Young Adults' Group

The Power Of God

by Pastor Mark
January 10, 2019

An appropriate word for 2019

At our first combined fellowship group meeting for the year, Pastor Charles gave us all an apt word for us to focus on as a YAG and for all other groups. He spoke of the need for us to have the power of God in our lives. This power is real and available. It is absolutely necessary for us to understand and apply this power into our life as we face work commitments, family concerns and unexpected setbacks. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church a stirring word on how they may learn to find this power of God. Where is this power located?

A treasure in earth vessel

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,” (2 Cor 4:7)

The word “treasure” in Greek is where we get the English word “thesaurus” which means “treasure, treasury, storehouse”. It is a special treasure that is within us who are just considered as earthen vessels. Earthen vessels are really nothing. They don’t cost very much. But within us as earthen vessels liesa treasure…a treasure of all treasures. What is this treasure?

This treasure is Christ Himself. He is the greatest treasure of all. Paul wrote of different things in this chapter such as light, gospel, knowledge and many otherblessings. All these blessings are found in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is most fitting to see this treasure as Christ. Paul also wrote to the Colossian church, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col 1:27) This is the rich and glorious mystery…that Christ is in us. He gives us such a glorious hope. The Lord indeed is the richest and greatest treasure of all, and He is in us.

The excellence of the power may be of God and not of us

“that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Cor 4:7)

The word “excellence” in Greek is “hyperbole” which means to be above all others, to be most excellent. This is a power that is above all other powers. It is a divine power that only can come from God. It has nothing to do with our natural, human power. Our human power is nothing compared to the excellence of the power of God.

If we learn to depend on this treasure…on Christ who is in us, we would be able to tap this power. This treasure should be something that is in our mind, our heart, our spirit and our strength. When we treasure someone such as our precious Lord and Saviour, the mere thought of the person gives us power. The love that we feel within our heart for Christ empowers us. The spirit is lifted up by all that Christ has done for us. Let us be challenged to treasure Christ within us so that we may have the excellence of the power of God in us.

Applying the power of God in life and ministry

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—” (2 Cor 4:8,9)

For Paul and his fellow workers, they had to go through many challenges. They were oppressed on all sides, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. But they depended on Christ as their treasure in order to be plugged into the power of God. Through treasuring Christ internally in their mind, heart and spirit, they were able to find the power of God to not be crushed, to not despair, to not feel forsaken and to not be destroyed. Let us seek to truly treasure Christ within ourselves so that we may tap the power of God to face the challenges of life and ministry in the year ahead.

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