Manna in the Morning a Dynamite God
E.A. Johnston emphasizes that believers serve a powerful, dynamite God who empowers through the Holy Spirit, urging Christians to rely on this divine power rather than worldly methods to live bold, impactful lives.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston challenges believers to recognize the power of the dynamite God they serve, emphasizing the vital role of the Holy Spirit in empowering the church. Drawing from Acts 4:31, Johnston highlights the boldness of the early apostles and calls modern Christians to abandon reliance on worldly methods in favor of Spirit-led living. This message inspires a renewed commitment to prayer, bold witness, and dependence on God's empowering presence.
Full Transcript
Hello friends, this is manna in the morning and our devotion today is a dynamite god. Our scripture passage is found in the book of Acts in chapter 4 and verse 31. We see in God's word, And when they had prayed, the place was shaken, where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
The greatly used preacher, Vance Havner, once said, If we serve such a dynamite God, then how come we are living such firecracker lives? In our passage today, we see the apostolic church on fire for God as they pray fervently and shake a place with the power of God on them through the Holy Ghost who enabled them to preach with boldness. I believe, friends, that God will give as much of his spirit to those who are willing to give much of themselves to him. I agree with Vance Havner that we do indeed serve a dynamite God and we have access to dunamis power by his spirit.
Well, if this is the case, then why are so many Christians living firecracker lives? There can only be one answer to the question, why has the church lost her power? The answer lies in the reality that the church has forsaken the third person of the Trinity, replacing him with programs, money, and man-centered methodologies. Our reliance today is one of self rather than reliance upon the Holy Spirit to empower us to pray, preach, and witness with an endowment from on high. Great God, you are a dynamite God, empower us by your spirit so we can live dynamite lives and witness for you with boldness and go out and shake this world for you and for the sake of the gospel, I pray in the strong name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the dynamite God concept
- Scripture focus: Acts 4:31 and the early church's boldness
- Quote from Vance Havner on living firecracker lives
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II
- The power of the Holy Spirit in the apostolic church
- The relationship between prayer and spiritual empowerment
- The call to receive and rely on the Spirit's dunamis power
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III
- Reasons for the church's lost power today
- Critique of replacing the Holy Spirit with programs and man-centered methods
- The need for renewed reliance on the Holy Spirit
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IV
- Prayer for empowerment by the Spirit
- Encouragement to live dynamite lives for Christ
- Call to bold witness and shaking the world for the gospel
Key Quotes
“If we serve such a dynamite God, then how come we are living such firecracker lives?” — E.A. Johnston
“God will give as much of his spirit to those who are willing to give much of themselves to him.” — E.A. Johnston
“Great God, you are a dynamite God, empower us by your spirit so we can live dynamite lives and witness for you with boldness.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Commit daily to seeking the Holy Spirit's empowerment through prayer and surrender.
- Evaluate and reduce reliance on programs or self-effort, focusing instead on Spirit-led ministry.
- Live boldly in faith, sharing the gospel with confidence and spiritual power.