Presented by
PASTOR JIM
MCCOOL, MCCOOL MINISTRIES, INC.,
OKLAHOMA, USA
Zechariah 4.6 So he
answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by
power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
Haggai 1.12-15
God stirred up their spirits to work on the house of the Lord.
About 50,000
Jewish captives had returned to live in Jerusalem. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the
governor, and Joshua the high priest, they began reconstruction of the temple
but experienced opposition from surrounding neighbors. The work stopped for about 12 years. God sends them a prophet to encourage the
completion of the work.
What God has begun He will finish! Phil
1.6.
Is God stirring up your spirit? How are you with God’s work? Have you become discouraged or
lethargic? Have you thought about
quitting?Examine your heart right now and bring
it to God.
Paul said to Timothy, “Stir up the
gift of God which is within you” 2 Tim 1.6.
JESUS SAID HE WOULD BUILD HIS
CHURCH! Matt 16.18
We see His
construction of the church in the Book of Acts.
He is not
finished! We are still the church, His
body, and He is still working!
Good News! - He
has chosen you and empowered you to be a part of His work!
John 15.16 He chose you and appointed you to bear fruit.
1Cor 1.26-29 He chooses weak people.
Kathren
Kuhlmann - “I have nothing to give you
but my Love, I am nothing and I have nothing but Love."”
HOW DID GOD BEGIN ALL THINGS?
Gen 1.1-3 Spirit
of God was “hovering over” or
“moving over” the face of the waters.
“Then God said . . .”
2 Pet
1.21 Holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit.”
Anything God does, He does by HisWord
and by His Spirit. Empowerment from God
comes from the Spirit of God and the Word of God.
Two of the most important questions to
ask: What does the Word of God say? What does the
Holy Spirit say? (about life, family, church, ministry, etc.)
BE BORN AGAIN AND KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE
The New
Birth, being saved, is a rebirth of the human spirit by the power of the Holy
Spirit and the power of the Word of God - 2 Cor 5.17, Titus 3.5, 1 Pet 1.23.
John 3.3-8
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit
is spirit.” (see 1 Cor 6.17)
Rom 8.9 Every believer has the Spirit.
1 John
2.20,27 Believers who are truly born again, have the anointing within.
They become a “joint” or “part” of the
Body of Christ (Eph 4).
GOD LIVES IN EACH BELIEVER!
John 14.23,
Col 1.27, Gal 2.20, John 17.23
2 Cor 6.16-18 This is fulfillment of prophecy. Ezek 11.19-20; 37.26,27
SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY – We are a
three-part being, made in God’s image.
Gen 2.7, 1 Thess 5.23
Spirit – John
3.6, Prov 20.27, Rom 8.10,16, 1 Cor 2.11, 1 Cor 14.14-18, Heb 4.12
Soul – Matt
10.28, Matt 22.37, Matt 26.38, Luke 1.46, 1 Cor 14.14-18, Heb 4.12
Body – Matt
10.28, John 1.14, Rom 8.10-11, 12.1, 2 Cor 4.7
Functions of the:
Spirit –
intuition (knowledge), communion, conscience
Soul – mind,
will, emotions
Body – five
senses, house of Holy Spirit, gives us right to live on earth
BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT – RECEIVE THE
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Through the
above Scriptures we have seen that the Spirit works to convict, convince and to
draw people to God. The Lord opens
hearts and when someone believes, their spirit is re-born. They become a new person by the power of the
Holy Spirit working within. This is
salvation and is a work of God’s Spirit.
Acts
1.5-8 The Baptism or Filling of the
Spirit is different from salvation.
Jesus said you would receive “power” when the Holy Spirit “has come upon
you.”
Power – Gk
Dunamis, from this word we get “dynamite”.
It means strength, divine ability and supernatural power.
Acts 1.8 The
disciples would receive power and “be” His “witnesses.”
Acts 2.1-1-4,
8.14-18, 9.17-18, 10.44-48, 19.1-7.
Study these experiences in Acts.
KNOW HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RECEIVED
The same way one
is born again. Rom 10.9-10
Hear – Faith
comes by hearing Word of God Rom 10.17
Confess with
your mouth
Believe in
your heart
Gal 3.2-6 Receive the Spirit by the “hearing of faith,”
or “hearing with faith,” or “believing what you heard.”
LIVE FROM THE HEART - GET IN THE FLOW
John
7.38 “out of his heart will flow rivers
of living water.”
When believers
are filled with the Spirit, they receive power to be His witnesses. Then they begin to live out their life in the Spirit or from this new inner
power – the power of the Spirit of God, through their words and actions.
Gal 3:3
“Having begun in the Spirit . . .”
Matt
10.20 “Spirit of your Father who speaks
in (or through) you.”
Prov 4.23 the “issues of life” come from the heart. Guard your heart!
Matt
12.33-37 “For out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaks” vs.34.
YOUR FIRST CALL IS TO BE WITH
HIM! Mark 3.14
John 15 We are
connected to the vine. This is the key
to fruitfulness – effective ministry for God.
Rev 2 Church in Ephesus left their first love. Who is your first love? Stay
in love with Jesus!
BE CONTINUALLY FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
Acts 4.8 Peter filled with the Spirit – said
Acts
4.23-31 They were all filled with the
Spirit and spoke Word boldly
Acts 6.3 Seven chosen full of the Spirit
6.10 “they were not able to resist the
wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke”
Acts 7.55 Stephen “being full of the Holy Spirit . . .
saw”
Eph 5.18 Be filled with the Spirit
Eph 3.14-19
“that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” vs. 19.
Notice the
working of the Spirit and Word.
THE ANOINTING
1 John
2.20,27
Oral Roberts
– The anointing is a time when God separates you from yourself and fills you
with His glory so that when you speak God speaks and when you act, God
acts. You have not taken leave of your
senses but are fully aware that you are acting on God’s divine unction,
guidance and power. It removes all fear
and doubt and fills you with a holy boldness.
It causes your compassion for sick and hurting people to be multiplied a
thousand times and your desire to set them free literally consumes you.
Isaiah
10.27 Burdens are taken away and yokes are
destroyed because of the anointing!
