Power Not Speech

Why is power important? Why should Christians display God's power in life and ministry? I have many reasons but let us try this one. The World is watching. They are looking for something that is authentic. Something that will not appear to them to be man's philosophy. When Paul gave testimony to the Corinthians, he stated this.

1 Cor. 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
1 Cor. 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1 Cor. 2:3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
1 Cor. 2:4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1Cor. 2:5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

In this portion of Scripture Paul is not advocated against speech or the wisdom of God. Paul defended the power of God over just speech. You see, no matter how smart we get, there is nothing like the power of God to confound the wise. It was the power of God in Acts 3-4 and the man at the Gate.

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Acts 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
Acts 4:16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

It was not their teaching that made them ponder, but the miracle. I am not saying that teaching has no place in the kingdom. That is so far off from the point. However, if we reduce the Kingdom to teaching only, then we miss the great opportunity that we have been given to demonstrate the Resurrected Christ.

Paul demonstrated the Spirit which therefore confirmed the message that he was preaching. The power said that what I am telling you is accurate. The Spirit confirmed the word, not the man.

Mark 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

There is a genuine awakening happening in the Body of Christ concerning the need for miracles in evangelism and life. The unveiling of people's hearts is evident in the presence of Holy Spirit. Their eyes see for the first time the God they heard of in the scriptures. It would be a shame if the first time the world saw the display of His glory was at His return. That is both unacceptable and too late.

God is calling for all to come to the place of His power of presence. To awakened that His Spirit has been sent to demonstrate His goodness and love to the hurting. Jesus told us as much.

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Luke 4:19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

I pray that you will seek the Lord concerning this. May the All-Consuming One consume you. Why not you? Yes, you.