*264. POWER THROUGH THE SPIRIT.*
*'You will receive power* ( Greek: *dunamis* ) *when the Holy Spirit comes on you ..."* - (Acts 1:8) There are many Greek words that can be translated as power in different contexts such as: *dunamis, exousia, energeia, kratos* etc. But *dunamis* or *dynamis* is the word most frequently used in the New Testament (119 times) to describe the power that heals the sick and does signs, wonders and miracles. Most importantly, dunamis refers to the *“inherent power"* ( power residing in a person or thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts) from within. It is the root word of our English words dynamite, dynamo, and dynamic. God's power is not generated outside him but like a dynamo, this *eternal* (Romans 1:20), *all surpassing* ( 2 Corinthians 4:7), *incomparable* (Ephesians 1:19) power is generated within him and *emanates* (spread out from a source) from him. His power is exerted through his Spirit and therefore his sphere of influence is endless, from the highest heights to the deepest depths; from one end of the cosmos to the other! This power has split open the sea, torn the mountains, rendered the heavens, uprooted nations, conquered death and hades and the list of God's exploits goes on ... Therefore we say he is *omnipotent* (the quality of having unlimited power) The Angels who have witnessed this power at work have testified saying, *"Nothing is impossible with God."* - (Luke 1:37) His only limitation is that he cannot create anything that is bigger, stronger and smarter than him because he cannot outdo himself! But he has made us to be *'gods'* by putting his Spirit in us. If not, how else could Jesus say to those who believe : *"Nothing will be impossible for you"* - (Matthew 17:21), just as it is said of God? And when the Jews questioned Jesus concerning his divinity, he said that if mortal men have been addressed as *'gods'* in Scripture, why not he be addressed as the Son of God? *"You are 'gods'; you are all sons of the Most High.'* - (Psalm 82:6) *"If he called them 'gods' to whom the word of the Lord came - and the Scripture cannot be broken - what about the one whom the father has set apart as his own and sent into the world?"* - ( John 10:35) He made us in his image to be *'gods'* to reign together with him over his creations - (Genesis 1:26). *'What is man you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him. You made him a little lower than God and crowned him with glory and honor.You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet ...'* - ( Psalm 8:4-4) Therefore, Scripture says: *'God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgement among the "gods"'* - (Psalm 82:1), referring to the saints. As *'gods'* we have have been given the power to create; to call into existence things that are not, by prophesying in the Spirit, just as Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy to the dry bones and it came to life - (Ezekiel 37:4-10). We are to speak to our situations which seem like immovable mountains, and it will be levelled (Zechariah 4:6-7) or even uprooted! *"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea, ... it will be done for him."* - (Mark 11:23) And as *"gods",* the saints cannot be conquered by death ! *'The second death has no power* ( Greek: *exousia* ) *over them, but they will be priests of God and of his Christ and will reign with him ...'* - (Revelation 20:6) The Spirit of God in us is the channel of this infinite power that is generated within him but his *power is made perfect only in our weakness* - (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul testified to this power at work in him, saying: *"I labour struggling with all his energy* (Greek: *energeia* ), *which so powerfully works in me."* (Colossians 1:29) In Philippians 4:13 he wrote, *'I can do everything through him who gives me strength* (Greek : *endynamoō*) *.'* In Ephesians 6:10 he exhorted the Church to *'be strong* (Greek: *endynamoō* ) *in the Lord and in his mighty power* (Greek *Kratos* )' Amen.
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