HOW DO WE KEEP THE ANOINTING AND EVEN
INCREASE IT?
Get thirsty! John
7.37-39 God will fill every hungry heart.
Prayer Luke 4.14
Fasting Isa
58.5-9
Be around those who have a particular
anointing or gift. 2 Kings 2.9-15
BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Matt 4.1
John 14.26
and 16.13
Rom 8.14-16
The Spirit
said – Acts 8.29, 10.19, 13.2, 16.6-7, 19.21, 20.22-23, 20.28, 21.4,11.
In the above passages, what was the
primary purpose of the Holy Spirit’s leading?
What was He leading them to do? Why was He leading them?
LEARN HIS VOICE
An inner
witness or testimony Rom 8.16, Acts 20.23
An inner
motivation, an inner working Acts 19.21, 20.22
A perception
or warning Acts 21.4, 23.6, 27.10, Mark 2.8, Matt 22.18
A prevention
(Spirit saying, “Don’t do that” or “Don’t go there.”) Acts 16.6-7
LABOR ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORKING Col 1.29
1 Cor 3.6 God
gives the increase.
1 Cor
2.1-5
1 Pet
4.11 Use the gift according to God’s
ability
Col 4.17
Fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.
Presented by
PASTOR JIM
MCCOOL, MCCOOL MINISTRIES, INC.,
OKLAHOMA, USA
Introduction
The Gospel of
Luke and the Book of Acts were both written by Luke.
The
introduction to Acts tells why “the former account” (Luke) was written. It was written to communicate what Jesus
“began to do and teach” (Acts 1.1). The
Gospels contain the teachings and ministry of Jesus. The letters of Paul, Peter, John, etc., were written
primarily to believers and contain instruction, exhortation, correction and
revelation. But, what was the purpose of
Acts? Why did the Holy Spirit have Luke
write this book? If it is in Holy
Scripture, it must be as important as any other book in the bible.
The Acts of
the Apostles is a history of the newfound church. It records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
and the Holy Spirit’s work in and through those early believers. It is a
fulfillment of promises and prophecies made by Jesus and the prophets of the
Old Testament. It demonstrates to all believers what the church should look
like, how it should function and what it can accomplish today. It is called
“The Acts of the Apostles” but many have suggested that is should more
accurately be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.” It is both!
It records the work of the Holy Spirit through imperfect men and women who
did amazing works by virtue of God working in and through them. Acts also is a fulfillment of John
14.12. It shows the early believers
continuing the ministry of Jesus. That
is exactly what we are called to do too!
The book of
Acts is our example of what the church should be and can be today. Read it with the Gospels and Epistles in mind
also, because they all work together to form God’s revelation for us under the
New Covenant. As we study this wonderful
book, keep in mind that we have today the same Savior, the same Holy Spirit and
the same God who desires to work in us just as He did through those early
believers. That is why Acts has no distinct
end to it. We are completing chapter 29!
THE EXAMPLE OF THE
MINISTRY OF JESUS
Acts 1.1 “The former account I made O Theophilus, of
all that Jesus began both to do and teach.”
Jesus did
many wonderful works. He healed the
sick, made cripples walk and the blind to see; He forgave sinners, cast out
evil spirits and even raised people from the dead. But how did He do it? How did Jesus “do and teach” the wonderful
things that He did?
Ask yourself this
question:
Could Jesus do anything that He wanted
to?
Most Christians believe that Jesus could do
anything, anytime, anywhere that He wanted.
Let’s see what Jesus said about that.
John 5.19
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son
can do nothing of Himself, but what
He sees the Father do.”
5.20 “For the
Father loves the Son, and shows Himall things that He Himself does.”
5.30 “I
canof Myself do nothing.”
8.28 “I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these
things.”
The word “of”
in the above passages means – “of” “by” or “from” and refers to source,
origination or initiation. New American
Standard Bible translates John 8.28 “on my own initiative.”
Why did Jesus
say that He could do nothing of or by Himself?
Wasn’t He the Son of God from birth?
Wasn’t He filled with God’s Spirit?
He stopped a storm, walked on water, spoke to a tree and it died, and
did many wonderful miracles but still said that He could do nothing of
Himself.
Jesus was the
Son of God from birth.
He was also
fully human from birth.
He was
dependent upon His Father.
John 5.19
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do.”
8.38 “I speak
what I have seen with My Father.”
12.49 “I have not spoken on
my own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I
should say and what I should speak.”
The Complete Jewish Bible
reads, “For I have not spoken on my own initiative,
but the Father who sent me has given me
a command, namely, what to say and how to say it.”
14.10 “The words that I speak
to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.”
Notice that Jesus changed from saying “words” to
“works.” How are Jesus’ words and works
related?
15.15 “all
things that I heard from My Father I
have made know to
you.”
Jesus applied
this same truth to His followers.
He said, “Without
Me you can do nothing” 15.5
How did the Father “teach” or “show” Jesus
what to do? How did Jesus “hear” and “see”
the Father?
1.
By the Word of God, the Scriptures
Luke
4.16-21 He heard the Father in the Scriptures.
He found Scripture that applied to Himself. He found Himself and His ministry in the Word
of God.
Matt
21.42; 26.51-56; Luke 24.27 He understood Himself and what was happening to Him
in light of God’s Word.
Matt
4.1-11 He practiced God’s Word. He knew
the will of His Father by the Scriptures.
Matt
27.46 He quoted from the Word of God even as He was dying.
Jesus
lived His life based on the Scriptures. To
Him, Scripture was the same as God speaking to Him.
See
Matt 22.29-32 God’s Word is God speaking to us today!
Do
you see the place that the Scriptures had in the life of Jesus?
2.
By the Holy Spirit
Luke
3.21-23 Jesus was filled with the Spirit.
How many miracles
did Jesus do before being baptized by John and being filled with the
Spirit?
Matt
4.1 Jesus was led by the Spirit of God.
Matt
12.28 He cast out evil spirits by the
Spirit of God.
Acts
10.38 God anointed Jesus with the Holy
Spirit and power.
3. By Other Means of Revelation
Matt
3.17 At times He heard the audible voice
of God. The Father may have given Him dreams and visions.
4.
By Spending Time in Prayer to the Father.
