Hi! My name is Miisu Piipari.
Today we will talk about God's supernatural power.
Let's see first what happens in Luke chapter 1, verse 35.
"And the angel answered and said to her, -
'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, -
and the power [dunamis] of the Highest will overshadow you; -
therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.'"
The Greek word for power, dunamis, means strength, -
ability to do miracles, moral strength and excellence of soul.
So we see that when the Holy Spirit overshadows us, -
He creates life, God's power and supernatural miracles.
Jesus came into the world not only to proclaim the Gospel -
but also to do a lot of supernatural miracles.
In the Bible we can read of many different healing and food miracles.
Actually apostle John says at the end of his Gospel -
about all the works of Jesus as follows, John 21:25 -
"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, -
which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself -
could not contain the books that would be written."
I don't know about you but I feel like wow, wonder what all Jesus did -
even in addition to the Bible stories? One day in Heaven we'll find out.
However, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God's power, -
and we are witnesses of His salvation work, everyone of us.
Already the fact that our soul is saved tells about God's supernatural power.
Many also have the baptism of the Spirit, the tongues or spiritual gifts -
that talk about God's supernatural power -
that we simply cannot achieve by ourselves.
It's the sovereign work of the Spirit. He chooses which gifts He gives.
They are His gifts and He manifests them through us.
We all have a revelation of Jesus already through our salvation.
Maybe you think you have nothing and are just an ordinary church member, -
you're not a healing evangelist or a preacher or don't lead people to faith.
But did you know that Jesus inside you and the Holy Spirit disagree with this?
He sees the power He has and trusts firmly in the working of His Spirit.
I believe that God wants to mobilize as many of us as possible -
and make the church of God step out with what we have.
The nature of spiritual gifts is that the more steps of faith you take -
and allow the Holy Spirit to operate in the gifts through you, the gifts grow.
I have also noticed that if I use for example the gift of prophecy -
and it grows and I become wiser by the grace of God, -
I start getting also other gifts like in the parable of the talents.
When you're faithful and operate with what you have, God will give more.
God is looking for people who are able to carry His power.
He wants that we step out, all of us, from the least to the greatest.
You probably remember in the Bible the boy with bread and fish.
Step out with what you have.
The Bible says everyone of us has something to give.
Let's look at 1 Corinthians 14:26. "How is it then, brethren?
Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, -
has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.
Let all things be done for edification."
If we go a bit further, it says in the same chapter, verse 40 -
that all things should be done decently or respectfully and in order.
The Passion Translation says that the Greek word for order, taxis, -
can also be translated as 'battle formation'. Think about that.
So when we step out with what we have, -
everyone respecting each other in the love of God -
and operate in accordance with the will of God, -
we become a battle formation in the spiritual world.
Maybe you can visualize it as a big arrowhead.
As you know our battle is not against people but spirits and powers.
It's a bit like attacking the enemy troops with a big arrowhead.
Just imagine what it will achieve. It can be compared to the fact -
that there is a small flame, the Holy Spirit, inside everyone of us, -
and when many small flames come together -
and everyone does what God asks them to do, it creates a huge bonfire.
So don't despise the beginnings of the small days.
The small days are as important as the other days.
If you feel you don't yet know how to do much, look around yourself -
and find people who have the spirit of faith -
and who can lift you up and encourage you -
and have walked ahead of you and can do things you're only growing into.
Search for their company, learn, humble yourself -
and be also willing to do the necessary changes or repentance in your life.
If you must abandon some things -
that take you backwards in the will of God, just leave them.
And I warmly encourage you: you need the shelter of the church.
The authority of the church protects you. Don't stay alone in the wild.
The enemy is looking for lonely sheep that are an easy target.
Come to the church. After COVID many have taken up the habit -
of watching the church services online on YouTube or Facebook -
because they don't feel like going there.
Of course it's good that we have them but I want to say -
that they don't replace going there into the fellowship of the church.
They will give you the Word but you lose meeting with people -
and growing up with them as stone sharpens stone.
You lose learning to forgive and love, to encourage, maybe to prophesy -
and using the gifts God wants to use through you.
If you stay home you will miss a lot of encounters and prayers.
So let the Holy Spirit encourage you to go to church.
Dare to go there. It's totally different than staying at home alone.
Staying at home doesn't obligate you for anything.
You're not commited to the activities nor take part in them.
You're just a passive spectator. It's good to get equipped with the Word -
but the church needs you and what you carry inside of you.
As the times get darker we need even the smallest flame together -
to encourage each other. So I plead your heart.
Use the gifts you have. Dare to step out.
To end with I want to say you -
the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians chapter 13.
Listen to them especially if you think it's you who must achieve all this.
No, it's about the power of Jesus. Paul says this about Jesus.
2 Corinthians, chapter 13 verses four and five.
"For though He was crucified in weakness, -
yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, -
but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?
― unless indeed you are disqualified."
"Unless indeed you are disqualified." It's good to let the Holy Spirit -
to examine you and to show you where He wants to grow your faith.
So it's about something much bigger than a performance done for God.
It's about knowing God's love.
When we have the courage to walk in the steps of faith -
God had prepared for us in advance we have to face ourselves -
and repent of some things God wants us to turn away from -
so that we could receive God's love -
and to know God as a mighty God, a God who helps, -
because the power of God will increase all the time at the end times.
We are those who will do mighty works, signs and wonders, -
but we have to start somewhere, so start now from what you have.
Ask God. Go into prayer and ask Him what you can do.
Walk faithfully in those steps even if sometimes it feels you can't make it.
God loves you anyway and sees every attempt as an achievement.
Be blessed.
The purpose of all the Pearls from the Word episodes is to teach, -
give strength, encourage, lift up and bring people closer to Jesus.
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I want to bless your gifts and prayers and thank you. God bless you.
English translation: Anni Lähteenmäki / TV7