Authority and Power
We had 14 men in our 5 AM Bible study this morning, as we took up the account of Jesus casting out an unclean demon out of a man in the synagogue. The story begins in Luke 4:31. It is an account of one of the spiritual battles in the spiritual war that still rages around us today. There is no doubt that this demon knew who Jesus was and that He had come to destroy him. This is true for Satan himself and all of the demons. Jesus is the One with the Authority and Power to destroy them.
We had a great discussion of the meaning of authority. The main meaning is to have the ability to make decisions in a particular area. It is the ability to do something about a problem or a need. However, the person with the authority does not always have the power to carry out what needs to be done. The power is the actual might to enforce the decision. The great thing about Jesus is that He has both all authority and all power over everything in this world. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He makes the decisions and He carries them out.
The people of Capernaum were astonished at the authority His teaching and of His power and authority to deliver this poor man. We can and should have the same response to Jesus. We should look to Him as the Author and Finisher of all and know that He is able to do whatever He wants to do. He is not our slave to do our will, but we are to seek His will and know that He will bring it to pass. Whatever you need to happen in your life, Jesus has the authority and power to do it, but you must look to Him in faith to do it in His way, since He one in charge.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 66-67 and Romans 7.
We had a great discussion of the meaning of authority. The main meaning is to have the ability to make decisions in a particular area. It is the ability to do something about a problem or a need. However, the person with the authority does not always have the power to carry out what needs to be done. The power is the actual might to enforce the decision. The great thing about Jesus is that He has both all authority and all power over everything in this world. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He makes the decisions and He carries them out.
The people of Capernaum were astonished at the authority His teaching and of His power and authority to deliver this poor man. We can and should have the same response to Jesus. We should look to Him as the Author and Finisher of all and know that He is able to do whatever He wants to do. He is not our slave to do our will, but we are to seek His will and know that He will bring it to pass. Whatever you need to happen in your life, Jesus has the authority and power to do it, but you must look to Him in faith to do it in His way, since He one in charge.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 66-67 and Romans 7.