POWER THROUGH PREACHING

TEXT: MATTHEW 10:1-15.
🔑KEY VERSE “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (MATTHEW 10:1).

God used Smith Wigglesworth to perform a lot of miracles. Thousands were healed during his programmes. One day, he was being shown around a farm by the owner. He appreciated the beauty of the farm but the owner said the whole farm was ruined by blight. He stretched forth his hands on the farm in the name of Jesus and the blight immediately disappeared. All the miracles happened because anywhere he was, he would always preach the gospel.

The Lord gave His twelve disciples power over unclean spirits, to cast them out and heal all manner of sicknesses and diseases. These disciples of Jesus were the first set of evangelists, empowered to preach, teach, cast out unclean spirits and heal.

An evangelist is steadfast in all circumstances, as we see in the case of the disciples of Jesus who were sent out without physical provisions (verses 9 and 10). Evangelism entails spreading the good news; preaching at the marketplaces, schools, villages and the communities around us, even outside our nation. For everyone to be saved, we need to preach repentance everywhere. As we lead them to Christ, the Saviour, we also bring them healing and deliverance as well. The complete gospel is forgiveness from God through faith in Jesus.

Christ has given us the power to heal the sick, cleanse the leper and raise the dead. His name will make the devil subject to us. The power to accomplish these comes when we go out to preach the saving gospel. Remember that the Lord has promised to be with you on the evangelism field. You are empowered and endowed to win souls for His kingdom with signs following.

✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Signs and wonders follow believers who preach.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 13-16.

Available but unused

1. The disciples were young converts, with limited knowledge and experience, yet the power given them was over all demons and all diseases vv1-4.
   Q Has Jesus changed? Hebrews 13:8.
   Q Who is to blame if you lack this power?
   Observe that effectiveness of the disciples in evangelism is tied to receiving this power and gifts.
   God of heaven, give me hunger and thirst for your power and anointing for miracles
   Lord, launch me into the miraculous as I preach the gospel
2. Judas was also given this power over the devil. Sin automatically caused power to change hands. Satan then had power over him and he commanded him, Judas, to commit suicide and he could not resist v4.
   Lord, I will not trade my authority over Satan and sickness with sins. Keep me from the folly of yielding to temptations
   Note If you have lost the power of God and Satan is now dominating and oppressing your life, you can ask for forgiveness with repentance and you will get the victory
3. Can you observe that the commandment to preach the gospel is inseparable from the commandment to heal and deliver from the hands of Satan? vv5-8. It is disobedience not to pray for healings and deliverance of those who need them vv7-8.
   Lord, let the power fall on me with signs following
4. All round divine supply is guaranteed to those who preach the gospel faithfully vv9-15.
   Lord, the greatest need of the Church now is power. Send the power on your children like as of hold

HYMN With signs following

1. When first the risen Lord of pow’r
   His chosen ones sent forth,
   A charge He gave, that solemn hour,
   To preach His saving worth.
   “Go ye,” said He, “to all mankind;
   Declare My Word, and ye shall find:
   These signs shall surely follow them
   Who on My Name believe.”
2. “No demons shall before them stand,
   No poison do them harm;
   Nor subtle serpent in their hand
   Cause pain or dread alarm.”
   For Satan’s kingdom He o’ercame,
   To give His people right to claim:
   “These signs shall surely follow them
   Who on My Name believe.”
3. “They shall with other tongues declare
   The wonders of their God:
   The sick beneath their hands, by prayer,
   Shall rise, to prove My Word,”
   So let it be! Firm as His Throne
   Stands this clear promise to His own:
   “These signs shall surely follow them
   Who on My Name believe.”
4. Crowned with the flame of Pentecost,
   A faithful, fearless band
   Proclaimed His Name: a ransomed host
   Arose from every land.
   The Lord worked with them from on High,
   His proven Word could none deny:
   “These signs shall surely follow them
   Who on My Name believe.”
5. No word of Thine is void of power;
   No Promise, Lord, is vain.
   Be this a Pentecostal hour –
   Confirm Thy Word again!
   Nor can’st Thou fail! Thou art the same
   As when of old Thou did’st proclaim:
   “These signs shall surely follow them
   Who on My Name believe.”