Powering Up

Narrator: Welcome to PowerPoint with Jack Graham.
Jack Graham: So how do you experience God's power in your life? How do you know that God will still do great and mighty things through your life? Does God still lead us? Does God still change us?
Narrator: On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about how you can succeed in your life and in your witness for Christ. Now, here's Dr. Graham with his message, Powering Up.
Jack Graham: I want to begin a series of messages that we're calling the power of spiritual engagement. All of us need times in our lives day by day in which we power up spiritually. And that's what Acts chapter one is about. When Jesus gathers his disciples after his resurrection, before he is ascending up into heaven, those disciples' heads were spinning. They'd been through three years of ministry with Christ. They had experienced the cross and now the resurrection. Jesus had taught them but now he's about to go back to heaven to the right hand of the Father, and they are wondering what is next. And Jesus took time to speak to them and to counsel them. Well, Jesus wanted to make sure that his disciples did not quit, that they continued the work that he had begun. As a matter of fact, Acts is a continuation of the Gospels written by Dr. Luke, the same gentleman who gave us the Gospel of Luke. And in the Book of Acts, we see the exciting story of Christ at work by his Spirit through his church, through his people. Beginning at verse four, "And while staying with them, he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said, 'You heard from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'" "So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?' He said to them, 'It's not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'" Before Jesus left the earth for heaven, he wanted to make sure that his followers understood exactly what he was asking them, commanding them to do. And so he gave them this great challenge, this great call, this great commission. And he promised them the power to carry it out. Because he said, "You'll not be on your own. I'll be with you always." And we will win against all odds. We will win the world to Christ. Now, what is spiritual engagement? Well, we talk about powering up, the spiritual power of engagement. What are we talking about? I'm talking about a daring, vital faith. I'm talking about a passionate witness for Christ. I'm talking about a life lived in loving obedience to Christ. Spiritual engagement is Jesus Christ, God in us. Empowering us for life, changing the world, overcoming the enemy, winning life's most important battles. Spiritual engagement. It is a prayer life that is effective, a prayer life that is connecting with God. It is worship that is exhilarating and uplifting and elevating. It is life in a new dynamic with another dimension. And the Book of Acts is a demonstration through and through of this powerful spiritual engagement. As we see that small band of believers turning into a powerful force on the earth, literally spiritually turning the world upside down. And when you read the story of Acts, you realize that what took place in that day, there's no explanation for it apart from the power of God. There is no human explanation for what happened in the explosion of the church in its early hours, but that the work of the Holy Spirit. And did you know that God is still at work in his people? God is still calling his people to spiritual engagement and he has made available to us spiritual power. Throughout the Book of Acts, we are referenced to the Spirit of God, the promise of the Spirit, the outpouring of the Spirit, the baptism of the Spirit, the filling of the Spirit, the power of the Spirit, the witness of the Spirit, the guidance of the Spirit. This is spiritual engagement. The power of Christ by his Spirit living in us. Now, the disciples were a strange, unusual conglomeration of misfits. They were untrained and uneducated, but they had been with Jesus. And they were transformed by his presence and now by the power of his Spirit. And what happened through these men and the early followers of Christ can only be explained by the arrival and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Later on, these disciples would explain what was happening. They said, "We are witnesses of these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit." And the Holy Spirit revolutionized the lives of these men, these reluctant, fearful, miscast men were turned into brave-hearted warriors for God, who engaged the culture with the gospel and changed the world. And the same Holy Spirit that controlled their lives desires to control our lives as we execute the mission, the game plan of God, and Acts tells us how. This story tells us how. So the question is, how do we engage spiritually? How do we power up? I want to mention first of all, the prelude for spiritual power. The first thing Jesus told them to do was not to go, but to wait. He said, "Before you go, wait at Jerusalem until you are endued, until you are immersed with power, the power of the Holy Spirit." Now, this is one thing so many of God's people have failed to do today. We have failed to pray and to wait on God for his filling. Therefore, there