1.25.21 Authority and Power
Nehemiah 8:1-9 NKJV
Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate [a]from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.
Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.
9 And Nehemiah, who was the [b]governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.
You see, the people had an encounter with the Power of God, not just the Words but the Power.
We have been called into a life of authority and power.
The Christian walk is a faith walk of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 2
The manifestation of the Kingdom of God has a power component to it
There is a level of importance and necessity of Power in the life of a believer
It took the Power of God for Mary to conceive and her submission to the plans of God even though she did not understand it all at the time
It took POWER of Yeshua to Minister and do all that he did on this earth
It took Power for Jesus to go into unwanted territories that were in bondage to territorial Spirits and free those people
It took power for the walls of Jericho to fall
it took power for the Blind man of Bethseida to be healed
Acts 3:2-6 NKJV 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to [a]ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
1 Corinthians 2:4-5
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of [a]human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
It takes Power to excel in Life.
Physics defines energy: energy is the quantitative property that must be transferred to a body or physical system to perform work . This energy that has force behind it is expended within a period of time.
There is an ability of the Spirit that can function in time to apply pressure to situations that are not consistent with the word of God until they exit your life, because they do not belong in your life. Those things that hinder the will of God in your life.
In its place are introduced into our lives the things that reflect what the Word of God says should BE in your life. Should be ACTIVE in your life.
It takes the Power of the Holy Spirit, Ruach Elohim in the Old testament and Ruach Hakodesh in the new testament and for us to walk in that authority.
The power that is applied must be greater than the power that is keeping that thing in our lives down.
I can apply a certain amount of effort and energy, but if it is not strong enough, if there is not enough power to move it from what is holding it down, it will remain down.
Psalm 66:3-5
It takes more than just a message to deliver the captives. In addition to teachings, in addition to messages, in addition to words, you need an active operation of Power
Pray tonight: Lord, I humbly ask in the name of Jesus Christ may I have the privilege Of being a vessel of your power
You see for 30 years Jesus appeared to have no power. key word appeared. You see the power of Heaven needed to merge with the Word for that to happen, the power of heaven had to descend and rest upon the Word. there was no record of any miracle until Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit in power descended upon Him
L John Baptizes Jesus
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and [a]He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
In Jewish tradition the father had to give a blessing to His eldest SonThere had to be an authority figure to give the blessing. Traditionally, it's a father. In this culture father is the head of the household. The idea is that the father is leaving behind something of himself that's more than his seed to his sons who will then go on to be the authority of their households. It's a transfer of power. The next generation is now carrying on the family name and legacy.
The first time we see it mentioned in the Bible from human to human is when Noah curses his grandson Canaan and blesses his other two because of the devious actions of his son Ham. Later, we see it through Isaac blessing one of his sons, Jacob. It's a custom we still carry out today; we know it as the last will and testament, which predominantly has to do with inheritance.
So You see for the Power of the Holy Spirit to come upon Jesus A Blessing had to occur from father to son and a sentence spoken in a way the Jews would understand!
Acts 1:8 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
You shall receive POWER When? When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, it rests upon you the way it rested upon Jesus after He was baptized.
Remember we must receive this, anything that can be received in life can also be rejected. This is the gift of free will it is an active choice. Choose this day whom you will serve.
Now what does this Power do? This Power will make you a WITNESS.
What is a witness? A witness is a validator of a claim. A witness validifies the truthfulness of that claim. A witness Testifies and validates that claim before others.
2 Corinthians 13:1 NKJV By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” This is also mentioned in Deuteronomy.
If you think about it, You do not need a witness until there is a conflict! You need a witness when one tries to nullify the claim or point you are presenting.
In a court of law during a TRIAL what does a judge ask you to do? A judge asks you to bring your witnesses. What is the assignment of the witness?
The assignment of the witness is to uphold the truthfulness of what you are saying. To validate it, to corroborate it.
That witness may then bring forth evidence that further solidifies the truthfulness of the claim.
We were not there when Jesus was birthed into the earth, when He walked the earth, when He fed the 5000, When he walked on water, when he died on Calvary and made a spectacle of satan and his entire kingdom! We were not present when He ascended back to heaven to take His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.
Yet in God’s Word, it states we must be His witnesses.