Luke
4.42; 5.16; 6.12; 9.18, 29; 22.39.
5.
By Committing Himself to the Will of His Father
John
4.34; 5.30; 6.38.
In
the Book of Acts we see the early church doing the works of Jesus as Jesus
promised that all believers would (John 14.12).
We will see that they did the works of Jesus the same way that Jesus did – by the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
THE PLACE OF THE WORD
OF GOD IN ACTS
Acts
2.1-11 On the Day of Pentecost the Holy
Spirit was poured out on the 120 in the Upper Room. What a powerful experience! They were so filled with God that they spoke “the
wonderful works of God” (vs. 11) in languages they never learned. Many people from all over the world were in
Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Pentecost.
They came rushing to where the disciples were to find out what was
happening and heard the 120 speaking in their languages. They were “amazed and perplexed” (vs. 12). The disciples were having a wonderful
experience with God but no one was saved yet.
Something else had to happen. They had to hear the Word of God which was the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. The Word of God, the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and the activity and ministry of the Spirit ofGod are three Great Keys to understanding the Book
of Acts (these notes cover the first two keys).
The Word in Preaching and Teaching
Acts 2 Peter
quoted from Joel 2, Psalm 16 and Psalm 68 in his sermon. He preached the Scriptures! He preached the
Word of God.
How did he
know these verses? They did not have
many copies of the Old Testament like we do today. Peter was not a scholar or
priest, but a fisherman. Where did he
get this wisdom and power? See Luke
24.27,45 and Acts 1.3.
He explained
what was happening by the Word of God and he preached Jesus and His
resurrection from the Word. We see this
pattern through- out Acts. The early
preachers preached the Bible! Is your preaching based on the Scriptures?
Acts 3 and
4 Peter preaches Christ from Scripture
Acts 7 Stephen preaches from many Scriptures.
Acts 8 Philip preaches Christ from Isa. 53.
Acts 13 Paul preaches Christ from 1 Sam 13; Psa 2,
16, 89; Hab 1.5 and Isa 42.6.
Acts
17.2-3 Paul “reasoned with them from the
Scriptures.”
Remember that
the Bible they had was the Old Testament.
The twelve apostles and other disciples of Jesus had heard the teachings
of Jesus. In the first century they began to write these teachings down.
When the Word
is preached, the tongue becomes an instrument of God to communicate truth.
Acts
2.41 Three thousand were saved because
they “gladly received his word.” His
word was God’s Word.
Acts 8.6, 12
They believed Philip.
1 Pet 4.11
Speak as the “oracles of God.”
The
responsibility of the pastor/preacher/teacher is to “feed the flock of God”
God’s Word (1 Pet 5.2, Ezek 34).
After God’s
Word was preached (proclaimed, announced) and received, the leaders taught the Word to the people. Acts 2.42; 5.42; 13.1; 15.35; 18.11; 18.25; 19.10.
Notice how often the word “continued” is used in reference to teaching.
The Word In Practice
Acts
6.2-4 They chose to prioritize the Word and refused to “leave the word God,” to be
involved in other activities. There will
always be distractions from the Word of God (Matt 13.22). This is not to say
that preachers should not work if they have to or enjoy leisure activities but
God’s Word should still be their priority (See Prov 4.20-22). What are some things that distract you from
the Word of God?
Acts
15.16-17 A question about the Law of Moses
arose concerning circumcision. They used
Scriptures from Amos to settle the matter. Always seek God in His Word when dealing with
church issues and when conflicts arise. The
church I work with in the Congo
had a rebellion many years ago. The
rebellious group said that there were not enough miracles, therefore the pastor
had to be removed. Scripture says,
“Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (1 Sam 15.23).
Acts
23.5 Paul and the high priest. Paul
said, “It is written.”
Be a “doer of
the word” (James 1.22).
OUR CALLING AS PREACHERS!!!!EZRA 7.10
1. Sought WOG in order to-
2. Do it and to
3. Teach it
The Word Must be Heard
Acts 4.4 “many of those who heard the word believed;
and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”
Acts 8.6 they “heeded the things spoken by Philip.”
Philip preached the Word (vs. 4). NIV
“they paid close attention to what he said.”
NRSV
“listened eagerly.”
Acts
10.44 “the Holy Spirit fell on all those
who heard the word.”
No one can be
saved unless they hear the message! Rom
10.14-18
“And how
shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard.”
Acts 11.14
saved by words (See John 4.39-42).
The same is
true for receiving the Holy Spirit. Acts
19.2, Gal 3.1-6
The same is
true for healing. Acts 14.9, Mark 4.25-34
Rom
10.17 Faith comes by hearing God’s
Word. Faith for salvation, healing, the
baptism of the Holy Spirit and any other blessing promised to us in the Bible,
comes by hearing the Word of God – God’s promise about that particular blessing.
The Word Must be Received
Acts 2.41
they received the Word.
Receive – Strong’s
# 588, to receive, welcome, accept, embrace.
Acts 8.14
Samaria received the Word.
Acts
11.1 Gentiles received the Word.
Acts 17.11
The people of Berea
“received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to
find out whether these things were so.”
The Word Must be Believed
Acts 2.41-44 3000 believe
Acts 4.4
Their number grows to 5000 who believe
Acts 4.32;
5.14; 8.37 (Ethiopian); 9.42; 11.21; 14.1; 15.7; 17.12; 19.18
The Word is Seed
Matt 13
Parable of the Sower
James 1.21
1 Pet 1.23-25
God’s method:
He sends His Word and where it is heard, received, believed and acted
upon, He fulfills it. He will do this
for you!
Believers Continue to Hear, Receive
and Search the Word of God.
Acts
20.32 God’s Word is able to “build you
up.” (See 1 Pet 2.2)
Prov 4.20-22
John 5.39
Jesus said to “search the Scriptures.”
James 1.25 “Looks” To “bestow a close and attentive
look, to look intently, to penetrate. Used in Luke 24.12. To stoop beside, to stoop down in order to
take a view.” Perschbacher
Luke
11.28 The blessing on hearing and doing.
How hungry are you for His Word?
Jer 15.16 “I ate them.”
