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John 3:1-8
We invite you to join us on Sunday morning for 9:30 to worship with us. Our study is centered in Eph. 6:10 where we are commanded to “be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.” Last week we learned the OT explains the power of God is seen as directs the events of history revealing His plans/purposes/and will. We also learned God demonstrates His power by delivering His people out of bondage and forever destroying their enemies. As we turn to the New Testament close examination reveals all the principles of the OT are still in effect, but the personal relationship is even more personal.
I THE FOCUS ON CHRIST THROUGH THE PROPHETS. The concept of the power of God began and ended with God the Father. The people met with Him at the temple, and the priests were mediators who sacrificed offerings for sin. When a person wanted to meet God they went to the temple and sacrificed an offering. Worship and a relationship with God was centered in the temple or tabernacle through the priests and sacrifice. In the NT all that focus shifts to Jesus as Christ who Himself is God, Mediator, Priest and Sacrifice. In the NT Christ becomes the only way to God (John 14:6). God spoke through the OT prophets to help people understand that when Messiah came, He would come as the Person of God with the power of God. Read Ps. 2; 110:2; Micah 5:5 Isa. 9:5; 11:2 and many other passages. Of course when Christ came the religious leaders had the wrong idea about Him and completely missed His power!
II. THE FOCUS ON CHRIST THROUGH POWER! When Jesus introduced miracles as part of His ministry, the purpose was to verify that Jesus was God’s Son with God’s power. Unfortunately, the “preachers” of the day were outward focused legalists who saw Jesus as no more than a prophet on a par with Moses, Elijah, or Isaiah. The closest the religious leaders came to seeing Jesus as the Deliverer was thinking He was going to free them from Roman oppression as Moses freed Israel from Egyptian slavery. The reality is that when Jesus spoke – God spoke. One of the most visible evidences was the power Jesus displayed over the demonic kingdom of sickness, sin, and death. The power of God resided in Him because He was God. Finally notice
III. THE FOCUS ON CHRIST THROUGH PARTNERSHIP! The first three verses of our focal passage today reveals that all Jesus did/does He did/does by God’s power. John’s theme throughout his Gospel is that all Jesus does He does in fellowship with God the Father. Fellowship with God includes God’s own power. The straw that broke the Pharisees’ back was when Jesus revealed His partnership with God was because He was God Himself. There are still many “Christians” today who don’t get it. When Jesus told us “all authority is given to me…” He was telling us He is God, because only God has allauthority! It is God that keeps our partnership with Him through our salvation intact. The command is to “be strong in the Lord’s mighty power.” This week think/meditate on that command. Get hold of the idea it is GOD’S power, not yours (in any form) that is to drive your life. When you try to infuse power into your life, you create a short circuit! Pray this week that God will open your heart to this mighty power and how God works it.
If we can help you answer this or any other spiritual question call us at (574) 643-9419.