So now what then becomes the evidence? In this age of technology, and medical breakthrough’s and corruption and men contending for the wrong kind of power, what becomes the evidence of us proclaiming to the world with Power the Gospel when we were not present during Jesus’s time on earth?
How do we show the world we are not lying and making bombastic claims?
You cannot be an effective witness without Authority and Power because the authority given to us through Christ Jesus allows you to operate in that power.
When the Lord sends you before those who think they have so much power, the pharaohs of this world the pharaoh will want to know who sent you? What are you going to say?
Before Moses advocated and contended for the release of God’s people from Egypt Pharoah wanted to know who sent Moses and on what authority did he come?
You see Moses and Aaron had to speak with the authority given from God and it had to be in conjunction with Power. A word and an action together. The first demonstration to Pharaoh of that Power, because remember the sorcerers and magicians had “power as well,” was the casting down of the rods.
Exodus 7:8-11 8 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 9 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ ” 10 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the Lord commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
11 But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the [b]sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their [c]enchantments. 12 For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
This was followed by 10 plagues as God put on a demonstration of His power that Moses and Aaron were witnesses to.
The authority and Power of God will swallow the plans of the enemy.
Now take this to the new testament.
If it is true that Jesus died on a cross at Calvary and made a Spectacle of the enemy, He defeated the grave, he rose again and reigns in victory, there must be evidence.
If it is true, He has authority over sickness if it is true he has Authority over principalities and powers; if this is true.
Then our Christian walk will only remain in obedience if we authenticate it with that Authority and Power.
Luke 10:19 NKJV 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
The Greek word for authority used is exousian which translates as the power to act.
So if we read the verse that way its “behold I give the power to act to trample upon serpents and scorpions and against all the power of the enemy so nothing shall by any means hurt you.
We live today in a very proud world.
In the Bible even during that day it states the Greeks seek for a sign. They were very sign driven; that is why the occult and magic were so appealing to them.
You see when you tell someone that God blesses that God Heals they are going to want to see the evidence of that claim and you being a witness for Christ need to be prepared to provide such!
Acts 8:5-8
5 Then Philip went down to [a]the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
HEARING AND SEEING THE MIRACLES WHICH HE DID
This is how the Gospel was supposed to be spread. Speaking with authority about the Kingdom of God and the Word of God in conjunction with signs, wonders and miracles.
Now the reason why we as believers should pursue God should not be because of what we get.
Because we should love the Lord beyond signs, wonders, and miracles.
According to what Jesus taught the proof of fatherhood is the competency to release.
Matthew 7:10-12
Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
At times as evil as one is there is still this component of fatherhood. So if the wicked can demonstrate compassion to take care of their children, how much more will your heavenly Father not only take care of you but EQUIP you for the task at hand.
Personally I believe in the Power that Comes from God. I know the Power that comes from God cannot be reproduced and is unlike any other power that exists, because there is holiness threaded through it.
1 manifestation of the power of God can preach a thousand messages at once, 1 manifestation of that Power can be way more effective than preaching a great message. Jesus feeding the 5000 did more to teach the people, watching that act than the Pharisees had taught them for years.
It can do beyond anything man can do, it goes beyond the finite parameters of the enemy's power which is dark and corrupted.
You see this is why even with today’s medical breakthroughs they can only go so far there is a limit. They hit a wall because the component of the power of God is lacking. This is why miracles many times baffle the medical arena because God’s power can come in and restore what Drs have no authority to fix.
Example: Chris Dr. Shannon’s response to Chris surviving an AVM Rupture.
“I cannot believe this man is even sitting in front of me, people don’t survive this” my response “THEY DO IF GOD SAYS THEY DO” You see God had authority and I in relationship with Almighty God had authority in that dire situation that Dr. Shannon did not walk in.
The Samaritan woman at the well, at a well where there is WATER, the Word was sitting at the well, and she had an encounter with Jesus Christ and with Power and authority, He began to prophetically open her eyes allowing her to see the state of her life and opening a door for that road she was on to change.
John 4:7-26 NKJV
7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.”
Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”
19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
She discerns Jesus is a prophet there is a powerful exchange that takes place and it ended in not only worship but this woman running throughout the city and proclaiming what Jesus did, what he told her evangelizing the whole city! That one encounter evangelized a city!