Is the Word
your delight? Ps 119.16, 24, 47, 70
Do you want
His Word more than money? Ps 119.14, 72, 127, 162
Do you desire
His Word more than food? Job 23.12
What is most
important to you? Luke 10.38-42
God’s Word is God Speaking to Us.
God’s Word took
on a special and unique purpose when it was written down. God spoke many more things to the writers of
the Old and New Testaments which were not written down (see John 21.25). But when He directed them to write something down,
that became “Scripture.” When we read it in context, those words are
for us also.
Scripture –
Acts 1.16; 8.32,35; 17.2,11; 18.24,28.
John 10.35
“the Scripture cannot be broken.”
Matt
22.23-32 “spoken to you by God.”
Luke 16.29-31,
John 1; Gal 3.8
God’s word is
God speaking to us. It is always
relevant. It is always God talking to us
now about everything in life. If Jesus
were here He would say the same things that He did to the disciples. He would give them the same promises, commands
and teachings. When we read the Word
like that, then it is the same as if Jesus were sitting down with us and
teaching us His wonderful and powerful Word.
If you don’t
like the bible, you won’t like heaven. His word will never pass away. We will still have it in heaven. Jesus is the same and so is His word. God never changes so His Word never
changes. The Word of God is like its
author – eternal, unchanging, powerful, true, alive. Heaven and earth will change and pass away,
but His Word will never pass away (Matt 24.35). God’s Word reveals His mind,
heart, desires and will. God and his
Word are one. If you want more of God
then feed on his Word. It is from God’s
“mouth!” Matt 4.4; Ps 119.72; 88; Pro
2.6.
What Will You Do with the Word?
Read-Prov 4.20-22; James 1.21, Study-Acts 17.11; 2 Tim2.15, Memorize-Psa
119.11, Meditate- Josh 1.8; Psa
119.97, Confess-Rom 10.8-10, Speak-2 Cor 4.13, Practice-James 1.22
THE RESULTS OF THE
WORD OF GOD
God’s Word Prevailed
Acts
19.20 Dictionary definition of prevail – “to prove to be stronger and in the
position of greater influence and power.”
In Acts, the Word was:
Stronger than
witchcraft.
Stronger than
demons.
Stronger than
sin.
Stronger than
religion.
Stronger than
sickness.
The Word abiding
in you and put into action will overcome every obstacle, enemy, temptation and
trial. 1 John 2.14.
Ps 119.23,
42, 69, 70, 98, 126, 127.
It is one way
in which we are “strong” in the Lord. Eph 6.10.
Jesus used
the Word against the devil in Matt 4.
Paul Cho
quoted the Word to the devil in Japan and he left.
One Christian
said that she leaves the bible open in her house because “the devil can’t look
on the Word.” Is that true?
God’s Word was Preached and Spread
Everywhere
Acts 6.7;
8.4; 10. 36-37; 11.19; 13.5,7
Acts
13.49 “And the word of the Lord was
being spread throughout all the region.”
God’s Word was Sought After and
Glorified
Acts
13.44 “On the next Sabbath almost the
whole city came together to hear the word of God.” When they heard the Word, “they were glad and
glorified the word of the Lord” vs. 48 (see Ps. 56.11).
People want
to hear God’s Word today! They don’t
need good sermons or great speeches.
They need God’s Word. See 1 Cor. 2.1-5.
God’s Word was Confirmed with Signs
and Wonders
Mark 16.20
Jesus promised that He would confirm His Word through signs when the Word of
God was preached.
Acts 4.29-33 Disciples prayed for boldness to speak the
Word of God, and “great grace was upon
them all.” Notice that grace was on ALL
OF THEM, not just the apostles!
Acts 5.12-16
Many “signs and wonders were done among the people.”
Acts 6.8 Stephen “did great wonders and signs among
the people.” Note that Stephen was not
an apostle. He was selected in the group that would serve widows.
Acts
8.4-7 Philip preached the Word of God
and Jesus as the Christ and there were many miracles. Philip was a deacon in
the beginning.
Acts 14.3-10 Paul preached “the gospel” and a crippled man
was healed. Paul did not heal him but
the man had faith to be healed.
Jesus has
confirmed His Word as I have preached it.
He will do the same for you!
God’s Word
must be preached but also demonstrated.
See 1 Cor 2.1-5
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS
CHRIST
The Good News Message
The message
or word from God which tells of God’s love and work of redemption is called
“Gospel.” This is what the early church
preached.
They preached
the Good News of God’s love for humanity and how that love was expressed
through Jesus Christ.
Acts
2.22-24 This is a great summary of the
Good News message.
T.L. Osborn
summarized the Gospel as follows:
God’s
Creation
Satan’s
Deception
Christ’s
Redemption
Our
Restoration
In the
beginning God created a beautiful garden and two wonderful
people, Adam
and Eve. He made them like Himself. Everything they needed was there, including
God’s awesome presence. He talked with
them and walked with them and they have wonderful fellowship together. Life was great until the devil came into the
garden and tempted them. Adam and Eve disobeyed
God and their sin caused a separation in their relationship with Him. But God had a plan that one day He would
bring them back to Himself through a tremendous act of love – the sending of
His only begotten Son. He never
abandoned his plan to have an intimate relationship with His creation.
Before that
time, God chose a man named, Abraham, who became the father of the Jewish
people. Later God gave them a set of
rules or laws that they could live by through His servant and friend Moses. God watched over His people and blessed them
when they were obedient. He sent them
prophets who spoke to them His message.
But Israel was rebellious and because of their rebellion they often suffered.
However, God did not abandon His plan for Israel or for the entire world.
Finally, the day came when God’s Son was born.
Years of prophecy came to pass and Jesus came into the world! He lived a perfect life and showed the world
what God the Father was like. He was
kind and accepting of people. He forgave
sinners and healed sick and suffering people. Jesus said, “He who has seen Me
has seen the Father” (John 14.9). But
the religious leaders were jealous and arrested Him and had him crucified. He died after six hours on a Roman cross, a
horrible and torturous means of execution.
But early Sunday morning Jesus arose from the dead! He fulfilled all the prophecies of the Old
Testament and proved that He was and still is the Son of God. He is the Messiah, the Savoir of the world!
