Power and Authority
(Something every born-again child of God has)
1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV) – We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
Pastor George Lehman
“Power and Authority always brings with it great responsibility”
One of the things that characterized the early church was their spiritual power and authority
Anyone who looked at the early church could see that these people had more than knowledge, they had more than dedication, they had a power and an authority that no one else had.
It was similar to what they saw in Jesus – listen to what happened toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount ….
Matthew 7:28-29“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” NIV
*Teachings from God not man.
When others come into contact at us they need to say –there’s something different about this person.
Jesus didn’t only come to display this power and authority, but to deposit it into our lives.
He came so that countless millions of people could receive the same power and authority as He carried.
Luke 9:1-2 “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
v6 “So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.”
Acts 1:8 – Power to be my witnesses
When God gives us power and authority it’s never just for ourselves so that we can show off and look good, but so that He can look good, so that His kingdom can benefit.
Everything from God is to you and through you, not to you and for you.
Whenever God blesses you it’s never only for you.
It’s so that something can flow through you to someone else….
Matthew 28:18 (NIV) – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
In Matthew 28 Jesus said“go and make disciples” – we call that the Great Commission. – You can’t say you’re a disciple until you have made a disciple.
Jesus doesn’t give us a responsibility without giving us the ability. (With vision comes provision.)
It would be like asking you to do a job without giving you the tools to do it. (None of us are without ability)
Here’s what I want you to see – The power we will walk in is equal to the measure that we live the mission. – If I’m not going, I’m not showing!
Authority comes with the commission, but the power only comes when we begin to live out the mission.
That’s why those people who go out and do things for God see more of God’s power than those who sit around doing nothing for God.
I think the more we live kingdom minded the more power we’ll see.
When my attitude is;
I want to see this person healed, not so that I look good but so that He looks good.
I want to excel in my job because the bible tells me to do everything as unto the Lord ….…so that He looks good.
I want to excel in my studies because I represent Him. (Pst Leonard said “How do we dishonor the Name of Jesus; by our behavior)
When that’s our attitude you’ll see more of His power flow through you.
Matthew 8:14-1614 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her.
16 When evening came, many demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
Here’s my point, Jesus simply touched her hand, He spoke a word and they were healed ……. that’s power, that’s serious power.
God gives us that power when we submit to Him.
The principle is this – you have authority when you’re under authority.
Jesus had power because He was under authority; He was fully submitted to the authority of the Father.
John 14:31 I do exactly what the Father has commanded me. NLT
In the Garden of Gethsemane, He said; Not my will be done but yours.
In the Lord’s Prayer He teaches us to have that same attitude and to even pray it …… Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be they name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done…….
He’s teaching us to submit to authority because our authority is linked to our submission.
One of the most basic forms of submission is obedience – obedience to His word.
Some Christians want to obey 80% of the word but there’s 20% they battle with – that’s not obedience, that’s partial obedience…..Which is really disobedience.
It’s not what you believe that gives you greater power and authority, it’s what you obey.
If we want greater power and authority in our lives we need to fully submit to authority and fully submit to His word.
The principle is, when we’re faithful in the little, God can trust us with more.
When you’re placed in a position of authority, make sure that you’re submitting to those above you.
Hebrews 13:17 (NIV) – Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
I believe there’s more power and authority available to everyone of us as we start using it for the correct purpose – of glorifying Him.
Jesus said…..John 16:15 “All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” NLT
Jesus is saying here, everything the father has is mine, and everything I have is yours, and this is how the transfer is going to take place……..the Holy Spirit is going to take what is mine and He’s going to declare it to you.
That means you and I need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
If we’ll listen to the voice of the Spirit, He’ll transfer from heaven to you.
He’ll give you insight into things you don’t see.
He’ll caution you before you make a mistake.
He’ll prompt you to prepare for things ahead of time.
He’ll give you ideas and creativity that will amaze you because He’s the most creative being in the universe.
Listen ……You have the power of Almighty God available to you!!!
Let me give you some examples from scripture….Solomon….
2 Chronicles 1:1“Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.” NIV
It was God’s power and authority that enabled Solomon to do great things.
Jesus……
Acts 10:38“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” NIV
I want to say to you today, God is with you!
The same power that was upon Jesus is also upon you and me.
Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
John 14:12“Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these………….”
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a property developer or a plumber or a professor or a home executive or a pastor, God is with you and He wants to do greater things in and through you.
He wants His power and authority to flow through your life.
The problem is many times we’re not aware of this power.
It’s like driving a car in the heat and you’re not aware that the car has an air conditioner – you can’t use what you don’t have.
You impart the thing you’re most aware of.
When you’re down and discouraged you impart that to others, you don’t even have to try.
When you’re anxious and fearful about the future you impart that to others.
When you’re aware that you’re a child of the Most High God and that you carry His power on the inside of you, you start imparting that to others, you don’t even have to try.
I think some Christians are missing out on the supernatural because they don’t realize what they have.
WARNING:Be careful that you don’t get so comfortable living naturally that you completely miss the supernatural, you completely miss what God has for you.
There are obstacles and challenges in your future that have the potential to ruin you.
If you face it in your own strength it may overpower and overwhelm you, but if you draw on the power and the authority available to you, you will overcome it.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Notice he doesn’t say I can do all things through my own strength and my own natural ability, he says I can do all things through His strength, His supernatural ability.
Once when the apostle Paul was really battling with a problem he brought it to God….in fact three times he brought it before God.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
Listen to his response……
So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” NLT
We rather choose the easy, comfortable way of life.
You know what Paul is saying here?
My problems aren’t holding me back, my weaknesses aren’t going to hold me back, because of His power I can be successful in spite of my problem.
That’s why he could say toward the end of his life,
I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
Power and Authority is available to you only you can limit the flow in your life
