The Book of Acts Has No Amen: Seven Purposes of God's Power

Sermon outline

We serve a supernatural God who still hears and acts today, and His supernatural power is given for clear purposes: to shape our character, empower our prayer and service, give us victory over sin and Satan, and achieve great results in a short time.

1. We serve a supernatural God, not a religious one

   Responding to the testimony, he says we should appreciate life and thank God every day. He was born again supernaturally, and when he left secular work to run the church they saw breathtaking miracles in crusades and church plants. The miracles of the book of Acts are still happening wherever God's children are blessed, so never lose hope.

   Illustration: At crusades in the City Hall, the lame walked, the blind saw and the deaf heard. He recalls a woman he prayed for who later had the titanium screws removed from her back because she had been healed, and who brought the screws to church to show everyone.

   “The book of Acts does not have an amen at the end. It's still being written today.”

2. The day the sun stood still

   Joshua, Moses' helper, was a man like us with a supernatural God. In the middle of a battle he needed more daylight, so he spoke to the sun and the moon, and they stood still about a full day; there has never been a day like it, when the Lord listened to a human being. When Moses, Joshua, the apostles and believers today speak, God hears.

   Illustration: Science tells us the earth spins at about 1,000 miles an hour, so God effectively stopped the earth's rotation, yet there were no earthquakes and no disaster.

   “Other people may have not heard, but God hears.”

   • Joshua 10:12-14

3. Ask for more

   Jesus said to ask in His name so our joy may be full. It takes the same energy to ask for a little as for more, and asking big is not greed when you are seeking first the kingdom. We are the seed of Abraham, the man of faith, and faith pleases God because it makes a demand on His ability.

   “Doubt gives God displeasure, but faith gives Him pleasure.”

   • John 14:14
   • John 16:24
   • Matthew 6:33
   • Isaiah 51:1-2
   • Hebrews 11:6

4. 1. The formation and edification of Christian character

   God never creates anything at random; His power has clear objectives. Character cannot be changed by personal ideas, philosophies or natural wisdom, but by believing God and asking for His supernatural power.

   “There's a supernatural wisdom that is higher than natural wisdom.”

5. 2. The development of an effective prayer life

   Pray specifically instead of rambling. When the pressures of life hit, the flesh does not feel like praying because the mind is fixed on the problem; step back, remember you are a child of the Most High God, and ask Him to change the situation.

   “We mustn't ramble. We must be specific.”

   • Matthew 26:41

6. 3. The fulfilment of ministerial functions to serve God

   Serving God is impossible in our own strength. The church belongs to Christ, the chief Shepherd and cornerstone; pastors are under-shepherds. Religion cannot change the inner person, but the Holy Spirit gives power, breaks chains and leads us to the right doors.

   Illustration: Peter was set free from prison; it will be the Holy Spirit who sets you free and gives you the right keys.

   “Serving God is impossible if we depend on our own strength.”

   • Acts 12:5-11

7. 4. Victory over sin

   We overcome sin only by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit; otherwise sin rules over us. In the old covenant sin was covered, but in the new covenant it is removed. God has anointed you for a purpose.

   “In the new covenant, sin is not covered, it is removed.”

8. 5. Defeating Satan and his demons

   There are two kingdoms at war, darkness and light. Jesus has already defeated Satan, and by faith and God's power believers overcome his temptations: submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee.

   “You have God's power.”

   • James 4:7

9. 6. An obedient heart

   Paul would speak only of what Christ had done through him. We cannot win people by human reasoning alone; back everything with prayer and ask God to guide you before the boardroom presentation or the target you must meet.

   “Go on your knees and ask God.”

   • Romans 15:18

10. 7. The ability to achieve great results in a short time

    He answered the call to ministry at about 40, after twenty years in secular work, and felt he had lost years compared with those who went to Bible school young. God told him He would redeem the time, and the ministry's growth has astounded even senior ministers. The secret is obedience to the Spirit of God.

    Illustration: With just 40 people, the church went on television with one camera and one light, the second church in Durban on TV. When his late friend Pastor Barry Ryan asked him the secret, he said he had simply learnt to be obedient to the Spirit of God.

    “I've just learned to be obedient to the Spirit of God.”