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!