You see Just like the madman of Gadaran in Luke chapter 8 this woman was set free from bondage and began to evangelize the entire city. 1 manifestation of the power of God brought many cities to know Christ.
Notice that the people who encountered Jesus and truly experienced His power were way to grateful and transformed to stay quiet about it.
Today the systems used to evangelize and advancing the gospel are slow; they are not fast enough because it would take us a long time through just discussion to reach all the peoples that truly need to be reached and transformed for the Kingdom.
It took just one meeting at a well just 1 manifestation of the power of God for that woman to tell the whole city.
The disciples marveled that Jesus was speaking with a woman let alone a Samaritan woman! However, Jesus knew in that moment who was going to go and announce in the city that he had arrived; Jesus knew beforehand that a Samaritan woman was coming to that well, and he knew she would carry the good news, even though talking to women in such a manner Jesus was ahead of His time.
You see so many of our friends and family members are not passionate about the things of God because they are told a lot about God without the proper level of power being operated in in tandem with the words being spoken. Power changes people; the power of God more than words, can change the direction of ones life in a moment.
You see the assignment of Power is to prove to God’s creation that The Word of God is not a lie. That God is as Real and powerful as real and powerful come.
If the power of God is lacking in the life of a believer no matter what it is that you say or propose at some point people will determine in their minds that what is being said is just theory.
Many atheists are atheists because their lives have not come into contact with the transforming power of Almighty God, they have heard the words, they need to experience the power.
For example, take Lee Strobel who set out to prove God did not exist and in setting out to do so he encountered the power of God that changed His whole life and he wrote the book “a CASE for Christ” you see in a case you need a witness!
We have not been anointed on this planet to present to the world a theoretical Jesus. The reality and the validity of the Faith life can be proven now. And unfortunately, too much of the Church presents a theoretical Jesus, a theoretical God with no power behind it.
Jesus came as a manifestation of the Love of the Father. Everything that was said By God in Scripture Jesus then carried out.
Because God so loved the world Jesus, the first fruits, was sent to demonstrate that love and as his feet walked the soil of planet earth, He healed the sick, he raised the dead, and this is the Kind of ministry and commission we have been given.
It takes more than compassion to heal the sick it takes the authority and power we are given through Christ Jesus. It takes power to declare over the lives of people where the entire atmosphere shifts.
The power of God right now can actively remove burdens, remove shame, eradicate sickness.
I pray tonight that you out there become such vessels that hold such spiritual power from Almighty God that you will go forth tonight and truly stand and know you are ready to truly be a witness for Christ Jesus. So when people come to you they will not only hear but they will see the manifestation of that power that will shift and change their thinking and their lives!
The Bible says in Psalm 34:8
It's amazing the kind of trouble, trials, and situations you see people go through yet they have not lost their joy, they still have a smile, reports given that are death sentences, Drs pronouncing death over people when they should be pronouncing life, yet the joy of the Lord is indeed their strength.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: Proverbs 18:21
Demonic oppression, demonic attacks, and cycles in family lines, financial attacks so severe it brings those on the brink of collapse, sickness that deteriorates the body.
There is a rest that remains for the people of God that many have refused to enter (find the bible verse).
Hebrews 3:7-11
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
They were given a chance to enter that rest but because of unbelief they could not enter that rest, that rest in trial, that rest in storms, that rest.
John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
There are certain results in the earthly realm that men who are unassisted by God cannot produce because it takes the authority and power given only by God to produce those results
That is why Simon the sorcerer in the book of acts grieved the Spirit by attempting to buy this power. Because it went far beyond what he was able to do.
There is a way you can do business there is a way you can do ministry, there is a way you can do life where it is just stretched HUMAN ability, however, when that Spirit of Grace when the Holy Spirit comes upon you the power that raised Christ from the dead dwells WITHIN YOU! That authority that comes upon you changes the limitations of what you can now do because you are now stepping out of the physical realm into the Supernatural realm
You see these people that are so sick for long periods of time, I was one of them, my husband was one of them, and with one sentence “In the name of Jesus Christ be made whole!” and suddenly because of the authority and power given unto you in the Spirit the natural MUST submit and that illness is suddenly gone, it loses its authority in your life, it loses its power it is loosed from you and wholeness and wellness begins to enter in to your life and transform that once brittle paralyzed mentality and stretch your sight and your vision of who God truly is and what he can do!