is an absence of power in the church today. We have plans, we have programs, we have buildings, we have resources, but so often we don't have power. And many Christians are personally feeling powerless today. I talk to so many who say, "I don't know how to overcome temptation in my life. I don't know how to deal with the problems in my marriage." "I don't know how to struggle with the tests of life. I don't know how to worship joyfully. I don't know how to witness effectively." And so many today are defeated in their Christian life rather than winning. They're not spiritually engaged. You see, before you can engage, you must disengage and get before God and wait and be filled with the Holy Spirit. There's so little dynamic, there's so little joy, there's so little power because we have not taken the time to prepare and to pray. And too many Christians are tired of superficial living. They want something supernatural in their lives. They realize something, maybe you realize something is missing in my life. And that something that is missing is spiritual engagement. It is the work, the power of the Holy Spirit controlling your life. So how do you experience God's power, the power of the Holy Spirit in your life? How do you know that God will still do great and mighty things through your life? Does God still lead us? Does God still change us? If we're sick, can we still cry out to God to heal us? If we're tempted, can God deliver us from temptations? If we're weak in sharing our faith, can God enable us and empower us to be a testimony for Christ? Yes, he can, but the prelude to power is prayer. And to wait upon God. And if you are spiritually dry, if you are physically drained, if you are emotionally depleted, the first thing you need to do in order to power up is to get with God and ask God in prayer. To deliver the promise of his Spirit to you. To many believers, the Holy Spirit is a stranger. For some, that's a matter of ignorance. They just don't know of his power, of his presence in their lives. And others are indifferent to the Holy Spirit. They're saved, going to heaven, but they're satisfied, and they're okay with that, but let me tell you, God's not okay with that, Christian. God's not okay with our coasting. Charles Schulz, the cartoonist said, "Life is a 10-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use." And the Christian life, there are gears yet to be used. There are gifts yet to be exercised. There is grace yet to be given. There is more, so much more. So Jesus is getting his disciples and you and me ready for the greatest experience of purpose and passion in life. He taught them, according to the second verse, the commandments through the Spirit. In other words, he taught them about the Holy Spirit. He showed himself alive to them and then, and then he declared that he would live in them. That not only is he alive, but that he is alive in us. And that's where we find our purpose. That's where we find our passion and our power. I'm reading a wonderful book right now. It's the story written by Tony Dungy called Quiet Strength, regarding his life and his testimony of faith. Tony Dungy is the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, a strong believer and follower of Christ, who uses his coaching platform as an opportunity to share his faith. And he showed us how to win with respect and grace and dignity. And in his book, Quiet Strength, there is a chapter called Defining Success. And I want to share the words of Tony Dungy with you this morning regarding real success in life. He said, "The competing views of success in our world often create an interesting tension. Society tends to define success in terms of accomplishments, awards, material possessions, and profit margins. In the football business, winning is the only thing that matters. God's word, however, presents a different definition of success. One centered on a relationship with Jesus Christ, and a love for God that allows us to love and serve others. God gives each one of us unique gifts, abilities, and passions. How well we use those qualities to have an impact on the world around us determines how successful we really are. And if we get caught up in chasing what the world defines as success, we can use our time and talent to do some great things. We might even become famous, but in the end, what will it mean?" And listen to this, "What will people remember us for? Are other people's lives better because we lived? Did we make a difference? Did we use to the fullest the gifts and abilities God gave us? Did we give our best effort and did we do it for the right reasons? God's definition of success is really one of significance. The significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. This significance does not show up in win-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. Watch this, it is found in the hearts and lives of those who come across, we come across, who are in some way better because of the way we live." That is spiritual engagement. That is a Christian full of the Spirit of God, who understands that life is about the journey of faith, the lives that we touch, the legacy that we live and leave, and the world that we change through the power of Jesus Christ.
