SPIRITUAL WARFARE 4
OUR AUTHORITY IN CHRIST: DOES JESUS HAVE AUTHORITY? (Mat 28:18 NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (John 17:1,2 NIV) After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. JESUS HAS ALL AUTHORITY I HAVE ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH
DID THE DISCIPLES HAVE AUTHORITY? (Mat 10:1 NIV) He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (Luke 10:19 NIV) I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. JESUS GIVES AUTHORITY TO HIS DISCIPLES I GIVE MY AUTHORITY TO YOU.
DO WE HAVE AUTHORITY? (Col 2:9,10 NIV) For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. WE HAVE THE FULNESS OF CHRIST - THAT INCLUDES HIS DELEGATED AUTHORITY!
CONSIDER: (John 14:20 NIV) On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (Eph 2:6 NIV) And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, (John 14:12 NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
HOW SHOULD WE USE THIS AUTHORITY? ONLY IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! IN MINISTRY WHERE DO WE NEED THIS AUTHORITY? 1 SALVATION: (2 Cor 4:4 NIV) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. EXAMPLE: Acts 13:6-12 READ
2 HEALING: (Mark 16:18 NIV).... they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." EXAMPLE: Luke 13:10-13 READ 3 DELIVERANCE: (Mark 16:17 NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out DEMONS….
4) AUTHORITY TO BIND AND LOOSE: (Mat 16:18 NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.“ EXAMPLE: Luke 13:15,16 READ
5) AUTHORITY TO BLESS: (Luke 6:27,28 NIV) "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (1 Pet 3:9 NIV) Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
HOW SHOULD WE USE THIS AUTHORITY? NOTE: James 4:7 READ (often misquoted) EXAMPLE: Acts 16:16-18 READ WHAT IS REQUIRED TO MINISTER? a) Humility. b) Submitted to God. c) Filled with the Spirit. d) No ongoing sin. e) Jesus is Lord of your life. f) Obedience.
FINALLY: (Eph 3:20,21 NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
NEXT TIME WE WILL LOOK AT: The weapons of our warfare! NEXT TIME WE WILL LOOK AT: The weapons of our warfare!