Dunamis—The
Power of God
By
Pastor Sharron Scott, Let Go and Soar Ministries
April
18, 2015
Strong's
Concordance defines dunamis as “(miraculous) power, might,
strength”
God
our Father-Creator spoke, and the world was formed. He breathed, and
Adam had life, and the breath of God. These actions, the movements of
God are called “DUNAMIS” in Greek.
God
the Son used DUNAMIS on earth when breathing life into the
dead, healing the sick and delivering the oppressed and possessed. He
exhibited this power when suffering and dying on the cross. His very
blood carries this power. Indeed, his name alone bears it.
He
rose from the dead, entered hell, obtained the keys to life and
death, and returned to heaven by this power. He returned to earth and
ate, drank and prayed amongst his beloved by this power.
In
Acts 1:4-5, Jesus told his apostles “Do not leave Jerusalem, but
wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak
about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be
baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Why?
In
Acts 2:1-47 we read the account of Pentecost, where the beloved were
doing what they were commanded; waiting in the Upper Room for the
gift of God. Not knowing what specifically this was, or when exactly
it would happen, or what it would be like, they obeyed. What ensued
was the most amazing experience any group of humans could ever have--
a powerful encounter with the DUNAMIS
of God, His Holy Spirit. They were spiritually set on fire and
breathed into, and began to speak as they never had before. God's
Holy Spirit, and his power, now lived in them. The sound was so
mighty that people could hear it from far away. Suddenly, our words
had power.
Standing with his
brothers, Peter, for the first time in his life, stepped into the
forefront and preached his first sermon. In Acts 2:14 we read a most
eloquent account of what more than 3000 people were seeing and
hearing. He miraculously connects the experience with scripture he
has known most of his life-- Joel 2:28-32, and Psalm 16:8-11. He
declares the glory of God through Jesus Christ's life, death,
resurrection and ascension.
He
brings to the crowd's attention that they,
the people
crucified Christ. This horrified the people, and caused them to ask
what they should do! They did not want to stay as they were. Peter
brought them to receive Christ right then and there, telling them
that they will receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit. He would live in them. He
also told them that “The Promise is for you and your children and
for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
“Will call” indicating future action by God. This was for all
people, forever.
If
we refer back to Peter's recital of Joel 2:28-32, we will realize
what exactly that means. Men and women, and children as well will
receive the DUNAMIS,
the Holy Spirit of God. About
3000 of them accepted his message and immediately became members of
the body of Christ. And they took this home to their families.
Remember, Peter said it was for their children and all people!
When
a people carry within them the DUNAMIS
of God, the Holy Spirit, what
does that mean? We know that God is the same yesterday, today and
always. We know that what God does for one, he intends to continue
doing for others. He would NOT give this DUNAMIS,
this
gift of the Holy Spirit to more than 3000 people, after telling them
through Peter, that it was “for all whom the Lord our God will
call” and then never do it again.
God
desires that all shall be saved. ALL. Would he withhold his DUNAMIS
gift from some, and only give it to others? That makes no sense. Not
when we read Peter's words. God our Father NEVER reneges on his
promises, never misleads, never plays favorites, never lies. You can
be assured what he gave to the apostles, the 3000, their families,
and others, he
also intends for you.
Why?
Well, to answer that we need to go back to the Garden of Eden. In
Genesis we learn that mankind began making ungodly decisions that
have adversely affected God's once-perfect creation, the earth and
it's people. BUT because of his love for us, he planned for our
redemption through the shed blood of his only son Jesus, and through
that sacrifice the gift of his Holy Spirit, his DUNAMIS
power. The pure expression of his love.
You ask again, why would
God do this? By giving us this DUNAMIS POWER, he has
equipped us with everything we need to repair the damage we have done
to this world. John 3:16 begins “For God so loved
the world....” We make the mistake of time and time again crying
out to God to fix our world, and clean up our mistakes. Just as in
the Garden we had to pay the consequences for our poor choices, we
have to do that now. WE are responsible for the restoration of the
earth and God's people. And this we cannot do on our own, with our
own capabilities. History has shown that.
Now let's understand one
thing very clearly: this is not about the power of mankind. This is
not about us being filled with power to use for anything we want. We
have a great deal to learn before God will use ANY of us. And that's
the point. The Dunamis gift is an open channel by which God uses us,
his creation, to do his will here on earth, not like the 80s cartoon
characters Pinky and the Brain, who wanted to “take over the
world!”
What do we need to do?
First, we must totally and completely surrender our hearts, minds,
bodies and spirits to God. We must ask him to separate us from our
sin, and ask for forgiveness. We must REPENT, which means change our
way of thinking. And we must BELIEVE that the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus was for US. We must BELIEVE what scripture
teaches. We cannot serve God without total surrender. That takes
TRUST in God's love for us. We must trust him enough to lay down our
lives for him, accept his perfect will for us, and then become
obedient to his will. Even to death. Stepping out, taking risks,
WITHOUT THE FEAR OF MAN. What does that mean?
