REAL POWER
Recently I watched a documentary about one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. His name was Miles Davis. Considered by many the greatest jazz trumpet player ever to play. It was a fascinating look at this man’s life. Most people who watch it probably wouldn’t make the same observations of him that I made. We come from very different perspectives. But the observations I made as I watched are absolutely true of his life. Most just gloss over them, enamored and mesmerized by his talent, and his aura, they simply ignore the glaringly obvious.
Here was a man who played beautiful music, but lived an ugly life. Here was a man who powerfully moved audiences of thousands around the world, but was weak and powerless against his own demons. Here was a man whom audiences adored for his artistry and musical talent, but in day-to-day life, he was rude, angry, surly, arrogant, unfaithful, and was a failure as a father. Miles could not escape his own powerlessness and self-destructive behavior. Miles could not conquer Miles!
As I watched, I couldn’t help but recognize that were it not for the tremendous power of Christ in me, and my choice to use that power, I would’ve been a similar man.
Men, here’s a profound truth that’s had an incredible impact on my life. God has given each of us real, genuine power to overcome anything in our lives! We have power to conquer our cravings, our carnal instincts, our destructive selfishness, our passions, and desires. We have real power to endure anything! We have real power to be good and do good! We have real power to be godly husbands and godly fathers. The question is: Do you know you have that kind of power? Do you believe you have that kind of power? Will you use that power in your day to day life?
Just look for a moment at these passages of Scripture.
Acts 1:8 NIV
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you!
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life!
2 Peter 1:4 Phillips
It is through him that God’s greatest and most precious promises have become available to us men, making it possible for you to escape the inevitable disintegration that lust produces in the world and to share in God’s essential divine nature.
Eph. 1:19
I pray that you will know how great his power is for us who have put their trust in Him.
Friends, do you really understand what these verses are saying? You have everything you need through the power of God living inside of you, through the Holy Spirit, to live a godly life. You have the power to conquer and overcome your demons. You have the power to conquer your bad habits and addictions. You have the power to conquer your lust, pride, greed, laziness, and complacency. You have the power to patiently love your children. You have the power to love and serve your wife. You have the power to overcome your bad thoughts and train your mind to think good thoughts. You have the power to be like Christ. You have the power to be courageous. You have the power to leave your past behind. You have the power to endure the trials God allows in your life. Your weaknesses are not liabilities, but rather, points of entry for God’s power! God’s power shows up best in your weaknesses. They are opportunities for God’s mighty power to work in you if you believe him too.
This is what the Apostle Paul knew, understood and believed. This was how he stood up to the powers of Rome, fearlessly proclaiming Christ. This was Paul’s great secret to enduring the brutal hardships, persecutions, infirmities, and sufferings that followed him all his ministry life. This divine power helped the Apostle Paul overcome his violent rage, to become a man of great love. This real, divine power, Paul experienced over and over again in his life as he followed and served Jesus Christ.
I can tell you personally, this is the same power that’s helped me endure the last 47 years of trials, persecutions, and hardships. This is the same power that’s helped me fight and overcome my vile flesh, beat it down, and lay my life down selflessly, sacrificially for my wife and children. This was the same power that kept me from the lazy, lethargic spirit that creeps into a man’s spirit as he grows older. This is the same power that’s helped me build and maintain godly habits and disciplines in my life. This is the same power that gave me the strength to walk out in front of thousands of people and preach with great boldness, and courage, the messages that God put on my heart. This was the same power that gave me the strength to love and serve others, to be kind when I didn’t feel like it. This is the power that helped me get up again, after the brutal lies, betrayals and injustices inflicted on me, that savagely knocked me to the ground. This is the power that enables me today to do this vital ministry work.
God’s power in us who believe is as real as the power of the sun! It’s available for all who truly believe in it. Now believe it! Choose it! Use it!
Ephesians 3:20 NLT
Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope!
This series will give you renewed inspiration, insight, build your faith and give you hope that change in your life is really possible!
https://strongdisciple.com/
Helping you become a Strong Disciple,
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Mark Darling
