AGAIN HAVE NO TROUBLE SEEING THIS!
THE KNOCK AT THE DOOR
The church at Laodicea felt that they were rich, had acquired wealth, and did not need a thing! But Jesus said to them: “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:17)
Jesus said to them: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)
The solution to the problem was simple! Jesus continued: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20)
PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR TO YOUR HEART AND LET JESUS IN!
If you will only let Jesus in, you will discover that He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)