Rely on God’s Strength

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.  1 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NIV) 

Props: sturdy rope 

            Lots of people will start living for God; only the people that stay strong in God will last.  Sometimes, though, it’s hard to stay strong.  When you have lots of problems or people pressuring you to do the wrong thing, you might think, “I can’t stay strong enough to keep going.”  You know what?  You’re right.  You can’t stay strong enough.  No one is strong enough in his own power.  In times when you feel like giving up, learn a lesson from the mountain climbers. 

Probably none of you have ever climbed a mountain.  Some people climb mountains all the time.  They are experts: they know just how to use their hands to hold on to the rocks when the mountain gets steep, they know how and where to place their feet and they have built up strong muscles to help them climb all the way to the top.  The experts have also learned something else: they know the importance of using a safety rope.  They tie one end of the rope around their waist and the other end they anchor to the rocks high above them.  They know that they might come up on a tough area that even they can’t handle.  There might be problems too big for them.  The rope will save them if they run into such problems. 

            There will be times when you will have problems bigger than you can handle and you can’t keep going on your own.  You need to trust in God’s strength to keep you going.  Trust in Him and lean on His strength like the mountain climbers lean on their ropes.  Endurance is having the power to keep going no matter what.  Let God’s power keep you going, and you will endure.   

The Spirit Draws You Close to God

Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom without being born through water and the Holy Spirit. People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” John 3:5, 6 (NIrV)

 If you live under the control of your sinful nature, you will die. But by the power of the Holy Spirit you can put to death the sins your body commits. Then you will live. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  You didn’t receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again. Instead you received the Holy Spirit, who makes you God’s child. By the Spirit’s power we call God “Abba.” Abba means Father.  Romans 8:13-15 (NIrV)

 The Law that sentences people to death is glorious. How much more glorious is the work of the Spirit! His work makes people right with God. 2 Corinthians 3:9 (NIrV)

 Props: 2 large magnets

 When we are born, our nature is sinful.  In other words, sin comes natural to us and we automatically want to do things that are bad.  That sin separates us from God.  We cannot get close to God unless he forgives us for our sins.  (Demonstrate how the like poles of the magnets repel each other).  Do you see how it is impossible for these magnets to connect?  I can try and force them together, but it’s not going to happen.  The same is true for you.  When you have sin in your life, it is impossible to get close to God. 

However, God’s Word tells us to repent, to turn away from our sin and to turn to God.  When you do that, God forgives you for your sins and you can be close to Him.  (Turn one magnet around and demonstrate how the magnets are drawn together now).  When you come to know God, He gives you His Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit gives you power to live a holy life, without sinning.  That doesn’t mean that you will never make a mistake.  But through the Spirit’s power, you can stop doing the bad things you used to do He can give you the power to control your temper, obey your parents, etc.  (Give examples.)  He will give you the power to stay close to God. 

            Let the Spirit’s power keep you from sin.  Turn away from your sin and stick close to God with the power of the Holy Spirit.

They Can’t Touch You

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.   Matthew 10:28

 Props: metal bowl, egg and hammer

 Before the service, turn the bowl upside-down on top of a table and place the egg under the bowl.  Display the bowl as you begin to speak, but do not show the egg.        

           In some places, people have a hard time having courage to believe in and live for God because there are people around them who kill Christians.  The Bible tells us to have courage no matter what people may do to us.  (Begin to lightly pound on metal bowl with hammer).  They may call you names, take what belongs to you or even hurt you.  But there is only so much they can do to harm you.  The real you is on the inside.  (Lift bowl and display egg).  You are totally protected by God.  No one can ever touch your soul.  No one can ever take God away from you.  There is no need to fear when you are in God’s hands.  No person could ever take you out of His hands or keep you away from Heaven.  Courage is facing trouble without running away.   It’s a lot easier to face trouble when we know that our soul is in God’s hands and no one can ever change that.

Price for the Power

I want to know Christ better. I want to know the power that raised him from the dead. I want to share in his sufferings. I want to become like him by sharing in his death. Philippians 3:10 (NIrV)

Props: Power company bill, large piece of cardboard labeled “God’s power” with attached “price tag” labeled “prayer, Bible study, sacrifice, giving, obedience”

Every morning when I get up, I turn on the lights.  Then I wash my face in the nice warm water that comes out of the sink.  I check the air conditioner to make sure the temperature is just right.  After I get dressed, I open the fridge and take out the milk that is nice and cold.  I have a bowl of cereal and I’m off for the day!