He restored
His creation to a place of being “right” with Himself. Now anyone who receives His Chosen One,
Jesus, becomes a child of God, a new creation.
He has rights and privileges before the Father as well as a new purpose
– to share His love with other people. What a great message! That is why it is called “Good News”!
Jesus Did Wonderful Works for People
Acts
10.38 “How God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing
all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
God is Good! Jesus
is the Answer for all human needs! He
has not changed!
Heb 13.8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
If someone
has sinned – they can be forgiven.
If they are
sick – they can be healed.
If they are
depressed - they can be lifted up.
If they are
discouraged – they can receive courage.
If they have
doubts – they can have faith.
If they are
confused – they can receive guidance.
I saw a sign
on a church which said, “God is angry with the sinner all the day” Psalms 7.11. Is that the Gospel? Everyone has sinned so does that mean that
God is angry with us all? Many
Christians believe that and miss out on a life of joy and happiness.
Jer 29.11
God’s plans are good and not evil.
The Early Preachers Preached the Good
News
Acts 8.25;
14.7, 21; 15.7; 16.10; 20.24
Preach Good
News to the people!
Be positive
Be
encouraging
Be merciful
Be patient
Be kind
Rom 1.16 The Good News is “the power of God to (unto,
for) salvation.”
Eph 3.8 The Gospel
was “the unsearchable riches of Christ."
Presented by
PASTOR JIM
MCCOOL, MCCOOL MINISTRIES, INC.,
OKLAHOMA, USA
Purpose of Acts Actsrecords the Ministry of the Early
Church by Power of the Holy Spirit. Acts
shows the Ministry of Jesus continuing through believers.
John
14.12 Today, we are fulfilling Acts
chapter 29!
I. THE MINISTRY OF
JESUS Acts
1.1 “The former account I made O
Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both
to do and teach.” How did Jesus do the things He did?
Could Jesus do anything that He wanted
to?
John 5.19-20 “Most
assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do
nothing of (or by) Himself, but
what He sees the Father do. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Himall things that He Himself does.” See also 5.30, 8.28, 12.49, 14.10,
Jesus applied the same truth for
believers. Without
Him we can do nothing! John15.15
How did the Father “teach” or “show” Jesus
what to do? How did Jesus “hear” and
“see” the Father?
1.
By the Word of God Luke
4.16-21; Matt 21.42, 26.51-56; Luke 24.27; Matt27.46
2.
By the Holy Spirit Luke
3.21-23; Matt 4.1, 12.28; Acts 10.38
3. By Other Means of Revelation Matt 3.17
4.
By Spending Time in Prayer Luke 4.42,
5.16, 6.12, 9.18, 9.29, 22.39
5.
By Committing Himself to the Will of His Father John 4.34,
5.30, 6.38
II. THE WORD OF GOD IN MINISTRY
The Word in Preaching “Preach”
– means to proclaim or announce.
Acts 2 Peter quotes Joel 2, Psa 16 and 68. See also
chapters 3, 4, 7, 8, 13 and 17.
The Word in
our mouth becomes an instrument of God to communicate truth. See Acts 2.41, 8.6-12; 1 Pet 4.11, 5.2; Rom
1.16, 10.8
The Word in Teaching “Teach”
means is to instruct.
Acts 2.42, 5.42,
13.1, 15.35, 18.11, 18.25, 19.10. Notice the word “continued.”
The Word In Practice James
1.22
Acts
6.2-4 They chose to prioritize the Word and refused to “leave the word God,” to be
involved in other activities.
Acts
15.16-17 The Word settled theological
arguments.
Acts
23.5 Paul and the high priest. Paul
said, “It is written.”
The Word Must be Heard
Acts 4.4,
8.6, 10.44, 11.14; Rom 10.14; John 4.39-42
The same is
true for receiving the Holy Spirit. Acts
19.2, Gal 3.1-6
The same is true
for healing. Acts 14.9, Mark 4.25-34
Rom
10.17 Faith for any blessing comes by
hearing God’s Word.
The Word Must be Received
Receive – Strong’s
# 588, to receive, welcome, accept, embrace.
Acts 2.41,
8.14, 11.1, 17.1
The Word Must be Believed
Acts 2.41-44,
4.4, 4.32, 5.14, 8.37, 9.42, 11.21, 14.1, 15.7, 17.12, 19.18
The Word is Seed
Matt 13;
James 1.21; 1 Pet 1.23-25
God’s method:
He sends His Word and where it is heard, received, believed and acted
upon, He fulfills it. He will do this
for you!
III. THE WORD OF GOD AND THE MINISTER
Receive the Word as God Speaking to You
Scripture –
Acts 1.16, 8.32-35, 17.2,11, 18.24, 28; John 10.35
Matt
22.23-32 “spoken to you by God.”
Luke 16.29-31;
John 1.1; Gal 3.8; Matt 24.35
God’s Word is
from God’s “mouth!” Matt 4.4; Ps 119.72,88;
Pro 2.6.
Read and Study the Word
Prov 4.20-22;
James 1.21; John 5.39; Acts 17.11; 2 Tim2.15
James
1.25 “Looks” means to “bestow a close
and attentive look, to look intently, to penetrate. Used in Luke 24.12. To stoop beside, to stoop down in order to
take a view.” (Analytical Greek Concordance, W. Perschbacher)
Memorize the Word -Psa 119.11; Phil 4.8; Col 3.1-2,16.
Meditate on the Word -
To murmer, mutter, to make a sound with the mouth. It implies what someone expresses by talking
to himself. (Wilson’s Old Testament
Words Studies)
Josh 1.8; Psa
119.15, 23, 48, 78, 97, 148; Phil 4.8
Practice the Word-James 1.22 Meditation and practice of the Word brings
success!
Confess of the Word Rom 10.8-10;
2 Cor 4.13; Heb 3.1, 4.14; 1 Tim 6.13
How hungry are you for His Word?
Jer 15.16
Your delight?
