Power from God might mean one thing to you, and another to someone else. Power of salvation should be what each Christian is concerned with.
In Acts the 2nd chapter, we see an illustration of the power of God unto salvation.
WE can see there that on that first day when the church of Christ was established, Peter preached Jesus.
The power in that sermon is JESUS.
The power is not Peter, but in his preaching about Jesus.
We might also consider that the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles power to know what to preach and how to preach and what words to use.
However, that aside for the moment, what I am concerned with in this article is the power of the Words we speak.
Peter's audience:
The audience consisted of devout religious people.
They were of many nationalities.
They were a receptive audience, in that they were acquainted with the Scriptures, and so when Peter quotes the prophecies of the coming Messiah, and the coming church, they are not totally in the dark.
Peter reminds them of the many miracles, wonders, and signs that Jesus had done in the presence of many of those gathered in front of Peter.
In Matthew 9.35, we see that Jesus went. Where did Jesus went?
Jesus went to the cities.
Jesus went to the villages.
Jesus taught in the churches, or synagogues.
What did Jesus preach?
Jesus taught and preached the gospel of the coming Kingdom.
Additionally, notice that Jesus healed 'every sickness and every disease among the people'.
Even though Peter had the power to heal, on that day of Pentecost, Peter put the spotlight on Jesus, and what Jesus did and taught.
Do you know that many of our members are crying out to the leadership, asking for more positive preaching from the pulpits?
They are opposed to sermons that condemn their friends, or someone that they have invited to the service.
I want you to notice an ACCUSATION here in that first sermon in Acts 2, Verse 23.
Peter accused them of crucifying and killing Jesus, and that they were wicked in doing so.
Peter preached a personal rebuke of their sin, and not too far into the sermon either.
In 2 Timothy the 4th chapter, Paul told a preacher that he had trained of the importance of using the word to reprove, to rebuke, and to exhort.
Why? Because, Paul said that a time was future that men would not accept the truth redily, but would want to only hear fairy tales.
Brothers and sisters, it is a fairy tale to preach a watered down gospel! Our sermons must not only have exhortations which reenforce and build up a Christian, but sin must be attacked as well.
I must preach the Word of truth in such a way that the audience feels awfully bad about the evil and sin that exists in their spiritual life.
We are talking about the power of God. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation Paul wrote in Romans 1.16.
At the trial of Jesus before Pilate, the Roman Empire representative, in John 19.11; Jesus told Pilate that he could have NO POWER against Him, unless it was given to Pilate from God in Heaven.
AT His trial, the Jews were given a choice, whether to kill Jesus or Barabas, the criminal. Here the Jews assumed the guilt of the death of Jesus when they cried out to Pilate, "Crucify him, crucify him".
According to an old prophecy in Isaiah 53.3, it was foretold that Jesus would be hated and rejected of men.
When Jesus preached many of his fellow Jews were offended at the truth that Jesus preached, and they are still rejecting the power of His word today.
Jesus reminds us in Luke 16.15, "That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God".
In your religious life, what do you hold on to the most, and with the greatest love?
If we justify ourselves in our sins, we are condemned before God.
If you are serving the lusts of your flesh, you won't like to hear the power of God's word that will cut the sin out of your life, if you will obey.
The sinner needs to hear the power of God's Word in condemning him of despising and rejecting Jesus as Lord of his life when he loves the world instead of serving the will of our Lord Jesus.
Stand for the truth, and preach the word of power and here is what you can expect:
- Most of your friends will be offended
- You will be made fun of
- Word of truth will be called false
- You may be despised and rejected
The power of God's word is in part shown when the sinner is shown that spiritual eternal death is caused by such sin as he is practicing.
If I preach Jesus, I must preach against sin!
The sinner must be convicted.
Do I now persuade men or God? Do I please men or God? Paul said in Galatians 1.9-11 that if we please men, we cannot be the servants of Jesus Christ.
Is your gospel that which makes people feel comfortable, or does the word have the power to make him feel uneasy, and guilty?
Who do you serve?
Acts 2.36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 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.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles? doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
HOW ABOUT YOU? DOES ANY OF THIS SPEAK TO YOUR HEART?
