Empowered Authority: Walking in Faith and Purpose
Summary
Alberto Bello delivers a compelling message on the concept of spiritual authority, emphasizing the power that individuals possess through their faith. He begins by referencing Luke 10:17-20, where Jesus's disciples return from their mission, rejoicing over their ability to cast out demons in Jesus's name. Bello highlights that while the disciples were excited about their newfound power, Jesus reminded them to rejoice not in their authority over spirits but in their salvation and place in heaven.
Bello stresses that authority comes from Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and on earth. This authority is then imparted to believers, empowering them to overcome spiritual darkness. He clarifies that this authority is not for personal gain or to build one's platform but to reach others for Jesus and make disciples. Bello warns that when one begins to serve and obey God, they should expect opposition, as everything that has been dormant will rise against them. However, he reassures that the authority given by Jesus enables one to push back against these challenges.
The message also touches on the importance of recognizing and activating one's authority. Bello compares this to activating a new phone – it is only through activation that the phone, and likewise one's spiritual authority, can be fully utilized. He emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to walk in this authority.
Bello further explains that authority is found in scripture, worship, and the name of Jesus. He illustrates the power of the Word of God by recounting Jesus's temptation in the desert, where Jesus used scripture to rebuke Satan. He also shares personal stories, including his experience preaching on Skid Row and a moment when he rebuked an aggressive man in the name of Jesus, demonstrating the real-world application of spiritual authority.
Throughout the message, Bello encourages individuals to rise up and not allow life's challenges to dictate their direction. He calls for a deeper understanding of the spiritual battles that believers face and the necessity of using spiritual tools, rather than carnal ones, to fight these battles.
In conclusion, Bello's message is a call to action for believers to understand and exercise their God-given authority. He urges them to use this authority to further the kingdom of God, reach others for Christ, and stand firm against the forces of darkness.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual authority is a gift from Jesus to His followers, not for personal glorification but for the purpose of advancing the kingdom of God and making disciples. This authority is meant to be exercised with humility and a focus on serving others, rather than seeking personal gain or recognition. [19:49]
- The true power of spiritual authority is realized when it is activated and utilized in one's life. Like a phone that must be activated to function, believers must actively engage with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to walk in the fullness of their spiritual authority. [18:06]
- Scripture is a foundational source of spiritual authority. It is described as alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. By immersing oneself in the Word of God, a believer equips themselves with the knowledge and power necessary to exercise authority over spiritual darkness. [29:36]
- Worship is not only an act of adoration towards God but also a powerful tool of spiritual authority. It has the ability to shift atmospheres and prepare hearts for the reception of God's Word, demonstrating that worship is both a declaration of God's sovereignty and a weapon against spiritual opposition. [40:09]
- The name of Jesus carries immense power and authority. Invoking His name in prayer and declaration is not a mere formality but a potent exercise of spiritual authority. Believers are encouraged to understand the significance of Jesus's name and to use it with reverence and faith in the face of life's challenges. [41:49]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 10:17-20 (Amplified Version)
> "The seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.' He said to them, 'I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you. Nevertheless do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the seventy disciples when they returned from their mission? ([03:36])
