Sermon Central
-
Kingdom Authority
Contributed by Steve Keeler on Jan 5, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: This messages teaches about the power and authority found in the name of Jesus Christ for those who have chosen Him as their Savior.
Kingdom Authority by Steve Keeler
Scripture Matthew 16:19
Each and every one of us through the power of the name of Jesus Christ are possessors of the authority of all heaven. The authority I’m speaking of is the authority that comes only through the name of Jesus Christ.
Isn’t that a great opening for a message.
Because of this opening, you already know that today, I am going to talk about something positive, something that should put a smile on your face and uplift your heart.
So grab your bible and get ready to go cause we will be spending some time there this morning.
Jesus Christ said that We have the keys of THE KINGDOM.
This is great news folks, because keys represent authority. I have on my key ring, a key that will open the front door at the church in Warrenton, that’s because I have authority in that place. I can come and I can go any time I wish.
A locked door is meant to be a barrier to those who do not have the proper authority to be on the inside of that door. But once you possess the key to the door it no longer stops you.
We possess the keys of the kingdom, in other words (get ready) YOU AND I HAVE AUTHORITY IN HIS NAME.
And I’ll tell you, nothing that the enemy can throw at me will deter me, slow me down, or cause me to give up, because of this authority.
I. Let’s talk about The Power Source
People on the outside of the door to the kingdom may ask what is the source of this authority?
1. Jesus possesses all authority
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
How much authority was Jesus given? All authority in heaven and on earth.
They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Just what kind of authority did we see Jesus possessing in the scriptures?
Authority to command wind and waves - the disciples were fearing for their lives when Jesus simply spoke a word of authority over the wind and waves to calm the sea.
Authority to heal crippled - the man at the pool of Bethesda unable to walk for so many years saw the authority when Jesus simply said pick up your bed and walk.
Authority to open blinded eyes - a man blind all his life saw the sign of authority after Jesus applied simple mud to the mans eyes and by this authority he could see.
This one is my favorite! Authority to stop funeral processions - by His word of authority "Lazarus come forth" the dead lived again.
This is the authority that is made available to us when we call on His name - You see, Jesus has passed this very same authority on to His joint heirs. That’s every Christian who has gained that personal, one on one, love relationship needed for salvation.
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
Who did Jesus consider His disciples? Not just the 12!
The bible tells us that after His resurrection, He appeared to over 500 of His disciples at one time. His disciples are the ones that believe and have that relationship with Him. That’s us!
We all know that Jesus is the same today as yesterday and tomorrow. (Amen?) So that same authority He gave His disciples then He gives us now as His disciples. (Amen?) YOU HAVE THAT SAME AUTHORITY!
2. Let’s go back to the last verse in Matt. 10 Jesus called his disciples to Him to give them authority. They received His authority because of their relationship with Jesus
This marks a special time for the disciples, this is when they went from servants to friends of Jesus. When the perfect time came, Jesus called them to pass on the authority His Father had given Him.
3. So Our Authority is based solely on our relationship with Jesus
That is why we must maintain that relationship. Apart from Christ we are Lost & Without Authority.
Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about. In Acts 19 we read about the seven sons of Sceva. These men had watched how Paul "performed" his ministry. Oh, they had a good reason to watch.
You see they were Jewish Exorcist who traveled from town to town making a living casting out demons (more or less). They could see that Paul was able to do this for real! So they tried to learn his method in hopes of increased income.