Power and Authority: Living Boldly in Jesus' Name

The church is called to advance with intention, refusing to drift on past routines and instead pressing toward greater likeness to Christ. Congregants are urged to "set their face" toward God's call as Jesus did—resolute, determined, and purposeful—so that present and future generations will inherit a people who pursued God's plans. The congregation is reminded that prior visions remain alive: last year’s call to grow in faith and reveal the unseen still shapes identity and discipleship as the community moves into 2026.

The declared vision for 2026 centers on power and authority—not personal dominance, but the delegated authority of Jesus and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus holds all authority and transfers agency to believers so they can confront spiritual opposition, heal the sick, and proclaim the kingdom. This power is meant for kingdom purposes: to free the oppressed, heal bodies and hearts, and expand the gospel in homes, neighborhoods, and to the ends of the earth.

Practical formation and expectation accompany the theological claim. Believers are encouraged to stay close to the body of Christ and to wait for being clothed with power from on high. The example from Acts—Peter and John healing a man lame from birth—demonstrates how ordinary followers, equipped by Spirit power, bring miraculous transformation that astonishes observers and advances the gospel. The assembly is invited to personal reflection: what specific struggles, relationships, or ministries require God’s power and authority this year?

An open invitation is extended to those not yet reconciled to God: the first, foundational transfer of authority is Christ himself living in a person—salvation, forgiveness, and new identity. Practical response steps are given—confession, repentance, public acknowledgement—and the congregation is invited to commit their year to growing in Spirit-empowered authority for Jesus’ purposes. The season ahead is cast as one of rising, breakthrough, and sober readiness to step into responsibility for kingdom works.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Set the face toward God Resolute forward-facing faith imitates Jesus’ intent and removes drift. Setting one’s face is an act of will against distraction and fear; it means choosing the path God marks even when cost is clear. This posture reshapes daily habits, prayer, and decisions so vocation and discipleship align with God’s long-term purposes. [01:05]
• 2. Rise in power and authority Believers are invited to move from passivity to Spirit-empowered agency under Christ’s delegated rule. This authority makes possible courageous ministry into spiritually dangerous places, not for control but for enfranchising others into freedom. Growth in authority is measurable by service, healing, and the advance of the kingdom—not by reputation. [04:54]
• 3. Authority given for kingdom purpose Power from Jesus is always functional: to heal, to free, to proclaim the kingdom. Authority misused for self-interest betrays its gospel origin; rightly used, it restores relationships, breaks bondage, and testifies to God’s rule. This keeps spiritual power tethered to sacrificial love and clear mission. [10:11]
• 4. First transfer: Jesus in you The initial gift of power is reconciliation—Christ dwelling in the believer—which reorders identity and authority. Salvation is not merely escape from judgment but the beginning of Spirit-enabled mission and moral formation. From that new center, believers can genuinely ask for and wield God’s power with humility and purpose. [21:00]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - Pursue God’s call, not comfort
• [01:05] - Set the face toward God
• [03:03] - Carry last year’s vision forward
• [04:54] - 2026: Vision — Power & Authority
• [08:49] - Clothed with power from on high
• [10:11] - Authority for healing and deliverance
• [13:17] - Acts 3: Lame man healed
• [17:54] - Personal response: Where you need power
• [21:00] - Invitation: Receive Jesus today
• [25:42] - Declaration cards & response time

Bible reading
*Luke 9:51 (ESV)*
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

*Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)*
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

*Acts 3:1–10 (ESV)*
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

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Observation questions

1. What does it mean that Jesus “set his face” to go to Jerusalem?
2. According to Matthew 28:18–20, where does Jesus’ authority come from and what is its purpose?
3. What did Peter and John have to offer the lame man, and how did they demonstrate God’s power? [14:08]
4. What specific areas of life were mentioned where believers need God’s power and authority? [17:54]

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Interpretation questions

1. Why is “setting your face” toward something an intentional act rather than passive drifting? [01:56]
2. How does the authority Jesus gives differ from worldly power or control? [10:39]
3. In what ways does being “clothed with power from on high” change how a person lives and serves? [08:49]
4. Why is it significant that the first transfer of power and authority is Christ living in a person? [20:13]

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Application questions

1. What is one area in your life where you’ve been “drifting” instead of moving with intention toward God’s purpose? What would it look like to “set your face” toward Him in that area this week?
2. Where do you most need to experience Jesus’ authority and power right now—in a relationship, a persistent struggle, or a calling you’ve been avoiding? [18:30]
3. Peter and John carried something eternal even when they had no material resources to give. What has God placed in you that He wants to use to bring healing or freedom to someone else? [14:08]
4. How can you intentionally “stay close to the body of Christ” this season to be clothed with greater power from the Holy Spirit? [09:08]
5. What would it look like to step into “kingdom authority” in your home, workplace, or community—not for control, but for liberation and love? [11:04]
6. Is there a situation where you’ve relied on your own strength instead of leaning into the authority Jesus has given you? What would surrender look like in that area?
7. Who in your life needs to see the power of Jesus through you—not in your perfection, but in your reliance on His Spirit?