Power

EMG radio for today's culture and timeless truths come together, it's reasonable relevant content apologetics worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know from Alex McFarland evangelistic ministries welcome to truth for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in 50 states and 50 days speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarland, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria. The uttermost parts of the earth without very famous first acts one verse eight. I welcome you to this edition of truth for a new generation hi Alex McFarland here in this program.

I'm going to talk about power POW ER. The five or six ways that the believer in Jesus Christ has yes power, and I welcome you to the program I was reading an article this week about how people increasingly are feeling powerless, powerless into the economy is struggling and there are, in many school districts, arguments and fights of remote learning and teachers don't want students in the classroom or they do want students in the district won't let them come in their fisticuffs and physical altercations on airplane flights and the store shelves are empty and grocery stores throughout our nation's capital, and on the West Coast and people are asking when are things going to get back to normal. One of the major news anchors this past week on air said that she was quote weary, so weary of coven and we all can relate to that. I'm sure will. I want to remind you at a time when people are struggling and people are feeling increasing levels of desperation that in all areas and at all times. The church of Jesus Christ has power.

You don't need to succumb to fear and anxiety and just stress and the these feelings of hopelessness, you don't. We have power now, it's interesting.

The Bible uses the word power, especially in the New Testament. Speaking of spirit indwelt followers of Christ more than 200 times more than 200 times we read about the church having power in their two words we've taught on this many times, but the word authority power in the word ability, power, Matthew 28, 18 to 20.

Christ has risen. He's ascending back to heaven he gives the church that famous great commission go into all the world make disciples of all nations and Jesus says all power in heaven and earth belongs to me and the war there for jurisdiction. It's really ability power. In essence, Jesus Christ has he left this world as he commissioned his church to take the gospel around the world.

He deputized his followers he says I give you this authority, power, and so when you go out into this world. You are on God's turf. You don't have to be shy. You don't have to cower back and fear you are representing the King of Kings, the Lord of lords. We have authority power. But we also have ability, power. I do remember verses like acts 542. This is daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Now, how could they do that well because they had power acts one verse eight, the Holy Spirit had empowered the church and if you're a believer, I want to say that very same power that very same Holy Spirit is yours. Do you know at the moment of salvation. You are imparted with spiritual gifts. Now, what are they spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities things that you can do for God that you otherwise couldn't of done skills and strengths you otherwise wouldn't of had now know believer has all of the spiritual gifts, but every believer has one or more spiritual gifts you have power, you really do you know the psalmist and some 119 verse 99 says quote I have more insight than all my teachers for I meditate on your statutes with insight we have wisdom we have knowledge, not just intelligence but actual wisdom because the spirit of God dwells within us as believers because the truth of Scripture God's eternal word is in our mind.

So I want to talk about that the powers that you've got even in this time that that the church sure I understand America right now is probably in the most tenuous dire position. It's ever been in in any of our lifetimes. You know people are reporting that they've they've got trouble. Men managing their emotions and their moods, even, difficulty concentrating, right now, loss of interest in this hopelessness. People are feeling the loss of interest in there. Things usually that they be passionate about all over people of many ages are experiencing a restlessness and jumpiness doctors reporting more and more cases of muscle tension and pain and sleep problems.

That's one of the big challenges of our time right now people are not resting well and I understand if you're watching the news here.

You're obviously concerned about this world and about this country.

But I want to talk about the areas I think it should be very encouraging to all of us that we have power friend you are not in a vulnerable position right now.

If you're a believer if you're a Christian, your follower of Jesus, you are not vulnerable when the expected number one power we have power regarding the assurance of where we stand with God is not something to have assurance about your relationship with God and you know the Bible says that if we at first on 51 if we believe that Jesus is the son of God. We put our faith in Jesus. We are a child of God and over and over.

We've shared verses about how you can have assurance if you're a born-again believer then you can have assurance and that's the most important thing of all, not where the economy is headed. Although that is important not even about the future state of my physical health. Although that's important. The greatest power is to know that you have a right relationship with Almighty God and death when it comes when you leave this world you step into eternity, you will be ready. First John 513 these things were written to you who believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know you have eternal life K NOW that's certainty.

