FOUNDATIONS OF THE KINGDOM LESSON #5: KINGDOM POWER Intro. Tonight we re continuing our series by talking about the power of God. Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4 are two of the most important portions of scripture in the Bible about prayer They are duplicates of what became known as The Lord s Prayer The Lord s Prayer is important not because Jesus wanted us to recite it verbatim It s important because Jesus gave it as a model or pattern of prayer It contains some of the most important elements of what real prayer is meant to be Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV) 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Jesus was letting us know that as the kingdom comes; it comes in power 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NKJV) For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. Paul was explaining that the kingdom of God isn t just religious rhetoric, it s a release of power 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NKJV) 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 1
human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1. There is tremendous power available to every believer in Christ a. There are far too many things we deal with in life that are overwhelming if we face them on our own God never intended us to confront the issues of life in our own ability Ephesians 3:16 & 20 (NKJV) 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Notice the wording in Ephesians 3:20 It doesn t say our power but the power that works in us We re not meant to rely on our own power but in His power that works in us! I. HOW TO MAKE GOD S POWER God s power will work in us if we understand a few things A. GOD IS again, Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 1. We need to have confidence in God s ability Mark 10:27 (NKJV) But Jesus looked at them and said, With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 2
a. There s a big difference between what is possible with men and what is possible with God b. The difference is the possible versus the impossible Whatever it is we are having trouble with or need God to help us in, it s possible But as believers we have the right to use the name that is above every name Philippians 2:9-10 (NKJV) 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, Acts 3:16 (NKJV) And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Mark 9:23 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. 2. Three simple words to remember when we are facing the impossible GOD IS ABLE! For God s power to work in us we need to remember, He is able B. WE NEED A Isaiah 45:22 (NKJV) "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 3
Psalms 141:8 (NKJV) But my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. 1. Too often we focus on the wrong things a. When we focus on the problems we have or the information we receive is from the secular realm instead of the word of God, His power won t work in us b. Some of the issues we deal with seem almost impossible not to focus on c. God s word doesn t ask us to ignore the problem 2. We have to train our eyes to see through them to God a. If all we can see is our problem we ll constantly be discouraged b. The secret to staying strong and not losing heart is having the right focus 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV) 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Hebrews 11:24-27 (NKJV) 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 4
c. 2 Corinthians 4 & Hebrews 11 talk about the sustaining strength (power) that comes from seeing God through our problems This is one of the greatest challenges we ll face in the Christian life Refusing to focus on the negatives in our lives and instead training our eyes to see God For God s power to work in us we need a trained eye C. LASTLY, FOR GOD S POWER TO WORK IN US WE NEED TO KNOW Luke 12:32 (NKJV) Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 1. God is our Father and He isn t stingy with His power Mark 1:40-41 (NLT) 40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. "If you want to, you can make me well again," he said. 41 Moved with pity, Jesus touched him. "I want to," he said. "Be healed!" a. We have to be able to hear God s I want to 2. He isn t stingy a. He likes to give and He gives in a big way b. He is generous in a big way ex. When the Bible talks about His love, it s love that passes knowledge (Eph. 3:19), when it talks about His peace, it s peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7), when it talks about His joy, it s joy unspeakable and full of glory (1Pet. 1:8). If God s power is going to work in us we need to believe He isn t stingy Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 5
again, Luke 12:32 (NKJV) Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 3. What this means is everything that God is and has is for us a. Jesus came to enable us to receive the kingdom Matthew 1:21 (NKJV) And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Jesus came to save us Salvation is a lot more than just a get out of hell free card The word save means to make whole It s the Greek word sozo It means more than just forgiveness Save or sozo means, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction So, whatever it is that makes us feel unsafe or unsound, He came to save us from it 1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 4. The power of God works to save us from the following a. From our sins b. From our sickness: By His stripes we were healed Acts 10:38 (NLT) And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him. c. He came to save us from our need Psalms 23:1 (NLT) The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 6
Luke 11:3 (NKJV) Give us day by day our daily bread. d. He came to save us from our own emotions Jesus died to save us, heal us, rescue us! Luke 12:32 (NKJV) Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 11:2 (NKJV) 2 So He said to them, When you pray, say: our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. PRAYER AND CONFESSION: Jesus, I believe You have the power to save me. I look to You tonight to save me from my sins, my sickness, my need, and my emotions. Come kingdom of God into my life, in Jesus name, Amen. FILL IN THE BLANKS FROM LESSON #5 I. HOW TO MAKE GOD S POWER (WORK IN US) A. GOD IS (ABLE) B. WE NEED A (TRAINED EYE) C. LASTLY, FOR GOD S POWER TO WORK IN US WE NEED TO KNOW (GOD ISN T STINGY) Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 7