The True Source of the Church's Power (Romans 1:16)
This sermon explores where the church's true power originates, challenging common assumptions about what makes a church strong. It then reveals God's intended sources of divine strength for His people to fulfill their purpose.
The sermon reveals that the church's power does not come from human metrics like size or prosperity. Instead, it flows from the gospel message and the indwelling Holy Spirit, empowering believers to fulfill their divine mission.
Overview
Many people mistakenly believe the church's power lies in its prominence, large membership, influential people, or financial prosperity. However, the sermon argues these ideas are based on human frailties, are not scriptural, and have no connection to the church's primary God-given task. Such worldly measures of power are entirely separate from God's divine provision.
The true source of power for the church is supernatural and divine, originating solely from Almighty God in heaven. This power is not given for pride but specifically to enable the body of believers to fulfill its original function: evangelizing the world and making disciples, acting as witnesses in Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the earth. Without this divine enablement, the church cannot accomplish its God-given mission.
The sermon identifies a twofold source of this power within the church. First, the gospel message itself is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, as stated in Romans 1:16. This message, detailing Christ's life, atonement, resurrection, and return, is the only message that can change a person's eternal destiny. Second, the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit is essential; Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit to be endued with power before carrying out their mission.
To access and unleash this divine power, believers must meet specific requirements. This includes acknowledging total incapability apart from the Holy Spirit, dealing truthfully with all known sin, and voluntarily yielding undivided possession, control, and use of one's entire being to Jesus Christ. Finally, one must believe that when this yielding occurs, the Holy Spirit fills and empowers their life, enabling them to be a blessing and fulfill God's purpose.
Key points
- Common ideas of church power (prominence, size, wealth) are human-derived, unscriptural, and unrelated to God's true power.
- The true power of the church is supernatural and divine, sourced solely in Almighty God for the purpose of fulfilling its mission.
- The church's primary mission is to evangelize the world, make disciples, and equip believers for spiritual warfare.
- The twofold source of the church's power is the gospel message of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
- Prayer and faith are the means by which God releases His supernatural power in the life of the church and individual believers.
- To receive this power, one must acknowledge their incapability, deal with sin, yield completely to Christ, and believe in His indwelling Spirit.
- A life empowered by God is meant to be poured out as a blessing to others, making it count for eternity.
In Charles Stanley's words
“No church, whoever that church may be, has the right to take up any space on this globe if it is not attempting to evangelize the world...”
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes...”
“Our adequacy is in the message and in the power of the spirit of God.”
Outline
- I. Misconceptions About the Church's Power
- A. Based on human frailties and carnal flesh
- B. Not scriptural
- C. Unrelated to the church's primary task
- II. The True Source and Purpose of Divine Power
- A. Power is from heaven, from Almighty God
- B. Purpose: To enable the church to fulfill its mission
- 1. Ye shall be witnesses (Acts 1:8)
- 2. Evangelizing the world and equipping believers
- III. The Twofold Source of Power Within the Church
- A. The message of the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16)
- 1. Incarnate Son, atonement, resurrection, ascension, return
- 2. The only message that changes eternal destiny
- B. The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit
- 1. Essential for carrying out the mission
- 2. Supernatural task requires supernatural power
- IV. Releasing God's Power: The Role of Prayer and Faith
- A. Power resides in the message and the Holy Spirit
- B. Prayer and faith are the triggers for power's release
- V. Requirements for Living a Life Empowered by God
- A. Acknowledge total incapability apart from the Holy Spirit
- B. Deal with every specific known sin
- C. Yield oneself completely to God
- 1. Undivided possession
- 2. Undivided control
- 3. Undivided use
- D. Believe that the Holy Spirit fills and is freed to work
Scripture references
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Insights
The church's strength is not measured by earthly metrics.
God's power enables His people for His divine purposes.
The gospel message carries inherent, transformative power.
Questions & answers
What are common mistaken ideas about the church's power?
People often think church power comes from its prominence, large membership, influential people, or great prosperity. However, the sermon argues these are human-centered and not God's source of power.
What is the true purpose of God's power for the church?
The purpose of God's divine power is to enable the church to fulfill its original function: evangelizing the world, making disciples, and equipping believers to be what God intends them to be.
What is "the gospel message" as defined in this sermon?
The gospel message is that Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, came to atone for sin on the cross, was buried, resurrected, ascended to the Father, and will one day return as Lord and King.
How does the Holy Spirit relate to the church's power?
The indwelling Holy Spirit provides the supernatural power necessary to carry out the church's mission. Jesus himself told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit's endowment, as human strength alone is insufficient.
What is the role of prayer and faith in releasing God's power?
Prayer is the means by which God releases His power in the church, and faith is the belief in Him during prayer. Together, they act as the "triggers" that unleash God's supernatural power.
What does it mean to "yield oneself to God"?
Yielding means making a definite, deliberate, voluntary transfer of undivided possession, control, and use of one's body, soul, and spirit to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
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Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.