The Believer’s Authority – by Ian September
“Authority exercised with humility and obedience accepted with delight, are the very lines along which our spirits live.” – C.S. Lewis
Good evening church in the North. I have it on high authority that what you will hear and apply will change your life forever, guaranteed!
Because it is (Not only information or revelation but in the application). How do I apply this knowledge in my life?
I would like to make a statement by saying that our only hope to reach the lost and change this world one heart at a time, is when we as Christians understand, claim and exercise our authority in Christ.
Please note church, that one of the many reasons why people do not grow and mature; overcome and conquer and live victorious lives, can be found in our ignorance to this topic!
Did you know that exercising your authority in Christ is faith in action? God’s word is clear that, faith without action is dead and without faith it’s impossible to please God. (Do you see this chain-reaction?) Heb. 11:6
Listen to: Colossians 1:13 (NIV) – For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
The Word of God says that we have been delivered from the power (authority, control and dominion) of darkness and are placed into God’s kingdom.
So please realize today that Satan has no power over you as a child of God; the only power that the enemy has over you, is what you allow him to have.
Take note church that the day that you gave your life to Christ, the day you accepted Him, you were given a new life but also authority and faith, to believe that you’re a child of the Most High!
John 1:12 (NIV) – Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (Believe this Church!) Aan almal …..
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.
The Word of God says that you’re not only called to be a child of God, but also to reign and rule in this life; for you are more than an overcomer, because you have the power, might and ability to do so. Amen! You are armed and dangerous!
You see, when we fully understand this principle we will be able to proclaim boldly:
Philippians 4:13 (NIV) – I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I have His ability, strength and authority to do all things!
King David understood this so well, when he said: “For by my God, I can run through a troop and by my God I can jump over a wall.”
Psalms 18:29 (NIV) – With your help I can advance against a troop with my God I can scale a wall.
Matthew 28:18-19 (NIV) – 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Therefore because of verse 18 that all power and authority belongs to Jesus).
Understand that a transferal of authority took place. The authority that was given to Christ was transferred to us as believers! Amen?!
Mark 16:17 (NIV) – And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues.
Also re-emphasizes the fact that His authority was given to all believers. (Power & authority)
Because of His authority in us we can command (just as He did) for authority doesn’t beg or ask, it commands (Imagine a cop begging you to pull over!)
We can therefore safely say that authority is exercised through the spoken Word!
Proverbs 18:21a (Well known) “Life and death is in the power of the tongue.”
We will find many examples where Jesus cast out demons using His authority and speaking life over people, healing the sick and even raising the dead!
Luke 7:14b – “I say to you, arise!” – Command
John 5:8 – “Pick up your mat and walk!” – Command
Mark 1:25 – Jesus commanded the evil spirit to leave; this same authoritative power (authority) was given to us as well.
Luke 9:1 (NIV) – When Jesus had called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.
It is also important to know church that we can only act under His authority before we can utilize (exercise) our authority.
The Roman centurion in Luke 7:2-9 (NIV) – 2There a centurion’s servant whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me, I tell this one, ‘Go’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come’ and he comes, I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
Verse 8 he said: I recognize and understand authority, I submit to it and I exercise it… you don’t have to come to my house, Lord, but just say the Word! He understood authority and so should we!
This evening I would like to share with you just 5 pointers or reasons why we as believers do not walk in our God-given authority.
Sin: The primary reason for many not to reign and rule in this life! When we habitually sin, we give Satan legal right over us until we confess our sins to God and repent! Take note church that wilful, habitual sin will prevent you from claiming and exercising your authority in Christ! Jy moet dit glo …
Ignorance: Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge.” Many of us are ignorant to our authority (Ek het nie geweet nie!)
Unbelief: Hebrews 3:12 says that to have unbelief is to sin! (We do not really believe that we have the power!)
Fear: Luke 12:48 (well known) with authority comes responsibility! Many people do not want to embrace authority because of the responsibility attached to it.
Prayerlessness: Ephesians 6:18 encourages us to pray at all times on every occasion, for when I’m prayerful I am sinless! But when I’m prayerless, I’m sinful!
When we spend time before God in prayer you will come to the clear understanding of who you are in Christ, and the authoritive power you have in Him. Amen?
I would like to conclude this evening by saying: “It is not what you say you believe, but what you do with what you say, you believe!”
May God through His Holy Spirit challenge our hearts and make us realize who exactly we are in Christ and the authority vested in us by Christ Himself, so that we can rule and reign in this life.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
