The true power of God.

[Pilgrim]

In the Image of Christ
Colossians 3:8-11

“The Power of God?”

   “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Cor. 1:17-24   
   
   Nowadays it is common to hear people talk about the power of God. Many people testify of how the power of God has healed them of some sickness or blessed them with financial wealth, or caused them to speak in tongues. Today many so-called faith healers boldly proclaim that they have been anointed with power from on high. They display so-called healings and other signs and (lying) wonders to make people believe they’ve been anointed by God’s mighty power. Many of them claim that Jesus manifests Himself bodily in their presence and instructs them of His will. It is amazing the stunts that these charlatans come up with to deceive people into believing that they are anointed with the power of God. In fact, like showmen or entertainers, they keep trying to outdo each other in their rise to fame and power. One man blows his breath at people and they fall over backwards as if knocked out by some power or force. They call this stunt being slain in the Spirit, which by the way, is something you never see in the Scriptures. Is this man really anointed with the power of God, or does he just have a case of really bad breath? Another man claims it was a 900-foot tall Jesus that spoke with him, apparently the manifestation of a normal size Jesus was too common and unspectacular. It doesn’t take long nowadays for a new signs and wonders fad to come along and take the spotlight and center stage, and as time goes on they are getting stranger and stranger.
   Dear friends, the power of God is not a circus sideshow as it is so commonly portrayed today. It is not signs and wonders as many of today’s swindlers want you to believe. The true power of God is displayed in the preaching of the cross and seeing lost souls saved from the wrath of God and inheriting eternal life, as the above texts points out. I’m amazed when I watch some of the signs and wonders performers today; their focus is on health, wealth and the signs and wonders that they claim God does through them, and yet you hardly ever see them focus on the gospel. They have huge audiences coming to them seeking a sign, or healing, or to watch them perform their tricks. It has become a form of “Christian entertainment.” Jesus Himself warned against such things in the book of Matthew:

   “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of  the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”  (Matt. 12:38-40).

   Jesus said it was an evil and adulterous generation, not a righteous and godly one that sought after signs. What’s so amazing in this verse is that the only sign that Jesus was going to give them was the sign of Jonas who was in the belly of a great fish for three days and nights, which was a figure of the Lord’s burial in the heart of the earth. Jesus was pointing them to His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection by this figure. The only sign Jesus was going to give them was the gospel. Our passage from 1 Cor. 1 above says that the Jews require a sign and that the cross was a stumbling block for them. How sad it is that these people missed out on the gospel that could save their souls because their focus was on signs and wonders instead of Jesus Christ and the cross.
   Those who are seeking after signs thinking that the signs are the power of God are deceiving themselves. The Bible warns about a man that will deceive most of the world by his power, signs and lying wonders, in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2:

   “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:8-10).

   This man will be the antichrist, and he will use signs and wonders to deceive the people of the world. Those who think that signs and wonders are the way God manifest His power will easily be deceived by the antichrist who is possessed by Satan himself. In fact, the antichrist will proclaim himself to be God, and most of the world will worship him as such. It’s no wonder then that Jesus said it was an evil and adulterous generation that sought after a sign.
   Remember, the true display of God’s power is the preaching of the gospel which has the power to save those who believe. The apostle Paul knew the true power of God and made it clear in 1 Cor. 1:17-24. He wrote the same thing to the Romans:

   “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”  (Rom. 1:16).

   Dear friend, the only way to experience the true power of God in your life is by repenting of your sins and believing the gospel. Even if these so-called faith healers could make you healthy and wealthy someday, you are still going to die and meet your Creator, who will judge you (Heb. 9:27).  If you have repented of your old sinful ways of life and believed the preaching of the cross of Jesus, you will inherit eternal life. If the cross is a stumbling block to you and your life has never been transformed by the saving power of the cross of Jesus Christ, you will be damned and experience the second death, which is to be thrown into the lake of fire, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth for all eternity (Rev. 20:11-15).  Allow me to give you some sound advice, call on the Name of the Lord Jesus while there’s still time to be saved (Rom. 10:9-13). Don’t put it off another day, by then it might be to late (2 Cor. 6:2).

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[Sower]

Amen. The true power of God is seen when the Word of God and God the Holy Spirit work jointly to bring about the new birth through the Gospel -- the saving power of God.  This does not come *by observation*, since the *kingdom of God is within you* and is like the wind which can be heard but not seen (Jn. 3:8). Further, His power is seen when the Lord transforms a vile sinner into the image of Himself, as evidenced by the apostle Paul himself.

In this connection, it is important to note how God communicates with His saints and servants, through the incident with Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13). God was not in the gale force wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was *A STILL SMALL VOICE* (v.12).  Do we hear Him, because that's how the Lord speaks today?

