In this message, Ryan unpacks what it means to live a Spirit-empowered life.
Drawing from Luke 4, he shows how Jesus moved from the river of love, through the wilderness of surrender, and into the power of the Spirit to announce freedom and favor.
Love creates safety. Surrender creates sustainability. But it is the power of the Holy Spirit that advances the kingdom. This is a call to move beyond human effort and clever strategy, to hunger for more of God and to carry His power lightly, for the glory of Jesus and the good of the world.
The summary of this message has been drafted automatically from the transcript. Its accuracy may vary.
The Three Baptisms of the Christian Life
Pastor Ryan outlines a three-stage journey reflected in the life of Jesus (Luke 3–4) that serves as the framework for our growth:
- The Baptism of Love: Being ravished by the Father’s love and secured in our identity.
- The Baptism of Surrender: Being led into the “wilderness” to confront pride, reputation, and the need for control.
- The Baptism of Power: Returning from the wilderness to effect the Kingdom of God on earth.
We often get stuck. Some “River Churches” wallow in love but never surrender. Some “Wilderness Churches” focus only on surrender but never move into power. Jesus shows us we must have all three.
The Banks of the River: Safety and Sustainability
Why do we need love and surrender before we seek power? Pastor Ryan uses the metaphor of a river:
Power is the water, but Love and Surrender are the banks.
— Ryan Matthews
Power On
- Love Creates Safety: When we are rooted in the Father’s love, we don’t use God’s power to feed our own ego or manipulate others. We don’t need the applause; we just need Him.
- Surrender Creates Sustainability: Purity sustains the pathway of God’s purposes. When we surrender our “stuff,” we create a clean runway that allows the move of God to last from one generation to the next without being “pole-axed” by hidden sin.
Jesus’ Mission Statement: Luke 4
When Jesus stood up in the synagogue and read from Isaiah 61, He was declaring a Messianic Jubilee. This is a holistic freedom that includes:
- Good news for the poor.
- Recovery of sight for the blind.
- Freedom for the oppressed.
- The Year of the Lord’s Favor (Grace).
Notably, Jesus omitted the “day of vengeance” from the original Isaiah text. Why? Because we currently live in the era of favor and grace—where it is never too late to be restored.
Building the Kingdom, Not the Brand
The power of God is not for the promotion of human personalities or “Christian celebrity.” As Zechariah 4:6 says,
“Not by power nor by might, but by my Spirit.”
When we carry the Love of God in us, we can carry the Power of God on us lightly. It doesn’t become a “straitjacket” of identity; it becomes a tool for service. Our goal isn’t to build an environment that looks like a leader—it’s to build an environment that looks like Jesus.