Narrator: You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, Powering Up. Did you know that you can join Dr. Graham for his daily devotion? It's a study of God's word that will help you grow in your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and show you how to navigate through the challenges of life. To sign up, text Devo to 59789 and begin receiving Dr. Graham's devotional every day. Again, text Devo to 59789. We want to tell you about an exciting opportunity available this month. Right now, every gift you give to PowerPoint Ministries will be doubled through a generous $150,000 matching grant. Helping reach even more people with the hope and truth of Jesus Christ. Every day, people burdened by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty are discovering the peace found in God's word through this ministry. Your support helps make that possible. As our thanks for your gift of $10 or more, we'll send you Dr. Graham's brand new book, The Lord is My Shepherd. Text September to 59789 to have your gift doubled and receive your copy today. Again, text September to 59789. Now, let's get back to today's message, Powering Up.
Jack Graham: The second thing is the promise of spiritual power. Throughout the word of God, we are promised spiritual power and the presence of God's Spirit. In verse eight of Acts chapter one, he speaks of the arrival of the Holy Spirit in a very special and supernatural way. He said, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses." And the word that he uses for power there, the promise of this spiritual power, is dynamite or *dunamis* is the Greek word, and we get our word dynamite from that word, but perhaps in sometimes God shows up with explosive dynamite power. But really the best description of this kind of spiritual power and engagement is the word dynamic or dynamo, a constant, continual source of strength and energy in us. The fact is that God is able, and the same word used in the Bible to describe the ableness of God, the greatness of God, describes this power that is given to us, this resurrection power of Jesus Christ. For example, in Romans 15:13, God fills us with the power of hope. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we're told that this power delivers us from temptation. In Ephesians 3:16, we're told that this same power equips us to serve God effectively. In Ephesians 3:20, we're told that God is able to deliver a power that can do in us more than we could possibly imagine, ask, or think. Acts 6:11, we're told that this power, the power of God's Spirit, enables us to resist Satan and to win life's most important spiritual battles. In Colossians 1:11, we're told that God is able by this power to give us perseverance and discipline in life. In Colossians 1:29, we're told that God's power assists us and enables us and helps us in the work that we do for him. 1 Peter 1:5, God's power is able to protect you. 2 Peter 1:3, that God's power provides everything that you need to live a godly life. That is spiritual engagement. It is the power of God's Spirit, and of this power, Jesus said in John 14:12, that the works that I have done, the Father has sent me to do, he said, "Following me, you will do greater works than I have done." Imagine that. Jesus saying that we would do greater works. Certainly in the sense of the scope of the work of Christ on earth, when Christ was in a physical body, one time, one place, one location, there was a certain limitation, but now Christ is no longer in his physical body. He is in his spiritual body of the church, and the sun never goes down on the witness of Jesus Christ. His works, his words, his powerful presence is spread throughout the world in the power of his Spirit. And God has promised you spiritual power. And so if you're empty and powerless and weak and struggling, what do you need? You need the power, the promise of God's Spirit in your life. And finally, what is the purpose of this spiritual power? Because there is a purpose. And Jesus said in verse eight, "That you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and you will be my witnesses." Right in the margin of your Bible, "not an option." You will be my witnesses. Five times in five different books of the Bible, all four Gospels and the Book of Acts, Jesus said it five times. Go, go, go, go, go into all the world and be my witnesses and make disciples. It is as though Jesus is saying, "I'm going to say it again and again and again, because I don't want you to miss this." Be my witnesses. And I will empower you. And that witness, that testimony wherever you take it. And like a huge spiritual tsunami, a tidal wave sweeping the earth, these early believers shared the Gospel. The witness of the Gospel. Jesus said, "You will be witnesses unto me, my witnesses." The Gospel is the one message the world must hear. Period. Everyone, everywhere, needs to hear the story of Jesus. And the very best thing you can do for another person is to tell them about Jesus. We can feed the poor, we can comfort the hurting, we can heal the sick, we can strengthen the weak. We can feed the hungry. But above all else, and we should do those things. But above all else, people's greatest need is Jesus. And everybody needs Jesus. And the mission is clear. You are my witnesses. into all