Unmatchable Power
Do you become more excited when a player demonstrates power, or get more frustrated when an athlete melts in weakness and fear?
Personally, there was a time that weakness dominated my attention in practice, but through an intentional approach of changing my focus, I now find joy in searching for a young man who is tapping into his power source. My players often hear me say the phrases, “Keep tapping in” or “You must tap in!”
So where does pure power come from? Anyone that knows me well, connects me with the quote “Pure Joy”, but what about “Pure Power”? A power free of fear and completely unleashed in such a way that anyone watching is drawn to Christ!
Sports provides an amazing stage to demonstrate the power of God. I love to use the word “worship” when referring to how we approach playing on the basketball court. Our goal is to worship together through the game we love with the talent God has given us. We hope when fans leave our game, they are drawn to Jesus by the way we have “worshiped”.
We should all be using our creative gifts to worship our King. We should also be demonstrating a style of play that reflects the strength and courage of our Savior. Maybe we should call our style of play “Power Worship” or “Fearless Worship”.
Let’s look at what the Truth says about being powerful.
In Genesis 1:28, God gave us dominion over the earth. Placing it under our power so that we would dominate every living thing that moves on the earth.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive Power when the Holy Spirit comes on you!
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
1 Corinthians 6:14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Colossians 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
Luke 24:49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Ephesians 1:19 And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district
Micah 3:8 On the other hand I am filled with power— With the Spirit of the LORD– And with justice and courage.
Jesus was walking power, completely full of the Holy Spirit. One of my favorite demonstrations of His power is found in John 18:6.
Judas shows up with between 300-600 armed soldiers to capture Jesus. Jesus knows what is coming. He brought his three most trusted warriors: Peter, James and John. It is at this moment that Jesus displays one of the most powerful demonstrations of power in history.
Jesus ask, “Who are you looking for?”
Can anyone besides me see that Jesus’ question is a setup? When they respond “Jesus of Nazareth!”.
Jesus unleashes a small taste of the power at his fingertips.
“I AM HE!”
These three words caused 300-600 armed soldiers to ALL get knocked backwards onto the ground. Talk about the Matrix! The power in Jesus words alone laid out an entire band of soldiers. How much RAW POWER is that? RAW – the “Real Anointed Words” of the God King!
I can hear Michael Buffer now, “Introducing in this corner, the Undefeated Unmatchable RAW POWER of Jesus of Nazereth. Let’s face it fans, nobody is ready to rumble with a Power of this magnitude!”
In Mark 14:48 Jesus talks a little noise saying to the soldiers, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me, as you would a robber? Day after day I was with you teaching and you did not seize me.”
I Cor 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Who would turn down RAW power? Specifically the kind of power that comes from above and is without measure. Are you and your players tapping into the supernatural power source available? If not then you are functioning way below your capacity. The Holy Spirit is the power source and guide that God sent for us to use to fulfill his purpose. It’s time that we claim our power source and begin letting others see God’s Unmatchable RAW Power in each and every one of us!