Living in Christ's Authority: Proclaiming Hope and Healing

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of living in the authority granted to us by Christ. We began by acknowledging the invaluable presence and love of God, which compels us to lift His name in worship. This week, we anticipate the visit of Brian Essary, an evangelist who will teach and demonstrate the power of healing and authority in Christ. His ministry exemplifies the five-fold ministry's role in equipping believers to walk in God's authority, emphasizing that each of us has the ability to minister healing and proclaim the good news.

Our focus today was on understanding and living in the authority that Jesus exemplified. We revisited Luke 4, where Jesus declared His anointing to proclaim good news to the poor. This good news is not just for the financially poor but for those spiritually destitute, lacking the virtues and riches of the kingdom. Jesus' mission was to bring hope and salvation to those who could not save themselves, emphasizing that through His sacrifice, we are no longer spiritually impoverished.

We discussed the importance of recognizing Jesus as King and understanding our role in His kingdom. Living in a democracy can skew our perception of God's kingdom, where His word is final, and our role is to obey. The good news is that through Jesus' sacrifice, the hostility between God and humanity has ended. We are no longer separated from God but are invited into a relationship with Him, rich in His love and grace.

The message of salvation is simple yet profound: we are saved not by our works but by accepting Jesus' sacrifice. This is the good news we are called to share with the world. We have the authority to proclaim this message, to bring hope to the spiritually poor, and to demonstrate God's love through our actions. As we go about our lives, we are encouraged to be obedient to God's leading, sharing His love and truth with those around us.

Key Takeaways:

- Authority in Christ: Every believer has the authority to minister and proclaim the good news, just as Jesus did. This authority is not limited to pastors or evangelists but is available to all who are filled with the Spirit. We are empowered to bring healing and hope to those in need. [40:06]

- Understanding the Kingdom: Recognizing Jesus as King and understanding our place in His kingdom is crucial. Unlike a democracy, God's kingdom operates on His word and authority. Our role is to obey and trust in His leadership. [46:39]

- Good News to the Poor: The good news is for those who are spiritually destitute, offering hope and salvation through Jesus. This message transcends financial poverty, addressing the deeper need for spiritual fulfillment and reconciliation with God. [56:58]

- Ending Hostility: Through Jesus' sacrifice, the hostility between God and humanity has ended. We are no longer separated from God but are invited into a relationship with Him, rich in His love and grace. This is the essence of the gospel we are called to share. [01:22:03]

- Obedience and Proclamation: Our responsibility is to be obedient to God's leading, sharing His love and truth with those around us. The results of our obedience are in God's hands; our role is to faithfully proclaim the good news. [01:14:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [02:30] - Introduction to Brian Essary's Visit
- [05:00] - Understanding Authority in Christ
- [10:00] - Revisiting the Authority Series
- [15:00] - The Anointing of Jesus
- [20:00] - Proclaiming Good News to the Poor
- [25:00] - The Kingdom and Its King
- [30:00] - Spiritual Poverty and Salvation
- [35:00] - Ending Hostility with God
- [40:00] - Living in Authority
- [45:00] - Sharing the Good News
- [50:00] - Personal Testimony of Obedience
- [55:00] - Encouragement to Proclaim the Gospel
- [01:00:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 4:16-18
- Ephesians 2:13-22

---

Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 4:18, what specific mission does Jesus declare He is anointed for, and how does this relate to the concept of spiritual poverty? [56:58]

2. According to the sermon, how does living in a democracy potentially skew our understanding of God's kingdom? [46:39]

3. What role does the five-fold ministry play in equipping believers to walk in God's authority, as mentioned in the sermon? [40:06]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Jesus' sacrifice and the end of hostility between God and humanity? [01:22:03]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of spiritual poverty in Luke 4:18 challenge our understanding of who the "poor" are in the context of the gospel? [56:58]

2. In what ways does recognizing Jesus as King influence a believer's daily life and decision-making, according to the sermon? [46:39]

3. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to the authority they have in Christ? What are some practical examples given? [40:06]

4. What does the sermon imply about the simplicity of the gospel message and its impact on our approach to sharing it with others? [01:22:03]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually impoverished. How did you seek or find spiritual fulfillment during that period? [56:58]

2. How can you actively recognize and submit to Jesus' kingship in your daily decisions and interactions this week? [46:39]

3. Identify a situation where you can exercise the authority given to you in Christ to bring hope or healing to someone in need. What steps will you take to act on this? [40:06]

4. Consider the relationships in your life. How can you demonstrate the end of hostility and the beginning of reconciliation through your actions and words? [01:22:03]

5. The sermon emphasizes obedience to God's leading. What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to be more obedient? How will you respond? [01:14:28]

