DUNAMIS (14.April-2013)

DUNAMIS  

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Introduction

The topic that we are going to meditate is “Dunamis” [Power of God].  To begin with, we Christians who live in this world are given to circumstances which completely break us down.  Therefore it is highly necessary for us to possess God’s Power and to exercise it.  Earlier, we were dealing about how God’s Power helped a normal person to overcome satanic obstacles and to perform extraordinary things in Christ.  Even in this following message, we are going to meditate about the life of Stephen and how the Power of God was with him to do the impossible.

1.         POWER [DUNAMIS] WHICH GIVES WISDOM.

“but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the spirit by whom he spoke”

Acts 6:10

Chapter 6 in Acts of the Apostles tells us about a man called Stephen who is full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.  God’s Power was with him and it enabled him to do wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  The wisdom that God gave him made him stand apart from all the people.  The people who resisted him could not standup against his wisdom.  Such is the power of god that was with Stephen.

Even in our lives, God’s Power is going to be with us and instruct us the way that we should go.  People around us are going to get amazed by our speech.  If we have the Power of God with us, it will guide us what to do and where to go.  God’s power is going to give a touch of smartness in our conversations so that our words would not hurt others and not stand against anyone.

2.         POWER {DUNAMIS] WHICH HELPS TO OVERCOME TRAILS.

“So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teacher of the law.  They ceased Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.”

Acts 6:12

“while they were stoning him Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’.

Acts 7:59

The above passages signify how badly Stephen was cornered and troubled.  People rose against him and stoned him nevertheless he did not condemn them.  In chapter 6:15, we see his face was like the face of an angel, that is when he is troubled God’s Power multiplied to make him get through the troubles and transfigured them.

Even we face many complexities and troubles.  But how are we facing it?  We tend to lose our hope or we might think that there is no way out for us to get delivered.  Today the Power of God is giving you the grace to overcome all such trails.  You should have the strong faith that the same Power of God that was with Stephen, is also with you even today.

3.         POWER [DUNAMIS] WHICH MAKES YOU FORGIVE.

“Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord , do not hold this sin against them’.

Acts 7.60

In this verse we can clearly notice the divine attribute of Stephen as he pardons the whole crowd.  Stephen might have asked God to deliver him or he could have prayed to punish all the people.  But his prayer revealed the true love of God.  Let us imagine that we are in Stephen’s position, what will be our reaction? Vindictive? Revenge? Fled? Questioning God?

It is true that God’s power will deliver you, strengthens you and makes you a mighty person but at the same time it also gives you the ability to forgive and forget what happened.  Are we forgiving them who come against us? Are we exhibiting the true Love of God like Stephen?  Sometimes we may forgive but not forget what happened.  Therefore God’s Power is going to make you a person like unto Stephen who forgives and forgets.

4.         POWER [DUNAMIS] WHICH TRANSFIGURES.

“now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people”.

Acts 6:8

This passage reveals the character of Stephen and differentiates him from a normal person.  The Power of God was with Stephen and that is the reason that he was unique and different.  God’s Power made him to do many things which changed people’s lives.  Even we should have a similar life like unto Stephen.

We should make it a point to bring in a change in our neighborhood.  God’s Power will transfigure our entire life and makes our lives to be a blessing to others.  Amen.