*Notice “The Power of God” in relation to the…
A. Place of God!
*II Cor. 7:1-3- NOW when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.
3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
B. Person of God!
*I Kings 18:36-39– And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
C. Promises of God!
*Acts 2:1-4- AND when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
**Note: It has been long said that “prayer is where the power comes from”; and certainly prayer played a part in each of these instances, but prayer is the final product in the equation. Many have prayed and prayed and have not seen the power fall, something must be missing!
The Work Necessary for the Power of God!
*it will take a work of…
1. Participation!
*Neh. 4:6- So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
2. Paying the Price!
*I Chr. 29:9- Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
3. Praise!
II Chr. 5:13-14– It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
4. Preaching!
*through preaching, God…
-Rebukes us
-Reproves us
-Reminds us
-Refines us
-Reassures us
5. Prostration! (submission)
II Chr. 7:3- And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
6. Practice! (application)
Deut. 7:11- Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.
7. with a Promise!
II Chr. 7:12-14- And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
After the work is put in, prayer becomes a natural part of the equation. Prayer of thanksgiving is offered and then quickly turns to worship and praise. It culminates in submission and a longing to please our Saviour. It is then that ones heart is in union with the heart of God and as a result, God affirms His acceptance by the presence of His power! My dear Christian friend, are you willing to do the work necessary for the power of God? If so, will you begin today?
Pastor Doug Foster
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