203 - Wrong Spirits Stop God's Power

On the day of Pentecost in Acts, chapter 2, God poured out the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus. He wants His power to be apparent in our lives, but Satan's powers tries to stop God from operating in us. Jesus said, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8, NKJV). Though we have been given the power of God, for some reason the Holy Spirit is not moving through us as saints.

Luke, chapter 9, begins: "Then He [Jesus] called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases" (v. 1, NKJV). It is important to understand that the disciples were not born again, and the power given to them is not the same as we have after Pentecost. The resurrection had not occurred and the church had not been established. They were given authority to use the power Jesus had to work miracles in keeping with His ministry among the Jews. "He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, 'Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece'" (Luke 9:2-3, NKJV). Jesus explained that if they are not accepted among the Children of God [Israel, the Jews], they are to leave in no uncertain terms; ". . . shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them" (Luke 9:5b, NKJV).

After the resurrection, Jesus commanded these same disciples, and us as well, to preach the gospel with His authority, His power [Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18]. This "Great Commission" is still given to us today and the power to do it, including the power to heal and cast out demons. "And these signs will follow those who believe. In My name they will cast out demons; . . . they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" (Mark 16:17-18, NKJV). This commission and power is for believers. "And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen" (Mark 16:20, NKJV). And they believed, so it was done; and still is done. But we find there's doubt, fear and pride causing us to imagine we don't have such power and authority. These "spirits"-- doubt, fear and pride -- make our ministry ineffective and without power. The apostle Paul exhorts: "Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5, KJV). Our ministry becomes effective when we cast these "spirits" out of our minds. In this message, I explore our commission and how we can have a more effective ministry as a believer. Join me!

Let me hear from you - Charles

https://www.aboundinglove.org/

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