* More Demonstration, Less Lip Service

For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 

1 Corinthians 4:20

In our society today, words are just about meaningless.  People say what they think you want to hear and are full of empty promises.  This makes it very difficult, even for the most sincerest of people to speak and have people believe them.  Is it any wonder that Jesus told them that didn't believe what He was saying:

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.  But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.  John 10:37-38

Jesus, in speaking to the Sadducees, let them know that their very conversation was in error because not only did they lack knowledge of the scriptures, they did not know the power contained within it.  

Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.   Matthew 22:29

Apostle Paul said it like this:

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  2 Timothy 3:5

The truth of the Gospel is two-fold. 

®    First, it is the Word of God as revealed in the Holy Bible. 

We must know the Scriptures, must study them, understand them, and apply them.

But the truth of the Gospel is more than the Scriptures. It is also the power of God. To know the power of God we must understand and apply power principles. The power of God must become a reality in our life through knowledge of His word and application.

The early church was born in a demonstration of the power of God, not through great public speakers or theological debate. Apostle Paul wrote:

And my speech, and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.  1 Corinthians 2:4-5

At one point, Jesus told the people who had gathered to hear him speak,

. . . though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.  John 10:38

®   Secondly, God calls for a demonstration of His power as presented in His word.

Apostle Paul recognized that. . .

For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.   1 Corinthians 4:20

Jesus left believers with a great mission of reaching the world with the Gospel of the Kingdom. This task will not be accomplished by words alone. As in the early church, there also must be a demonstration of the power of God.

Many people know the Word of God but have not experienced the power of God. They do not really understand the power of the Gospel. Many ministers today are well educated. They preach with enticing words of man's wisdom, but there is no demonstration of the Holy Spirit let alone, the power of God.

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.   Mark 16:17-18

If our faith is to stand in the power of God instead of the wisdom of man, we must experience the same flow of power as did the early church. Believers in the early church. . .

. . . went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following.  Mark 16:20

We often talk of working for God. We plan our ministry and ask God to bless it. But the Biblical method of effective ministry is the Lord working with us, confirming His Word with miraculous signs.

We have to understand:

The world is not interested in what we have done for God. 

When we constantly brag on those things that we have done in the name of Jesus, we are heaping honor and glory on ourselves when all glory belongs to God.

The world is attracted to Jesus when they see visible results of the power 

of the Gospel which has changed our life. 

In Christ, we are new creatures and the old sinful lifestyle is gone and people should see the beauty of holiness that is radiating from within us.  

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2nd Corinthians 5:17

Our "living epistle" testimony should be, "those old sinful things I used to do, I don't do anymore."

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.  2 Corinthians 3:2-3

The world is attracted by the demonstration of spiritual power as the Lord works with us to confirm His Word with miraculous signs and wonders.

In our circle of influence, our metron, people should see the glory of God; His approval upon us and know that we believe in the power of prayer and that God works on our behalf in seemingly impossible situations.

(Biblical Studies)



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