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Flipping The Power Switch Worksheet - PDF (CLICK HERE)

Video Transcript - "Flipping The Power Switch"

Welcome back to “Total Preparedness”, I’m Dave Westbrook.

Is Christianity working for you? Is your behavior changing? Are you breaking bad habits, not losing control of your temper or your thoughts? Can others around you see that you’re changing?

In Romans chapter seven, the apostle Paul paints an interesting picture which many find is an accurate description of their personal Christian experience: “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Romans 7:19 Some people believe this is describing the life in Christ – it’s just the way things are for the Christian – after all, this was the apostle Paul – right? Here’s the problem, this is the same apostle Paul who also said – “Even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) And “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof” (Romans 6:12); “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) This doesn’t sound like the same guy as the man who wrote Romans 7! What’s going on here? Why this contradiction? Actually, it’s not a contradiction at all. We’re looking at two different experiences of Paul – one without the power, and one with the power. Romans 7 is describing the experience of the person who recognizes what’s right – even wants it, but is not connected with Divine power to conquer.

So, how do we turn on the power? That’s the question. In fact, this is crucial to spiritual preparedness, because those who stand through time of trouble, the Sunday law, and the close of probation will have mastered this issue. They will know how to connect with Divine power – that’s the only way they’ll get through it. That experience – being connected with God’s power - can be yours and mine. Let me put it another way – that experience must be ours if we’re really spiritually prepared.

But it’s not just so that I can be prepared for the coming crisis that I want to understand how to connect with God’s power. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to keep doing the same things, I don’t want to keep having the same failures over and over again. I don’t want to say the same hurtful things and have to clean up the same messes. Either Christianity works or it doesn’t. And let’s face it, if it doesn’t work, who wants it? I want that “life more abundant” that Jesus promised – I want victory, I want change – don’t you? Well, I’ve discovered that Christianity does work… when the power switches are in the “on” position.

So, what are the power switches? There are four of them. Each one of these switches connects you with Divine power. And as we look at them, I’d like you to ask yourself which of these is in the “on” position, and which is in the “off” position in your life. Let’s pause for prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, please give us clear insight as we examine the ways we need to connect with your power, in Jesus name, Amen.

Alright, I’m not going to spend much time on the first two because most Christians already know about them, and many already have these switches turned on in their life. They are daily prayer and study of God’s word. Of course if you’re not doing these things, then you know where you need to start.

Prayer was the secret of the power of Jesus’ life: “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 We’re told that… “Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power.” From Gospel Workers, 254 And… “Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks.”--The Great Controversy, p. 519

There’s that second one, study of God’s word. Jesus said, “Sanctify them by thy truth, thy word is truth.” John 17:17 This is basic – if prayer and Bible study are not a part of your day – every day – don’t expect to see power in your life. However, there are Christians who do their daily devotions but still find their lives lacking in real power, so let’s move on to Power Switch number three.

After healing a man possessed with demons, Christ gave him an assignment which helps us understand this key to connecting with Divine power for change in the life: “Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee.” Luke 8:39 The man followed Jesus’ instructions, and when Christ returned to that place, there were many people waiting to meet him because of the man’s witness. But this assignment – “tell your friends and neighbors what great things God has done for you”, was also the perfect prescription for what the man himself needed - spiritually. This is an important principle for connecting with Divine power. Notice, “…Strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service….” Acts of the Apostles, 105 If you’re not involved in some form of outreach and ministry, you’re going to lack power. It reminds me of some research that came out several years ago that showed that people who have plenty of calcium in their diet, can still suffer from bone loss if they’re not exercising. It’s as if the strain on the bones creates the need to get the calcium in. We’re talking about the same concept here. Outreach and ministry create a need that can turn up the spiritual power level in your life. Someone might be saying, “But I’m doing these things, and I still see a lack of power in my life. What’s the missing link?”

O.K., we’re moving on now to what I find is perhaps the most common power switch that is left in the off position. For power switch number four, I want to remind you of one of my favorite stories - the man with the withered hand. Here’s an example of two experiences – life without power and life with power. The hand withered, the hand restored. And the secret to flipping this power switch is found in Luke 6:10 “He said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.” The man never would have connected with the power of God’s word, if he hadn’t flipped this switch. It’s captured in four words – “And he did so….” He made the decision to act in harmony with God’s word. Notice this: "The afflicted man might have said, "Lord, I have not used it for years; heal it first, and then I will stretch it forth." But instead of this, when Jesus commanded him to stretch it forth, he exercised the power of his will, and moved it just as if it were well. The very exercise of the will power was evidence to Jesus that the man believed; and his hand was healed in the act of stretching it forth. {ST, October 6, 1887 par. 10} The Bible is full of stories like this. The 10 lepers were healed “as they went” to the temple. They took action on the word of Jesus and healing came. The Jordan parted when the priests bearing the ark put their feet in the water. The Red Sea opened up as the people obeyed the instructions to “Go forward”.

The secret here is that whether or not you feel strong, when you’re confronted with temptation – as you choose Christ, as you choose to do the right thing, the power will come. As it says in the book, Steps to Christ, on page 47, “Everything depends on the right action of the will.” We’re not talking here about earning our own salvation. Nothing we can do will merit that. We’re saved by grace through faith. We’re talking about connecting with Christ’s power to overcome temptation, and in that context, our action is a deciding factor – determining whether or not we flip the power switch.

One of the problems I’ve had to deal with is a bad temper. I wanted to change and prayed for God to help me. But I was like a lot of people who see life like this - it seemed to me that there wasn’t much I could do about it – sometimes I just lost my temper. Most of the time I failed. Then one day, God gave me a wonderful gift. Someone did something which I thought deserved my wrath. But just before I unleashed my anger, it was as if God set the camera in slow motion – and for the first time, I recognized a moment of decision. I’d never seen this before. It passes so quickly, but in every temptation there is a moment when we decide who we’ll follow. That day, I made the wrong choice – but the difference was, I knew it was a choice. That became a turning point in my life. The next time it happened, I recognized the moment again – the moment of decision, I chose Jesus – and there was power and a victory.

Dear heavenly Father, please help us to recognize those moments of decision, and to choose You – to choose to do the right thing, connecting with your power to change us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Don’t forget to download your copy of the study notes by clicking the link below this transcript. In our next presentation we’ll look at the subject – “Victory’s Secret Weapon”. Until then, thanks for joining us and God bless you!

Flipping The Power Switch Worksheet - PDF (CLICK HERE)