Gtcotr/ws051524
The Bible is not just a book of good works nor is it simply a historical account of the founders of our faith. Rather, the Bible is the Word of Almighty God, living and powerful, able to deposit faith in the lives of those who open their hearts and minds. I have experienced the power of God’s Word being correctly and faithfully applied to problematic areas of my life and family. I am here to boldly proclaim: It Works!
One word from God has the power to change everything.
There is both purpose and power in the word of God. When we take the written word of God and apply it to our lives, things change. The practice of doing this, along with prayer, are the two most powerful advantages God has given His children on earth. The problems and the people of this world, including every demon of hell and all the spiritual wickedness in this age, is no match for a child of God, filled with the Spirit and speaking the Word.
When taken off the written page and planted in the souls of men, the Words of God become tangible in the life of a Believer. The Words of God are filled with life, light, and love, and are set to release miracle working power when activated by faith. When we embrace the Word of God, we become carriers of miracles for ourselves and others.
A prime example of this is the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ. He is the standard by which we test all things. If it worked for Him and in His life, it is intended to work for each Believer. This is the reason Jesus came to earth in the image of man so that He could show us the will of the Father for every man.
The followers of Jesus are instructed to imitate Him … to be and say and feel and do exactly what Jesus showed us to be and say and feel and do. If anything, we are encouraged to go farther and do more of the works we saw in Christ. The instructions are plain, and the examples are abundant.
This evening we are going to look at the power which is resident in the life of a Believer by reviewing the account of a woman in great need who came to Jesus expecting Him to be the answer. And indeed He was … but why?
Mark 5 NKJV
25 Now a certain woman had a
flow of blood for twelve years,
26 and had suffered many
things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better,
but rather grew worse.
27 When she heard about
Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
28 For she said, “If only I
may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29 Immediately the fountain
of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed
of the affliction.
30 And Jesus, immediately
knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd
and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31 But His disciples said to
Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched
Me?’ ”
32 And He looked around to
see her who had done this thing.
33 But the woman, fearing and
trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and
told Him the whole truth.
34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
Your faith has made you well. This woman made a demand on the power of God which was available in the Word of God for everyone around her. She accessed this miraculous power by faith. It was her choice …
Imagine how many people that day heard of Jesus but did not personally embrace the word they heard by faith and therefore it took no root in their lives and deposited no greater power or faith than they had when they came. You can do the same thing this evening. Many, in fact according to the Bible example, I dare say most of those who hear the word concerning the power of God, which is available to the believer by faith, will do nothing with it or even try to access a miracle … they will not be changed by it.
Maybe they are not hungry enough, hopeful enough, desperate enough, close enough to God, perhaps they are tired, or may have heard it before, have everything they want, prefer to leave it like it is … and all the time the power of the Word of God is right there, ready and waiting to be activated by someone who believes and reaches out by faith.
Hebrews 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
Not everyone will embrace it when they hear it, but the Word of God will change every person’s life who will act on it in faith.
·
Don’t
just have a form of religion and deny the power of God.
o 1 Timothy 3:5
·
Don’t
be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, it is the power of God.
o Romans 1:16
·
The
kingdom of God is not in word only but in power.
o 1 Corinthians 4:20
·
God
is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can think or ask according to
the power which is at work in us.
o Ephesians 3:20
·
God
even anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power who went about doing good
and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.
o Acts 10:38
·
You
will receive power when you receive the Holy Spirit.
o Acts 1:8
·
Have
you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?
o Acts 19:1-6
·
God
will give you the Holy Spirit, like on the day of Pentecost, if you asked Him
and then act in faith.
o Luke 11:13
Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit and stir up the gifts of God within you.
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Let’s
turn on, stir up, and reach out with the power of God to make things better for
us and others in the name of Jesus. Make your faith confession!
