Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

Today, we’re going to dive into a topic that resonates deeply within the hearts of believers yet is often misunderstood—the topic of power. But before we embark on this exploration, let’s clarify what we mean by “power.” I’m not talking about the electricity that lights up our homes or the political might that governs nations. Instead, I want to draw your attention to the inherent power bestowed upon us through the Creator of all things—a power that echoes the very words spoken in Genesis 1.

The Weight of Words: “Let It Be”

In Genesis 1, when God set out to create the universe, He didn’t roll up His sleeves and mold the earth with His hands. Instead, He spoke, and with a mere declaration of “let it be,” creation unfolded.
This passage reveals a profound truth about power—the power of words. The Hebrew term “abar,” meaning to create or bring forth, shows us that through God’s spoken word, the universe came into existence. This wasn’t just a matter of having power; it was about possessing the authority to use that power effectively.
Just as God’s words had creative power, so too do our words hold power—in fact, Scripture warns us of the weight they carry. Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” The words we speak can uplift or diminish, heal or harm. Thus, this exploration of power leads us to ponder how we use our words and the inherent authority we possess to shape reality in alignment with God’s will.

Dúnamis Power: The Power That Changes Everything

The Greek word “dúnamis” refers not only to power but also to the inherent ability to bring about a desired effect. This is how we can understand the nature of God’s power—a divine dynamism that accomplishes His purposes. The root of the word dúnamis is where we derive the term “dynamite,” suggesting an explosive capability to create and influence.
When Jesus began His ministry, we see the manifestation of this dúnamis power through the Holy Spirit, who descended upon Him after His baptism (Luke 3:22). Jesus worked miracles, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and calmed storms—all manifesting the power of the One who spoke the world into existence.
His ministry was a testament to the authority He wielded through the Holy Spirit. It’s crucial to note that while Jesus was fully God, He chose to operate within the human experience, relying on the Holy Spirit as His source of strength. This was a deliberate demonstration for us, modeling how to live empowered lives.

The Promise of Greater Works

In John 14:12, Jesus makes a remarkable declaration: “Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” The promise of performing greater works is contingent upon being empowered by the same Holy Spirit that empowered Christ. This concept challenges our faith—do we truly believe that we can do greater works, or do we limit ourselves with doubt and disbelief?
This is why Jesus instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). This was the promise that would equip them with the dúnamis power necessary to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The disciples understood the weight of Jesus’ instructions; without the Holy Spirit, their mission would be ineffective.

Authority in Christ

As followers of Christ, we don’t merely inherit a power—we inherit authority. John 14:13-14 tells us, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Imagine the magnitude of that promise! We can ask anything in His name—a divine authority granted to us to partner with God’s will.
Moreover, Romans 8:17 reveals another layer of our identity: we are coheirs with Christ. This implies that we share not only in His sufferings but also in His power and authority. This empowerment means that we are not just passive recipients of grace but active participants in the work of the Kingdom.
However, let’s not lose sight of an essential truth—apart from God, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Even Christ, though fully divine, chose to rely on the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of remaining connected to the source of our power.

The Empowerment of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, is the same Spirit that resides in those who believe. This connection is profound and life-transforming. Romans 8:11 states, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
This assurance empowers us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. We have the presence of God Himself dwelling within us, renewing and empowering us to live out our faith.
Living empowered by the Holy Spirit means allowing Him to guide our thoughts, direct our words, and strengthen our actions. It means daily inviting Him into every facet of our lives, displaying the fruits that naturally flow from a life in sync with His purpose.

Demonstrating Our Authority

With great power comes great responsibility. As we step into our identity in Christ, we must remember that we are not just wielders of power; we are also representatives of His love and grace. Our actions should reflect the character of Christ.
To demonstrate the authority we have, consider these three actions we can take:

1. Pray with Confidence: Approach God boldly in prayer, asking for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). Pray for healing, for lost souls, and for breakthroughs in struggles, believing that there’s power in your requests.
2. Speak Life: Use your words to build up rather than tear down. In every interaction, look for opportunities to speak life into others. Lean into Ephesians 4:29, which encourages us to speak words that impart grace to the hearers.
3. Serve in Faith: Demonstrate the dúnamis power through acts of service. When we serve, particularly to those who can’t repay us, we mirror Christ-like humility and obedience, reflecting His authority in our lives.

Conclusion

The journey of understanding our divine power and authority is a life changing one. We’ve seen that power is not mere force; it is the authority to enact change—a sacred gift that flows from our relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit.
As we speak life into our circumstances, embrace our identity as coheirs with Christ, and rely on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, we can effectively walk in the authority bestowed upon us. Our words can create, our actions can transform, and through the synergy of faith and works, we can declare with boldness: “Let it be so!”
Let us challenge ourselves to live in the fullness of this power, fulfilling the calling placed on our lives, and reaching out with love and grace to a world in desperate need. Each day presents us with opportunities to exercise the dúnamis power we contain—let’s not hold back! We have been commissioned to live as empowered believers, impacting our families, communities, and the world for Jesus.
So, go forward and walk in your God-given authority, knowing that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead resides in you, empowering you to live out your divine purpose. Indeed, you have the potential to shine brightly in a world that desperately needs the transforming love of Christ!