One day I checked the mail and there was a bill from FPL (Florida Power and Light). (Hold up power bill).  I thought, “That’s strange!  Are they really asking me to pay for electricity and the power that comes to my house?”  I thought it was ridiculous, so I didn’t pay the bill.  I just put it off to the side.  

Then I got a call one day from the power company.  The lady said, “Ma’am, you need to pay your electric bill right away.”  I said, “That’s crazy.  There’s already a power line connected to my house.  Why would I need to pay for it?”  So I didn’t pay the bill.

A few days later I woke up.  I turned on the switch and the light didn’t come on.  I went to wash my face and there was no hot water.  The air conditioner wasn’t working either.  And when I went to open the fridge, it was warm.  My milk was spoiled and I couldn’t eat breakfast! 

I guess I should have paid the bill.    

Jesus paid the price for your salvation through His sacrifice and death on the cross.  But if you want to have God’s power working in you, you have to be willing to share in Jesus’ suffering: you have to pay the price. 

God’s power is not like electricity: you don’t put money in an envelope and send it to heaven to get God’s power.  But there is a price to pay.  You have to be willing to obey God, to say “no” to yourself and “yes” to Him.  You have to make sacrifices, like spending less time with the TV/video games and more time in prayer and Bible study.  Sacrifices like not hanging around people who are bad influences on you.  You have to give of yourself, then give some more.

Remember, God’s power comes with a price.  (Read Philippians 3:10).

Power Transforms

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14

Props: any number of items operated by electricity (light bulb, radio, computer, etc.)

•  God is all powerful.
• He has the power to do miracles.  
• God’s miracles include creation, salvation and healing (among many others)
• In each case God’s power changes things and people. 
  • Creation—changing nothing into something
  • Salvation—changing us from sinful people to God’s holiness and righteousness (His cleanness and purity)
  • Healing—changing physical bodies from sick to well, from weak to strong

 Demonstrate the difference in the items with and without electricity (e.g., “Without electricity, this light bulb is just a glass ball, but with electricity you can use it to light your house”).

•  The electricity transformed (changed) these items.  As the power flowed through each one, it was completely changed.
• God has the power to do miracles.
• His power can flow through you and change you.  If you don’t know Him, you can ask Him to come into your life, forgive you for your sins and take control.  He will change you forever. 
• If you are sick, His power can flow through you and make you well and strong. 
• Remember, God has the power to do miracles!

Power to Produce

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. … If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”  John 15:5, 7         

Props: artificial vine and grapes

• The problem that the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-20) had was that they were trying to use the power of Jesus’ name, but they had no relationship with Jesus.  They weren’t living for Him or serving Him; they just wanted to use His power.  It doesn’t work that way.  God’s power comes through relationship with Him.  As you get close to Him through prayer and Bible study, by obeying Him and worshiping Him, His power will work in and through you. 
• Let me read you some verses from the book of John.  These are Jesus’ words.  (Read John 15:5, 7). 
• (Show vine and grapes).  This is what Jesus was talking about.  These grapes grow on a vine like this.  They don’t just all of a sudden pop up in mid-air out of nowhere.  They have to grow from a source.  This vine is their source of water, nutrients and strength.  If they were separated from the vine, they’d never survive. 
• Jesus is our source of strength and power.  In Him, we can do all things.  We have all of His power to draw from.  But apart from Him we are nothing.  We would not have the strength to do anything for Him, help anyone or see anyone saved or healed.
• Stay close to Jesus and His power will work through you.    

Power to Do Great Things

Summon your power, O God;
       show us your strength, O God, as you have done before. Psalm 68:28 (NIV)

Props: plywood, tripod, pulley

• When Paul was in Ephesus, people were filled with the Spirit when he prayed for them.  They were healed when a handkerchief that had touched Paul was placed on them.  Obviously, no person has that kind of power; it could only have been the power of God working through him.
• God wants to do amazing and incredible things through you.  And He will if you serve Him and give Him your life, everything you have. 
• [Bring forward a volunteer and ask him to lift a helper much larger than himself off the ground.  When he is unable to do so, show him how he can accomplish the task using a piece of plywood, a tripod and a pulley system]. 
• You can do very little in and of yourself.  But when you allow God’s power to work through you, you can do greater things than you ever dreamed possible. 
• [Give an example of God’s power working through your life or someone you know].

