Rev. Dr. Mark Whitlock (File photo)

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 Tasha Cobb wrote song “Break Every Chain.” The song says, “He promised the power to break every chain.”

We live in a day and an age where there is no holy reverence or respect for the power of God to break the chains that cripple and overcome anything that bind us.

With no holy reverence or respect for the power of God, that there is no escape for the chains that bind us to sin, insecurity, insincerity, and insipid behavior.

All to often, humankind has doubted the power of promises of God. The Bible says in Revelation 3:12, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him my new name.”

The content and context of this great text was written by Luke where he told of Jesus’ life from beginning to end — including Jesus’ resurrection appearances, which Luke called “many proofs” of his existence. He tells us that Jesus ordered the apostles, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father.

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He also relates Jesus’ promise to the apostles, “you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

On Sunday May 28, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. The word Pentecost has its roots in the Greek word ‘pentecoste,’ which means ’50th day. ‘

Pentecost is a major festival in the Christian church and is celebrated by believers on the Sunday that falls on the 50th day of Easter. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.

It marks the promise of the power of God to overcome. By faith He gives us the power to overcome addiction. He gives us the power to overcome poor health. He gives us the power to overcome selfishness.  He gives us the power to overcome overeating. He gives power to overcome sickness.

Tosha Cobb sings, “There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain, break every chain, break every chain. I hear the chains falling.” He promises the power to overcome!

The Rev. Dr. Mark Whitlock is the senior pastor of Reid Temple AME Church in Glenn Dale, Maryland.