2. According to Jesus in Luke 10:19, what kind of authority has He given to His followers?
3. What does Jesus emphasize as the primary reason for the disciples to rejoice in Luke 10:20?
4. How does Pastor Bello compare the activation of spiritual authority to activating a new phone? ([18:06])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus remind the disciples to rejoice in their salvation rather than their authority over spirits? ([04:16])
2. How does the concept of spiritual authority in Luke 10:19 relate to the challenges believers face in their daily lives? ([21:58])
3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers to walk in spiritual authority according to the sermon? ([16:54])
4. How does Pastor Bello's story about Skid Row illustrate the real-world application of spiritual authority? ([42:18])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How can understanding your spiritual authority change your response in similar situations in the future? ([02:32])
2. Pastor Bello mentions that authority is not for personal gain but for reaching others for Jesus. How can you use your spiritual authority to impact someone in your community this week? ([19:49])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of activating one's spiritual authority. What practical steps can you take to engage more deeply with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God? ([18:06])
4. Worship is described as a powerful tool of spiritual authority. How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine to shift atmospheres and prepare your heart for God's Word? ([40:09])
5. The name of Jesus carries immense power and authority. Think of a specific challenge you are currently facing. How can you invoke the name of Jesus in prayer to address this challenge? ([41:49])
6. Pastor Bello warns that serving and obeying God will bring opposition. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to stand firm against these challenges? ([21:27])
7. Identify one area in your life where you have given the enemy a foothold. What steps can you take to close that door and reclaim your spiritual authority? ([13:22])
Devotional
Day 1: Authority Serves the Kingdom
Spiritual authority is not a tool for self-aggrandizement but a sacred trust for advancing God's kingdom and discipling others. It is a mantle worn with humility, meant to empower service and outreach, reflecting Jesus's own servant leadership. [19:49]
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
Reflection: How can you use your spiritual gifts to serve others in your community this week?
Day 2: Activate Your Spiritual Potential
Believers must actively engage with the Holy Spirit and Scripture to unlock the full potential of their spiritual authority. Like a dormant phone awaiting activation, one's spiritual life requires intentional steps to harness the power within. [18:06]
Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can seek to be more filled with the Holy Spirit in your daily routine?
Day 3: Scripture, the Sword of Authority
The Word of God is the believer's sword, cutting through deception and empowering them to stand firm against spiritual darkness. Immersion in Scripture equips one with divine wisdom and authority to face life's battles. [29:36]
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Reflection: Which passage of Scripture can you memorize this week to fortify your spiritual defenses?
Day 4: Worship as Spiritual Warfare
Worship is a declaration of God's sovereignty and a weapon against spiritual opposition. It shifts atmospheres and prepares hearts, demonstrating the power of adoration in the believer's life. [40:09]
2 Chronicles 20:21-22 - "After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.' As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated."
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily struggles to shift your focus from the problem to God's power?
Day 5: The Name Above All Names
Invoking the name of Jesus is a profound exercise of spiritual authority. It is not a mere formality but a declaration of faith and a potent tool in the believer's arsenal against life's challenges. [41:49]
Acts 4:29-30 - "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Reflection: In what situation do you need to boldly invoke the name of Jesus this week, trusting in its power to bring change?
Quotes
1) "The enemy does not want you to know how powerful you really are because if you knew it, it would be a threat to him." [28:25] (Download)
2) "The word of God is not like a Dr. Seuss book that has no meaning, no weight, no validity, and no value. The word of God has weight; it is living, it is alive, it has power." [33:01] (Download)
3) "We are fighting the right people with the wrong tools. We're fighting each other, we're fighting secular institutions that have no conviction about God because we forgot that things that move Heaven get birthed in prayer first." [26:36] (Download)
4) "When you actually start obeying God and you start serving God, everything in hell that has been dormant in your life will come to life and come to get you." [20:55] (Download)
5) "The authority in your life should point to Jesus. It wasn't their tithing, it wasn't their giving, it wasn't their connect group, it was simply the fact that these men had courage and they displayed authority and it led them to know, man, these guys must have been with Jesus." [24:08] (Download)
6) "The word will always give you something that you've never seen before. Not a new revelation that nobody's ever known about, but it will be a new revelation to you." [33:33] (Download)
7) "Worship has the incredible ability to shift the atmosphere and create a space in where the word of God can have victory as it lands in the fertile soil." [40:37] (Download)
8) "There's power in the name of Jesus. There's power that's why when you pray and you say in Jesus' name, you're closing the prayer with the declaration of authority in His name because there's power in His name." [41:49] (Download)
9) "If you don't know your word, you don't know your authority. You need to learn to recite the word in your life and in your circumstances." [34:07] (Download)
10) "Jesus gives us authority, the Holy Spirit activates the authority. Jesus gives us the authority, the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in that authority." [16:54] (Download)
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