Date: 11-08-2020

Title: Talk Versus Power

(S) cripture:
    1 Corinthians 4:19-21 (NASB) But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

(O) bservation:
    In dealing with this troubled church Paul assesses part of the problem. There are arrogant people, those pushing their own agenda. They use words to persuade but there is no power in those words to change a life. It is not enough to talk a good game you must live it with power. The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. It must be more than talk.

(A) pplication:
    The church seems to be full of folks who talk a good game. These people want to influence the direction of the church and yet their hearts are only filled with cheap talk rather than the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul wanted to assess the real power of people and we should do the same. Living out our faith must be more than lip service. We cannot talk one way and live another. For our talk to be filled with power it must come from a life that is surrendered and committed to God. We must be walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be satisfied with simply talking a good game because that leaves our lives empty and powerless.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, fill me with your Spirit today. Let my walk with you be filled with power. Let my talk match my walk today, keep me from hypocrisy. Amen