This morning there were some troubles getting the video going but it was resolved and Pastor delivered a powerful sermon. He continued the series Rising, encouraging the church to rise today.
Last week Pastor preached on training to be champions. It is good to train but then you have to put the training into action in order to be the champion.
The world we live in is dominated by lies and deception. We, as the church, are equipped with the truth and we should be bringing assurance to others. The devil loves to rule with uncertainty, fear and distress. Believers can speak against this. The world needs the Church to rise up to the challenges we are facing.
The believers need courage and boldness to speak out. And we need to be filled with the power of God. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in the believer. Paul’s prayer for the Church in Ephesus is loaded with expectation. Ephesians 1:15-23. He prays that God’s people would:
The Great Expectation: If we are saved by Jesus and the Holy Spirit is living in us, then we will live with the power of God working for us and in us.
The Point: We need the power of God rising in us!
The apostles and early disciples didn’t have years of the evidence of God’s presence. They were what might be called ‘baby’ Christians. But the power that came upon them at Pentecost was fresh in them.
Why don’t we see God move when we pray? Sometimes we have a small pray mentality. We have power to pray big and to claim big! We need to be praying individually and together in power; not just asking others to pray for us.
God’s power and authority is absolute! All things are under His authority. Nothing can resist the power and authority of God. “Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.” Ephesians 1:21.
When you pray, you need to speak with all of the authority God has given you!
You need to recognize God’s power is in you and for you. No excuses!
What thing do you need to take power and authority over?
Pray with strength, courage, boldness, and confidence!
Ephesians 1:15-23 NLT
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
I pray Lord that your Spirit helps me to pray with strength, courage, boldness, and confidence!
Last week Pastor preached on training to be champions. It is good to train but then you have to put the training into action in order to be the champion.
The world we live in is dominated by lies and deception. We, as the church, are equipped with the truth and we should be bringing assurance to others. The devil loves to rule with uncertainty, fear and distress. Believers can speak against this. The world needs the Church to rise up to the challenges we are facing.
The believers need courage and boldness to speak out. And we need to be filled with the power of God. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in the believer. Paul’s prayer for the Church in Ephesus is loaded with expectation. Ephesians 1:15-23. He prays that God’s people would:
1. Be filled with spiritual wisdom and insight to grow in personal knowledge of God. (Wisdom)
2. Deep down revelation (“heart flooded with light”) to understand and be confident in the hope we have in Christ. (Security)
3. Understanding the power and authority we have through Christ. (Power)
2. Deep down revelation (“heart flooded with light”) to understand and be confident in the hope we have in Christ. (Security)
3. Understanding the power and authority we have through Christ. (Power)
The Great Expectation: If we are saved by Jesus and the Holy Spirit is living in us, then we will live with the power of God working for us and in us.
The Point: We need the power of God rising in us!
The apostles and early disciples didn’t have years of the evidence of God’s presence. They were what might be called ‘baby’ Christians. But the power that came upon them at Pentecost was fresh in them.
Why don’t we see God move when we pray? Sometimes we have a small pray mentality. We have power to pray big and to claim big! We need to be praying individually and together in power; not just asking others to pray for us.
God’s power and authority is absolute! All things are under His authority. Nothing can resist the power and authority of God. “Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.” Ephesians 1:21.
When you pray, you need to speak with all of the authority God has given you!
You need to recognize God’s power is in you and for you. No excuses!
What thing do you need to take power and authority over?
Pray with strength, courage, boldness, and confidence!
I found this song in my list that fits perfectly with today’s message!
Verses for today:Ephesians 1:15-23 NLT
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
I pray Lord that your Spirit helps me to pray with strength, courage, boldness, and confidence!
