Spiritual Warfare (SW-02)
Authority that Overcomes
Matthew 28:18-19
We are standing in the face of the greatest confrontation mankind has ever known. I am further persuaded, that other than Calvary, we have entered the most intense concentration of that battle humanity has ever gone through. I do not believe the wide circles of the American church or the wider circles of the Christian Church around the world realize how critical the time is in which we are living. We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-Church, the Gospel and the anti-Gospel, the truth and the anti-truth, the Christ and the antichrist. It is clear to see that the avowed enemies of the Christian Church are becoming more emboldened and more brazen than ever before. My friend, this confrontation involves the entire Church both collectively and individually whether it likes it or not - and you and I must take it up whether we want to or not.
Your Bible is quite clear: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)
The problem is not this war. My Bible tells me in 1 Sam. 17:47 that ". . . the battle is the LORD’s." It being His battle, we read in 1 John 3:8 that "The Son of God appeared for this purpose - to destroy the works of the devil." We know He accomplished that because at Calvary Jesus declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30) and in Colossians 2:15 we read "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through the cross." Well that is good and right for Jesus Christ, but how does that affect us? In Luke 10:19 Jesus said "Behold, I give unto you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing will injure you."
You see my friend, the problem is not this war. Victory has been convincingly gained by Christ and completely given to the Church. However, the powers of darkness have pulled off an amazing coup. They have managed to convince the Church not only that it does not have the victory, but, in many instances, that it cannot have the victory. Think about it - while the American Church is undoubtedly more ‘resourced’ than the church has ever been in its entire history, Satan has lured us into believing we cannot impact things like global poverty, social justice and national spirituality at a large scale level, and that we cannot heal the sick, forgive sins, overcome temptation at a personal level.
Now ironically, if we persist in this deterministic view of the future, not only can the church not make a difference, but neither will God. Why? Because God has chosen to limit the expression of His power to the level of our faith. When the church determines it cannot do it - it effectively locks God out of the equations because God does nothing but through the church, on behalf of the church and in response to the faith of the Church.
God did not build a powerless church - but He did give her the right to choose whether to walk in His power or not.
God did not build a defeated - but He did give her the right to choose whether to walk in His victory or not.
God did not build a sinful church - but He did give her the right to choose whether to walk in His righteousness or not.
The Church is not primarily the victim of the devil, the world or the forces of darkness. She is the victim of her own choices.
Now the good news is that God did not leave us here to merely wring our hands in despair! He gave us the right to His victory, to His power, to His throne. He gave us weapons and orders to take the battle to the enemy - and when we do that He promised us because of what Jesus Christ had accomplished - the gates of Hell would not prevail against us! Christian - are you listening to me! He promised us because of what Jesus Christ had accomplished - the gates of Hell would not prevail against us!
So where has the dis-connect come? Where has the sense of defeat come from? Where has the global and personal sense of failure, despair and powerlessness come from? How come we so seldom see the dead raised, the sick healed or the captives set free?
The title of my message this morning is this:-
Authority that Overcomes
I believe one of the greatest misunderstandings in the Church is in the area of her authority. Let me tell you about this authority.
1. The Proper Source of Authority
Jesus walked in authority. The Bible says that Jesus taught them as one having authority (Matthew 7:29). As a matter of fact, He declared in Matthew 28:18 that ‘all authority has been given me in heaven and on earth.’ Notice the word ‘all.’ Notice the words ‘in heaven and on earth.’ In others words ‘all’ means ‘all’ - its amazing how profoundly simple the Bible is when you let the Bible say what the Bible says.
Note the word ‘given.’ Where did Jesus get His authority from? From the Father. Here is the principle - All authority is sourced from God. Here is how the Bible says it:-
Romans 13:1 ". . . there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."
In other words - the devil and his minions only have authority because God gives them authority. And any time God chooses, He can take it back.
You see, for Jesus the issue of healing was an issue of authority. The Pharisees understood this when they asked Him by what authority He did these things.
The centurion understood this when in asking for a miracle, he said, ‘I too am a man under authority.’
Life and death were a matter of authority. Jesus said of His own life in John 10:18 ". . . I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."
Now watch this - in Luke 9:1 Jesus gives this same authority to His disciples. "Then He called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."
Then in Luke 10:17 we learn that not just the 12 disciples receive this authority, but the 70 disciples as well.
Now watch this - in Mark 16:17 we read that signs will follow all who believe in Jesus name and they will have the authority to cast out demons.
In other words, this same authority Jesus received from the Father, that He gave to the 12, that He gave to the 70, He has given to the church, He has given to you and me.
Matthew 28:18-19 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.’"
The Proper Source of Authority
2. The Biblical Meaning of Authority
So then the question we must ask is this:- What is authority? The Greek word (exousia) comes from a word (exesti) which means, "it is lawful." In other words, the most basic meaning of the word means a derived or delegated right. What is that right about? It is the right to use power.
