The power at work within us

1 August 2012

Opening Prayer/Worship

Song:

Let the Spirit of the Lord come down, Amen.

Let the Spirit of the Lord come down, in Jesus name.

Let the Spirit of the Lord from Heaven come down.

Let the Spirit of the Lord come down.

Let the Power of the Lord come down, Amen.

Let the Power of the Lord come down, in Jesus name.

Let the Power of the Lord from Heaven come down.

Let the Power of the Lord come down.

Theme: Be filled with the Holy Spirit

Topic: The power at work within us

Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

Introduction
When someone decides to follow Christ, one common and erroneous assumption is that he/she can make it through personal efforts and strength. Soon the believer realizes that to follow Christ requires the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, daily. The need for the Holy Spirit in our lives is not an option but an absolute necessity without which our efforts to be like Christ become futile. The Holy Spirit is the power behind Christian living. Without Him, we can neither know the mind of the Lord nor truly live for God. Our human abilities lack the power to produce true faith in Christ. The passage for today’s study is reminding us that God can do much more than we can ask or imagine through His power at work in us. This implies that for God to work in us, we need to yield our lives to Him. When we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, God begins to do extraordinary things in our lives, showering us with the love of Christ which is beyond human understanding.
Questions/Discussion

1. What is your understanding of the phrase: God will exceed our expectations through the power at work in us? Romans 16:25-27; Ephesians 1:15-23, 3:14-21; Colossians 1:3-14.

2. Are there requirements for being filled with the power of God? Luke 24:44-49; John 6:5-14; Acts 1:10-14, 2:1-4.

3. List some of the hindrances to the move of God in our lives. Proverbs 6:16-19; Mark 6:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24.

Intercession/Worship

Conclusion

Without Christ we can do nothing, and without the Holy Spirit, we cannot live for Christ. Let us keep yielding our hearts to the Holy Spirit that He may fill us and empower us to live for Christ everyday of our lives.

Closing Prayer

Thank You Lord for the release of Your power to us. Grant us hearts that will yield to the move of Your Holy Spirit that You may accomplish Your purpose in our lives and in Your world through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.