Ps 119.16, 24, 47, 70
Do you want it
more than money? Ps 119.14, 72, 127, 162
Do you desire
His Word more than food? Job 23.12
What is most
important to you? Luke 10.38-42
IV. THE RESULTS OF THE WORD OF GOD
Builds up the
believer Acts 20.32; 1 Pet 2.2; 1 Thess
2.13
Life and
Health Prov 4.20-22
Blessed! Luke 11.28; James 1.25
Healing and
Deliverance Psa 107.20; Matt 8.16
God’s Word Prevailed
Acts
19.20 Dictionary definition of “prevail”
– “to prove to be stronger and in the
position of greater influence and power.”
In Acts, the Word was:
Stronger than
witchcraft.
Stronger than
demons.
Stronger than
sin.
Stronger than
religion.
Stronger than
sickness.
The Word living
in you, spoken out of your mouth and put into action will overcome every
obstacle, enemy, temptation and trial. 1 John 2.14, Matt 4.1-11
Ps 119.23,
42, 69, 70, 98, 126, 127.
God’s Word was Preached and Spread
Everywhere
Acts 6.7,
8.4, 10.36-37, 11.19, 13.5-7
Acts
13.49 “And the word of the Lord was
being spread throughout all the region.”
God’s Word was Sought After and
Glorified
Acts
13.44-48; 1 Cor. 2.1-5 People still want
to hear God’s Word!
God’s Word was Confirmed with Signs
and Wonders
Mark 16.20; Acts
4.29-33, 5.12-16, 6.8, 8.4-7, 14.3-10
God’s Word
must be preached but also demonstrated. See 1 Cor 2.1-5
Presented by
PASTOR JIM
MCCOOL, MCCOOL MINISTRIES, INC.,
OKLAHOMA, USA
THE
POWER OF WORDS!
Prov 18.21 Death
and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its
fruit. (All Scripture references are from the New King James version unless
otherwise noted.)
Psa 19.14 Let the
words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O
Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
The ability to speak and communicate with words is one of
the most powerful abilities that God has given us. Our words will produce life or death – it’s
our choice. Jesus said that if we have
faith and don’t doubt, we could remove a mountain and that we would have what
we say. Mark 11.23. Words are clearly a
powerful force in our lives, but, why are words so powerful?
We
are Made in God’s Image
Gen 1.26-28; 2.18-25
Gen 1; Psa 33.6,9
God created the world through His Word.
Heb 1.1-3 He
upholds and sustains all things “by the word of His power.”
John 1.1-3 All
things were made through the Word. Who
is the Word? Why would He be called,
“The Word”? see John 1.14
Notice that God’s creation of man was different than the
rest of His creation.
Onkelos – A famous converted Jew, lived 35-120 AD (CE).
He translated the Torah into Aramaic. These translations were explanations or
paraphrases of the Jewish Scriptures in their own language and called a Targum
(Targumim – plural). He translated Gen
2.7 as “and it became in man a speaking spirit.”
John 3.6; 4.24; 1 Cor 6.17 We are spiritual beings made
in the image of God with the ability to speak life or death. Would you say there is “creative” power in
our words?
Heb 11.3
“framed” - Greek, to adjust
thoroughly, to knit together, unite completely, to fit or frame, arrange, put
in order, adjust (Mounce, Strong).
Our “world” also is arranged, put in order, framed,
adjusted by our words. If we don’t like what our world looks like, then we must
change our words. We all live according
to this principle and truth - whether we know it or not.
James 3.1-12 The
tongue is compared to: a bit, rudder,
fire, an uncontrollable evil, poison and a spring.
If we don’t stumble in word, we are perfect (mature,
fully grown, complete).
If we can control our tongue, we can control our whole
body.
Our words determine the direction of our life.
Vs. 6 The tongue
“defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set
on fire by hell.”
Whose idea was it to set the tongue in our bodies like it
is? Why?
“Course of nature” is translated, “wheel of nature” ASV,
“circle of life” CEB, “entire course of life” ESV, “whole course of one’s life”
NIV.
“Course” is literally – “a wheel, or anything made for
revolving or running. Then it means the course run by a wheel; a circular
course or circuit” (Barnes).
“Nature” Gk. genesis – “procreation, birth, nativity; and
therefore the phrase means, literally the wheel of birth- that is, the wheel
which is set in motion at birth, and which runs on through life” (Barnes).
The “wheel of life or the wheel of generations” (Clark).
No one can tame the tongue so does that mean we are
hopeless in controlling it?
Vs. 9 tells us two powerful things we can do with our
tongues.
Vss. 10-12 give us a clue about how the tongue operates
and about how we can control it and use it to our advantage.
Words
come from the Heart Mat
12.33-37
Mat 12.34 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaks.
Heb 8.10-12 What
has God written on the heart of the believer?
What is in your heart in “abundance”?
Gal 2.20; Rom 5.5; Heb 8.8-12; John 10.10; 2 Cor 5.17,
21; Rom 10.9-10; Psa 107.2.
What is the “good treasure” in your heart from the
Scriptures below?
Psa 119.14, 72, 127, 162.
Above
All - Use Words to Praise and Bless God Acts 17.25; Psa 34.1.
Psa 35.27-28 Make
a decision to praise Him!
Psa 45.1 The heart
overflows and the tongue speaks.
Psa 51.15 God has
given us a mouth to praise Him.
Psa 63.3-5 Bless
the Lord with your words.
Mat 6.9 The Lord’s
prayer begins with honoring the Father.
1 Thess 5.16-18
Rejoice, pray and give thanks constantly.
Heb 13.15 Offer
the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips giving thanks
James 3.9 With the
tongue we bless God.
Rev 4.11 What are
the 24 elders saying?
Speak
and Meditate on God’s Word Psa
119.15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 148.
Josh 1.8 God gave Joshua explicit instructions on how to
be successful in what He had called him to do.
“Meditate” – Heb. “to murmur, mutter, to make sound with
the mouth . . . . it implies what one expresses by talking to himself”
(Wilson). Meditation was not done in
silence by the Jewish people. They spoke to themselves the Scriptures.
What was the purpose of Meditation?
Prov 22.17-20 “fixed” – Heb. To be firm, stable, be
established, be secure, to be fixed, be securely determined (Strong). Ready and prepared (Wilson).
Rom 10.8 God’s
Word is not only in our hearts but must also be in our mouths.
Heb 13.5-6 We say
what God has said (His word-the bible).
Deut 6.4-9 Israel
was instructed to talk His word.
