The Spirit of Power

1
The Spirit of Power

• Zechariah 46, "This is the word of the LORD to
  Zerubbabel Not by might nor by power, but by my
  Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

Acts 18, But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
2
Empowerment for Leadership

• Joseph interpreted dreams (Gen 4138)
• Prophecy was innate to leadership (e.g. Saul, 1
  Sam 106, 10).
• Miracles validated the message (2 Ki 29, 15 Rom
  1519 1 Cor 24 Heb 24).
• Moses who judged disputes his power could be
  transferred to the 70 elders (Num 1117, 25-29).

3
Empowerment for Leadership

• Joshua had military ability (Num 2718 Deut
  349).
• Likewise, Othniel (Jdg 310), Gideon (Jdg 634),
  and Jephthah (Jdg 1129) became a powerful
  military leaders.
• While Samson became physically overpowering (Jdg
  1325 146, 19 1514).
• Sauls righteous indignation was stirred (1 Sam
  116 cf. Eze 314) as part of his leadership.

4
N.T. Leadership

• Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the
  Spirit and preached.
• His message stressed social justice for the
  oppressed (Lk 414, 18).
• The Apostles adopted his emphasis (Acts 18)
• This brought Jesus joy in the Spirit (Lk 1021).

5
N.T. Leadership

• Church Leaders were empowered by the Spirit for
  ministry (Acts 63, 5 2028)
• And enabled to defend the gospel (Acts 610
  1124 1 Thess 15, 2 Tim 114)
• As well as punish deviants (Ananias, Acts 53,
  9 Simon Magus, 139).

6
Transfer of Leadership

• Elijah passed his mantle to Elisha (2 Ki 29, 15)
• Moses transferred leadership to Joshua (Num
  1117, 25-29)
• Paul/Elders and the elders bestowed spiritual
  power and gifts on Timothy, 1 Tim 414 2 Tim
  16)

7
Empowerment for Edification

• Bezalel who crafted the tabernacle (Exo 313
  3531) and David was given architectural plans by
  the Spirit (1 Chr 2812).
• Prophecy, Visions, Dreams One of the
  characteristics of the last days will be that ALL
  Gods people will have access to the Spirit and
  his power (Joel 228-32 Acts 217-21), even
  Exorcizing demons (Mt 1228).

8
Empowerment for Relationship

• Christians are strengthened by the Spirit to
  comprehend the love of God and live lives of
  faith (Eph 316-19)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may
strengthen you with power through his Spirit in
your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith. And I pray that you,
being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the saints, to
grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the
love of Christ, and to know this love that
surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to
the measure of all the fullness of God.
9
The Spirit Empowered Jesus!

• Luke 414, 18, Jesus returned to Galilee in the
  power of the Spirit, and news about him spread
  through the whole countryside. The Spirit of
  the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to
  preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to
  proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery
  of sight for the blind, to release the
  oppressed.

10

• Luke 1021, At that time Jesus, full of joy
  through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you,
  Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you
  have hidden these things from the wise and
  learned, and revealed them to little children.
  Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

11

• Acts 2028, Keep watch over yourselves and all
  the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you
  overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,
  which he bought with his own blood.

12

• Acts 610, They could not stand up against his
  wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
• 2 Tim 114, Guard the good deposit that was
  entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the
  Holy Spirit who lives in us.

13

• 1 Tim 414, Do not neglect your gift, which was
  given you through a prophetic message when the
  body of elders laid their hands on you.
• 2 Tim 16, For this reason I remind you to fan
  into flame the gift of God, which is in you
  through the laying on of my hands.