Friday, 24 March 2017

East Ridge Pres

1 Thessalonians 1:5 "Our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." I hear people say: Sermons are boring. Reading the Bible is dull. I don’t like books and school. There is too much talk and not enough power. Where is the power of God like in ancient times? Where is the power of God in the church? Where is the power of God in my life? Here is the truth. The power of God is in the word of God. His speaking is powerful action. He says “let there be light” and there is light. The word is God’s mighty deed. When the word of God is heard and believed the power of God is rolling through the church and your life in a mighty way. Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? The word is a fire! The word is a hammer! Powerful. Breaking rocks. Burning up straw. Purifying. The word is much more than information. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, God is active. God is powerful. God is at work in the preaching and hearing of his word. In the reading and teaching and praying and singing of his word. Do you want to see God’s power? Read his word and speak his word. His word gives faith, love, hope, repentance, obedience, freedom, holiness, joy. His word transforms YOU and that is his mightiest work of power in this world. His power surges from something that many think is weak and dull. So many of us will pray for God to help us. But then we not open his word. We will not ponder and pray his word daily. We will not listen to the preaching and teaching available throughout the week. We don’t read works on doctrine. That is like asking God to give you a harvest but refusing to plant any seeds. We pray for power and he sends us the power. In the ministers, elders, scriptures, prayers, hymns. His power flows to us through his word. Are you listening? Hear his word. Know his power.