Authority is the legal right to use the power of God.
That is why Luke 9:1 says that Jesus gave the disciples "power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases." Power refers to God’s and abilities and authority refers to the right to employ them. As a matter of fact, 8 times the Bible links power and ability in this context. Now it is very important that you understand the source of your authority and its relation to power.
Authority is the legal right to use the power of God.
Remember the 7 Jewish exorcists - the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:14-17? As those who had rejected the Messiah they did not have the authority that the Messiah delegated to the Church. They tried to exorcize someone afflicted by evil spirits, even invoking the name of Jesus. "We exorcize you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." (Verse 13).
The evil spirit knew perfectly well that the sons of Sceva did not have the authority and therefore they did not need to obey. They said; "’Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.’" (Verse 16)
Authority is the legal right to use the power of God. It flows out of your submission to God. All authority is delegated and functions under submission.
For instance, there are authority levels in families. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." (Ephesians 6:1) "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:22) Between believers Scripture says; "submitting to one another in the fear of God." In working relationships we are told; "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ." (Ephesians 6:5) And in the local church here is the command; "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account." (Hebrews 13:17)
Because all authority is derived authority, you can only have authority is you are under authority. May I say that again? Because all authority is derived authority, you can only have authority is you are under authority. Why? Because authority is never given without purpose. That brings me to my third point.
The Proper Source of Authority
The Biblical Meaning of Authority
3. The Specific Purpose of Authority
Authority is never given without a specific purpose and is only legitimate when exercised in accordance with the purpose for which it was given. Power is never given in a vacuum. God never says, "Here’s a bunch of power - no go have you some fun."
Power is always given with purpose and with accountability. Now get this triad - God gives you a responsibility - then gives you authority to accomplish that responsibility and then gives you accountability. It is derived from God and it flows to you in submission to Him and to legitimate authority.
The more responsibility you get the more authority you get, and commensurately, the more power you get. But with that - the more accountability you get. That is why the Bible warns us in the book of James that no many should presume to be teachers because those who teach will be judged by a stricter judgment.
The Proper Source of Authority
The Biblical Meaning of Authority
The Specific Purpose of Authority
4. The Proper Exercise of Authority
Spiritual authority doesn’t come because you learn a set of slogans or quote a few verses. Or because you get excited about an idea or two. And by the way, swaggering around screaming at the devil "IN THE NAME OF JESUS" does not impress the demonic world one bit and does not carry the authority of God - no matter how loud you shout or how much you sweat.
Authority doesn’t beg; authority doesn’t ask; authority commands! We are not told to ask God to cast out demons, we are told to do it ourselves! We are not told to beg demons to come out, we are told to CAST them out!
Have you noticed that Jesus never asked God to heal the sick - He healed the sick Himself. Why? Because He understood His authority.
Jesus commanded us to, "Heal the sick!" Matthew 10:8, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." I think it’s interesting how Jesus didn’t tell us to pray and ask God to heal the sick, He told US to heal the sick! When do you ask someone else to do something that requires significant authority and power? When you are unsure of yours!
I have never seen Jesus pray, "Father, please heal this person!" Instead, we see that Jesus healed people with His spoken Word! In John 5:8, Jesus told the man to, " . . . Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."
Jesus never prayed when He healed or ministered or did miracles. He prayed beforehand - but when He got to the ministry He commanded because He understood His authority.
The early church healed people in this same manner. In Acts 3:6, "Peter said, ‘"Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I unto thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.’" He did not pray - especially he did not pray, ‘Father if it be You will please heal this person."
For too long we have been asking God to do what He has empowered and commanded us to do.
Notice in Luke 9:1 that He not only gave His disciples authority over all devils, but also to cure diseases: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."
Authority is exercised when there is a RIGHT to exercise it. They weren’t praying and asking God to heal people, they had the authority to heal, and they were exercising it with a spoken word, just as Jesus did!
You see my friend, the bottom line in exercising spiritual authority is ENFORCING TRUTH.
I want to clarify that I’m not saying that prayer can’t heal people . . . because it can (James 5:14-15) . . . I’m just saying that we are taught to heal the sick using the authority that Jesus gave us! I have seen and heard of many healings that took place through prayer, so I’m not saying not to pray, or that prayer doesn’t work. I’m simply saying that we have authority over sickness, and therefore we can exercise our authority to bring about healing in another person’s life! And we do not need to ask God to do it.
Precious believer - you have that authority. Authority is the legal right to use the power of God. It is derived and therefore functions in submission to God and legitimate authority. Let’s stop asking God to do what He has commanded us to do - let’s rise up in the authority He has empowered us with.
We have asked before - where is your power? Well the answer is that it is closely connected to my authority in Christ. To better understand my power, I must better understand my authority. Your manifestation of power will rise no higher than your exercise of authority.
Now next week I am going to be talking about how to grow in your spiritual authority. You do not want to miss that - would you pray with me please.
Amen!
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