Today the only signs and lying wonders are from the adversary and deceiver, and *seducers shall wax worse and worse*.

[Ambassador4Christ]

Amen Pilgrim






   “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”  (Rom. 1:16).
 

[Ambassador4Christ]

Amen. The true power of God is seen when the Word of God and God the Holy Spirit work jointly to bring about the new birth through the Gospel -- the saving power of God.  This does not come *by observation*, since the *kingdom of God is within you* and is like the wind which can be heard but not seen (Jn. 3:. Further, His power is seen when the Lord transforms a vile sinner into the image of Himself, as evidenced by the apostle Paul himself.

In this connection, it is important to note how God communicates with His saints and servants, through the incident with Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13). God was not in the gale force wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was *A STILL SMALL VOICE* (v.12).  Do we hear Him, because that's how the Lord speaks today?

Today the only signs and lying wonders are from the adversary and deceiver, and *seducers shall wax worse and worse*.

You folks who deny the miracle working power of God through the mighty power of the Holy Ghost for this hour and day have absolutely no credible Biblical evidence of any kind to support, or in any prove that that power has ever passed away!

You are the seducers and deceivers, the subverters of souls, who spread the devils lies throughout the body of Christ!

No wonder your churches are so dead, and have no power at all!

No wonder you all go around whining and complaining all the time, sick and miserable!

No wonder sin rules in your churches!

God ain't dead, and  never will be, but you people might as well hold a funeral service for him at your churches because you think he is!

God never stopped God Almighty, the Lord of hosts, the high and lofty one, Lord of lords, and King of kings, God never stopped being in charge of it all, but you people have delegated God down to a position of a wimpy little imp you snub your noses at qwhile you reject his word,a nd rebel against his commandments, hell will be a far less than sufficient deserved reward for your wickedness!

AS for me, and my house we will faithfully believe the word of God and faithfully live according to ALL of the word of God, and not some perverted corruption of a few hand picked Scritptures chosen by a bunch of denominational dingy heads as a way tio justify living a hyprocites masqurade!

Paul didn't teach the lies you people say he did, if he were alive today, and he came to your churches he'd give you all a sharp rebuke and call you all a bunch of wicked sinners, and tell you to repent of the lies your spreading before you all go to hell forever!!

Michael, are you Oral Roberts or Benny Hinn?  

[ollie]

Amen. The true power of God is seen when the Word of God and God the Holy Spirit work jointly to bring about the new birth through the Gospel -- the saving power of God.  This does not come *by observation*, since the *kingdom of God is within you* and is like the wind which can be heard but not seen (Jn. 3:. Further, His power is seen when the Lord transforms a vile sinner into the image of Himself, as evidenced by the apostle Paul himself.

In this connection, it is important to note how God communicates with His saints and servants, through the incident with Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13). God was not in the gale force wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was *A STILL SMALL VOICE* (v.12).  Do we hear Him, because that's how the Lord speaks today?

Today the only signs and lying wonders are from the adversary and deceiver, and *seducers shall wax worse and worse*.

You folks who deny the miracle working power of God through the mighty power of the Holy Ghost for this hour and day have absolutely no credible Biblical evidence of any kind to support, or in any prove that that power has ever passed away!

You are the seducers and deceivers, the subverters of souls, who spread the devils lies throughout the body of Christ!

No wonder your churches are so dead, and have no power at all!

No wonder you all go around whining and complaining all the time, sick and miserable!

No wonder sin rules in your churches!

God ain't dead, and  never will be, but you people might as well hold a funeral service for him at your churches because you think he is!

God never stopped God Almighty, the Lord of hosts, the high and lofty one, Lord of lords, and King of kings, God never stopped being in charge of it all, but you people have delegated God down to a position of a wimpy little imp you snub your noses at qwhile you reject his word,a nd rebel against his commandments, hell will be a far less than sufficient deserved reward for your wickedness!

AS for me, and my house we will faithfully believe the word of God and faithfully live according to ALL of the word of God, and not some perverted corruption of a few hand picked Scritptures chosen by a bunch of denominational dingy heads as a way tio justify living a hyprocites masqurade!

Paul didn't teach the lies you people say he did, if he were alive today, and he came to your churches he'd give you all a sharp rebuke and call you all a bunch of wicked sinners, and tell you to repent of the lies your spreading before you all go to hell forever!!

WOW! Your rhetoric is not sublime to say the least. "Denominational dingy heads", is a horse of another color.

There are probably sincere searchers of God among the so called "dingy heads". Let us love all men as much as is possible and reveal the truth in love.  

[Ambassador4Christ]

Michael, Kenneth Hagin?  

[Ambassador4Christ]

Michael, Kenneth Hagin?  

