Power is neither inherently good nor bad. Fire is powerful. The chef uses fire to create meals. But the arsonist uses fire to destroy homes. Nuclear fission is a powerful force. The engineer harnesses it, producing abundant electricity. The tyrant harnesses it, threating others with nuclear weapons. What matters is the purpose of the one who has that power.

Jesus has limitless power, as the numerous accounts of his miracles demonstrate. Those who witnessed those miracles understood that Jesus used his power for good. That doesn’t mean they all understood Jesus’ true purpose. Some thought Jesus’ purpose was to make this temporal life better. And while Jesus did that at times, his ultimate purpose was to save us from sin and give us the gift of eternal life. Followers of Christ see the true purpose of his power.

When a child asks a sibling to do something, there isn’t much certainty as to the results. The sibling might simply ignore the request. However, if that same child goes to a brother or sister with “Dad said so,” it’s a very different story! Now the father’s authority is behind the child’s request.

As believers carry out gospel ministry, encouraging others to turn to Christ in repentance, people might push back. “What gives you the right?” Maybe we ask that question ourselves. “I’m far from perfect. So, what gives me the right to talk about things like sin?” This week we are given the answer to that question. “Dad said so.” When our God calls us to do ministry, he also gives us authority. In calling us to ministry, God isn’t asking us to share our advice or our opinion or even our values. We are sharing God’s own authoritative Word. Gospel ministry is conducted by believers but with God’s own authority behind the effort.

This life-changing story tells us that you are loved and you are forgiven.  No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, through faith in Christ, we have forgiveness.  When you know that truth but you kind of ignore it, it’s like driving outside at night without lights.  You are ignoring the truth and it is dangerous.  Even when it’s foggy, life gets hard.  We need help.  We need the Light.  We need the truth.  That’s what Christ is.

As you hear this story today, don’t just think “Do I like this?”  Think about how we worshipped and what our Savior means to us–that He has come to be one of us, to live for us, to die for us, and that He rose again to show that our sins are forgiven.  Take to heart this true, life-changing message as you hear what a wonderful story this is. 

This life-changing story tells us that you are loved and you are forgiven.  No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, through faith in Christ, we have forgiveness.  When you know that truth but you kind of ignore it, it’s like driving outside at night without lights.  You are ignoring the truth and it is dangerous.  Even when it’s foggy, life gets hard.  We need help.  We need the Light.  We need the truth.  That’s what Christ is.

As you hear this story today, don’t just think “Do I like this?”  Think about how we worshipped and what our Savior means to us–that He has come to be one of us, to live for us, to die for us, and that He rose again to show that our sins are forgiven.  Take to heart this true, life-changing message as you hear what a wonderful story this is.