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Experiencing
Christ’s Power
Have you ever considered what your
life would be like without mechanical or electrical power? In 20th century
America we use power continuously throughout each and every day. We read by
electrical lights and get from one place to another by gas-powered cars. Our
homes, schools, and businesses are heated and cooled with different forms of
energy. Our food is prepared by gas or electrical heat stored in refrigerators.
Even our water is brought to us with pumps and adjusted to the perfect
temperature. As convenient as all of these appliances are, they would be useless
without power.
Can the same be said about the Christian life? Aren’t we also "power
tools?" How about you? Are you plugged in or just running on empty?
A. Who is Christ?
Ephesians 4:30, I
Corinthians 2:11
B. Where does
the Holy Spirit live?
Romans
8:9, I Corinthians 3:16
C. What does the Holy Spirit
provide for Christians?
Galatians 5:22-23, Acts
1:8, John 16:13, John 14:26
Chocolate Milk??
What does it
mean to experience the power of God? Think about a glass of milk right after
you’ve poured chocolate syrup into it. Is it chocolate milk yet? No, the syrup
is in the milk, but you have to stir it thoroughly for it to become chocolate
milk. In much the same way, we need to interact with the Holy Spirit who comes
to live in us when we become Christians. He is God’s unlimited power source
for us! We can experience His ongoing power by confessing our sin and
communicating with God through prayer daily. Let’s
strive to walk with God by understanding the Holy Spirit’s role.
Spiritual
Breathing:
It is God's will that we, as Christians, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians
5:18) who will empower us (1 John 5:13). We
can do this through an exercise called Spiritual Breathing. "Exhale"
by confessing sin (1 John 1:9), and "inhale" by asking the
Spirit once again to fill and control you (Ephesians 5:18). Pray that God
will "search you" and show you any unconfessed sin in your life. List
these sins on a piece of paper then tear up the paper and thank God that He has
forgiven them. Pray that the Holy Spirit will take control of each part of your
life. Finally, know that God has forgiven your sin and will guide you as you
walk through life together.
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