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I Give You Authority Week 2. Chapter 1 – God’s Authority Challenged Chapter 2 – Jesus’ Credit Card The Lakeway Church – January 19, 2015. Last Week – Worldview, defined:.
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I Give You Authority Week 2 Chapter 1 – God’s Authority Challenged Chapter 2 – Jesus’ Credit Card The Lakeway Church – January 19, 2015
Last Week – Worldview, defined: • A set of presuppositions or assumptions which we hold (consciously or subconsciously) about the basic makeup of our world. • Worldview is what one really believes, as over against what one may profess to believe. • "People may not live what they profess, but they will always live what they believe." • Implication: If you want to change the way a person lives, you must first change the way she/he believes. • Worldview is like a filter, or set of filters, through which we see the world.
The Questions for Us Are: • Are we operating out of a Biblical worldview which brings us to the place where we can say, “yes and amen" to all scriptures? • Do we believe that the events we will talk about today really took place? • How would believing -or not believing - change our attitude toward authority?
The Story • In the beginning, God created all things, including angels who had authority. • One of them, Lucifer, perhaps the highest ranking of all, rebelled. He was also the worship leader and had something to do with trading. • Isaiah 14: 13-14 – “13And you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north. 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” • Root cause? Jealousy about new creations? God’s plans to create Adam and Eve in His Image? Authority to create children in God’s image? Authority over all creation?
What Happened? • The “shining one” did his job of deception and Adam lost the authority over creation that God had given him. • Luke 4:6 - Satan and Jesus - Was satan speaking the truth when he claimed the power and wealth in the world had been handed to him and he could give it away?
Two Kingdoms • Two Kingdoms exist. • War between the two ongoing and perhaps even heating up. • Redemption plan put humans into the position God meant for us. Jesus was obedient in all things, and resisted all temptations as a man! He succeeded where Adam had failed.
Two Kingdoms, cont. • Philippians 2: 6-8 – “6Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did notthink this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped orretained, 7But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. 8And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!”
Jesus’ Authority – Deity or Man? • Jesus did no mighty works before the Holy Spirit came upon Him at His baptism. • He performed the miracles we read about as a man. • He won the cosmic battle for God and for us! The enemy was defeated. He went behind enemy lines to defeat satan. • Then Jesus gave us the same Holy Spirit who guided and empowered Him. Amazing! He returned us to the place God meant us to have. And He recruited us to continue the battle against the enemy's Kingdom. Every time we use our authority, we cut into the domain of the imposter king.
Our Goal? • To press on with Jesus until enemy is crushed under our feet! We are to see present victories as we advance the Kingdom. • Satan's job description: Thief-he came only to steal, kill and destroy. • What do we learn about him through Job's story? • His authority is limited by God. • Sometimes God grants greater authority to satan than he normally has - perhaps that was true of Paul and that thorn; or Saul, who had an evil spirit come on him.
Human Cooperation? • What about satan needing human cooperation, a partner to accomplish his goals? Herod Pharoah Hitler Stalin Pol Pot • So what about spiritual warfare? Are we really in a battle? A series of battles? • Can we name some battles in our own life? Our family's? • Can the enemy harass us? • Does the enemy target believers?
Hebrews 4:12-16 (The Source) “12-13For God’s Word is living and active and is sharper than every double-edged sword, piercing to the extent of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to discern the reasonings and thoughts of the heart. And there is no creation that is unseen in his presence, but everything is naked and laid open to scrutiny in his eyes, and in his view, the Word is our responsibility. 14-16Therefore, as we have a high priest who has passed through the heavenly places, Jesus the Son of God, we must hold fast to our agreement. For we do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been harassed by the enemy in all respects like we are, and was without sin. Therefore we must come to the throne of God who grants favor, with the right of free and bold, open and frank speech, able to say what we like, in order to take hold of mercy and find favor which leads to help in time of need.”
Satan’s Plan • How could the enemy make us ineffective and keep us from doing the good works that God has prepared for us? • What would satan have us believe about him?: • His power is more than God's so he has the upper hand in our world and lives. This installs fear. OR • He's not real, so there is no battle ongoing, so we don't need help or protection.
What Has God Given Us for Protection? • The Blood • Angels What about this statement: “In reality, the devil has very little, if any, power or authority, other than granted him by those who obey him or by their ancestors.” James says it is possible for humans to “resist the devil”, which sends him packing!
Reality Check • Soldiers who are in the battlefield but are not fighting can not expect to win. What does a win by satan look like in our world? What does coming in the opposite spirit mean when we are engaged in a battle? Pride/humility; Greed/generosity; Offense/forgiveness. • We wage war by walking in righteousness, peace, prayer, worship, and by believing the Word. • Because we are made in His image, and have Holy Spirit living in us, we have infinitely more power than the whole satanic kingdom.
