The Power of His Word
Those who are saved know there is power in the Word of God. But we sometimes forget that the power is literal, not figuratively speaking. Just by speaking it out loud, things can happen.
It’s not magic. It’s understanding that the Holy Ghost is within us and when we speak what He tells us to speak, there is power in those words. The key word there is what “He” tells us to speak. When people put the power in incantation (chanting or reciting something over and over in religious discipline) then they’re actually saying that they have the power. Examples are: Reciting the Lord’s prayer without thought of what those words mean, reciting the prayer of Jabez for the purpose of greed. Those scriptures are not evil, they’re the word of God. Us reading and studying and even reciting those prayers aren’t evil. They can stir the soul and cause you to draw nearer to God through the testimony of those writers. What’s wrong is putting the power in the word (little w) and not the Word. (big W!)
One of my favorite mental images is that of Christ blowing people down with His words. Wouldn’t that be a great ability for the child of God? J
What biblical super power would you like to have? (Elijah’s fire) (Moses’ staff)
We can’t blow people down, but sometimes the Word of God blows me away; especially when it reveals things to me and causes me to think about the Word like I hadn’t before; like Doug Rowe did in Sunday School class last week. It causes me to search deeper into the word of God to discover what God wants me to know during this Easter season that will help me appreciate Him more.
John 18:1-14
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
There’s not always safety in numbers, as Judas thought because God doesn’t control things from a human perspective. Judas knew somethings about Jesus, but he didn’t know Jesus.
What are some things we know about Jesus that the unsaved wouldn’t know or understand?
Where do you see people of the world thinking they’re in control?
When searching your life during this special week before Easter, where do you see places in your life that you “think” you have control or you’re taking control when you shouldn’t?
The Power of His Ways
Even Peter who had seen the Power of God at work and believed that He was the Messiah, missed the mark as a child of God on several occasions. This was one of them. He attempted to “fix” the problem.
Peter missed God’s directive.
8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. 10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
How many of us are guilty of that?
Some of us have that personality. I’m a fixer. I want to fix everyone’s problems. But sometimes that makes me the problem. There are some things that from the surface look bad, but the end result is a great victory. That was this circumstance. Peter was trying to remove the cup from the Lord, and which one of us wouldn’t want to do that from a human perspective, but from God’s perspective, all of these circumstances lead to the end result of eternal security for us.
Jesus had just said, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
He wasn’t going to lose any in the garden by the battle, and He’s not going to lose any out of Heaven because of the cross.
What was Peter focusing on?
Jesus had Heaven in view, while Peter had this earth in view.
Isaiah 55:8 reminds us
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Peter didn’t always have his focus on the wrong thing. When Jesus asked in Matthew 16:15 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Verse 16 says And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
He knew God like Judas did not. Simon proves again and again that he’s not perfect. Why do you think God may have put someone like Simon in so many places of prominence in the Bible? What is there about his character that God wants us to understand?
I personally relate to Peter on many levels. His jump and the net will appear attitude is who I’ve been all my life. When looking at the Apostles, do you see yourself in any one of the characters and why? (back page list)
The Power of His Blood
That’s what Peter didn’t understand at that time.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? 12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Caiaphas didn’t understand the truth of those words the way that we understand them today.
Only one Man could die for the people. All the people. And that Man was Jesus.
Jesus had to drink from that cup, because He was the only One that could have. Without the sacrifice that He made there would have been no hope for mankind. That part Peter didn’t understand, but there would come a time that he would.
What About My Cup Lord
There came a time that Peter would understand the cup of Christ, and the fact that he too would have a cup. He would also learn, not to worry about what someone else’s cup is filled with.
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Peter would be crucified like the Lord, although it is said that he was crucified upside down by his own choice. John wasn’t crucified, but his life wasn’t a piece of cake either; he was boiled in oil and banished to the isle of Patmos where he wrote the final book in the Bible.
Peter’s conversation with Christ helps us to understand that we’re to look at no other persons walk with Christ and judge it, or compare it to ours. We each have our cup to bear if we’re doing anything for the cause of Christ.
Examine your life this week. Draw and Write inside your cup the things (both good and bad) that God has allowed you to go through because it made you a better child of God.
The Apostle personalities:
- Peter – quick to speak and act, crucified upside down
- Andrew – Soul winner (Peter) Often in the background.
- James – Inner circle, one of the Sons of Thunder, First martyred. Brother to John
- John – Loyal, fiery temperament, leader, last of the apostles to die. Brother to James, the other of the Sons of Thunder
- Philip – quick soul winner (Nathanael) died a martyr.
- Nathanael – skeptic but loyal
- Matthew –Left everything and devoted himself to Christ.
- Thomas – doubter, risk taker and prone to extremes.
- James the less – little known
- Simon the Zealot – mentioned only 3 times
- Jude – tenderhearted
- Judas – betrayer