12 Feb 2014 by Esther Chen-
To be an authentic disciple, we cannot be separated from the power of God. We need the passion of Jesus. We need fresh fire from heaven. Authentic discipleship is one that has the power of God. We need the power of God!
Pastor Benedict Rajan, Senior Pastor of Calvary City Church in Johor Bahru recently preached at Life Church Castle Hill, a thriving multi-cultural church located in the North West suburbs of Sydney, Australia, on the 9th February, 2014.
“We have been created to be the house of power for God,” shared Ps Rajan. God gave the church the power to develop and influence the community. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Luke 24:49
49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.
Matthew 10:1
1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
Acts 1:8
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
“When Jesus said the word ‘power’, He had three Greek words in mind when he said this. These three words will revolutionize your life and make you an authentic disciple for Jesus,” shared Ps Rajan.
1. Dunamis (Daily Living Power)
Dunamis is an inherent power that helps us in our daily living. It is inside of us and resides in us. This is the power that helps us to listen to and understand God’s word, helps us to pray, and to overcome our weaknesses. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus reminds his disciples to watch and pray, lest they fall into temptation. For the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. We can come in confidence before God and make our petitions known to Him, for He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20).
Dunamis power is the power that helps us live a life as the salt of the earth and as a light for Jesus. The bible reminds us that as Christians, we are the light of the world, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven,” (Matthew 5:16).
It is a Christian power and authority, enabling us to stand firm in the face of the attack of the flesh. Habits can be broken, because God is on our side. When we allow God to work in our lives, He will renew our inward man day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). We have the power to overcome the world. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).
2. Crestos (Miracle Working Power)
Crestos power or miracle working power is the power that will make us relevant to society. “As a Christian, we are made for the supernatural, not just the natural,” remarked Ps Rajan. Crestos is a miracle working power that works through faith in God.
Mark 9:23
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.
Mark 10:27
27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.
It is this same power that raised Jesus up from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:19, 20).
In Mark 16:17-18, we are told that signs and wonders will follow those who believe. In Jesus’ name, the sick shall be healed upon the laying of hands.
Ps Rajan then continued to share this testimony.
“Not long ago, I prayed for a little girl at the hospital. The family were not Christians. The very next day her mother informed me that the girl had been discharged from (the) hospital as she was well enough to go home. Her mother then invited me to her house. As I stepped into the house I was greeted by a tall statue (of another faith), which the family members prayed to. I then told the girl’s mother that it was because she believed in Jesus that her daughter was healed of severe asthma. If she gave her heart to Jesus, her daughter would be completely healed of the asthma and would no longer have anymore such attacks. The mother then joyfully gave her heart to Jesus. When the woman’s husband heard that both his wife and their daughter had accepted Jesus as their saviour, he became angry and told his wife that she and their daughter could go to church but he would never leave (his god). I told the woman not to pressure or nag at her husband but just pray for him and win him over by her good conduct (1 Peter 3:1). The husband being a contractor had plans to build a house. Before carrying out the construction, he went to visit a feng shui master for advice. As the feng shui master turned his feng shui wheel, he turned to the man and said, ‘I’m sorry, I cannot help you because your wife has got more light than the light that I can show you.’ This is the light of Jesus that outshines any other light! This is crestos power in action. Firstly, because the girl was miraculously healed of asthma. Secondly, because the girl and her mother were saved when they believed in Jesus. Thirdly, because the shining light of Jesus was revealed to the husband in such an awesome fashion!”
3. Exouxia (Spiritual Authority)
Exouxia is a spiritual authority. The apostle Paul exhorts us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). We are people of authority for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). In fact, we have been empowered to be more than conquerors! (Romans 8:37)
We need not be fearful, or be easily intimidated, manipulated, or overrun by circumstances. God has given us a brand new spiritual authority and anointed us with fresh oil (Psalms 92:10).
We can overrule those things that have been taking advantage of us and have power and authority over the enemy. When we submit to God and resist the devil, the devil will flee from us (James 4:7). This is the authority that God has given to us that we may overrule the works of darkness and establish the works of righteousness in our lives. We do not cast out demons according to our own power and knowledge but according to the power of God.
1 John 4:4
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Exouxia restores our confidence back to God. Whatever we ask of Him, we receive because we keep His commandments and do those things which are pleasing to Him.
1 John 3:20-21
20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
“How can we access this power? We need to have a consistent walk with God. It’s about a relationship with God and an earnest prayer life, that we may know Him. Seek and desire to walk right with God,” said Ps Rajan.
Philippians 3:10
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
John Wesley once said, “If you are on fire, people will travel miles to catch this fire.” Jesus is coming back to a church that is alive. Set your heart ablaze and on fire for God, being fervent in spirit and serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).
Ps Rajan then made an altar call to pray for those who wanted to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that they may have this manifold power to overcome obstacles in life and to serve God as disciples.
Luke 11:9-13
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread[a] from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Act 2:1-4
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
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