In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves talking about the life-changing power of Jesus. We speak of hope, life, and the good news of Christ. But how often do we actually demonstrate this power in our daily lives? It’s one thing to tell someone about the horsepower of a car, its smooth ride, and fancy features. It’s quite another to let them get behind the wheel and experience it firsthand.
This is the essence of what it means to truly follow in Jesus’ footsteps – not just to speak about the good news, but to demonstrate how good it really is. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
When we think about doing what Jesus did, our minds might immediately jump to the miraculous – healing the sick, raising the dead, or turning water into wine. While these acts certainly demonstrated divine power, they weren’t limited to Jesus alone. Throughout Scripture, we see figures like Elijah, Paul, and Peter performing miraculous deeds. This points to something profound: it’s not about being divine, but about being filled with the Holy Spirit and having a deep relationship with God.
James reminds us that “Elijah was a human being, even as we are” (James 5:17). This humanizes the biblical heroes and emphasizes that if God listened to Elijah, He will listen to us too. We can grow in our faith and spiritual disciplines to a place where God will use us in powerful ways, just as He did with the disciples of old.
So how can we, as modern-day disciples, demonstrate the power of the gospel in our world today? Let’s explore four key ways:
- Healing the Sick
Jesus consistently healed those who were ill, blind, or unable to walk. He even raised the dead. While we may not see dramatic healings as frequently today, the power of prayer remains undeniable. James 5:14-15 encourages us: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.”
We must not underestimate the power of prayer. When God’s people gather to pray, powerful things happen. However, it’s crucial to remember that unanswered prayers don’t reflect a lack of faith or God’s goodness. God’s ways are higher than ours, and there are always countless factors at play that we can’t see or understand.
- Setting Free the Oppressed
Jesus frequently cast out demons and set free those who were spiritually oppressed. While we may not encounter obvious demon possession regularly in our culture, spiritual warfare is still very real. Satan, though defeated by Christ’s death and resurrection, is not powerless. He continues to try to blind people, break relationships, and pull us away from God.
As disciples, we have the responsibility to pray for the spiritual release of those under Satan’s influence. Through prayer, we can move the heart of God and break the hold that evil has on people’s lives.
- Prophesying
Prophecy in the biblical sense isn’t just about predicting the future. It’s about communicating what God has put on our hearts. Moses, one of the greatest prophets, primarily acted as a messenger, delivering God’s word to Pharaoh and the Israelites.
In our daily lives, this might look like reaching out to someone who’s been on your mind, offering a word of encouragement, or sharing a scripture that God has impressed upon you. However, we must also exercise discernment, as not every claimed “word from the Lord” is truly from God. Test these words against Scripture and seek wisdom in sharing them.
- Pursuing Justice
God’s heart beats for justice, and as His followers, we’re called to pursue it too. Jesus consistently stood up for the marginalized and confronted systems of oppression. Whether it was protecting the woman caught in adultery or clearing the temple of exploitative money-changers, Jesus demonstrated that justice is at the core of God’s character.
As disciples, we’re invited to participate in God’s work of ensuring that all of creation – people and everything else – receives what is due. This might involve standing up for the overlooked, feeding the hungry, or providing shelter for the homeless. However, our pursuit of justice must always align with Scripture and be motivated by love, not vengeance.
The death and resurrection of Jesus encompass all these aspects of demonstrating the gospel’s power. It brings healing to our lives, sets us free from spiritual oppression, communicates God’s love to the world, and is the ultimate act of divine justice.
As we reflect on these truths, let’s challenge ourselves to be more than just hearers or talkers of the Word. Let’s be doers. When someone asks for prayer, don’t just promise to pray later – stop and pray with them right then and there, in the powerful name of Jesus. When you see injustice, speak up in a way that reflects Christ’s love and truth.
The world needs to see the power and life of the gospel lived out. How will they witness it if we’re not demonstrating it ourselves? This is our charge as followers of Christ – to show, not just tell, how powerful and amazing the good news really is.
Let’s pray for courage and for eyes to see the opportunities around us to demonstrate the gospel’s power. May we be filled with the Holy Spirit, growing in our relationship with God, so that we can truly do what Jesus did – bringing healing, freedom, God’s word, and justice to a world in desperate need.
As we go about our week, let’s be mindful of the ways we can make the invisible Kingdom of God visible through our actions. Let’s be living testimonies of the transformative power of the gospel, allowing God to work through us in ways that showcase His love, grace, and power to a watching world.
Sermon Recaps are based on my original messages delivered at Grace Christian Church.
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