logo
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Public Notices
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Public Notices
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Google Play App Store
The Power of the Church
commentary, Devotional
October 15, 2025
The Power of the Church
By Shirley R. Watts

Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). The power of the Church comes from the Holy Spirit of the Living God, not by any man, politician nation or denomination.

Persecutor Convicted

A man called Saul persecuted the Church. We see how God convicted him of his wrong doing. Saul was converted! With a new name and The Holy Spirit. Paul began preaching the power of the Gospel… Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected and alive. Persecutors can’t win!

Church

What is the Church? God the Father purchased the Church with the blood of His Son. Christ loves, nourishes and cherishes His Church. The Church is built by the power of the Holy Spirit in and through the lives of God’s people (born again from above).

The Church continues to grow in spite of persecution.

The Church I speak of is the Universal Church, not local church. There are true Believers in the local churches, and God through the Holy Spirit wins souls when the Christians are surrendered to the Spirit’s leadership. I am afraid many Believers are AWOL. The Church is a witness and supports mission work around the world. The Church has been on Mission since the First Century. She is a witness today… that is why there is so much persecution. Yes, we can do much better! The Christian must be dedicated to God!

Helper

What did Jesus promise to send the Church? “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:1618).

Jesus said He would send the Church the power to be a witness in this world…and He did! “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He told the Church to go into all the world and share the Gospel…His Cross and resurrection. Are You going?

Pentecost

When did the Holy Spiritarrive? “whenthe Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting…And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1-4).

What happened on that day? The 120 Believers and apostles were waiting in one accord. The power came and Peter stood up and “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2).

Witness

How did the Church witness? “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,… praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-31 Is the Church alive today…Yes! Very much alive! Persecution from hell can’t stop the Church!Amen! The Lord continues to add souls to His Church and soon we will all come together and reign with Him for all eternity. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come uTpon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Church let’s continue to march on and be a witness! Express the joy! The Rapture! The glorious appearing! We will reign with Him very shortly!

Jesus is coming soon, Be ready!

Let’s talk about Jesus Christ!

Work continues on Tenkiller bridge
Main, news...
Work continues on Tenkiller bridge
March 11, 2026
Construction workers with Kiewit work beneath a gantry crane to install new torque shafts that were previously supported by the U.S. Highway 100 bridge near Gore, on Feb. 10. The U.S. Army Corps of En...
this is a test
Johnny Teehee III to be US Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
Main, news...
Johnny Teehee III to be US Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
March 11, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement of support for President Trump’s nomination of Johnny Teehee III to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern...
this is a test
Main, news...
Gore Trustees approve pump station permit, employee raise
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
March 11, 2026
The Town of Gore Board of Trustees approved a key state permit for a pump station project, amended personnel policies and granted a pay raise during its regular monthly meeting on Feb. 17. Trustees un...
this is a test
K9 Joi, founding force of drug interdiction program, dies at 12
Main, news...
K9 Joi, founding force of drug interdiction program, dies at 12
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
March 11, 2026
The Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office is mourning the loss of K9 Joi, the pioneering narcotics detection canine who helped build and define the agency’s K9 program. With what officials described as “h...
this is a test
Main, news...
Vian Board accepts resignation, hires part-time officer
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
March 11, 2026
The Vian Board of Trustees accepted a resignation, approved the hiring of a part-time police officer and set plans for a Purple Heart Ceremony during its regular meeting on Feb. 17. During guest recog...
this is a test
Main, news...
Webbers Falls accepts low bid for museum renovations
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
March 11, 2026
The Webbers Falls Board of Trustees approved a series of purchases and personnel matters during its regular February meeting, including awarding a bid for renovations to the new museum building. Trust...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Main, news...
Deadline to change party affiliation approaches
March 11, 2026
Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change no later than March 31, Sequoyah County Election Board Secretary Ruby Brunk said. Voters may change their party affiliati...
this is a test
Billy Smith
Obituaries
Billy Smith
March 11, 2026
Nov. 30, 1929 – Feb. 27, 2026 A memorial service for Billy Smith, 96, of Sallisaw, was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw. Burial followed at Sallisaw ...
this is a test
Carolyn Rhodes
Obituaries
Carolyn Rhodes
March 11, 2026
Dec. 23, 1941 – Feb. 28, 2026 A Memorial of Life Service for Carolyn Rhodes, formerly of Sallisaw, was held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Maranatha Baptist Church in Columbus, Ga. Arrangements...
this is a test
Benny Ray Haddox
Obituaries
Benny Ray Haddox
March 11, 2026
Jan. 4, 1940 – March 1, 2026 Funeral services for Benny Ray Haddox, 86, were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw. Burial followed at Akins Cemetery in Sa...
this is a test
Iris M. Proctor
Obituaries
Iris M. Proctor
March 11, 2026
June 29, 1943 – Feb. 25, 2026 Iris M. Proctor, 82, of Princeton, Ky., formerly of Sallisaw, Okla., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Baptist Health Hospital in Paducah, Ky. She was born on June...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

VIAN TENKILLER NEWS
Address: 603 W. Schley Vian, Oklahoma
Phone:+1 918-773-8000

news@bigbasinllc.com

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Vian Tenkiller News

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy