Your Authority in Christ
Last week we talked about the authority of Jesus, how absolute and definitive it is, how the Father transferred that authority to Him. Today, we're talking about how Jesus transferred that authority to us.
We were saved so that we would live. We were not saved to be dead. Jesus took the cross not for us to be zombies walking through life, but to walk in resurrection power. That authority is in every one of you today.
We need to change our thinking that we're weak or don't have a position to speak to the enemy. That's not truth. The truth is God gave you authority.
Many of us hold up martyrs, those willing to die for their faith. We even set goals: "Someday I hope I'll be strong enough that if someone threatens me, I'll die for God." But let me challenge you. How much harder is it to wake up every day and say, "Christ, I will live for you today"?
If you'll do that, when the moment comes, you will die for Him. But along the way, you won't be checking off boxes hoping you make it to heaven. He wants so much more.
We were saved so that we would live. We were not saved to be dead. Jesus took the cross not for us to be zombies walking through life, but to walk in resurrection power. That authority is in every one of you today.
We need to change our thinking that we're weak or don't have a position to speak to the enemy. That's not truth. The truth is God gave you authority.
Many of us hold up martyrs, those willing to die for their faith. We even set goals: "Someday I hope I'll be strong enough that if someone threatens me, I'll die for God." But let me challenge you. How much harder is it to wake up every day and say, "Christ, I will live for you today"?
If you'll do that, when the moment comes, you will die for Him. But along the way, you won't be checking off boxes hoping you make it to heaven. He wants so much more.
Foundation: Identity in Christ
Our authority starts in our identity. Romans 8:15-17 says we didn't receive a spirit of slavery leading to fear, but the Spirit of adoption. We cry "Abba, Father." The Spirit bears witness that we are God's children. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.
You're an heir. When you accept Jesus, you become a son or daughter of God. You get all the benefits. You didn't earn it. You were born into it. When you accept Jesus and walk in His purpose, you become part of a family that owns everything, has control of everything, and has all authority in heaven and earth.
Do you walk like that? Or do you live like you just go wherever the waves toss you?
You're an heir. When you accept Jesus, you become a son or daughter of God. You get all the benefits. You didn't earn it. You were born into it. When you accept Jesus and walk in His purpose, you become part of a family that owns everything, has control of everything, and has all authority in heaven and earth.
Do you walk like that? Or do you live like you just go wherever the waves toss you?
Jesus Transfers Authority Through the Holy Spirit
Remember, when Jesus was baptized and the dove came down, God said, "This is my son in whom I am well pleased." Jesus was fully man at that point. He had to be fully man to endure all things and prove His divinity. So when we say "that was Jesus, I can't do that," we're wrong. Jesus operated in Holy Spirit anointing that gave Him authority from God while being fully man.
In John 14:12, Jesus said, "The person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds I am doing and will perform greater deeds than these because I am going to the Father." This isn't saying He's a genie in the sky. But when you ask anything in His name, consistent with His character and heart, He will do it.
Acts 1:8 says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses...to the farthest ends of the earth." You're going to receive Holy Spirit fire that empowers you to live out your calling. But not for you. He gave it so you could take Him all over the world.
There is no plan B. The only plan A to reach this planet is you.
In John 14:12, Jesus said, "The person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds I am doing and will perform greater deeds than these because I am going to the Father." This isn't saying He's a genie in the sky. But when you ask anything in His name, consistent with His character and heart, He will do it.
Acts 1:8 says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses...to the farthest ends of the earth." You're going to receive Holy Spirit fire that empowers you to live out your calling. But not for you. He gave it so you could take Him all over the world.
There is no plan B. The only plan A to reach this planet is you.
Authority Over the Enemy
We have a very real enemy that hates us because we reflect Christ. Some of us have been so defeated we don't even recognize the enemy anymore. But listen, we have authority over the enemy.
Mark 3:14-15 says Jesus appointed the twelve to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He gave this authority not for themselves, but so they could go reflect Him wherever they went.
But here's a caution from Acts 19. A Jewish exorcist tried to cast out a demon saying, "In Jesus's and Paul's name, come out." The demon said, "Jesus I know. Paul I know. But you? I don't know you." Then proceeded to beat him so badly the man ran off naked.
If you don't operate in the authority of Jesus's name, demons don't recognize you. In our flesh, none of us have authority. But when you align with God's heart, when Jesus resides in you, the authority Jesus had extends to you and demons will know your name.
Some of you think, "That was just the apostles." But Luke 10:17-20 says the seventy returned with joy saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name." Jesus said, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy."
Those weren't apostles. They were just seventy people. You have been given authority to tread over serpents and scorpions. Are you living like that? Or is the enemy treading over you every day?
Mark 3:14-15 says Jesus appointed the twelve to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He gave this authority not for themselves, but so they could go reflect Him wherever they went.
