If you’re of a certain age, you may remember the classic Nintendo game called Super Mario Bros. that was released in 1985. What do twentieth-century video games about a pair of plumbers have to do with us in 2026?! Fair question…
I remember how amazing it felt to make Mario jump and punch a block containing one of those Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, or Starman power-ups. It changed the game! Your simple (and puny) character grew, gained fireball-spitting capabilities, or became invincible to enemy attacks. My Mario skills were something in the range of a B+ back in the day. I would often get stuck on more difficult levels, and getting one of these power-ups provided a much-needed boost.
What about in your spiritual journey with Jesus? Do you ever get stuck? Same old Goomba or Koopa Troopa knocking you out of the game? You need a boost! It’s time to power up! It’s time to change the game!
Jesus didn’t lay out a set of rules and say, “Good luck. Hope you can make it to the end!” He said, “Follow me, learn my ways, and then receive the power of the Holy Spirit to go do what I’ve done and to be my witnesses to the world.” When he sent out the Twelve, in Luke 9:1-6, it says “he gave them power and authority.” Before he ascended into heaven, in Acts 1:4-9, he promised his soon-to-be witnesses a baptism in the Holy Spirit and power.
Many get confused, seeking the results of the power rather than the source. They want signs, wonders, and wisdom for life. But 1 Corinthians teaches us a better way — a Jesus-centered way of approaching power:
1 Corinthians 1:22–25 (NIV): “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
In this game of life, you’re gonna need power-ups along the way. The key is to look in the right place — and for the right reasons. Jesus Christ is the power and wisdom of God. You’ll find him on the way to be his witness to the world. And you’ll find him in the place of humble obedience.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV): “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
I remember how amazing it felt to make Mario jump and punch a block containing one of those Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, or Starman power-ups. It changed the game! Your simple (and puny) character grew, gained fireball-spitting capabilities, or became invincible to enemy attacks. My Mario skills were something in the range of a B+ back in the day. I would often get stuck on more difficult levels, and getting one of these power-ups provided a much-needed boost.
What about in your spiritual journey with Jesus? Do you ever get stuck? Same old Goomba or Koopa Troopa knocking you out of the game? You need a boost! It’s time to power up! It’s time to change the game!
Jesus didn’t lay out a set of rules and say, “Good luck. Hope you can make it to the end!” He said, “Follow me, learn my ways, and then receive the power of the Holy Spirit to go do what I’ve done and to be my witnesses to the world.” When he sent out the Twelve, in Luke 9:1-6, it says “he gave them power and authority.” Before he ascended into heaven, in Acts 1:4-9, he promised his soon-to-be witnesses a baptism in the Holy Spirit and power.
Many get confused, seeking the results of the power rather than the source. They want signs, wonders, and wisdom for life. But 1 Corinthians teaches us a better way — a Jesus-centered way of approaching power:
1 Corinthians 1:22–25 (NIV): “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
In this game of life, you’re gonna need power-ups along the way. The key is to look in the right place — and for the right reasons. Jesus Christ is the power and wisdom of God. You’ll find him on the way to be his witness to the world. And you’ll find him in the place of humble obedience.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV): “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
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