POWER PLANTS [A Christmas in July Message]

LUKE 1:1-15

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE POWER OF INSPIRATION [v. 1-4]

 

1. Better Than Eyewitnesses [v. 1-2, 2 Peter 1:15-21]

 

Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

2. Better Than Earthly Understanding [v. 3, anothen Jn. 3:3, 31, 19:11, James 1:17, 3:15-17]

 

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly , and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

 

3. Better Than Erstwhile Education [v. 4, 1 Jn. 5:9-13]

 

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

II. THE POWER OF PRAYER [v. 5-7]

 

1. Greatest Access involves Being Saved [v. 5-6a, James 5:16]

 

… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

2. Greatest Access involves Being Surrendered [v. 6b]

3. Greatest Access involves Being Specific [v. 7, 13]

 

III. THE POWER OF PURPOSE [v. 8-25]

 

1. God Uses Busy Imperfect People [v. 8-10]

 

2. God Uses Angels [v. 11-20, Hebrews 1:14]

 

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

 

3. God Uses His Plan [v. 15-25, Jeremiah 29:11]

 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: