Mentoring Men for the Master

POWER – THE ONE THING NEEDED

POWER – THE ONE THING NEEDED

1 Cor. 4:20

10/04/14 Dr. Bennett’s Message on Praying in One Accord from Thad Faulk on Vimeo.

The apostle Paul warned the Corinthian church with these words, “The Kingdom of God  is not   in word but in POWER (1 Cor. 4:20).  Jesus spoke an even more urgent word to His 12 disciples.  He commanded that they “Carry” the gospel to the whole world, but at the same time He knew they did not have the power to do so.  So He commanded that they first  “Tarry” in prayer so they could “Carry” the good news to the world (Luke 24:49ff).  They obeyed and we read the glorious Saga of Evangelism in the Book of Acts, which is a misnomer, for this book is not the Acts of the Apostles, but the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles.  The disciples gave testimony of this reality when they returned from their first missionary journey.  Acts 14:27, “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

  1. The Apostles “TARRIED” in Prayer
    1. 10 days
    2. In one place – Upper Room (Acts 1:13)
    3. In one Accord
  2. They Received The Power at Pentecost
    1. In one place (Acts 2:1)
    2. With one accord (Acts 2:1
  3. They Were Baptized by The Holy Spirit into The Body of Christ (Acts 2:1)
    1. The Holy Spirit had been with them before Pentecost (John 14:17)
    2. But now He is indwelling them (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
  4. They Were “Filled” or Completely Controlled by The Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). Note: “The Baptism of the Spirit means that I belong to His Body.  The Fullness of the Spirit means that my body belongs to Him.” (Warren Wiersbe).
  5. They Prayed in “One Accord” – the Greek Homothumadon, meaning “One Mind.” This word occurs 5 times in the first 5 chapters of Acts, showing the absolute necessity for unity if the Holy Spirit would work in mighty power.
    1. They prayed not for their comfort but that they might have power to speak the gospel in the midst of persecution (Acts 4:23-33).
    2. The place was shaken
    3. Everybody refilled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31)
    4. They all keep witnessing (Acts 4:31).
  6. Ananias and Sapphira lied about their giving.
    1. They were struck dead by the Holy Spirit.
    2. The church was so holy that a lie could not live in the congregation (Acts 5).
  7. The Church Exploded in Growth (Acts 6:7)
    1. The Word of God flourished (Acts 6:7)
    2. Multitudes saved (Acts 5:14)
    3. Many Jewish priest were born again – an unprecedented miracle. (Acts 6:7)
  8. The Lay People “Went Everywhere” GOSSIPING the Gospel(Acts 8:4) Jesus had made this promise in His very last word to His disciples in Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  Note:  These words were not a command but a positive, indicative statement, “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will witness to the world.” “My people will be willing in the day of His power.” (Psalm 110:3)
  9. The Mother Church in Jerusalem Lost Its Power, and God raised up a new church at Antioch in Pisidia dominated by the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13).
    1. Membership consisted of the highest to the lowest, the rich, the powerful, the poor, and the white and black. Mention is made of “Simeon,” who was called “Niger,” meaning black.  Not trace of racial prejudice.
    2. Thus, “They were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26).
    3. They ministered unto the Lord in prayer and fasting.(Acts 13:1-2)
    4. Both the church and the Holy Spirit sent Paul and Barnabas into the first mission field. “A church is not great because of its seating capacity but because of its sending power.” (Rick Warren)
  10. All Churches Were at “Peace” Because They Enjoyed “The Comfort” of The Holy Spirit.   (Acts 9:31) What a contrast to many churches today which find themselves in inner turmoil.  Why?  Because they lack the wonderful “Comfort” of the Holy Spirit.
  11. God’s people were eventually described by an unbelieving world in these complimentary words “The People Who Turned the World Upside Down.” (Acts 17:6)
    1. Why do I share this story?  Because the Holy Spirit has deeply stirred my soul to see the great need of Mentoring Men for the Master, Int’l at this time is POWER.  Just a few years back many people thought of M3 as being “legalistic” and consisting of “self-righteous monks” to quote a dear friend of BB.  But the general impression of M3 has radically changed until most people speak great words to me all the time about M3, but most of these people never submit to the loving discipline of M3 and alas too many attend M3 who cannot  or will not submit.  Thus we are faced with the dilemma of the Corinthian church:  We have a “Good Word” being said about M3, but we need the POWER of the Holy Spirit and the willingness of the people to submit to bring this to pass as He did in the Book of Acts.
  12. Finally, God’s Glorious Promise to Mentoring Men for the Master, Int’l, “My People Will Be Willing in the Day of His Power.” (Psalm 110:3