You Will Receive Power – Part 1

Power is part of every area of our lives. Whether it is romantic relationships, family interactions, work dynamics, or church connections, most of us spend our lives attempting to acquire and leverage power. 

We seek positions of authority to influence people, control resources, and direct information. We pursue decision-making positions to have some control over issues that affect our everyday living. There are experts who say that we all need power to live into our full potential.   

Followers of Jesus grow to know and understand that with power comes responsibility. As you navigate these disruptive and chaotic times, you soon realize you have to be intentional in your loving and caring. In fact, as a follower of Jesus, you receive power to lead with love and care.

Power and Potential

On good days you understand the weight of this responsibility. But there are days you want to use your power to put people in their place or at least help them see the error of their ways.  So, how do you use your power to assist people to live into their full potential? How do you empower them to become who God created them to be?

Some people would say that “power is your ability to control the activities of other individuals.” Although there is some truth in that statement, I believe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. got closer to a healthy understanding of power when he said, “Power properly understood is nothing but the ability to achieve purpose.”

Leadership and Power

In the context of leadership, some people would say that good leadership is “the ability to inspire people to follow your instructions without exercising any form of force.” Again, there is some truth in that statement, but I believe Brené Brown gets closer to defining a good leader when she says, “A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas and has the courage to develop that potential.” (Brené Brown)

However you say it, you and I, as followers of Jesus, have the responsibility to use our power, authority, and influence to assist the people around us to live into their God-given potential. It is by sharing your power and influence that helps you become more who God created you to be. So, how are you using your power to help develop the potential of family members, colleagues, and friends?

I want to look at the possibilities of receiving and proclaiming God’s love for the people around you and for the people you encounter each day. Let’s start with Acts 1:8.

Read Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Reflect on Acts 1:8

The church’s mission is God’s mission. It functions by the presence and power of God and is carried out in trust and obedience to God.

“You will receive power…” is the assurance of God’s presence and strength. The church is more than a group of good people trying hard, by their own strength, to make the world a better place. The Greek word “dynamis” implies God’s strength and ability given to the followers of Jesus.

“…when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…” is the baptism of the Church. Just as Jesus, after being baptized was praying, the Holy Spirit came upon him and anointed him. God has anointed the Church with the Holy Spirit

Witnesses

“You will be my witnesses,” is one of the major themes in Acts. The word “witness” is the Greek word “martys” which implies sacrifice or putting yourself second. It is an important word for Luke. Just like “disciple,” it designates the work of a follower of Jesus. Although there were eyewitnesses to the ministry of Jesus, “witnesses” here refers to those who tell of the mighty acts of God in history which focuses upon Jesus, the human touch of God’s love.

To be a witness of Jesus is more than a private, individualistic experience of Jesus. It is following Jesus in self-denial, adopting his priorities, serving others in love. To be a witness calls the followers of Jesus to verbally give testimony to why they live this way.

“In Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth:” This is the story told in the Acts of the Apostles. It represents not only a numerical and geographical expansion of the church, but a widening of theological perspectives as it grows into its true mission. This mission is in direct relation to God’s call upon Israel (Isaiah 49:6), where Israel, the Servant of God, is charged to be God’s witness to the nations to the ends of the earth. The followers of Jesus are called to reorient their perspective. The shift is from looking for power to return to what they once had to looking out into the world and their mission in it.

Respond to Acts 1:8

As a follower of Jesus, you have received power to love as Jesus loved. You start where you are with the people you know and move out into the community to people you might not know, including people you might try to avoid. Your witness moves beyond yourself to the whole world. You might think of it this way:

Your Jerusalem might be your family or your church.

Your Judea could be your broader community like where you work, where you live, or where you go to school.  

Your Samaria may be uncomfortable. It might include people different from you or people you avoid.

And “the ends of the earth?” It might include all the people outside your sphere of influence but need God’s love and care just like the other people you encounter.

Take a few minutes to reflect upon these questions:

• What is your “Jerusalem”? Where has God already placed you to love and care for people?
• Are there “Samaritans” in your life, people or places you’ve avoided, who God might be calling you to love?
• What would it look like to be open to a global impact, even through small acts of love and care?

Return 

At the end of the day, reflect upon your day.

Give God thanks for the people you encountered. In whom did you see Jesus? In what situations did you receive the power to love, to forgive, or to care? What did you learn about yourself? What will you do differently tomorrow? Give God thanks for the experiences that have helped you become who God created you to be.