1. IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT POWER THEN YOU HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE CHURCH ACTS 2:1-13

2. SCRIPTURE Acts 2:1-13 (NIV) 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

3. SCRIPTURE (CONTINUED) 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

4. SCRIPTURE (CONTINUED) 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome

5. SCRIPTURE (CONTINUED) 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

6. POINT # 1 Since the church is people and not a building, or a healthy bank account or a bunch of activities- if the church is to have power- it must have powerful people. Acts 1:8 (NIV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you... Acts 2:4 (NIV) 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

7. POINT # 2 The power of a church comes not in uniformity but in diversity under God's leadership as head of the church. Acts 2:7 (NIV) 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?

8. POINT # 3 Their is no power in the church promoting itself; the power of the church comes in promoting Jesus. Acts 2:11-12 (NIV) 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

9. POINT # 4 If you are seeking to find the power that comes only through Jesus Christ, there will always be someone with something negative to say. Acts 2:13 (NIV) 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

10. CONCLUSION If you want to talk about power then you have to talk about God's church.