April 11, 2010

Leviticus 15
Luke 11:1-28
During off-season football in high school, we were put into weight training. In the early years I was quite weak and couldn't lift anything that would impress anyone. But with persistence late in my Junior year and at the beginning of my Senior year, I was capable of benching 240 lbs. Now compared to the average power lifter who competes, that isn't much. However, compared to the person who doesn't compete, its not too shabby. It was certainly far more than I ever thought I would be able to do. I probably couldn't do 130 now. But it took persistence.
Part of the glory of Jesus is that He accomplished mighty feats in His days. That which He accomplished He accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit. With the finger of God, He cast out demons. By the Spirit of God, He entered Satan's house, bound him, took captive a host of captives, and set them free.
Jesus still accomplishes mighty feats through us. He said that greater things than He did, we would do because He was going to the Father. One reason that He was going to the Father was to send the Holy Spirit to live in us. Today's passage is that classic passage of "ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." He precedes it with the man who received help from his neighbor at midnight because he asked persistently. How does He end it? "How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
This same Spirit who resided in Jesus, by Whom He did His works of power, now resides in us. We too with the finger of God can cast out demons. The Kingdom of God has come upon us--now but not yet! That is part of His glory! He has bound the strong man. We may spoil his goods--by the Spirit. But we must ask and at times-with persistence. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john