Pentecost People
05-18-2009, 09:02 AM
Well, if you look at the dates, you know it's well beyond tomorrow night. :doghouse:
People of the Power. What does that mean and what does it look like? What doesn't it look like?
New Testament Scripture uses two different words for power. The implications of and the normal teachings on the two different words are wide and varied. One word is the word from which come two English words with very different views of the concept of powerdynamo and dynamite. Both imply manifestations or displays of power, both actual and potential. One is literally pretty flashy and short lived (<EMOJI seq="26a1">:zap:</EMOJI>) while the other is a source that keeps producing results as long as it is allowed to operate. Both produce tangible and visible results, both can cause damage and even death if used carelessly or wrongly. In one sense, however, one calls attention to itself and the other never points to self, but rather quietly produces results. There are clues there, I think.
The other kind of power that is spoken of in the Greek is that of authority more than shock and awe. Think for a moment about a sheriff, or a deputy sheriff, or an old time western posse. Those men were set in place for a specific time and taskthey had the power of life and death in their hands without recrimination. Members of a posse were limited by definition to the chasing of an individual or a specific group of people. They were not doing detective work, traffic control, or arresting anyone who crossed them. They had not been given that power or authority. So long as they stayed within the guidelines and the expected behavior for a posse member or a deputy sheriff, things were fine. There are clues here, too.
If we are to be People of the Power, we need to find out what God's expectations are for us everyday, non-apostle type folks who live and work in the world but who are expected not to be part of that world. Let's look at some of what God had ordained us to, and authorized us to be doing.
The "biggie" is, of course, the Great Commission. We are all to go into all the world, and make disciples of all the people groups (nations). Have you looked at the verse that precedes that lately? Jesus speaking, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go " Jesus is saying, "The power to do these things is Mine and I am deputizing YOU to go do some things." If you read John Piper, he'll tell you that we are actually to be teaching people to be worshipers! Those of you who know me can believe that I can beat that drum long and hard. I do believe that is a large part of it, but it is also true, I believe, that Jesus is wanting us to teach those who want to learn of His ways, how to walk and live in His ways. That requires power of the dynamo type.
Yes, we have been given the authority to be citizens of Heaven and to live and act accordingly. That is more than permission and it is more than deputization. Because we have been adopted as sons, we have full rights as children of The King, not as mere citizens of the kingdom. This is not a subtle thing. 1 Peter 2:9 says some amazing things about this: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, [Why??] so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light " Can you see authority in this and a relationship to the Great Commission? "I have authority, therefore " Jesus' authority is what created the chosen, what made it/us royal, ordained it/us as priests, that set it/us apart as holy, and made it possible for it/us to be Gods possession. It is His dynamo power that provides the way for us to live it out. Hebrews 1:3 is translated in a lot of different ways. Part of the verse talks about holding all things in place by His word of power, or the power of His word. Another translation talks there about sustaining all things by the power of His word. His word is literally life. What I see here is the exercise of both dynamo and authority powers. Look at the intention and the fact that all of it is guided by one over-riding power: Love! God sustains all the stuff of the universe for what? He LOVES the universe and He loves US! If He could or would blink for a moment or rest from that all-sustaining, power-filled word, we would cease to be. The stars would go instantly cold and dark and fly to their destruction. Gravity and magnetic fields would cease to be. Atmospheres would vanish. Our atoms would simply poof and be gone.
As we look to our Creator and our Savior for guidance on how to use power of either type, the over-riding power needs to be put into play. If God gives us gifts, we can self-promote to gain stature, honor, wealth, or any number of other nifty things, or we can use those gifts in love to bring others to a new or greater knowledge of Him. We were taught early on that the Holy Spirit never calls attention to Himself, but always points toward Jesus or Father. A dynamo never produces its power to hoard or to make itself bigger. Dynamos are pretty much invisible and make it possible for us to see and do and be what we could not without them. Isnt that what Gods power is about, too? Both kinds!