Two Kingdoms in Conflict! • Our goal: His Kingdom come to earth as it is in Heaven. • War in the first 3 chapters of Genesis through Revelation. • A battle to the end. • God’s desire? That not one should perish - in Austin!
Ephesians 6:11-18 (AMP) 11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. 14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, 15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. 16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. 18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
Ephesians 6:11-18 (The Message) • 10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. • 13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Ephesians 6:11-18 • Is this an exercise or a lifestyle? • Who is our enemy? • What are the weapons of warfare? • Is this a life threatening battle?
Jesus’ Credit Card – His Authority • Jesus knew His authority came from His father. John 5:30. • "I can do nothing on my own authority. I am not trying to do what I want, but only what He who sent me wants." John 5:30 • "I do nothing on my own authority, but I say only what the Father has instructed me to say. The One who sent me is with me: he's never left me because I always do things that please him." John 8:28-29 • "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased." Matt 2:18; 17:3 • Those words were spoken right after Jesus was baptized by John. These are the next verses from The Source: "Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be put through an ordeal by Slanderer-Liar. After He had fasted for 40 days and nights He got hungry. Adversary, who was putting Him through the trial said, "If you really are the Son of God, then order these stones to turn into bread!"
Jesus’ Credit Card, cont. • Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say, Humans won't live just on bread alone. They will live on every word that comes out of God's mouth." • Then Slanderer-Liar took him to the sacred city and put him on the very top of the Temple. "Come on then!," he said. If you're the Son of God, jump off! The Scriptures say, "He will assign his Messengers to protect you. They will catch you so that you won't so much as hit your foot on a stone!" • Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say, "How dare you provoke the Lord your God!” • Next Slanderer-Liar took him along to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "I'll give you all this -- all you have to do is fall down and worship me!" • "Get lost, Adversary," said Jesus. The Scriptures say, "You will worship the Lord our God! He is the only one you must serve." • Then Slanderer-Liar left, and Messengers turned up and provided for Jesus.
Analysis • Is this an example of high level warfare? • What were Jesus' weapons? • What was Slanderer-Liar's goal? • Has either changed? When Jesus started to minister with authority, the people were amazed and the religious leaders were threatened. He was doing what they should have been doing! They agreed with satan and opposed Jesus.
Jesus’ Disciples • Jesus’ disciples worked under His authority while He was alive, though there were mishaps along the road, followed by the expedition of the joy-filled 70! • Jesus was excited they had cast out demons and healed the sick, but He wanted them to know that it was more important that their names were written in the Lamb's book of life. • He promised those disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to them - the gift God promised them. • He then commissioned them to use it to change the world.
Satan’s Tactics • How does satan sidetrack us from using this authority? • By attacking our self-image, so that we do not know we are and that we are equipped and empowered to carry His credit card.
God’s 8-Point Strategy • We were created for second place - in His image, only a little lower than God. • We are redeemed! We are His masterpieces. Nothing else claims this position. • We are children of God! His kids. We get to call Him "Abba". We're part of His family. • We have the Holy Spirit. Within us lives God Himself. That power is within us and the very presence of God permanently comes from within. We are seated in the Heavenlies with Him! What a view!!! • We are united with God. Jesus is still one of us and will be for eternity! • We are children of the King. That gives us special rights and privileges, including coming into His presence at any time.
God’s 8-Point Strategy, cont. • Kraft: Allowing this truth to penetrate the deepest parts of me has transformed me, destroying my negative self-image and abolishing destructive mind-sets. • Wow -- We only resonate to the Truth of who God says we are......period! We are saved, adopted, given position and empowered by Holy Spirit. • We are entrusted with divine authority. He gave us the Holy Spirit and told us we would be doing even greater works than Jesus. We are part of and in the Kingdom. • When we get this -- the spiritual realm has to obey! We even judge the angels. • We are inseparable from our spiritual authority. It is part of the inheritance we have as believers.
An Important Question • Do we sometimes forget we have God's authority, or even refuse to use it? Oh, how God wants us to walk as those who know Him, understand our position in Christ and advance His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven!
So . . . • . . . is there warfare today and are we affected by it? You bet! • What should a “normal Christian life” look like if we walk in authority and power? • What happens to our joy/shalom life when we walk in authority and power? • Should we have an inborn hunger to see the impossible around us bow to the name of Jesus? • Have we been chosen to be alive at what appears to be the end of the age?
