THE AUTHORITY OF BELIEVERS.
MEMORISE:
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. Jeremiah 1:10
READ: Jeremiah 1:7-10
7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
MESSAGE:
Power, particularly the one given by God is sweet. However, there is something sweeter than power and that is authority. When God give you authority, you become a ‘small god’ in your own right (Psalm 82:6). God gave Moses authority to go and deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians and he became a god to Pharaoh and the host of Egypt.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” Exodus 7:1
When we give our lives to Jesus Christ through faith, we become children of God by grace because He gives power to as many as receive and believe in His name (John 1:11-12). When we begin to do His will, following Him intimately, He gives us authority without measure. This is when we ascend to higher realms over and above principalities and powers of the devil. The unfortunate thing about many 21st Century believers is that they tend to be satisfied with the power to become children of God but hardly bother to possess spiritual authority like the believers from old. Many contemporary children of God operate below the level of the Old Testament prophets who were not privileged to have the kind of relationship we enjoy with the Holy Spirit. For example, in 2 kings 1:10, Elijah called down fire on those who came to arrest him. How many contemporary Christians can call down fire from Heaven?
While it is true that we are to preach the gospel of peace, we are also to show forth the praises of our Lord Jesus Christ as His priests (1 Peter 2:9). Luke 9:1 says:
“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”
The Bible also says in James 4:7:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
To have such authority that will put the devil and his cohorts under our control, we must first submit ourselves to Jesus Christ. It is He who has all authority and power according to Matthew 28:18.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Father, please give me the authority to live above principalities and powers that may want to destroy or abort my destiny, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 102-104.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: CONQUEROR 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.