6. Think of someone in your life who might be spiritually poor. How can you share the good news of Jesus with them in a way that is both loving and impactful? [56:58]

7. How can you remind yourself daily of the simplicity and power of the gospel message, and what practical steps can you take to share it with others this week? [01:22:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Authority to Minister and Proclaim
Every believer is endowed with the authority to minister and share the good news, just as Jesus did. This authority is not exclusive to pastors or evangelists but is available to all who are filled with the Spirit. As believers, we are empowered to bring healing and hope to those in need, reflecting the love and power of Christ in our daily lives. This empowerment calls us to step out in faith, trusting that God will work through us to touch the lives of others. [40:06]

Luke 10:19 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news today, and how can you use your God-given authority to minister to them?


Day 2: Recognizing the Kingdom and Our Role
Understanding Jesus as King and our place in His kingdom is crucial. Unlike a democracy, God's kingdom operates on His word and authority, and our role is to obey and trust in His leadership. This understanding challenges us to align our lives with His will, recognizing that His plans are higher than ours. As we submit to His authority, we find true freedom and purpose in serving His kingdom. [46:39]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: In what ways can you better align your daily decisions with the values of God's kingdom, acknowledging His authority in your life?


Day 3: Bringing Good News to the Spiritually Poor
The good news of Jesus is for those who are spiritually destitute, offering hope and salvation. This message transcends financial poverty, addressing the deeper need for spiritual fulfillment and reconciliation with God. As followers of Christ, we are called to share this message with those who are spiritually impoverished, bringing them the hope and love found in a relationship with Jesus. [56:58]

Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."

Reflection: Who in your community is spiritually poor, and how can you intentionally share the hope of the gospel with them this week?


Day 4: Ending Hostility and Embracing Relationship
Through Jesus' sacrifice, the hostility between God and humanity has ended. We are no longer separated from God but are invited into a relationship with Him, rich in His love and grace. This is the essence of the gospel we are called to share, inviting others to experience the peace and reconciliation that comes through Christ. [01:22:03]

Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."

Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate God's love and grace to someone who feels distant from Him, helping them to see the reconciliation available through Christ?


Day 5: Obedience and Proclamation
Our responsibility is to be obedient to God's leading, sharing His love and truth with those around us. The results of our obedience are in God's hands; our role is to faithfully proclaim the good news. As we walk in obedience, we trust that God will use our efforts to bring about His purposes, impacting the lives of those we encounter. [01:14:28]

1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"

Reflection: What is one specific area where God is calling you to step out in obedience today, and how can you take a tangible step towards that obedience?

Quotes


And the least we can do is always and forever to lift up your name and to glorify your name and to worship the name of Jesus in every way that you give us opportunity. And this morning, Lord, we're so blessed, so honored to be able to be in your presence and worshiping you together as the body of Christ. [00:28:20] (30 seconds)


He even said that later on in his ministry. He says, The things I've been doing, you'll do also. And in case anybody thinks, Well, sure, yeah, well, yeah, but he was God. He was the Son of God. He was perfect in every way. I couldn't do what he did. No, he said, You'll do what I'm doing, and even more. [00:42:36] (21 seconds)


But good news to the poor. When Jesus came here, He said, the reason I'm here, the reason I'm anointed, the reason God called me, the reason I'm filled with the Spirit at my baptism, the reason I'm doing this is to proclaim good news to the poor. And a bunch of other things which we'll get to, but we're going to focus on good news to the poor today. [00:44:38] (28 seconds)


When he says that I'm here to proclaim good news to the poor, what he's saying is, is for those who can't do anything for themselves. They are so destitute. They are so, when Jesus was speaking to the people in the first century A.D. Jerusalem and beyond in the Holy Land, he's speaking to people who were spiritually destitute. [00:56:58] (28 seconds)


And if he put a price, which he did, the price he put on relationship with him was a sinless life, which no one can do. None of us could do. No human alone could do. And so it doesn't matter how much money you have, it doesn't matter how much wisdom you have, it doesn't matter how much of anything. [00:58:09] (24 seconds)


And it's our job, we have the authority to tell them, hey, we have some good news. We have good news. I've got good news for the poor. Turn to Luke chapter one. I want to show you a number of scriptures here where that word euangelion is used. It's used by different individuals. Some spiritual, some, some physical. [01:00:09] (33 seconds)


And He came and preached peace to you who are far off and peace to those who are near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but our fellow citizens in the kingdom, I'll add, with the saints and the members of the household of God. [01:26:19] (25 seconds)


By abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two. So making peace. The Jews were accepted of God. The Gentiles were not accepted of God. Two men. He said through this, through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, He's now made one new man in Him. [01:25:38] (31 seconds)


Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Feb 24, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?