Spiritual power, real power

Praise the Lord Saints.

Luke 9:46-62 (AMP)

46 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest [surpassing the others in esteem and authority]. 47 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and had him stand beside Him, 48 and He told them, “Whoever welcomes this child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me [also] welcomes Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you [that is, the one who is genuinely humble—the one with a realistic self-view]—he is the one who is [truly] great.” 49 John replied, “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name; and we tried to stop him because he does not follow along with us.” 50 But Jesus told him, “Do not stop him; for he who is not against you is for you.”

From this passage of scripture we find that Jesus explained to the disciples, who were debating which of them were the greatest, as though it were a contest and thus establish a certain pecking order. Petty when you think about it.

Power, real spiritual power has absolutely NOTHING to do with social, economic, or political status.  Your financial statement, 401k, or retirement plan is all temporal and doesn’t carry any weight when it comes to God’s Kingdom.  You ain’t taking any of it with you when you leave here and I have yet to see a U-Haul following behind a hearse.

Let’s see what the Scriptures say about this power thing.

Matthew 23:11-14 (AMP)

11 But the greatest among you will be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be raised to honor. 13 “But woe (judgment is coming) to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so. 14 [a][Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you swallow up widows’ houses, and to cover it up you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.]

So if you exalt or proclaim yourself to be “all that” God Himself will deal with you.  It’s sad because some believe their church size dictates their position in the kingdom when time and time again scriptures reveal that God knocked some many down off their own self-proclaimed pedestal.

Luke 24 (AMP)

49 Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with POWER from on high.”

Acts 1 (AMP)

8 But you will receive POWER and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”

So from these scriptures the POWER is the Holy Spirit (ghost), and it’s a gift given by God to anyone.  So, if that is the case, how then can anyone get the gift if it’s for anyone?

I’m glad you asked.

Acts 2 (AMP)

2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, 2 and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit]. 4 And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other [b]tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].

I prefaced this here to show that Jesus didn’t use the disciples/apostles until AFTER they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and the ONLY evidence that the Bible uses to verify one has it is speaking in tongues.  Some today try to speak against and attack those that speak in tongues only because they themselves have not received it.

Jesus will not enter into an unclean vessel and you can’t con Him.

Here is the conditional formula for receiving the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2 (AMP)

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and YOU WILL receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.”

O, if you want power, real power, God’s way, get His Spirit.  It’s the only one that will matter.

Till next week,

God Bless.

Rev. Dr. Robert L. Harrison, PhD