FIRST CHURCH OF PALM COAST

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            June 2, 2023

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In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:1-8

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One day while having supper with the disciple Jesus promised them power. He said you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. The power that he promised the disciples is the same kind of power we have been given today... But what is this power?

The Greek word translated in our text as power is the word dynamis which literally means dynamite. It is the power to remove obstacles. For years I wondered why God would give us power like that of dynamite until one day I watched the History Channel which showed Chinese workmen clearing a path for the railroads and whenever they came to an insurmountable obstacle they brought out the dynamite and the dynamite would blow away the obstacle. That dynamite was able to remove any obstacle in their way. That dynamite made it possible to remove the hills that blocked the forward progress of the railway system. The dynamite made it possible to remove the mountain that blocked the forward progress of the railroad. That dynamite made it possible for the workmen to move forward and achieve their objective and that’s the kind of power we have been given.

The disciples were given obstacle removing power. Whatever stood in the way of the advance of the kingdom could be blown away by the power God gave the disciples.

The lies of the Jews were blown away by the obstacle removing power of the Church! The militaristic opposition of Rome was blown away by the obstacle removing power of the Church! The disbelief of the gentile community was blown away by the obstacle removing power of the Church! The small mindedness of the original disciples was blown away by the obstacle removing power of the Church!

That power resides in our testimony about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Do you know that Jesus has given you obstacle removing power? Are you using that power?

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Yours In Community Transformation.

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 Rev. Gillard S. Glover

 

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