Embracing God’s Authority: Power Through Submission and Faith

Authority is a gift from God, established within the body of Christ and meant to be exercised in love. When we recognize and honor the authority God has placed—whether in church leadership, in our homes, or in our own lives—we open the door for His power to move. Jesus Himself modeled this by submitting to the Father, only doing and saying what He saw and heard from God. This same principle applies to us: as we submit to God’s authority and walk in obedience, we become vessels for His power and presence.

The authority we have is not about titles, positions, or personal strength. It is rooted in our relationship with Jesus. The 72 disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10 were not yet filled with the Holy Spirit, yet they operated in the authority He gave them, and miracles followed. How much more, now that we are born again and filled with the Spirit, should we expect God to work through us? Authority is not reserved for pastors or leaders; every believer has been given the authority of Jesus to impact the world around them.

This authority is meant to be exercised in practical ways: sharing the gospel, praying for the sick, and taking spiritual authority over darkness. Sometimes, God will use us directly; other times, He will answer our prayers by sending someone else to reach those we love. Our role is to say “yes” to God, to be willing and obedient, trusting that He will use us and others to bring in the harvest.

It’s important to remember that the authority we carry is not for our own glory, but to set people free and advance God’s kingdom. We rejoice not just in the power we have over darkness, but in the relationship we have with Jesus and the assurance that our names are written in heaven. Even when leaders are absent, the church continues to thrive because the authority of Christ rests on the whole body. As we step out in faith, God’s power is released, and lives are transformed.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True authority in the Kingdom is always exercised under submission—to God and to the structures He has established. Jesus Himself modeled this by only doing what He saw the Father doing, showing us that real power flows from humility and obedience, not from asserting our own will. When we honor God’s order, we become channels for His power to move in our lives and communities. [29:21]
• 2. The authority given to believers is not based on knowledge, age, or position, but on our relationship with Jesus. Even a child who simply believes can lay hands on the sick and see them recover, because it is Jesus’ authority, not ours, that brings healing and breakthrough. This truth should embolden us to step out in faith, knowing that God delights to use anyone who trusts Him. [56:40]
• 3. The harvest is ready now, not at some distant future time. Jesus calls us to pray for laborers and to be willing to go ourselves, whether that means crossing the street or crossing the world. Sometimes, those closest to us cannot hear the gospel from us, but our prayers can move God to send the right person at the right time to reach them. [44:55]
• 4. Spiritual authority is practical and powerful—it changes atmospheres, breaks demonic oppression, and brings peace where there was chaos. We are not powerless in the face of darkness; we have been given authority to speak, to pray, and to command evil to leave in Jesus’ name. This is not about spiritual showmanship, but about setting people free and establishing God’s peace in our homes and communities. [62:14]
• 5. Our greatest joy is not in the authority itself, but in our relationship with Jesus and the assurance of our salvation. Authority is a tool for advancing the kingdom, but our identity is rooted in being known and loved by God. As we walk in this truth, we can confidently move the vision of the church forward, even in the absence of leaders, knowing that Christ’s authority rests on the whole body. [67:59]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [29:21] - Understanding Authority in the Church
• [31:27] - Personal Testimony and Church Leadership
• [34:00] - Jesus’ Submission and Our Example
• [35:39] - The Urgency of the Harvest
• [37:43] - Assurance of Salvation
• [40:20] - Leading Others to Christ
• [42:45] - The Simplicity of the Gospel
• [44:55] - Praying for Laborers and Personal Stories
• [49:00] - God’s Relentless Pursuit
• [50:32] - Divine Appointments and Testimonies
• [53:11] - Obedience and Saying Yes to God
• [54:46] - Authority in Action: Healing and Deliverance
• [56:40] - Childlike Faith and Miracles
• [59:09] - The Great Commission for All
• [62:14] - Exercising Authority Over Darkness
• [64:28] - Rejoicing in Relationship, Not Just Power
• [67:59] - A Word for the Church: Moving Forward in Authority
• [80:34] - Ministry Time and Empowering the Body

Bible Reading

Luke 10:1-20 (ESV) —
> After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ... The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Observation Questions

1. What instructions did Jesus give to the 72 when He sent them out, and what were they supposed to do in each town? (Luke 10:1-9)
2. According to the sermon, what was unique about the 72 disciples Jesus sent out compared to believers today? [54:46]
3. How did the 72 respond when they returned, and what was Jesus’ response to their excitement? (Luke 10:17-20)
4. In the sermon, what practical examples were given of exercising spiritual authority in everyday life? [56:40]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized praying for more laborers before sending out the 72? What does this say about our role in God’s mission? (Luke 10:2)
2. The sermon says that authority is not about titles or positions, but about relationship with Jesus. How does this challenge common ideas about leadership and power in the church? [29:21]
3. Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice in their authority over demons, but to rejoice that their names are written in heaven. Why is this distinction important for us as believers? (Luke 10:20)
4. The pastor shared a story about his young daughter praying for his healing. What does this teach us about who can exercise spiritual authority and how? [56:40]

Application Questions

1. The sermon taught that authority is exercised under submission—to God and to the structures He has established. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to submit to God’s authority or to those He’s placed over you? What would it look like to take a step of obedience this week? [29:21]
2. The 72 were sent out before they were filled with the Holy Spirit, yet they saw miracles. Now that we have the Holy Spirit, what is holding you back from stepping out in faith to pray for someone or share the gospel? [54:46]
3. The pastor shared about praying for his brother and asking God to send someone else to reach him. Is there someone in your life who isn’t open to hearing about Jesus from you? How can you pray specifically for God to send the right person into their life? [44:55]
4. Think about a situation in your home, workplace, or community where there is chaos, fear, or darkness. How can you use the authority Jesus has given you to pray for peace or take a stand against spiritual opposition this week? [01:02:14]
5. The sermon reminded us that our greatest joy is not in what we can do for God, but in our relationship with Him and the assurance of our salvation. Are you more focused on what you can accomplish, or on simply being known and loved by God? How can you shift your focus this week? [01:04:28]
6. The pastor said God is just looking for a “yes.” Is there something God has been prompting you to do—big or small—that you’ve been hesitant to say yes to? What’s one step you can take toward obedience? [53:11]
7. Even when leaders are absent, the church continues because Christ’s authority rests on the whole body. How can you personally help move the vision of the church forward, especially when you notice a need or opportunity? [01:07:59]