TOPIC: EXERCISING SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY.
MEMORISE:
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
READ: Acts 13:8-12
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
MESSAGE:
It is one thing to know that you have authority and another to exercise it. In the Bible of today, we see Paul exercising spiritual authority over an agent of the devil. Had he not known his authority in Christ, this sorcerer would have frustrated his preaching. God is not pleased when His children refuse to exercise the authority, He has given them. We see this in Exodus 14:15-16, when God said to Moses:
"…wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."
Moses used the authority he had and that put an end to the bondage of the children of Israel. The truth however is that you cannot exercise the spiritual authority you do not possess. If you attempt to, you would end up spiritually wounded like the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19:14-16.
How can you enjoy this spiritual authority?
First, you must establish a relationship with the One who has the highest spiritual authority - Jesus Christ.
Mark 3:14-15 says:
“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sickness, and to cast out devils:”
Secondly, you must play by the rules. An adage says nothing good goes for nothing. Once, the disciples wondered why they could not exercise spiritual authority. Jesus told them that they had to first give themselves to prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). Thirdly, identify and believe genuine ministers on whom God has deposited His authority and obey the word of God that comes through them. You too would then begin to enjoy spiritual authority according to 2 Chronicles 20:20. A simple "God bless you" from a man with spiritual authority can open the door to tremendous blessings in your life. This is why I wonder why people still ask me to pray for them after I have authoritatively pronounced "God bless you" on them. I say to you today: God bless you.
KEY POINT:
You will begin to exercise spiritual authority when you establish a relationship with God, study His word and have faith in Him.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 7-9.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE.
1 Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we've victory,
If the Lord be for us, we can never fail;
Nothing 'gainst his mighty pow'r can e'er prevail.
Refrain:
Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood;
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood,
Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.
2 In the name of Israel's God we'll onward press,
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us, but unto him the praise shall be,
For salvation and for blood-bought victory.
3 Unto him that overcometh shall be giv’n
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from heav'n;
Over yonder he the victor's palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.
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