POWER
Power is my fourth word; the need of power for real profit. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians,
“I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” 1 Corinthians 4:19, 2019But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:19‑20)
A man may have a great deal in the head, and be able to speak very correctly, both “in word and doctrine,” to please the ear, and yet not reach the conscience, nor profit the soul, simply for lack of power. Nothing withers up the soul like formality; and O, how much of it there is, even among saints, in prayer, and in singing, and in preaching! We may readily tell whether a person has power or not. It is soon felt. When there is power in a meeting, it is known at once, even before a word is uttered. It is said of the Lord,