More soon.
People of the Power. What does that mean and what does it look like? What doesn't it look like?
New Testament Scripture uses two different words for power. The implications of and the normal teachings on the two different words are wide and varied. One word is the word from which come two English words with very different views of the concept of powerdynamo and dynamite. Both imply manifestations or displays of power, both actual and potential. One is literally pretty flashy and short lived (<EMOJI seq="26a1">:zap:</EMOJI>) while the other is a source that keeps producing results as long as it is allowed to operate. Both produce tangible and visible results, both can cause damage and even death if used carelessly or wrongly. In one sense, however, one calls attention to itself and the other never points to self, but rather quietly produces results. There are clues there, I think.
The other kind of power that is spoken of in the Greek is that of authority more than shock and awe. Think for a moment about a sheriff, or a deputy sheriff, or an old time western posse. Those men were set in place for a specific time and taskthey had the power of life and death in their hands without recrimination. Members of a posse were limited by definition to the chasing of an individual or a specific group of people. They were not doing detective work, traffic control, or arresting anyone who crossed them. They had not been given that power or authority. So long as they stayed within the guidelines and the expected behavior for a posse member or a deputy sheriff, things were fine. There are clues here, too.
If we are to be People of the Power, we need to find out what God's expectations are for us everyday, non-apostle type folks who live and work in the world but who are expected not to be part of that world. Let's look at some of what God had ordained us to, and authorized us to be doing.
The "biggie" is, of course, the Great Commission. We are all to go into all the world, and make disciples of all the people groups (nations). Have you looked at the verse that precedes that lately? Jesus speaking, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go " Jesus is saying, "The power to do these things is Mine and I am deputizing YOU to go do some things." If you read John Piper, he'll tell you that we are actually to be teaching people to be worshipers! Those of you who know me can believe that I can beat that drum long and hard. I do believe that is a large part of it, but it is also true, I believe, that Jesus is wanting us to teach those who want to learn of His ways, how to walk and live in His ways. That requires power of the dynamo type.
Yes, we have been given the authority to be citizens of Heaven and to live and act accordingly. That is more than permission and it is more than deputization. Because we have been adopted as sons, we have full rights as children of The King, not as mere citizens of the kingdom. This is not a subtle thing. 1 Peter 2:9 says some amazing things about this: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, [Why??] so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light " Can you see authority in this and a relationship to the Great Commission? "I have authority, therefore " Jesus' authority is what created the chosen, what made it/us royal, ordained it/us as priests, that set it/us apart as holy, and made it possible for it/us to be Gods possession. It is His dynamo power that provides the way for us to live it out. Hebrews 1:3 is translated in a lot of different ways. Part of the verse talks about holding all things in place by His word of power, or the power of His word. Another translation talks there about sustaining all things by the power of His word. His word is literally life. What I see here is the exercise of both dynamo and authority powers. Look at the intention and the fact that all of it is guided by one over-riding power: Love! God sustains all the stuff of the universe for what? He LOVES the universe and He loves US! If He could or would blink for a moment or rest from that all-sustaining, power-filled word, we would cease to be. The stars would go instantly cold and dark and fly to their destruction. Gravity and magnetic fields would cease to be. Atmospheres would vanish. Our atoms would simply poof and be gone.
As we look to our Creator and our Savior for guidance on how to use power of either type, the over-riding power needs to be put into play. If God gives us gifts, we can self-promote to gain stature, honor, wealth, or any number of other nifty things, or we can use those gifts in love to bring others to a new or greater knowledge of Him. We were taught early on that the Holy Spirit never calls attention to Himself, but always points toward Jesus or Father. A dynamo never produces its power to hoard or to make itself bigger. Dynamos are pretty much invisible and make it possible for us to see and do and be what we could not without them. Isnt that what Gods power is about, too? Both kinds!
More soon.
Blessings!
Dean
DeanZF
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