2016 (The Year of PWI) – Power
Ministering: Pastor I.S James
Topic: 2016 (The Year of PWI) – Power
Text: Dan. 2: 46-49
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.”
- Promoted & ruler – Power!
- Gave him many great gifts – Wealth!
- Chief Administrator over – Influence!
In our year of PWI, we need to understand what these words mean? And why God would want us to have them?
- What is Power?
As a child of God, you need to understand that there’s a latent power on your inside that you have to discover and exhibit. Once you can exhibit it, you will realize that nothing at all outside of God can stop you.
It’s a word that often carries negative & oppressive connotations! Power, like Money can be good or evil based on the Nature & Intent of those who possess it e.g. Joseph in Potiphar’s house in Gen. 39:9
“There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
You can also
You need to realise that Godly Power is a GOOD & a GREAT gift! Godly power in the hands of a good man is truly a great gift.
When God promotes and empowers you in this year (and beyond), you need to realise that it’s for you help and bless people.
It is defined differently, in different areas:
- Scientifically – The rate of doing work
- Politics/Social Science – The Capacity or Ability to direct or influence the events, beliefs & actions of others.
- Academically – The possession of knowledge.
- In a General sense – It is the ability or Capacity to do or not to do something (with or without resistance from others).
E.g. the Power Joseph and Daniel had was power for RULING & REIGNING – Control, Government and Dominion!
Having the Ability/Capacity to DO or ACT; to bear rule, to dominate, to be chief, lord or master.
- They understood Power & used it to Serve, do Good & Save lives! (Unlike the general Negative Impression!)
And theirs came through human potentates (Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar), but there is only One True Potentate – the “… Lord Jesus Christ …who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, …whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honour and everlasting power. Amen.” (1Tim.6:14-16).
v.16 – Power – (KRATOS – Gk.). This is the closest word defining what was given to Joseph & Daniel (power to reign & rule). (This is a little different from other Power words in the Bible as dunamis (miraculous power), exousia (delegated authority), koach (strength and ability), etc, which describes God’s authority & anointing for miracles & the supernatural).
- When He Empowers You (in your Area), u too like Daniel/Joseph – To bear rule, to dominate, to be Chief, lord or Master. Having the Ability/Capacity to DO or ACT; it’s yours in 2016!
- But use it to Serve, do Good & Save lives!
Men & Governments can empower people; but God has always desired to WORK through men He has Empowered To advance His kingdom!
- Spiritually e.g. Jesus – Acts 10:38 – “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
- Governmentally e.g. Daniel & Joseph’s elevation by Nebuchadnezzar – (Dan.2:49); Pharaoh – (Gen.41:40-44)
- In Business e.g. Jacob’s empowerment was through Spiritual revelation – (Gen.31:11-12; 30:37-38, 41-43.)
Empowered to ‘negotiate’ from position of strength! (Gen.30:27-28) -“And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favour in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the LORD has blessed me for your sake.”28 Then he said, “Name me your wages, and I will give it.”
As a businessman, you need God to rise in the place of business, but if you’re going to work with God, you need to be holy like Him.
Having a dream doesn’t necessarily translate into power, wealth or influence. The knowledge God has given you, what are you going to do with it? Realise that you have to apply the knowledge that God has given you (wisdom, which also comes from the Holy Spirit) to your business and gain increase from it.