Power Not from Ourselves

…our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

Props: piece of equipment operated by pedaling a bicycle, or video clip of the bicycle-operated equipment in action

Have a helper demonstrate riding a bicycle to generate power, or show a video clip of it.  Then have the helper/video show how quickly one gets worn out trying to do so. 

 This guy is strong, but he sure did run out of energy quickly.  As human beings, we have limits.  There is only so much we can do, create and accomplish on our own. 

• God has given you a great deal of work to do on this earth, but He also wants you to trust in His power to get it done.  
• You don’t have enough power in and of yourself.  Eventually you will run out of power, ability, strength, etc.
• If you trust in God, He will give you His power and you won’t have to keep trying to do everything on your own.  He will give you the strength and ability you need, but if you try on your own you will fail.
• Only God can give you true power.  Go to Him and let Him do the work through you. 

Power for All

I will pour out my Spirit on all people…In those days I will pour out my Spirit on those who serve me… Joel 2:28, 29

Prop: computer

           Raise your hand if you have a computer at home or school that you can use.  I’m going to tell you something you’re not going to believe: when I was growing up, we didn’t have a computer in our home.  (In fact, I never had a computer in my home until I grew up!)  When I was very young, only really big companies or government agencies had computers.  The first computers were very large, very expensive and only held a small amount of information.  No one ever imagined that every house, every classroom in every school and every employee in some companies could have their own computer.  And no one ever dreamed that computers could be so powerful. Today’s computers are thousands of times more powerful than the first computers that were used. 

            In the Old Testament, before Jesus came to the earth, the power of the Holy Spirit was available to people who were doing God’s work.  But that power was only given to certain people at certain times.  (Give some examples: Balaam, Numbers 24:2; Othniel, Judges 3:10; Gideon, Judges 6:34; Samson, Judges 14, 15; Saul, 1 Samuel 10:10, 11:6; David, 1 Samuel 16:13; Zechariah, 2 Chronicles 24:20; Ezekiel, Ezekiel 11:12)  When someone was doing God’s work and needed His power, the Holy Spirit would “come upon” that person.  But the power of God’s Spirit did not continually flow through most of God’s people. 

            God spoke through the prophet Joel that there would come a day when He would pour out His Spirit on all people who serve Him.  God’s Spirit has always been powerful, but God has not always given that power to people like He does today.  Today the power of God’s Spirit is available to everyone who serves Him, and if you serve God, you can receive the power of His Spirit.  Be filled with the power of God’s Spirit!  It’s available for you; receive it today!

Plug in to the Right Power Source

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

Props: variety of electrical/battery operated items and power supplies (cell phone charger, batteries, extension cords, etc.)

I brought several items with me today to help demonstrate God’s power.  Let’s see…I have a flashlight, a fan and a cell phone.  None of these things can operate by itself; all of these items require power to work.  And we all need power and strength to do what God has called us to do.  He has called us to do great things in life: we will never do those things without power.

            So let’s see if I can get these items to operate.  (Attempt to plug cell phone charger into flashlight, then turn the switch to “on.”)  Something’s wrong.  The flashlight isn’t working.  I plugged it in, but I still can’t get it to turn on.   Well, let me try the fan.  (Put batteries on top of the fan and turn on switch).  I don’t understand.  I put the batteries on the fan, and it’s still not working.  The flashlight isn’t working and the fan isn’t working, so maybe I can get the cell phone to work.  (Attempt to plug the cell phone into the extension cord).  Nothing seems to be working for me today!  What am I doing wrong?  (Allow for response).  Oh, did I get things a little mixed up?  (Rearrange the items and plug them into their correct power sources).  Now things seem to be working! 

            Everyone is created to do a special work for the Lord.  Work requires power and strength.  The problem is, many people try to rely on their own power.  They think they can do the work themselves.  That’s like plugging in the cell phone to this extension cord.  If you’re working in your own power, you’re tapped into the wrong power source. Your power won’t get you very far.  God’s power working through you will get the work done.  When you trust in Him, you’ll work just like these items when they have the right power source.                 

            Remember to work in the strength of God’s Spirit.

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