LIVING OUT OUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

LIVING OUT OUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

THE CHURCH IS POWERFUL, VICTORIOUS AND OVERCOMING “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” Luke 10:19

THE CHURCH GETS TO… • Pray for the sick and they are healed. • Lay hands on the deaf and they hear. • Can speak to demons and they flee.

GOD GAVE THE CHURCH THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO WALK IN HIS POWER, HIS VICTORY, OR IN HIS HOLINESS The Church is where she is and has what she has and does what she does, because of what she has chosen. Overcoming is not simply a matter of confessing with boldness, it is a function of walking in authority. “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Matthew 21:23

I. UNDERSTANDING OUR SPIRITUALAUTHORITY

A. UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF AUTHORITY What is spiritual authority? Noun – “it is lawful” Delegated right The right to bring God’s order to bear on a situation. God made man in His image and gave him dominion, or authority to rule. Right and power to enforce obedience – Rom. 13 The responsibility to serve God’s people for God’s purposes in God’s ways – I Peter 5

ALL AUTHORITY IS DERIVED FROM GOD “All authority has been given to me…” Matthew 28: 18 “I give you authority over… all the power of the enemy.” Luke 10:19

B. UNDERSTANDING THE NEED FOR AUTHORITY Authority is a big deal because when Satan rebelled and when mankind rebelled, it was against the authority of God. The source of authority – “I” The assurance of authority – “have given you” The essence of authority – “authority” The opposition to authority – “serpents and scorpions” The extent of the authority – “over all the power of the enemy.”

C. UNDERSTANDING HOW TO NURTURE AUTHORITY Our degree of authority is directly related to our submission to authority. “I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.” 3 John 9

SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY IS ABOUT HUMILITY When God wants to test your humility He checks your submission to authority. “In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for god opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:5

THE KEY TO SUBMISSION TO GOD IS SEEKING TO BE GODLY If you want to be in submission to God start to dwell on the things God dwells on. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 What you give authority to, will run your life.

II. DEFENDING OUR GOD GIVEN SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY II Corinthians 10:7-11

LEADERSHIP WHO POSSESS GOD GIVEN AUTHORITY Not to “lord it over” others, or impose their will on others Mark 10:35-45 They are to build people up and not to tear them down.

A. AUTHORITY IS DELEGATED BY CHRISTv.7,8 “You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s let him consider this again within himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.” v. 7 The Corinthians were concerned with the superficial or how things are or appear “outwardly.” They looked at personal appearance, mannerisms, personality, and orator or preaching skills. Corinthians continued to judge Paul and his ministry according to externals and worldly wisdom.

PAUL’S AUTHORITY “For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you. I will not be put to shame.” v. 8 Paul’s authority was delegated to him by God. Acts 26:16 Paul’s authority was “for building up” or edification and “not for destroying” which would be the result of submitting to the human authority of the false teachers.

PAUL TORE DOWN THE FALSE THAT HE MIGHT BUILD THE ETERNAL Paul tore down strongholds, arguments, and pretensions of the enemy. v. 4,5 The distractors saw Paul’s ministry as oppressive or self-serving 12:17

B. AUTHORITY CRITICIZED v.v. 9, 10 “For I do not wish to seem as I would terrify you by my letters.” v. 9 Paul’s letters even when strong was not to terrify, but to bring about repentance. Paul taught that the believer will be judged before the Judgment Seat of Christ. False teachers either preach all Hell and Judgment or no Hell and Judgment.

PAUL’S ENEMIES STANDARDS • Paul was not an impressive orator or preacher • His letters are weighty and strong • His personal presence is unimpressive • His speech is contemptible • He was all bark and not bite, when with them he had not hounded them or thrown his importance around • His personal appearance and demeanor • They interpreted meekness as weakness • They interpreted patience as cowardice • They interpreted gentleness as indecision

C. AUTHORITY DEMONSTRATED IN DEEDSv. 11 “Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.” v. 11 Paul warns the belittlers that what he stated in letters he was capable of being in person. There was no inconsistency between what he wrote and what he was.

PAUL HOPING NOT TO USE HIS AUTHORITY • Paul waited in patience for repentance, but was ready to act with determined authority. • Mature leaders suffer while they wait to act, while immature leaders act and make others suffer. BEHAVIOR OF CHIMPANZEES How a Christian uses authority is an evidence of his spiritual maturity and character.

THE REAL ISSUE AND QUESTION OF THE DAYHow are we going to live out our God given authority? If we understand our God given authority and defend it by the kind of life we live then Satan has no power or authority over us. Our God given authority guarantees us victory when we submit to the truth of God’s Word.

BY WHOSE AUTHORITY DO WE HAVE TO ASK SATAN TO FLEE? God given authority!

LIVING OUT OUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY