Source of Power
God Himself is the great source of power, and His power is available to us through the Holy Spirit.
James Hudson Taylor emphasizes the truth that power belongs to God, and He demonstrates it according to His sovereign will, not erratically but in alignment with His promises. Despite facing formidable opponents and hindrances, believers can find strength in the Almighty God. Taylor highlights that God's power is not only His possession but also available to His people, who are supernaturally born, sustained, and led by Him. Just as Jesus declared all power given to Him before ascending, believers receive power through the Holy Spirit, who remains with them always.
Text
"God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God" (Ps. 62:11).
God Himself is the great source of power. It is His possession. "Power belongeth unto God", and He manifests it according to His sovereign will. Yet, not in an erratic or arbitrary manner, but according to His declared purpose and promises. True, our opponents and hindrances are many and mighty, but our God, the living God, is Almighty.
Further, God's power is available power. We are supernatural people, born again by a supernatural birth, kept by a supernatural power, sustained on supernatural food, taught by a supernatural Teacher from a supernatural Book. We are led by a supernatural Captain in right paths to assured victories. The risen Saviour, ere He ascended on high, said: 'All power is given unto Me. Go ye therefore".
Again, He said to His disciples: "Ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you". Not many days after this, in answer to united and continued prayer, the Holy Spirit did come upon them, and they were all filled. Praise God, He remains with us still. The power given is not a gift from the Holy Spirit. He Himself is the power. Today He is as truly available, and as mighty in power, as He was on the day of Pentecost. But since the days before Pentecost, has the whole Church ever put aside every other work, and waited upon God for ten days, that that power might be manifested? We have given too much attention to method, and to machinery, and to resources, and too little to the source of power.
Sermon Outline
- God is the Source of Power
- God's Power is Available Power
- The Holy Spirit is the Power
- The Holy Spirit is the power, not just a gift
- The Holy Spirit remains with us today, just as He did on the day of Pentecost
- We are led by a supernatural Captain in right paths to assured victories
Key Quotes
“Power belongeth unto God” — Hudson Taylor
“Ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you” — Hudson Taylor
“All power is given unto Me” — Hudson Taylor
Application Points
- We must focus on the source of power, God Himself, rather than just method and machinery.
- We are supernatural people, born again by a supernatural birth, and we must live accordingly.
- We must wait upon God for power, just as the early Church did on the day of Pentecost.