Embracing Authenticity: Reviving God's Power Among Us

Many have wondered why the power and miracles we read about in the Old Testament and the early church seem so distant from our present experience. The truth is, God has not changed, nor has His power diminished. The issue lies in how we, especially in the UK context, have boxed God into recycled programs, familiar songs, and predictable worship. We have become so comfortable with what we know that we are afraid to step into the unknown, to break out of the box and allow the spontaneity of God to move among us. This fear has led to a culture of imitation—borrowing songs, styles, and even spiritual expressions from other nations—rather than birthing something authentic from our own altars.

True revival is not about longer services, more noise, or even the outward display of spiritual gifts. Revival is the response of love, the beauty of difference, and the willingness to be original before God. It is not about sounding like everyone else or idolizing gifted individuals, but about finding God in our uniqueness and serving Him with a willing heart. The delegated power Jesus gave to His disciples is not a lesser power; it is the very authority He received from the Father, now residing in us through the Holy Spirit. This power is not for us to hoard within the church walls but to take into the world, to disrupt the agenda of hell, and to serve others.

The Spirit of God is not reserved for a select few but is poured out on all flesh—sons, daughters, old and young, regardless of status or background. Prophecy, vision, and dreams should be common in the church, not rare commodities. Yet, with great gifting comes the temptation to become idols ourselves, to forget that all glory belongs to God. We must remember that our calling is a privilege, not a right, and that grace is not an excuse for sin but a reason for humility and awe.

There is a generation rising, a people reserved for the day of God’s power, who will be willing volunteers, not needing to be begged or coerced. Revival is not about being slain in the Spirit but about asking, “What’s next?”—being ready to serve, to build, to birth something new. The church is pregnant with purpose, and now is the time to push, to break the cycle of sameness, and to walk in the fullness of the Spirit. Let us be those who dig new wells, write new songs, and carry the power of God with authenticity and love.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Break Out of the Box and Embrace the Spontaneity of God God cannot be contained within our familiar routines, setlists, or cultural expectations. When we cling to what is comfortable, we miss the sudden moves of the Spirit and the unique expressions He wants to birth in our midst. True spiritual power is found when we are willing to step into the unknown, allowing God to surprise us and use us in ways we have not seen before. [03:02]
• 2. Delegated Power: From Christ to the Church The authority Jesus received from the Father has been fully delegated to us, not in part but in whole. This is not a temporary or lesser power, but the very same authority that raised Christ from the dead. We are not called to sit on this power but to take it into the world, confronting darkness and serving with boldness, knowing that what we carry is meant to transform lives beyond the church walls. [14:05]
• 3. Revival Is the Response of Love, Not Just Fire Revival is not measured by emotional highs, extended meetings, or outward manifestations alone. Its true mark is love—love for God, for one another, and for the lost. Without love, even the most fiery altars are empty. The church must return to its first love, letting every act of power and every gift flow from a heart that is rooted in Christ’s love. [09:14]
• 4. The Spirit Is Poured Out on All Flesh—No More Elitism God’s Spirit is not reserved for a spiritual elite or a particular denomination. In this new covenant, every believer—regardless of background, education, or status—can prophesy, dream, and see visions. The days of idolizing gifted individuals are over; the whole body is called to walk in the Spirit, and prophecy should be a common reality, not a rare privilege. [39:06]
• 5. A Willing Generation: Revival Through Service and Sacrifice The day of God’s power is marked by a people who are willing—volunteers who do not need to be begged to serve, but who ask, “What’s next?” Revival is not about passivity or spiritual consumerism, but about active participation, sacrificial service, and a readiness to birth new things. The church is pregnant with purpose, and now is the time to push, to build, and to walk in the fullness of what God has reserved for this generation. [57:35]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:31] - Wrestling with the Absence of Power
• [02:25] - The Problem of Recycled Worship
• [04:17] - Fear of the Unknown and Cultural Borrowing
• [06:07] - Borrowed Altars vs. Authentic Altars
• [07:22] - Breaking Idols and the Myth of Celebrity Preachers
• [09:14] - Revival: More Than Fire, It’s Love
• [11:33] - Jesus Delegates All Authority
• [15:19] - Delegated Power Before Pentecost
• [19:04] - The Believer’s Authority Over Darkness
• [21:36] - The Difference Between Delegated and Inaugurated Power
• [28:10] - God and Sound: The Spirituality of Music
• [33:48] - Prophetic Words and Personal Ministry
• [37:18] - The Outpouring of the Spirit on All Flesh
• [39:41] - The End of Elitism: Prophecy for All
• [54:42] - Willing Volunteers in the Day of His Power
• [58:57] - The Church Pregnant with Purpose
• [61:41] - The Stewardship of Power and the Call for Authenticity
• [70:45] - Prophetic Encouragements and New Songs
• [85:13] - Thanksgiving and Closing Prayers
• [90:04] - Flames 2025 Conference Invitation

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) — > Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Joel 2:28-29 (ESV) — > “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

Psalm 110:3 (ESV) — > Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 28:18, what does Jesus say about the authority He has received, and what does He command His disciples to do with it?
2. According to Joel 2:28-29, who is included in the outpouring of God’s Spirit, and what are the results of that outpouring?
3. In Psalm 110:3, what is the attitude of God’s people in the “day of His power”?
4. The sermon described how the early church and Old Testament prophets experienced God’s power in ways that seem distant to us today. What reasons did the preacher give for this difference? [[01:07]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The preacher said that “all authority” given to Jesus is now delegated to the church, not in part but in whole. What does it mean for believers today to carry this same authority, and how should it affect our daily lives? [[14:05]]
2. The sermon challenged the idea of “recycled worship” and “borrowed altars.” Why is it important for the church to birth something authentic rather than imitate others? [[06:07]]
3. Joel’s prophecy says the Spirit will be poured out on “all flesh.” How does this challenge any sense of spiritual elitism or celebrity culture in the church? [[39:06]]
4. The preacher described revival as a “response of love” rather than just emotional fire or long services. How does this definition of revival change the way we think about spiritual renewal? [[09:14]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon warned against getting stuck in comfortable routines and “boxing God in.” Are there areas in your spiritual life or church experience where you feel you’ve become too comfortable or predictable? What would it look like to step into the unknown and allow God to move in new ways? [[03:02]]
2. The preacher said, “What you have is not meant to be for here. What you have is for the world.” In what ways are you currently using the authority and power God has given you outside the church walls? Is there a specific place or person where you sense God calling you to serve or speak up? [[14:05]]
3. The message challenged us to stop idolizing gifted individuals and instead recognize that the Spirit is poured out on all believers. Are there ways you have looked up to certain Christian leaders or styles at the expense of discovering your own unique calling or voice? How can you begin to serve God more authentically? [[39:06]]
4. Revival was described as “asking, ‘What’s next?’”—being ready to serve, build, and birth something new. What is one practical way you can be a “willing volunteer” in this season, either in church or in your community? [[57:35]]
5. The preacher said, “The church is pregnant with purpose, and now is the time to push, to break the cycle of sameness, and to walk in the fullness of the Spirit.” What is one area where you sense God is calling you to “push” or break out of sameness? What step can you take this week? [[58:57]]
6. The sermon emphasized that all spiritual gifts and power are a privilege, not a right, and should lead to humility and awe. How can you guard your heart against pride or entitlement as you serve and use your gifts? [[42:47]]
7. The preacher encouraged the church to “dig new wells, write new songs, and carry the power of God with authenticity and love.” What is one creative or fresh way you can express your faith or serve others this month? [[01:10:45]]