1 Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
The kingdom of God is not just a lot of “hot Air”, a bunch of words about a nice idea. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of power and demonstration!
Mark 16:17-18
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Notice the above verses say that these things will follow those who believe, not a select few prophets, evangelists, healers or other “super dupers”. These signs will follow all Christians, those who believe in Jesus.
When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior and are born-again, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, comes and lives inside of us. The power that makes dead things alive is in all of us who believe!
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
It’s time we put off our fears, confident in the love of God and step boldly into the things that He has planned for us. Each of us has a part to play in advancing God’s kingdom, let’s not get to heaven and regret all the times we could have made a difference and didn’t.
Philemon 1:4-6
I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
If you don’t know you have something, you will never use it. Not knowing you have power, brings the same results as not having power because in both cases you won’t use it. We become effective by acknowledging everything Jesus has put inside of us. When you know you have it, you can use it!
Jesus was clear that He expected us to walk in the power of God, just as He did.
John 14:12-14
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
If I asked any Christian, whether they believe that if Jesus walked into the room that He could heal any and all sick people there, they would say yes. Well Jesus lives in each of us so He is in the room! Let’s get our thinking strait so that we can start demonstrating the love and power of God!
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
The mind is the battlefield. The thoughts we entertain of unbelief and doubt, prevent us from operating in faith and block the power of God from helping a lost and hurting world through us.
[Click here to learn more on the battlefield of the mind]
Mark 6:4-6
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
Jesus was blocked by the unbelief of the people and so He went about teaching. We need to be taught what Jesus has done for us and our power and authority in Him so that we can take the lies of the devil captive and cast them from our minds. When we do this, we can step out in faith and confidence to show God’s power.
Let’s commit to be a people who both talk about and demonstrate the power of God in our lives.