the world. So on a personal level, as God fills us with his Spirit, then we should spend the rest of our lives spreading the Gospel. Using the platforms that we have, not as professionals, not as preachers, but using the platform that God has given every one of us to proclaim the message of Jesus. That's young and old, new believers and older believers. Did you know that retire is not in God's vocabulary? It's not in the Bible. No one is allowed to retire from God's work and the witness of Christ. Following Jesus is full, a full-time job until Jesus comes again. And it starts right at home because Jesus said, "Go into all the world, beginning at Jerusalem, your own home base," "and then Judea and Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth." Take it from here to there as you go. God wants to use you to share Jesus where you are. Witnessing is not for the professionals, it's not for the religious types, it's for Christians full of God's Spirit who are willing to simply share their faith wherever they go, anywhere, anytime, any place. And James Kennedy said this and I quote, "The solution to the desperate problems of our world is for us to become involved in our culture and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If Christians would do those two things, our nation and ultimately our world would be transformed almost overnight." The purpose of spiritual power is to energize us and equip us to witness for Christ. Now, the disciples, they didn't quite get it yet. They started talking about the coming kingdom of God. They wanted to know when Jesus was going to establish his Messianic reign, his millennial kingdom, and he said, "Enough of that, don't worry about that, don't focus on the trip ahead, you focus on the task at hand." "Be my witnesses." If you want to help bring in the second coming of Jesus Christ, Jesus said, "When the Gospel is preached to all the nations, then the end will come." And we can be a part of his soon arrival by sharing Christ. During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England, there was a shortage of silver coins in the nation. So he sent some soldiers around the country to try to find more silver. The soldiers came back and said, "The only silver we can find is in the statues of the saints that are standing in the cathedrals of England." Cromwell smiled and said, "Good." "Go and melt down those saints and put them in circulation." That's what God wants to do with us. By the baptism of the fire of God's Spirit to melt us down and to put us in circulation, that the world may know Jesus. And he's given us the spiritual power to do it.
Narrator: You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, Powering Up. Right now, every gift you give to PowerPoint Ministries will be doubled through a generous $150,000 matching grant, helping reach even more people with the hope and truth of Jesus Christ. Every day, people burdened by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty are discovering the peace found in God's word through this ministry. Your support helps make that possible. As our thanks for your gift of $10 or more, we'll send you Dr. Graham's brand new book, The Lord is My Shepherd. Text September to 59789 to have your gift doubled and receive your copy today. Again, text September to 59789. Did you know that you can join Dr. Graham for his daily devotion? It's a study of God's word that will help you grow in your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and show you how to navigate through the challenges of life. To sign up, text Devo to 59789 and begin receiving Dr. Graham's devotional every day. Again, text Devo to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today?
Jack Graham: You know, it's very interesting. The first thing Jesus said about powering up in life is not to go, but to wait. Right here at the beginning of the Book of Acts, he said, "What I want you to do is to wait right here in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit." And the Scripture tells us that's exactly what the followers of Jesus did. They waited and prayed together as one heart and one soul, and as a result, they received the power and the very presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. So what about you today? Are you ready to see the evidence of the work of God's Spirit in your life? I meet so many followers of Christ who want to see Christ change their life. They want him to revolutionize their family. They desperately desire for him to give them the power to overcome temptation. But as we talked about in today's program, the first step in tapping into this power, in embracing and engaging this power is to do what the followers of Jesus did, and that is to wait and pray. Engage God in prayer and trust in him. That's my encouragement to you today. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, that he will fill you and use you. And just wait and see then what God accomplishes through your life.
Narrator: And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift of $10 or more, we'll send you Dr. Graham's book, The Lord is My Shepherd. Just text September to 59789. And join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about how ordinary you can do extraordinary things. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.