Church Culture - Empowerment

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 
Philippians 4:13

The word strengthens in the Greek translation is “endynamoo” which means “to empower.” The Holy Spirit actually infuses us as believers with His strength and gives us a confident peace to use our spiritual gifts in serving the Lord. 

When it comes to empowering in the Bible, the best example we have is Jesus.  Jesus spent lots of time praying for and investing in the lives of His twelve disciples.  He modeled how to serve in both “word” (sharing the word) and “deed” (good works of service) wherever he went.  Then, one day, Jesus “sent them out” on a mission.

Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority… Matthew 10:1

In other words, Jesus called the twelve to Himself and gave them specific instructions.  Then, He empowered them with “authority” which means that the disciples were “given permission or liberty to do the will of God and the right to exercise their God-given power.”  Since we have the Holy Spirit within us, it is the Spirit that empowers us to do works of service.

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.   1 Corinthians 12:7

When Jesus sent out the twelve to serve, He could have gone along with each group He sent out and managed what was being done in the community.  However, He prayed for them and trusted that God would “empower” them and use them to accomplish His purposes.  Close, loving relationships give people freedom to serve God using the gifts, talents, and abilities that God has equipped them with.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, Not by might (hayil-resources, wealth, etc) nor by power (koah-human strength, ability), but by My Spirit (ruah-the third person of the triune God), says the Lord of Hosts.” 
Zechariah 4:6

The Lord of Hosts refers to Jehovah, the Existing One who is ruler of an organized army of both the heavenly host as well as the demonic rulers at war against them.