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BELIEVERS’ SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
Memory verse: Luke 10:19 -Behold, I give to you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the authority of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you. The root of Authority is found in Identity. Authority is delegated Power or influence! Our Lord Jesus demonstrated Authority throughout his lifetime on earth –Matt. 28:18; Mark 1:27; Matt. 8:16; Luke 7:2-10. Jesus also ensured that the same Authority and Power was transferred to believers before His ascension! –Luke 10:19; Mark 16:17-19; John 14:12; Mark 13:34. However, tangible Authority is a function of the Holy Spirit- Acts 1:8; 10:38. The more of the Holy Spirit we desire, the more we are able to live a Victorious Christian Life that is laden with Power and Authority! John 1:12. Sin and Unbelief are two deadly deactivators of Authority that believers must always avoid! Some scopes of the believer’s authority: 1. Authority over the works of the enemy –Luke 10:19; James 4:7 2. Authority over demons –Luke 4:36; 9:1; 10:19 3. Authority over sickness- Matt. 10:8; John 5:8; Acts 3:6; James 5:14-15 4. Authority over unfavourable circumstances – Matt. 16:19; 17:20; 21:21 5. Authority over untimely death – Rom. 8:11; Psalm 118:17 6. Shaping our day and world through our Word – The Bible declares that we ‘shall have what we say’- Mark 11:23. We need to learn to order the menu we want to have each day before we step out! –Job 22:28; Heb. 11:3; Matt. 16:19 7. Authority over our self! –Proverbs 25:28 How to exercise authority: 1. Be sure that you have right (IDENTITY) to claim AUTHORITY– Acts 19:11-17 2. Be sure what you are claiming belongs to you. Does the Word of God endorse it? 1Cor. 2:12. 3. Be confident, stand on the Word/Will of God- Matt. 4:4; Acts 19:20 4. Approach the circumstance like it is already yours as you exercise your authority; do not act as if you are pleading or negotiating. Authority commands! Matt. 8:8-9,13 5. Authority is established by speaking –Eccl. 8:4; Matt. 21:17-23. One major strategy of the Devil is to get the believer to keep quiet!- Mark 10:47-52 6. The believers’ Authority is enforced in the name of Jesus -Mark 16:17; Act 16:18; Phil. 2:9-10 When exercising Authority, we do not ask God to do something but command things to be done, demons cast out, situations to change in Jesus Name! Authority ceases to be Authority if the person to whom Authority has been delegated refuses to use it or requires the one who authorised him/her to do what was required in the first place! 7. Always give God the glory and show gratitude for the privilege of partaking in God’s Authority – Col. 1:12; Eph. 5:20; John 11:38-44 The authority Jesus has given us is available for us until we meet again at the feet of Jesus (after the rapture); then Jesus will submit all authority, power and kingdoms to God! -1 Cor.15:24. It is important to note that we have no authority over other persons will and choices as long as it does not threaten our identity and comfort.
Dr. Victor Olujobi CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA
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