Preached by Chris Broom, 8/24/2008

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Tom Sperling (back row, 2nd from right) Gets Baptized.

The Power of God to Change Lives, part 1 - Outline

Psalm 68:32-end

• God is Awesome!
• God gives power and strength to His people.
• Do you feel strong and powerful? Why or why not?

1. The Power to Change Lives is from God.

2 Corinthians 4:7

• This all surpassing power is from God.
• But it’s in a jar of clay (us)!
• If we are trying to draw our strength and power from ourselves, we will feel weak and powerless.
• What’s in the vessel is most often more important than the vessel itself.
• God has put his Holy Spirit in us. Something very valuable and powerful.
• If the lamp is not working, it doesn’t mean the power is out, maybe it’s just unplugged! We have to plug in to the power of God!
• God’s power is there.
• If you are alive, your bulb is working.
• But if you are not plugged in, you won’t shine!

Psalm 33:12-17

• God looks down and sees all mankind.
• He considers everything we do.
• We are not saved by our own power or the power of things, or the things of the earth or of the flesh.
• Those things won’t save us or fulfill us.
• The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him and put their hope in Him to deliver them.

2 Chronicles 16:7-9

• Asa had relied on God against overwhelming odds and God had delivered him.
• In this instance, Asa did a foolish thing and relied on man instead of God.
• Because of that, Asa would be at war!
• When we rely on ourselves, God cannot bless us because we will think our strength accomplished the task and rely more on ourselves and our own power and less on God.

2. The Power to change lives comes through God’s Word.

Hebrews 4:12-13

• The Word of God is living and active.
• The New King James Version says “living and powerful.”
• The Bible is the plug to get to the electricity of God’s Power.
• Tom Sperling heard the word preached and it opened his eyes.
• Colossians 2:11-12 says that through our faith in the Power of God, Jesus will circumcise our sinful nature during baptism. That’s what Tom will do today!
• Paula had gone to church for years, and yet the power was missing. She went to the inaugural service of the Orlando International Christian Church and heard the word preached by Anthony Eckles. Elizabeth Eckels helped to council and heal her heart, her zeal and faith returned and now she is doing incredible. Last week, thanks to God, she had 7 friends visit church with her. Several of them are studying the Bible now, and her best friend of 11 years was baptized at the beach before their leaders meeting!
• The Orlando Church has grown from 2 to 17 in just a short time and they had 3 people baptized into Christ this week.
• Now that’s the power of God to change lives.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

• Demonstration of the spirit’s power.
• Rest faith on God’s power, not man’s wisdom.
• The power of God will break down any barrier. (Age, Race, Personality, etc.)
• Are lives changing / are you shining?

Luke 17:11-19

• The Power of Gratitude.
• One came back to say thank you.
• Few campers came back and said thank you after the youth camps, and few parents asked the councilors what they saw in their children so that we can help them to grow and mature.
• Find 10 things you are grateful for about your kids. Memorize them and  verbalize them.
• Find things you are grateful for in all circumstances and with all people and memorize and verbalize them.
• The principle at my son’s new middle school said, “I know the names of all 475 students in this school and I can tell you special about each one.” Wow!
• We met with the shepherds of the church last night and divided the church so that we will be praying for every member every day!

Click here to read Power of God, part 2

Categories: Sermons