When we come back after this brief break.

I'm going to give you for other areas for you if you're a believer you have power. The apostle Peter wrote first Peter to remind us that Christians have true and lasting hope in their Savior Jesus Christ. Because Jesus conquered death in an incorruptible glorified body. We can be sure that our salvation is permanence. As we walk through everyday life, the Billy Graham training center at the Cove presents Jesus Christ hope that lives hope that lasts for every believer.

A special three day seminar with Alex McFarland.

Alex will dig into first Peter to help you gain truths delivered by an assurance to keep going come to the Cove near Asheville, North Carolina July 8-10 for three days of in-depth Bible study fellowship and refreshing Jesus Christ hope that lives hope that lasts for every believer. A study of first Peter with Alex McFarland. Find out more and register@thecove.org wanted to raise your hand during the sermon will use your chance hi Alex McFarland here from the nationally syndicated radio program exploring for more than 10 years.

My cousin was Harper and I have taught Scripture and answered hundreds of vital questions. We've compiled a brand-new book of the top 100 Bible questions from listeners of all ages from questions about supposing Bible contradictions to apologetics facts that prove the truths of Scripture. This new book features practical content that will make the Bible come alive for you.

Can we really be sure that God exists there contradictions in the Bible Bosque that will help me understand the Bible better.

There's so much good content in this book 1 Bible questions and answers published by Broad Street publishers and available at your local bookstores and also through resources.AFA.net for apologetics, resources, books by Alex McFarland and to find out where Alex is speaking. Visit Alex McFarland.com well-connected program were talking about how the believer has power and can be confident in that Alex McFarland just wanted that your listening unit. It was a Athenian general lived about five centuries before the birth of Christ.

His name was Thucydides. You might've heard of Thucydides. He talked about courage. He said the secret to happiness is freedom and the secret to freedom is courage a friend isn't liberating and that you feel empowered to know that God is in control, that that was one of the great secrets of our nation that we had freedom we had liberty and we were a courageous people and innovative people of creative people. America achieved great things because we had liberty but our confidence was not in our own abilities, but in God and the founders up through the modern era. Many leaders and elected officials in our most beloved artists and and public figures. They were quick to say that the secret of their success was the blessing of God. The secret of this country was the Lord in his favor. Abraham Lincoln said that we had been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven, but we had forgotten God and periodically through our nation's history when we needed reminders the Lord and people who spoke for God would call America back to the source of our blessings God we need to do that again you see that the Judeo-Christian moral code.

The Mosaic law, the 10 Commandments that was the bedrock of our government, our education and our culture. We've abandoned that John Dewey has been called the father of modern public education. John Dewey ridiculed not only the idea of moral truth that was applicable to everybody but God itself, and John Dewey would would say there is no God, there is no soul. There is no natural law there. Dewey once said this we know law and this is the one that is the Godfather of modern public education. John Dewey said, quote there is no God, there is no soul.

Hence, there is no need for the props of traditional religion with dogma and creed excluded immutable truth is dead and buried, said John Dewey. There is no room for fixed natural law or permanent moral absolutes" now that right there is the worldview problem that we face and part of the reason that people feel powerless and they are afraid. And people seem to not know what to do and even our elected officials really don't get what America is about. It's because we had now eight or nine decades of generations of American young people, the majority of whom sat under this type of philosophical education node no God, no soul. In other words, no intrinsic value to the human life, no creed, no dogma and and that's no doctrine God truth, Scripture, morality, accountability, and there is no natural law. That's what we abort babies and we we teach children transgender is him against what we know in our heart is right and no moral absolutes, it's no wonder people are afraid.

But I'm here to say that if you're believer, you have power.

The number one most fundamental empowering truth of life is the power that comes from knowing where you stand with God. Secondly, you have the power analysis you have the power if you're a Christian to understand the world and history itself.