But here's a caution from Acts 19. A Jewish exorcist tried to cast out a demon saying, "In Jesus's and Paul's name, come out." The demon said, "Jesus I know. Paul I know. But you? I don't know you." Then proceeded to beat him so badly the man ran off naked.
If you don't operate in the authority of Jesus's name, demons don't recognize you. In our flesh, none of us have authority. But when you align with God's heart, when Jesus resides in you, the authority Jesus had extends to you and demons will know your name.
Some of you think, "That was just the apostles." But Luke 10:17-20 says the seventy returned with joy saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name." Jesus said, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy."
Those weren't apostles. They were just seventy people. You have been given authority to tread over serpents and scorpions. Are you living like that? Or is the enemy treading over you every day?
Walking in Authority Daily
This authority isn't just for special occasions. It's meant to be lived out every single day.
Learn to pray with confidence. Your prayers are backed by Jesus's authority. James 5:16-18 says the prayer of a righteous person has great effect. Elijah was human like us, and he prayed it wouldn't rain, and it didn't for three and a half years. Then he prayed again and it rained.
Remember when Vincent asked us to pray for rain in Zambia? We prayed, and the very next week it rained for days. That's not just for prophets and apostles. It's for us.
But if the only time you take your needs to the Lord is by handing a prayer request to someone else, you're abdicating your responsibility. The authority starts with you. Are you walking to the throne room boldly every day?
Even Jesus in Gethsemane prayed so fervently He was dripping blood. He prayed three times for the cup to be removed. God said no. And Jesus said, "Your will be done" and climbed on the cross. Sometimes God says, "This is yours to bear." But when your obedience lines up with the Father's, you will change the world around you.
Declare God's promises daily. Speak faith over your circumstances. God will always fulfill His promises, not necessarily your desires, but His promises.
Minister to others. Every person here is a minister. God didn't call you to be a zombie. He called you to be a minister of His word wherever you go.
Learn to pray with confidence. Your prayers are backed by Jesus's authority. James 5:16-18 says the prayer of a righteous person has great effect. Elijah was human like us, and he prayed it wouldn't rain, and it didn't for three and a half years. Then he prayed again and it rained.
Remember when Vincent asked us to pray for rain in Zambia? We prayed, and the very next week it rained for days. That's not just for prophets and apostles. It's for us.
But if the only time you take your needs to the Lord is by handing a prayer request to someone else, you're abdicating your responsibility. The authority starts with you. Are you walking to the throne room boldly every day?
Even Jesus in Gethsemane prayed so fervently He was dripping blood. He prayed three times for the cup to be removed. God said no. And Jesus said, "Your will be done" and climbed on the cross. Sometimes God says, "This is yours to bear." But when your obedience lines up with the Father's, you will change the world around you.
Declare God's promises daily. Speak faith over your circumstances. God will always fulfill His promises, not necessarily your desires, but His promises.
Minister to others. Every person here is a minister. God didn't call you to be a zombie. He called you to be a minister of His word wherever you go.
The Challenge
Where are you right now? Have you been pushed back so far that you've surrendered your authority? Have you accepted defeat? Have you given up your God-given authority to speak to the enemy?
Your families need you to live. Your kids need you to live. This generation needs someone real who actually lives what they speak.
Have you given up authority in your life to addictions? You can't break it, but God can. Are you living like it, or is it just words?
Ephesians 3:20-21 says God is able to do super abundantly more than all we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, and dreams, according to His power at work within us.
He can do more than anything we can imagine. The only reason it doesn't happen is because we don't think it, believe it, or operate in it.
If you've given up authority over situations in your life, pick it back up today. Speak to the enemy. If it's finances, speak to it. If it's healing, speak to it. If it's broken family, speak to it. If it's addiction, speak to it in the authority of Jesus.
It's time to stop living like a zombie and start living in the authority Christ gave you. Church wasn't meant to be a checkbox. It was meant to be lived. But you can't live if you've already accepted defeat.
It's time to go back to war.
Your families need you to live. Your kids need you to live. This generation needs someone real who actually lives what they speak.
Have you given up authority in your life to addictions? You can't break it, but God can. Are you living like it, or is it just words?
Ephesians 3:20-21 says God is able to do super abundantly more than all we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, and dreams, according to His power at work within us.
He can do more than anything we can imagine. The only reason it doesn't happen is because we don't think it, believe it, or operate in it.
If you've given up authority over situations in your life, pick it back up today. Speak to the enemy. If it's finances, speak to it. If it's healing, speak to it. If it's broken family, speak to it. If it's addiction, speak to it in the authority of Jesus.
It's time to stop living like a zombie and start living in the authority Christ gave you. Church wasn't meant to be a checkbox. It was meant to be lived. But you can't live if you've already accepted defeat.
It's time to go back to war.