Download word edification (oikos on 18 nov 2005)

BETHESDA CATHEDRAL – WORD EDIFICATION (Oikos on 31st May 2013)
Announcements
1. Saturday Worship Service: Sat, 5pm, Daniel Hall, 2nd Floor.
2. Prayer & Praise: Every Wed, 8pm, Chapel.
Word Edification – Moving in the Power of the Spirit
Speaker: Pastor Tay Cheng Kee
Introduction
For three and a half years, we had been hopping from one location to another to
congregate as a church to worship God on Sunday. We were like nomads moving
from Republic Theatre to Odeon Katong and then to LASALLE College of the Arts.
On 5 Nov 1995, we had our first meeting in our very own place. It was entirely by
faith, by the work of God and being obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
We were small in number but we were big in our faith because we served a big
God. Jesus Christ is the Centre of Bethesda Cathedral and this is our home.
In the year of 2001, we were in the midst of expanding this sanctuary. Construction
work had been carried out and the pastoral staff met at Pastor’s house for prayer.
They were depressed by the news of the stock market crashing down due to the
terrorist attack 9/11. As a result, the offering went tumbling down. Pastor Tay had
been told by God not to take any loan from the bank. As they were praying, Jesus
appeared in the midst of them and gave them the assurance and promise that
He would settle all the bills. In the thick of political upheaval, the church managed
to pay all the bills. Obedience to God is the key to unlock the blessing of God
upon us and the church.
Jesus wants every believer to walk in spiritual power. He wants us to cast out
demons, to heal the sick and to do the greater works of Jesus.
Why are we, rank and file, not moving in the power of the Spirit? Below are the
four hindrances to moving in the power of the Spirit.
1. Habitual sins
When we habitually sin, we come under the influence and authority of Satan.
The prophet Isaiah said that our sins had separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2).
We stray away from God by indulging in things that are not pleasing to Him.
We must not allow the devil to have a foothold in our lives. The prayer of a
righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16). We become the
righteousness of God only when we are in Christ. We need to be in the Spirit if
we want to be righteous. We must intentionally stay away from sin so that we
can move in God’s authority. When we sin against God, we seek His forgiveness
and move on. Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? God forbid
(Romans 6:1,2).
2. Lack of knowledge
God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Jesus told the
disciples that these signs will follow those who believe: In His name, they shall
cast out demons and they shall lay hands on the sick and they will recover
(Mark 16:17,18). That was the Lord’s marching order and direction for us before
His ascension to glory. Jesus gathered the seventy others and He gave them a
specific instruction to heal the sick in the city (Luke 10:9). He went on to say that
He had given them power and authority to trample on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means harm
them (Luke 10:19). We need to dispel the thoughts in our minds that the devil
will attack us. If we stay in close union with Jesus Christ, we operate in His power
and authority.
3. Spirit of Fear
This is the best weapon of Satan. It is the spirit of fear that keeps us from moving
in the power of the Spirit. It is Satan and not God who gives us the spirit of
timidity (2 Tim 1:7). God has given to us the spirit of power to bring healing to
those who are sick in their bodies. When Jesus is in the Centre of Bethesda
Cathedral, we will see the manifestation of God’s power, His glory and His
victory over darkness. God has given us the spirit of boldness. He is sending us
into this world of darkness to bring healing and deliverance to those who are
oppressed.
4. Prayerlessness
To move in power, we must be strong in prayer because prayer is the source of
power. Prayer moves the hand of God. Jesus told the disciples a parable to
show that they should always pray and not to give up (Luke 18:1-8). We give up
too easily when nothing happens. Prayer is the source of our authority and
power. When we know who God is and who we are in Christ, faith will arise in us
and we will begin to move in miracles, signs and wonders. We are children of
God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. What our Heavenly Father has belongs to
us. We operate in His power and in His authority because we are close to Him.
Applications
1. How do we get rid of habitual sins in our lives?
2. Share with one another how we can overcome the spirit of fear in our lives?
3. When we know who God is and who we are in Christ, faith will arise in us and
we will begin to move in miracles, signs and wonders. Discuss.