The Unshakable Hope of Power for Living

(I have) 23 …been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, NIV) 

12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13, NLT)

I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here…until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.(Luke 24:49, NLT)

Key Point: You’ve Got the Power

When you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. (Ephesians 1:13b, NLT)

…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…(Acts 1:8a, NIV)

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(Ephesians 3:14-21, NIV)
 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have been received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.(1 Peter 4:10, NIV) 

Key Point: Power for Living for God

Let’s go back at some verses that we looked at earlier. 

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13, NLT)

I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here…until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.(Luke 24:49, NLT) 

…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; (he goes on and says)and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”(Acts 1:8, NIV)

Key Point: Power Outages 

After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?(Galatians 3:3, NLT)

 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!(Acts 7:51, NIV) 

writes …do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30, NIV) 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29, NIV) 

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3, NIV) 

Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19, NIV) 

…he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness and of the coming judgement. (John 16:8, NLT) 

…keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25, NIV)