Holy Spirit: Power

September 15, 2024

Pastor Patrick presented today's message, "Holy Spirit: Power." Here's a video of the message.

Before we get into my stuff, I thought I'd provide the various scriptures Pastor Patrick used but were not shown on the screen (tech issues):

Acts 1:8 (I think), "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (NIV)

1 Corinthians 2:12–13 (I think), "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual." (ESV)

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (I think), "Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (NKJV)

Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

Ephesians 3:16, "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being." (NIV)

Bruce Almighy scene

Pastor Patrick also talked about having the "power" of the Holy Spirit. That took me immediately to a line in the movie Bruce Almighty, "I've got the power!" I can even hear the music/song playing in the background.

Last week, I offered the physics term "force" as an attribute for the power of the Holy Spirit. This week Pastor Patrick described the Holy Spirit as a "catalyst." I like that, too! "Something that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process" and/or "an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action."

Does the God of the Old Testament want a rich and full life for you? Jeremiah thought so. Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"

BibleProject.com makes a case for an "aligning of the stars" in the covenants of the Old Testament through to fulfillment in Jesus. "Do you notice how the covenants progressively build upon one another, forming a complete redemptive storyline? God preserved the world through Noah, initiated redemption through Abraham, established the nation of Israel through Moses, promised an eternal shepherd-king through David, and then fulfilled all of his covenants through Jesus. With each covenant, God's promises and plans to save the world become clearer and clearer until we finally see that redemption can only come through King Jesus." The article is The Five Key Covenants God Makes With Humans in the Bible.

Bonus

What the Bible Says About Economics

Thanks to Judy M. for referring me to this particular Fireside Chat by Dennis Prager: Ep. 237 — Can We Learn about Economics from the Bible? with Professor Dave Arnott.

To whet your appetite, here are some bullet points I noted while watching...

Dr. David Arnott: Religion and Economics Professor at Dallas Baptist Univ (DBU)
DBU is all about God and Country
Dr. Arnott mentioned Wayne Grudem's book, "Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" as well as "The Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution." Dr. Arnott discusses with Dennis his systematic theological look at economics. His book on the topic is "Biblical Economic Policy."

Ten Commandments of Biblical economics:
- 1. Freedom (to even reject God)
- 2. Don't Steal or Covet (Property is good)
- 3. Work is good (we are called to work, Sabbath commandment). And to do it for others.
- 4. Trade is good. Both sides improve their situation.
- That's as far as they got during the video.

Retirement is not Biblical. Do something productive as long as you're able.
Markets are warm, Socialism is cold. Local storeowner is warm, government is cold.
Monopolies can occur at both ends. In the middle you must serve others (as we are commanded)
The market eliminates discrimination.
Bible doesn't want concentrated power. "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely," Lord Akton.
Capitalism punishes fallen nature of Mankind, socialism rewards it.
Liberty Bell quote from Leviticus, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof"
Optimism vs pessimism
Individual world views don't change much.
Dr. Arnott's podcast
Are we employing a Biblical economy, "Judeo-Christian Economics"? Are we asking, "Is this action right/ethical?" The outcome is not the only thing to consider. Must also consider the means - are the means ethical?
A problem: the government must first take money - there is no Biblical command to take anything of value from another.
To give (which is Biblically commanded), you have to make profit. If you only get what you need, you have zero to give.
For further reading, Dr. Arnott recommends: PragerU.com for economics, Thomas Sowell, and "Money Greed and God" by J. Richards