See history comes alive once you realize that world history is really salvation history and current events are really eschatological history. Know what I mean because if you know your theological terms, eschatology is the future future events right in times so this might sound like contradictory eschatological history is history's past eschatology is future but hang on. Here's the thing unfolding prophecy is daily, turning into present reality.

And then once it's done. It is history, so you don't really get or comprehend or grasp what's going on in the world without a knowledge of scriptural history and as a Christian we know the Bible says the world has a problem called sin. There was a fall and everything that's been going on since Genesis 3 is God's great work of salvation, God raised up the nation of Israel, through whom to send the Messiah Jesus is prophesied coming was right on schedule. He rose from the dead. The church was born the gospel when around the world Europe emerged in the Western world that was largely Christianized by the 600s to the 1100s while the Western world was built on the law of God. And then there was in the Eastern world. The emergence of Islam in the centuries of battles and struggle that would happen in the holy land and in North Africa and Morocco and Turkey in places like that. But meanwhile, in the West. Christendom was built and then finally when they are needed to be a revival 500 years ago plus was the Protestant Reformation and then the colonists came over here to North America and the USA was formed in the USA begin to be the great missionary light to the world see one of the real empowering things of being a Christian is that you you have the power to understand history and as a corollary to that you have the power to understand life you have that many an atheist say to me well you know I don't believe in God because this world is so messed up I say so if there is no God. Is there an ultimate moral code and the atheist will say of course not. So is there anything ultimately good, or ultimately evil and they'll say no, well, if there is no God and there is no good. It really makes no sense to condemn things that you think are quote unquote bad seek without God. You cannot really make a meaningful assessment of what life is all about. But if you're a believer and you know there's a God and yes, he loves the world, so much so that he sent his son Jesus, but there are tears and there are pains in there's brokenness and it's a fallen world.

Listen, you can comprehend life. The meaning of life is to know Christ and you you grow and you experience God's faithfulness you as a Christian, have the power to understand history. You got the power to comprehend life and you've got the power to live every moment of every day an absolute assurance of where you stand with God G and G radio send your kids to a summer camp that will change their lives for the gospel and equip them to defend the faith truth for a new generation presents the unashamed biblical worldview can go deeper with God at the refuge Of Eastern North Carolina July 17-22 through 12th graders will hear from evangelist apologist Dr. Alex McFarland as well as conference speakers, profamily activist and radio hosts will and Mickey Addison from American family radio as they share with your kids ways to effectively engage and transform the culture. Campers will also enjoy swimming, canoeing, fishing, soccer, volleyball, archery, and a whole lot a great summer camp of fun and building the TNG unashamed can July 17-27 at the refuge cabin Carolina to learn more and to register, visit Alex Farland.com are you tired of liberal agendas ruining our country but you don't know what to do about it. That's why truth and liberty coalition was founded. We want to equip you to take back our country and impact the world.

Here's how we do it educate broadcasts conferences in our website resources that form equip and motivate unified by collaborating with like-minded organizations like the family research Council, the family policy and my mobilize by providing practical tools you can use to impact your local community as Christians we are called to make disciples of together can change the course of our country for good joint truth and liberty to connect with believers in organizations not only want to see change in our nation but a community that is actually doing something about it. Join us online for our broadcast describe the relevant updates on our website. Truth and liberty.net in the midst of a culture obsessed with relativism.

Alex McFarland is a voice you can trust to speak the timeless truths of Christianity in a timely way. You're listening to the truth for a new generation radio well-connected program Alex McFarland here. We can attest about the power that you have as a child of the King. I do want to remind everybody I'll be at the code, the Billy Graham training Center in Asheville July 8-10.

I want you to be there so it's going to be great. Were going to study the book of first Peter, wonderful accommodations, incredible food, and you will be there and you can join with us with people from all over North America.

As we fellowship. Enjoy time together and the Lord great worship and I'm sure as she usually is. Gigi Graham will probably be there and will Graham and will hear some incredible things about the ministry of Billy Graham and Samaritans purse and so be there July 8-10 will study the book of first Peter will pray together will fellowship together and will grow close to each other and close to the Lord.