2 Cor 4.13 And
since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I
believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.
Acts 4.18-20 We
cannot help speaking what we have seen and heard!
Matt 8.1-4 The
Centurion knew the power of the spoken Word of Jesus.
Meditate on: God’s
Nature, Character, His Acts and Works.
Meditate on Christ’s Redemptive Work. Meditate on Who You Are and What
You Can Do in Him.
“God’s Word that is conceived in your heart, then formed
by the tongue, and spoken out of your mouth, becomes a spiritual force
releasing the ability of God within you” (Charles Capps, The Tongue – A Creative Force, p.1).
Speaking
the Word is like Planting Seeds
1 Pet 1.23 We are Born Again of imperishable seed.
Luke 8.11 The seed is the Word of God.
James 1.21 Receive the implanted Word.
1 Cor 3.5-9 Paul planted and Apollos watered.
Follow
Jesus’ Example John
12.47-50
John 5.19,30; 8.28-29
Jesus only spoke what the Father directed Him to speak.
John 14.10-11 He
did not speak on His own authority, but the Father accomplished His will
through Jesus’ obedience to do and speak what the Father gave Him.
Mat 4.1-11 When
Jesus was tempted, He spoke the word of God.
Rev 9.11-16 When
He returns, He will defeat His enemies with His word.
The
Power of Good Words Prov
12.14
“Satisfied” – Heb. “to fill to satisfaction, satisfy
completely, have plenty of, to have in excess” (Strong).
“Good” – pleasant, excellent, beautiful, delightful,
joyful, happy, prosperous, valuable (Strong).
Prov 15.23 What
determines joy in a person’s life?
Prov 12.18 Words
can bring injury or healing.
Prov 15.1, 4 Good
words can turn away wrath and bring healing. Our words can be like a “tree of
life.”
Mal 3.16 God hears
what we talk about and rewards us accordingly.
The
Power of Negative Words
Mat 12.35-37
“Idle” – in Greek, idle, shunning labor which one ought
to perform, lazy, unprofitable (Strong).
Other translations – inoperative, nonworking, careless. Words that contradict God’s word will not
work for us but rather against us.
Eph 4.29 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. NIV
“Unwholesome” - Greek, rotten, putrid, bad quality, foul,
impure, corrupt (Mounce).
Prov 15.4 They can
break the spirit.
Control
your Tongue
Prov 13.3
Prov 10.19 Wisdom
restrains the tongue.
1 Peter 3.10
Restrain tongue and enjoy a long life.
Prov 18.13 Don’t
address an issue with incomplete knowledge.
Prov 15.28 Ponder
before answering.
Prov 16.32 Rule
your spirit.
Prov 17.9 Keep
confidences.
Prov 21.23 Avoid
trouble.
James 4.11 Don’t
speak evil of anyone.
Mat 7.12 Golden rule.
The
Power of Confession
“Confess” literally means to say or speak the same thing. The confession of the believer is to say the
same thing that God says about Himself, ourselves, others, the world and the
devil. How do we know what God is
saying?
What are we to confess?
Rom 10.9-10 Jesus
is Lord. This is the first
confession. No one can say “Jesus is
Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor
12.3, Phil 2.11
Mat 10.32-33
Confess Jesus before men. Luke
12.8, John 12.42
Acts 24.14 Paul
confessed his faith before Felix.
Mark 1.5; Acts 19.18; James 5.16; 1 John 1.8-10 Confess
trespasses and sins. Is this for believers or unbelievers?
1 Tim 6.12-13
What is the “good confession”? John 18.33-38
Heb 11.13 We are
strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
2 Cor 9.13 We
confess the Gospel.
Heb 10.23 Confess
your hope without wavering.
Heb 3.1 Jesus is
the apostle and high priest of our confession.
Heb 4.14-16 Hold
fast your confession.
Charles Capps said that the Lord said to him “I have told
my people that they could have what they say, but my people are saying what
they have” (Capps, p.191).
What Are We To
Confess? (From Bible Faith
Study Course, Kenneth Hagin, p.72)
1. What God has done for us through Christ in His plan of
salvation.
2. What God has done in us by the Word and the Holy Spirit in
the new birth and the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
3. Who we are to God the Father in Christ Jesus.
4. What Jesus is presently doing for us at the right hand of
the Father where he ever lives to make intercession for us.
5. What God can accomplish through us, or what His Word will
accomplish through us as we proclaim it.
Daily Confessions from
God’s Word
I am a member of the
Body of Christ and Satan has no power over me. I overcome evil with good. (Luke
10:19, 1 Cor. 12:27, Romans 12:21)
I am born of God and have overcome the devil by the blood of Jesus and
the word of my testimony. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the
world. (Rev. 12:11, 1 John 4:4)
I will fear no evil for the Lord is with me, His Word and His Holy Spirit
comfort me. (Psalms 23:4)
Oppression, fear, and terror will not come near me or my family. (Isaiah
54:14)
God has promised as a part of my inheritance that no weapon formed
against me will prosper and every tongue that rises against me in judgment will
be condemned. (Isaiah 54:17)
The Word of God lives in
me and I have overcome the wicked one. (1 John 2.14)
I am delivered from this
present evil age according to the will of our God and Father. (Galatians 1:4)
No evil will befall me neither will any plague come near my dwelling. The
Lord has given His angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways. In my
pathway is life and there is no death. (Psalms 91:10-11, Proverbs 12:28)
The angels are
ministering spirits of God sent forth to minister for me. (Hebrews 1.14)
I will live and not die to declare the works of the Lord. (Psalms 118:17)
Because I am a doer of God's Word, I am blessed in my deeds. (James 1:22,
25)
I take the shield of faith and quench every fiery dart that Satan and his
demons bring against me. (Ephesians 6:16)
I trample on serpents
and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any
means hurt me. (Luke 10.19)
The Lord Jesus Christ
has redeemed me from the curse of the law. Therefore, I forbid any sickness or
disease from coming upon this body. Every disease germ and virus that touches
this body dies instantly in the Name of Jesus! Every organ, tissue, and cell of
this body functions in the perfection to which God created it to function, and
I forbid any malfunction in this body, in the Name of Jesus! (Galatians 3:13,
Romans 8:11, Genesis 1:31, Matthew 16:19)
I submit to God and I resist the devil and he flees from me. (James 4:7)
Great is the peace of my children for they are taught by the Lord.