Fear of man means you
don't want to rock the boat, so you live a “normal” life, hoping
that God can use that in some way to bless someone. Because if you
step out in faith and witness to someone, or declare healing for
them, or speak an affirming word over them, they might run in the
opposite direction. Or you might be ostracized. You think “No, God
can use me in my everyday life, without me taking risks.” Or “If
I take a risk I might blow the only chance I have with that person to
witness for Christ.” Or, “I received Christ. Now all I really
have to do is be a good person until I die and go to heaven.”
One thing I have learned
is that the Word of God does not EVER return void. And any word
spoken for him is his word. He can use even our stumbling, bumbling
attempts to make HUGE changes in someone, reaching even the most
desperately lost people. It is HIS power, not ours. That's a fact.
Oh, it may not be apparent to you immediately, but your words on
behalf of Christ speak life into each person EVERY TIME. It may not
take root and grow for years, but you must have faith that God is at
work through you. Don't be selfish enough to think you need to see
results each time. God knows what he's doing. And he's always doing.
If you are having
difficulty believing this whole thing, I would venture to say you
have never recognized or experienced a miracle in your life. A
healing. A deliverance. A shocking move of God. OR you have, but have
been blind. Pray for God to open your eyes and heart today, and you
will begin to see his DUNAMIS. This I promise.
If we, the Body of
Christ, do not step out, take up the authority given us by Christ
through his torture, death and resurrection, and receive the DUNAMIS
power of the Holy Spirit and utilize it in our own lives and the
lives of others, Christ died for nothing. We have failed to take the
responsibility of cleaning up our own mess. And we dishonor God.
And, in my question that
shocks many, I ask “What if Jesus is waiting for us to finally get
this before he returns?”
We MUST confess our sins,
repent, surrender, accept our authority as given by Jesus in Matthew
28:18, our Great Commission. We must receive the DUNAMIS power
of the Holy Spirit, and the responsibility to use it to carry out
that commission. We must heal each other and this world. We can
minimize drastically the number of people that have to experience the
Great Tribulation, spoken of in the book of Revelation. We can become
the New Jerusalem.
What are you waiting for,
an act of God? Well, we've already received that if we have received
Christ. I can assure you, we have nothing left to wait for. God has
done everything.
God is just waiting on
us. When you die and go to heaven, and sit and talk with Jesus about
your life, you will not be able to say “I didn't know!” Now you
do know. What will you do with this knowledge? I personally intend to
follow God's lead and obediently do whatever he calls us to do to
change this town, this county, this state, this country, this world.
It may not look like much at first, but it will happen-- in a mighty
wave!.
Allow yourself the luxury
of imagination for a moment: what if (and we are talking God's what
if) every one of us made this decision? Immediately? And began to
walk it out in our own homes, and lives? What would our towns look
like? What would change? I'd personally like to see this. You see,
when we gather together --“whenever two or more gather
together.....” the DUNAMIS POWER is multiplied. More love,
more power. It starts with YOUR choice. Don't wait for someone else
to do it. It is YOUR responsibility.
God didn't give this gift
to you to keep for yourself. He never does. He gives you gifts to
give to others. But you can't give what you haven't received. Won't
you receive him today?
If you have not yet done
so, or if you'd like to re-affirm your vow to him, I invite you to
pray this prayer with me:
“Great and glorious
Father God, Majesty, I love you. I believe in you, and I thank you
for creating me. I am grateful to be living in this moment right now.
I believe that mankind
sinned, creating a separation between you and me. And I believe you
love me so much that you sacrificed your only son Jesus on my behalf.
I believe he was tortured to heal my sicknesses, he died on the cross
as a substitute for my sin. Because whenever mankind sinned,
something had to die. He died to create the everlasting covenant
between me and you.
I believe that Jesus rose
from the dead, and captured the keys to life and death from hell. He
ascended to be seated at your right hand. And I believe he made it
possible through his life and death, for me to receive your DUNAMIS
POWER, your Holy Spirit.
I believe I have now
received that power, the Holy Spirit, as I have received Jesus Christ
as my personal Savior now and forever.
I surrender my life to
you now, and will walk in obedience to your will and your Word. Show
me what that looks like, dear Father. I long to do my part to change
this world, to honor you.
Thank you, Lord. Amen
If you prayed that
prayer, or one like it, I believe you have received Christ, and the
Holy Spirit, the DUNAMIS of God. This won't take all of your
problems away or mean life will always be easy, but realize that God
loves you and will NEVER leave you. The life of a follower of Jesus
is challenging, and He is worth it. Surround yourself with powerful
people who will lift you up and show you who you are in God's eyes.
As for the rest of us who
have already received Christ and the Holy Spirit, again I ask, what
are you waiting for? POWER UP! Step out! Take risks! After all, no
matter what you do, it's not dying on the cross.
Bless God and each other.
And let there be peace on earth. Amen.
