Power games

My colleagues at the church today are losing power. I'm safely tucked away in my "other" office at RTS and it occurs to me that as a flurry of e-mails arrive in my inbox warning that "power will be cut off at 3 this afternoon" etc., the whole thing is too scary to contemplate.

Power, do you see, is what every Christian needs. And power is something God promises. Follow me, as we track this thought:

Power is a New Testament word (the Greek is either dunamis, kratos or ischus) with great significance. Jesus told his disciples before his ascension to "wait in the city until you are clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). True enough, "great power" came enabling the disciples to witness boldly (Acts 4:33).

Paul prays for the Roman Christians that "... By the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Rom. 15:13). He reminds the Corinthians that at Corinth he preached Christ crucified "...In demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith... Rest... In the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:4-5).

When beaten down by a "thorn in the flesh" Paul reassured his readers that "my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).

And writing to his beloved Philippians, imprisoned as he was and facing possible execution, he could say "I can do all things [all that God wanted him to do] in him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).

One way or another, power is crucial. Keeping power lines open (dependence on the Holy Spirit that is) ensures vibrant Christianity.

What then of our beloved church this weekend as the power goes down?

What power source will there be when the lights go out?

Prayer!

The Holy Spirit!

The covenant promises of our great God!

Bring it on!