COMPLETED 11/3 Turn the Page-Learning the Story of God From Powerless to Powerful
From Powerless to Powerful
November 3, 2024
Acts 1:1-8 - In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men 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. 4 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. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 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.”
Luke 7:1-9 - When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
1. The Lord did not create you to bring you into this world to be a victim of Satan, for you to live a crushed and defeated life. Our Lord expects you to REIGN not someday, but right now.
Genesis 1:26 - Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule…
John 8:31-32 - To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Romans 5:17 - For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Luke 7:8-9 - For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
2. Big Idea: You cannot HAVE power, authority, and blessings until you are UNDER the power, authority, and blessings of Christ.
Luke 7:8 - For I myself am a man under authority.
Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
3. Power, authority, and blessings are INTERLOCKED with faith and obedience.
HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S POWER, AUTHORITY, AND BLESSINGS
1. OBEY GOD IMMEDIATELY
Psalms 119:32 - I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
Psalms 119:60 - I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
2. OBEY GOD COMPLETELY
Psalms 119:4 - You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
Two truths
• God’s standard of right and wrong has never CHANGED
• God has a BIGGER perspective than you.
Genesis 3:1 - Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 Kings 5:10 - Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Next Steps:
Question: What does your obedience to God reveal about your faith and love?
Is your obedience to God immediate or delayed? Is it complete or is it partial?