The other thing I want to remind you of this is big. Folks are annual summer youth camp truth for a new generation ministries. It's going to be July 17-22. Where were going to be just about an hour east of Raleigh's very easy to get to. You can drive you can fly right now I have space for about 30 females and 30 males middle school, high school and the theme this year is unashamed building your biblical worldview. I want your teens to be there, folks. I say this invest a week that will count for a lifetime that will do all the fun camp things, you know, hiking and fishing and ropes course, horseback riding, swimming, all of those great things campfires and roasting marshmallows. But I'll be there. Will and Mickey Addison. Great music, great speakers and were going to talk to your young people about loving God and country, and let me just say this folks, we need some people to scholarship should some young people we've never ever ever turned away youth for it for money. If you feel led to help us were passing the baton of faith to young people. You can go on our newly redesigned website. The brand-new Alex McFarland.com website. It's awesome. We got my travel calendar is on there as your hearing this, I am in Dallas Texas for sanctity of human life. Sunday were doing the Sunday night event with first Baptist Dallas is wonderful, but please so many wonderful things are going on, not the least of which is our summer biblical worldview camp and so go online pray for us support as you feel so led and bring your youth one youth or an entire church youth group. We want to take them through a journey of what it means to stand strong for Jesus Christ and I thank you for your prayers and your interest but at a time when many in our country feel powerless talking about the fact that you have power. Power in your relationship with God. Reassurance you've got insight to understand history, to comprehend life. Think about this, to comprehend life. God never abandons us. Bob says he will never leave us or forsake us. We understand life even when those around us fall away, disappoint us, let us down. Maybe even when we stumble and we backslide look. We know that for the Christian, there's always restoration.

The Bible says his mercies are new every morning. And so one of the great empowering things for the Christian is that we understand life now.

Do you know what, we also have power to overcome our past. I jokingly say sometimes in a way human beings we have more baggage than Samsonite but do you know what your past can be healed in Jesus Christ. One of the verses we've shared so many times. Joel 225 God restores the years the locust has eaten. Maybe you've got years that you just wish you could even forget talk to Christ about it.

Lay it before Jesus and say God healed my emotions. Please heal my mind and now you've gotta prime the pump. You've got to forgive and there things you have to let go of and their habits that that you know are not pleasing to the Lord, and you need to admit that an own up to the things in your own heart and soul that you need to change but you can you can be victorious in your life and you can be set free from painful things from the past and you know what. Also along these lines, you've got the power to stay hopeful in the present. Isn't that great in I came up if you know our family's history. We had debilitating financial problems, bankruptcies, a farm family in rural North Carolina. My mom and dad there in heaven now seems like growing up. They were always fighting about money.

It was not fun and that the bank came to put us out of our house and they had to sell off all the furniture and we slept on the floor in an empty house and I remember on the front porch when they came to repossess the house and put us on the street. I was just a little boy. My mother was crying in and shouting at the man from the bank and it was not a time of hope for our family. Do you know what happened. My mother and dad were watching Charles Stanley on TV. Charles Stanley's probably on today and they came in and they said they told my sister and me that they recommitted their lives to Christ, and we prayed over the checkbook that things didn't turn around overnight. We didn't. The next morning have a windfall of money. But you know what we had suddenly is our family, finances, baggage and all years of struggle and dysfunction and arguing and fighting and screaming.

We came to Christ and related before Jesus and suddenly guess what we had we had hope you know what you have power to understand what the future holds. Dena Jesus said to his disciples in Mark 13. He said see I have told you all things and you can know what the future holds because you're Christian you know in the communist takeover of China. The story is told of a Chinese pastor being tortured and one of the Communists were beating this pastor within an inch of his life and in the tortures that where is your God now was your all-powerful God and day after day.

The soldier would beat the pastor and said I you have no power, and the pastor would whisper. I have power, I have power and that the demand torturing them sit how you have power pastor said I have power to love you and the soldier was broken and ultimately become a Christian friend. You have power. Jesus is as close buys a prayer I hope today rather than fill power less you embrace the one who had power over death and the grave, and who stands ready to forgive you, restore you and empower you today Jesus turned to him now.

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