To do something I have never done, I must become someone I have never been. Greater works require greater might. Choosing to remain the same person I have always been and expecting to do more than I have always done is expecting a disappointment. If we truly desire to overcome our present limitations and do more in the year ahead, then we need DUNAMIS - the power of God for mighty works.
NICODEMUS was a member of the Jewish council and a notable teacher in Israel. He had been privately following Jesus and observed that there was something divinely different about this man from Galilee. Jesus did things that are far beyond human ability and Nicodemus was determined to personally go to Jesus and inquire about His secret. In response to Nicodemus question, Jesus revealed a powerful truth that forever changed the world and how man relates with God.
Jesus answered and said to [Nicodemus] him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
To be born again is to become a new person without having to go back into one's mother's womb and be reborn. This act of transformation (or nature transplant) is a mystery that is only possible by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8). It is also the single most important thing that can happen to anyone who loves life.
However, being born again is not the final step in walking with God. Rather, it is the first. Just as our new born biological children need to grow in power and special abilities before they can do meaningful things as they grow in years, so we who are born of the Spirit need to grow in power and abilities of the Spirit if we are to successfully accomplish more in the days ahead of us.
For example, though Jesus was born by the power of the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35), He was also led by the Spirit to to go for more power before he could do greater works in the next phase of his mission on earth. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. (Luke 4:14)
Jesus did not stop at this single encounter with power but continued His practice of "often" withdrawing to "recharge" in prayer (Luke 5:16) because with every task He accomplished more power went out of Him. (Mark 5:30). As a result, Jesus did so many mighty works that if they were all written in books, the world itself would not contain the books (Mark 6:2, John 21:25)
I believe the reason Jesus, our Model had to go through this process of withdrawing from activities to 'recharge' is because He was in human body at the time and He needed to demonstrate to us who live in human bodies how to do the same. That was why he instructed his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Spirit.
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
This promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the disciples all gathered in one place (Acts 2:1). The entire book of Acts and most of the New testament reveals what a people empowered by the Holy Spirit can do in our world.
While the Holy Spirit now resides within every believer and follower of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 3:16), He continues to lead us to places where we can learn to activate and release His power that is at work within us (Eph 3:20). This is particularly necessary because operating in the power of the Holy Spirit is a mystery of the kingdom that can only be revealed to us by the Spirit if we are hungry enough to "withdraw" from our "routine activities" to seek him.
I am convinced that if we truly desire to do more with our lives than we have done so far, what we need now is not more motivational sermons and more colourful church programs (though these have their places). Rather, what we need is more DUNAMIS - the power of God to do mighty works. The Holy Spirit is behind the kingdom life. Salvation is not possible without him (John 16:8, 1 Cor 12:3). Overcoming our present limitations and doing mighty works as individuals and as a church is not possible without a higher measure of the power of the Holy Spirit than we currently have.
That is why I am inviting you to 'withdraw from the routines of this season" and join us on New Year's Eve as we meet to refresh and recharge at DUNAMIS 2015. Just like it happened in the early church, something powerful continues to happen in today's church when believers with a common desire for the power of the Holy Spirit come together.
I look forward to seeing you at DUNAMIS 2015. Come with a hunger for more of God and please remember, this is not just about another church program but about stiring hearts towards God and empowering the church to be more to do more for God in the days ahead. Time is 6-8:30pm on December 31st. Looking forward!
Pastor Peter Okaka
Freshwater Christian House
KW
Freshwater Christian House
KW
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