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You know that part of every super hero origin story where they unexpectedly discover their power? Their is something relatable about that.
It is very rewarding to see someone step into a power they never expected.
Parents come unglued when their kids achieve at the smallest levels of tee-ball. We smile when someone amazes us unexpectedly on America’s Got Talent. We rejoice when someone comes in contact with Jesus and kicks a drug habit.
God the source of all power has offered to give us His power. His immeasurable power can be at work within you.
Does that sound like something you want? If so.. get ready.
Unexpected 2 – Unexpected Power from Redemption Church on Vimeo.
Unexpected 2 – Unexpected Power
Sermon notes by Chris Fluitt
Redemption Church Plano Tx
**Vid bumper – Unexpected Power
How cool was that. A big thank you to the Aqua Shop at the Willow Bend mall. How unexpected is it that you could go surfing in Plano Tx!?
All I told Sean Enfield was to come to the mall after he was done with work and bring a swim suit. Everything else was unexpected for him. Little did Sean know that he held within himself the unexpected an unexpected power – to hang 10.
Last week on Father’s Day we told you about unexpected callings.
Today we are going to tell you about unexpected Power
Now most of us love super hero movies right!? They are more popular than ever.
My favorite part of a super hero movie is when they just get the power. It often comes unexpectedly. Maybe the go to pick something heavy and are surprised when they lift it with ease. I remember when Peter Parker (spoiler alert – He’s Spider Man) catches Mary Jane in one hand and also her tray of food that was flying through the air. He reacts so quick, catching the milk, the apple, the sandwich and the look in his eyes say “did I just do that!?”
There is something joyful about seeing someone step into a power they never expected.
When our good friend Sean was able to stay on that surfboard I was really pumped. Weren’t you pumped?
When our kids achieve we come unglued. It could be our young children getting a hit in tee-ball or reading a sentence out loud.. There is something in us that acts like they just won the NBA finals.
When you see someone come into contact with Jesus and they find the power to kick an addiction, the power to be a new born again creature, the power to big things for others… We rejoice in that!
No matter how often you have seen someone step into that power, it never gets old or boring. Although it happens so regularly that it ought to be expected.. The way it happens, the way God works, and the excited look on there face… there is always an unexpected element.
Some of you have been praying for loved ones and friends to step into that power. You try to imagine the moment it happens and how you are going to feel and what you are going to say. YOU HAVE NO IDEA! The joy in that moment is going to be better than you imagined. The excitement.. the depth of emotion.. it is going to be better than you expected.
Jesus Promised It
Acts 1:8 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.”(NIV)
Jesus doesn’t just promise you a new life.. He gives you the power to live that new life.
Jesus doesn’t just tell you to be a witness.. He gives you the power to be that witness.
He promises power. He provides power.
One of the biggest bummers you can have opening birthday presents or Christmas presents is to open a really cool gift, a lightsaber, a laser blast gun, a miss perfect Polly play set… maybe not that one… but anyway you open that gift and it is just the coolest thing… except… in small writing on the box it reads “batteries not included.”
“I want to play with this now. I want to experience this now.” Your parent says “you will have to wait til we get home so your daddy can put batteries in it.”
LISTEN UP! It does not work that way in God’s Kingdom.
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.(NIV)
Jesus has all power
The God we serve has all power and He is not stingy with it.
What kind of power are we talking here? Are we talking about little green Yoda powers, mystical ghostly powers, something so complex and metaphysical that we can’t understand it… ? No.
Does anyone know what this scientific formula is?
(Force x Distance)/Time also work/time
This is the formula to calculate power. We can calculate all kinds of things with this formula.
You could calculate the amount of power in that game saving Lebron James block.
You could calculate the amount of horse-power in your car engine.
You just calculate the numbers and pop them into the equation and you can actually define the amount of power.
But we can’t use this calculation on God’s power..
Who can measure his force? His very words exploded this world into being.
Who can measure His distance? He fills the universe. If anything the universe is contained within Him…
He exists out of time. He is the Eternal God.
Here is the formula for God’s Power..
(∞ x ∞)/0
Infinity force times infinity distance divided by 0 time
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,(NIV)
Ephesians 3:21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(NIV)
Do you understand that God has located this power of His. He has placed it inside of you. His force times distance divided by time is working inside of you!
Whatever force you need.. Whatever distance you need to travel.. whatever the time constraints of the current problem… God has all the power you need.
So Don’t worry
Jesus told his disciples that they were going to stand before people who had the power to in prison them and kill them…
Matthew 10:19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,(NIV)
Don’t worry. You have God’s Power. You have His force, crossing every distance, right in time.
You should worry if you are depending on your power! Place your numbers into the formula and you will see such limited numbers. Limited force x limited distance divided by limited time.
But we are invited to use God’s power!
Some of you have never shared the truth of God with people in your life because you are afraid you don’t know what to say. Jesus tells us to just open our mouth and the Spirit will give us the words.
Some of you have these limitations on how God can use you. “God might can use me to stack chairs… but certainly not to pray with someone. God could probably use me to teach a Sunday school class… but not to preach to a congregation. God could let me feel His presence when I am alone and no one is around… but I could never freely worship Him in front of other people.
His power is infinite, yet we limit it in our lives.
Whatever your limitations are God can span the gulf.
If your natural is not enough… depend on His SUPER NATURAL to take you the rest of the way.
We serve a God of MORE THAN ENOUGH.
Peter came upon a begging crippled man in Acts, but Peter had no money to give him. In the natural He did not have what the situation called for… So did he apologize and walk away? No
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”(NIV)
Acts 3:7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.(NIV)
Acts 3:8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.(NIV)
Acts 3:9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God,(NIV)
Acts 3:10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.(NIV)
Acts 3:12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?(NIV)
Acts 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.(NIV)
Peter did not have what the situation called for. No silver or God.
BUT GOD had much more than the situation needed. That POWER of God was at work in Peter, so he says WHAT I HAVE I GIVE YOU.
Stop worrying! Start believing!
Do you have access to that same name that Peter spoke to the lame man? IN THE NAME OF JESUS!
Do you want that Power?
Have you received His Spirit?
Have you repented of your sins? He will give you the power to turn away from your sin.
You are not powerless
You can do something that will change your life right now.
God has put gifts and abilities inside of you.
He also wants to place His power inside of You. Only you can stop that from happening.
Do you believe that the situation in front of you is not too hard for God?
Are you going to set His power free to work?
Come get prayer in this altar. Ask someone to pray for you just like Peter prayed. We will call on the name of Jesus. We will let His power flow.