April 15, 2009
Authority
With the arrival of spring, the city is running commercials for going to the
bio-park, the zoo, the botanical gardens and the beach. “The beach,” actually is
several fishing ponds, a wildlife habitat and a pond for boating.
I remember a few years back taking my daughter to feed the geese. There are
other types of ducks and birds there also. I remember the geese which normally
are bold and will walk up and take the food from you seemed a little timid so
they were keeping their distance.
The other birds weren't nearly as shy as the geese. Hoping for an easy meal, the
ravens, the magpies, and pigeons weren't the least bit shy. The geese usually
put the run to the other birds, but since the geese were being timid the others
were being very aggressive.
As long as the geese weren't going to take authority over the area, the other
birds were going to take full advantage of the opportunity. Before long, the
only birds that will be brave enough to get in there with the geese will be some
ducks.
The geese are the undisputed rulers of the lake, when they choose to exercise
their authority.
It's the same in the spirit realm. Jesus gave His followers great authority and
power.
Matthew 10:1 NIV
He called his twelve disciples to him
and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and
sickness.
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 10: 5-8 NIV
These twelve Jesus sent out with the
following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the
Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this
message: `The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse
those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give
Mark 16:15-18 NIV
He said to them, "Go into all the
world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized
will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs
will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they
will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when
they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their
hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Often though, we're too timid to exercise the God given authority we have. We
wonder where the victory is that Jesus promised us.
The demons laugh. The unclean spirits have a field day. The powers and
principalities rejoice. You see, they know better than we do that we have been
given authority but they have done a masterful job in keeping us from
recognizing that fact.
Christianity isn't just another powerless religion. It is a power filled
relationship with the Living God. The power is His, although He's given us the
authority to use it. The glory is His, although it doesn't shine brightly
because we don't walk in the authority He granted us.
Christianity is about radically changing the entire world, one soul at a time.
It's about introducing people to Jesus and using every tool He has given us to
do just that.
Are you living in a world of insipid, powerless, wimpy Christianity? Look to the
real Jesus, the one the Bible boldly proclaims. He was never wimpy and
powerless. Nor were His followers after His resurrection.
Church, it's time to mobilize and be all that God has called us to be.
Until next time, may you exercise the authority He has given you.
Be blessed,
Darrel Mason