Isaiah Roman

The Power of God That Moves the Universe

“Straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

Even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, he was alone on the land. He saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

They saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled.

Immediately he talked with them, and said unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. He went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered” (Mark 6: 45-51).

“As the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, He saw two ships standing by the lake: the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

He had left off speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

When they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. They beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon” (Luke . 5: 1-9).

These are only two of the many miraculous events in the earthy life and ministry of God incarnate. What more needs to be said?

Consider the commonality of these two events.

In both instances the characters are the same. The apostles or disciples were doing the things they knew best; their life’s work with boats and fish. They were rowing a boat and casting their nets to catch fish for their daily diet. They had taken enough for food for themselves and more to sell to others in the markets.

In both instances the stories turn on two things; recognizing who Jesus is and being obedient to His suggestions, or commands. In these instances the apostles harnessed their obedience to the power that causes the galaxies to move in the expanse of space; the power to create and sustain creation eternally.1

Obedience to Christ and subjection of the will to Him are the profession of the true faith. They are the signal of a life lived according to the direction and the instigation of the Spirit — a signal expressed by external acts. These acts are the basis by which a judgment can be formed by mankind about the person who performs them.

We say that these are the “marks of a church which outwardly conducts herself with propriety.” The public preaching and hearing of the word, the administration and use of the sacraments and prayers and Thanksgivings are the marks of the church. During her life the church may degenerate from this profession of faith and, through her deeds may deny Christ, though she continues a profession of faith of words.

Yet, she may not cease to be a “church.” As long as it is the pleasure of God and Christ to bear with her ill manners, He will not send her a bill of divorcement.

But, as the practices degrade to ritual performances and stop being an expression of the heart, the profession of words begins to be intermixed with falsehoods and truth. In essence the worship becomes simultaneously praise for Jehovah and for Baal. The church’s condition is very bad, and “nigh to destruction.” All those who adhere to her are commanded to desert her so as not to become partakers of her abominations and contaminate themselves with the pollutions of her idolatry. They are commanded to accuse this church of being a harlot, and of having violated the marriage compact with her husband.

When the church moves away from the power of the Spirit and begins to function in the strength of human flesh and human will it becomes weak and unable to effect the society around her. “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

As one part of the body begins to degrade, separate parts of the body of Christ begin to suffer and atrophy. As their sin separates them from life, the belief in the power and work of the Spirit of God begins to fade. They begin to believe Perhaps some new thing must be engineered by man to bring power back to the church. Is it possible that mankind is capable of creating a force that can supersede the Spirit of God? Perhaps in arrogance or disbelief the church has arrived at this place?

The church longs for the days of the great awakening. Some want to return to the days of the reformation and some to the days of the Apostles. The church needs to return to the pioneer church in the wilderness that saw five thousand new converts in one day. It needs to return to the day of Pentecost when the Spirit like a mighty wind swept through the upper room.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their [church and] land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

“Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

If the risen Christ “endued the church with power from on high” The Church is endued with all the power it needs; it is in obedience and in subjection to the will of God that we will find the One who has walked on water, calmed the storm, fed the hungry and raised the dead. Those who do this already have the Spirit who is the power.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24)