There are many things that we contend with as believers: Satan, world order, those who hate and despitefully use us, our flesh, wicked spirits, etc.
One of the most sought-after thing/substance on earth is power. To the extent that even in heaven, where order prevails, the quest for power had become an issue before. Whether at an individual, group, state or national level. We all want power. We all need power.
So how can we rightly obtain power? From God obviously.
What is Power?
Power is an English logical construct that refers to a variety of ideas relating to ability; capacity; authority; might and strength.
The objective of this discourse is for us to know how to live a victorious and not a defeated Christian life, despite the above challenges. We must, however:
- Hunger and thirst for the power of God;
- Cherish and place value on this power in our lives;
- Deploy and put to use the power made available to us.
Luke 24:49 – And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Mt. 10:16 – Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Sources of power
- God (Heaven; On high; Above)
- Satan (Hell; Below; Beneath)
- People (Around)
- Self (Within)
Sources of power – God
Mk 16:16-18 – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Acts 10:38 – How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Sources of power – Satan
– He was the Anointed cherub (Isaiah 14: 12-17).
– Used by The witch of Endor (I Sam. 28: 3-19).
Lucifer was able to withstand Angel Gabriel for 21 days (Dan. 10: 1-13).
To understand the power that Satan has, consider the power of one angel – 2 Kings 19:20-35.
Sources of power – People
Saul’s unlawful sacrifice because he relied on the power of the people to protect him (I Sam. 13: 5-14).Saul’s partial obedience, again because he did not want to offend people (I Sam. 15: 10-21, 30).
Some know how to harness the power of the people and thrive in it. Usually, it is that same power that brings them down.
Sources of power – Self
Goliath of Gath (I Sam. 17: 4-11)
The rich fool (Luke 12: 16-21)
Kinds/Spheres of power
Political (Legislature/Executive)
Economical (Global lenders)
Monarchical (Decrees)
Religious (Revere as a god)
Academic (Bad example – Charles Darwin)
Civil (Police, Enforcement Officers, Judge; Examiners; etc.)
Divine Power further explained
- Power is an inherent characteristic of God (I Peter 5: 11).
- God delegated this power unto Man at creation (Gen. 1:26-28).
- Satan hijacked that power when Man fell in the Garden of Eden (Rom. 6:16).
- Jesus as God incarnate exercised Divine power when He came (John 5:26-27; Lk. 4:18-19, 36).
- Jesus, in turn, delegated this Divine power to those who believe in Him (Lk. 10:19).
- Divine power does manifest in two forms. E.g. Jesus was given:
Exousia – Authority (Mt. 28:18)
Dunamis – Supernatural Ability (Acts 10:38).
For us as believers: (Mk. 16: 16-18; Acts 1:8).
However, Satan still parades himself as if he has power over the believer when he doesn’t.
He seeks to instil fear in us, so as to steal, kill or destroy.
The Believers’ Arsenals
The name of Jesus (Phil. 2:10-11)
The blood of Jesus (Rev 12:11)
The word of God (Mt. 4:4,7,10).
Invoke the Fire of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 12:29; Num. 11:1; 2 Kgs 1: 9-10).
Condition of usage
Ephesian 6:10-18 tells us that we must:
- Gird our loins with truth;
- Wear breastplate of righteousness;
- Put on the shoe of the gospel of peace;
- Carry the shield of faith ;
- Wear the helmet of salvation;
- Hold the sword of Spirit;
- Praying always with all prayer in the Spirit;
- Interceding for other saints;
- Stand firm, therefore.
Can the Divine power work for every believer?
Yes. Though the power is available to every believer; sadly it may not work for everyone. Especially:
- Those still living in sin. For example, 7 Sons of High Priest (Acts 19:11-17).
- Those not genuinely born again. E.g Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8: 9-24).
- The doubtful. The apostles (Mk. 11:21-23).
- The ignorant. The disciples (John 6: 48-69).
- The prayerless and non-faster. The apostles (Mt. 17: 14-21).
Biblical examples of those who were endued with power from on high we can emulate
- Elijah (James 5: 17-18).
- Joshua (Joshua 10:12-14)
- Peter (Acts 3: 1-10).
- Paul (Acts 13: 4-12).
- Contemporary examples: Pastor Adeboye; Rev. Kumuyi; Rev. Madugba; Rev. Lawon; etc.
Caution: I John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Prayers
Father, demonstrate Your power over me and in me.
Father, demonstrate Your power through me and by me.
Father, help me to use the power You have invested in me.
Father, help me to be a true representative of Your Spirit on earth.
The sermon, Power From On High, by Pastor Samuel Obafaiye, was delivered on June 10, 2018