Nope!

Exactly what is your point?

If you are trying to get me to agree with your hatred, false judgements, and unmerited condemnnation of sincere men and women of God, you can forget it!

I refuse to walk hand in hand with satan, and do his work, while pretending to be Christs faithful servant!

I am real, I do not fake who I am in Christ Jesus, nor will I ever fake or limit who Jesus is in me!

Kenneth Copeland?  

[Ambassador4Christ]

Now I know your Rev Moon  

[ollie]

You're church of Christ aren't you?

Aren't all Christians in Christ's church?

[Ambassador4Christ]

You're church of Christ aren't you?

Aren't all Christians in Christ's church?

No! Some of us  really do know Gods real truth and haven't been deceived by the lies of cultisms and false doctrines (Like OSAS)

Michael, Michael,Michael    

[ollie]

You're church of Christ aren't you?

Aren't all Christians in Christ's church?

No! Some of us  really do know Gods real truth and haven't been deceived by the lies of cultisms and false doctrines (Like OSAS)

Matthew 16:18
Colossians 1:18
Acts 2:47

[Boiler room]

i'm confused here.
are you saying that those that believe in the power of God to heal are only seeking signs and wonders.
how can this be?
Jesus said himself with faith you can move that mountain, did he mean only for a certain time.
for what is impossible with man is possible with God
we have in our society many who claim to know God and use lying signs and wonders to decieve.
are all who speak in toungues false prophets?
help me to understand this.
 

[Ambassador4Christ]

Now I know your Rev Moon  

NO, wrong again! But I definitely know for a certainty exactly who is influencing you:[/b] AMBASSADOR FOR UNBELIEF, LIES,REBELLION, DISOBEDIENCE, HYPOCRISY, AND FALSE DOCTRINES! (It sure ain't JESUS!)[/b][/color]

Hey are you Sadaam Hussein, or maybe OSAMA BIN LADEN?[/b]

Your Little Richard, Right??  

[ollie]

You're church of Christ aren't you?

Aren't all Christians in Christ's church?

No! Some of us  really do know Gods real truth and haven't been deceived by the lies of cultisms and false doctrines (Like OSAS)

Matthew 16:18
Colossians 1:18
Acts 2:47

LOL! Still does nto prove tghat the denomination known as the Chruch Of Christ is the one and only, GOD approved, true Church, or that you are the only ones who will ever make iot to heaven.

Please give us all a break and quit being so smug and self rigtheous, Boy, will you be surprised when you do get to heaven, you're going to look all around you and and for millions of miles you are going top see tril;ions and zillions, and quadrasoooper killions of kajillions of the redeemed of God all around you, and you will nopt be able to recognize if any of use were Baptist, or Pentecostal, or even church of Christ, all you will see is the redeemed, and oh, BTW, I believe you church of Christ folks who so smugly condemnned a practice God has absolutely problem with (PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS DURING WORSHIP SERVICES) WILL  BE THE ONES WHOM GOD MAKES PLAY THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS DURING THE ETERNAL ETERNITIES OF PRAISE THAT WILL BE FOREVER LIFTED UP IN GLORY!  

WHAT IS THIS??!

You seem somewhat confused. I hope you are alright. Do not worry; God loves everyone and would have all men to be saved. There is hope for all, but not all will heed the call. Let us come together in the greater love that Christ displayed for His friends and one can be His friend by obeying Him.

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?    

[ollie]

Hey, I am not confused at all, I know exactly who I am in Christ Jesus, and perfectly well who Christ Jesus!

Your posts reflect resentment and what seem to be hatred. Perhaps you don't intend that, but that is how they come across.

I do not have to go to CHURCH OF CHRIST[/b] to be a true Christian,

A Christian does not go to church, a Christian is a member of the church. A Christian goes to the assemblies of the church.

or to be found acceptable to God, and I sure don't have to go to this denomination filled with self righteous biggots to be assured of spending eternity in heaven.

You pronounce mighty heavy judgements on individuals. Are you prepared to receive the same heavy judgements when the Lord comes? The true biggot will then answer to the true judge.

I am accused constantly of hateful comments, boy oh boy, if you who are so blind to the truth would but read some of your own posts!

Take off the blinders and read others and do not just hear yourself.

I apologized for my trangressions and asked for everyones forgiveness, but just as has been the standing rule in the past with some of you, the request was entirely ignored and the apolgy ignored, I still extyend the same apology and request fro forgiveness, if you refuse then God cannot and will not forgive you!
Mt. 6:15!

You are forgiven! Now lighten up and cool down and give us some old time gospel talk.

If I have wounded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go astray,
If I have walked in my own willful way,
Dear Lord forgive!