(Isaiah 54:13)
Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. Christ has redeemed me
from poverty, sickness and disease, spiritual death and madness, blindness and
confusion of heart. (Galatians 3:13, Deut. 28)
For poverty He has given me wealth, for sickness and disease He has given
me perfect health and wholeness, for death He has given me eternal life and for
madness, blindness and confusion of heart, He has given me peace (Shalom). (2
Cor. 8:9, Isaiah 53:5-6, John 10:10, John 5:24, Isaiah 53)
Because I delight myself in the Lord, He gives me the desires of my
heart. (Psalms 37:4)
Because I am a cheerful giver to the Lord's work, the Word says it will
be given to me: good measure, pressed
down, shaken together, and running over. (2 Cor. 9:7, Luke 6:38)
With what measure I give it is measured to me. I sow bountifully,
therefore I reap bountifully. I give cheerfully, and my God has made all grace
abound toward me that I, always having all sufficiency in all things will have
an abundance for every good work. (2 Cor. 9:6-8)
I do not lack, for my God supplies all of my needs according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I do not lack. Jesus was made poor, that I
through His poverty might have abundance. He came that I might have life and
have it more abundantly. (Psalms 23:1, 2 Cor. 8:9, John 10:10)
I have received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness and I
reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)
The Lord has pleasure in
the prosperity of His servant. (Psalms 35:27)
The Spirit of Truth lives
in me. He teaches me all things and
guides me into all Truth. Therefore, I confess I have perfect knowledge of
every situation and every circumstance that I come up against. I have the mind
of Christ. (John 14:26, 16:13, 1 Cor. 2:16)
Because I ask the Lord for wisdom, He gives it to me liberally. (James
1:5)
I trust in the Lord with all my heart and I do not lean to my own
understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
In all of my ways I do acknowledge Him and He directs my paths. (Proverbs
3:6)
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. (Psalms 138:8)
I let the Word of Christ dwell in me richly in all wisdom. (Colossians
3:16)
I do follow the Good Shepherd and I know His voice. I will not listen to
the voice of a stranger. (John 10:4-5)
Jesus is made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and
redemption. Therefore, I confess I have the wisdom of God, and I am the
righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (1 Cor. 1:30, 2 Cor. 5:21)
I am filled with the knowledge of the Lord's will in all wisdom and
spiritual understanding. (Colossians 1:9)
I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. My old nature is taken away, behold
all things have become new! (2 Cor. 5:17)
I have put off the old man with his practices and have put on the new
man, who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him that created me.
(Colossians 3:10)
I am receiving the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of
Him, the eyes of my understanding are being enlightened. (Ephesians 1:17-18)
I am not conformed to this world but am transformed by the renewing of my
mind. My mind is renewed by the Word of God. (Romans 12:2)
I am fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power. (Colossians
1:10-11)
I am delivered from the
power and authority of darkness and I have been translated into the kingdom of
God's Dear Son. Therefore, sin, Satan, demons, sickness, disease, bondages,
strongholds, fear, anxiety, anger, approval addiction, dependencies, lust, a
judgmental attitude, and poverty have no authority over me! (Colossians 1:13)
I am born of God and have world overcoming faith residing on the inside of me.
Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. (1 John 5:4-5, 4:4)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
The joy of the Lord is my strength. The Lord is the strength of my life.
(Nehemiah 8:10, Psalms 27:1)
The things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report,
I do and will think on these things and the peace of God that surpasses all
understanding will keep my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-8)
I let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but that which is
good for edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. I will not grieve
the Holy Spirit of God by whom I am sealed unto the day of redemption.
(Ephesians 4:29)
I speak the Truth of God's Word in love and grow up into the Lord Jesus Christ in all
things. (Ephesians 4:15)
No man will take me out of God's hand for I have eternal life. (John
10:29)
I let the peace of God rule in my heart and I am thankful. (Colossians
3:15)
I cast all my anxieties and worries on God because He cares for me. (1 Peter
5.7)
I make my requests known
to God with thanksgiving and I refuse to worry about anything. (Philippians
4.6).
I will not let the
Word of God depart from before my eyes. The Word is life to me and It is health
and healing to all of my flesh. (Proverbs 4:21-22)
God is for me! God is in me now, who can be against me? He has given to me all
things that pertain unto life and godliness. Therefore, I am a partaker of His
divine nature. (2 Cor. 6:16, John 10:10, 2 Peter 1:3-4, Romans 8:31)
I am a believer and these signs do and will follow me. In the Name of
Jesus I cast out demons, I speak with new tongues, I lay hands on the sick and
they do and will recover. (Mark 16:17-18)
Jesus gave me the authority to use His Name. That which I bind on earth
is bound in Heaven. That which I loose on earth is loosed in Heaven. Therefore,
in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I bind the evil spirits and render them
harmless and ineffective against me and my family in the Name of Jesus!
(Matthew 16:19, John 16:23-24, Ephesians 6:12)
I am complete in Christ
who is the Head of all rule and authority. I am God's workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that I should walk in
them. (Colossians 2:10, Ephesians 2:10)
God has not given me a
spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, and love and a sound mind. I have not
received the spirit of bondage or slavery again to fear, but I have received
the Spirit of adoption, by whom I cry out, “Abba, Father.” (2 Tim. 1.7, Rom. 8.15)
I have been crucified
with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Christ in me is the hope of glory (Gal 2.2, 1 Cor 3.16, Col 1.27).
I have received God’s
dynamite power from the Holy Spirit and I am a witness for Jesus (Acts 1.8).
I trust in the Lord and
am safe (secure, literally set on high) and I refuse to fear people. I walk in love and am not afraid because
perfect love drives out fear (Prov 29.25, 1 John 4.18)
God is giving me
boldness to speak His Word by stretching out His hand to heal, and signs and
wonders are being done by the Name of His holy servant Jesus (Acts 4.29-30).
I am not ashamed of the
Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom
1.16).
I confess Jesus before
people and am not afraid (Matt. 10.31-32).