Restoring Authority: Jesus' Call to Renewal and Action

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Binds the Strong Man and Gives Us Authority

Jesus teaches that before anyone can plunder a strong man's house, the strong man must first be bound. In this context, the strong man represents the devil and his forces, who seek to oppress, accuse, and condemn. But Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has rendered the enemy helpless—disarming him of his power to accuse and condemn. Now, as believers, we are empowered to take back what the enemy has stolen from us, our families, our communities, and our world. Jesus has already accomplished the binding; our role is to walk in His authority, reclaiming freedom, healing, and restoration for ourselves and others. [01:34:34]

Matthew 12:29 (ESV)
"Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have felt the enemy has stolen from you—be it peace, joy, health, or relationships—and how can you begin to reclaim it today by standing in the authority Jesus has given you?

Day 2: Jesus Came to Restore God’s Will on Earth

Jesus’ mission was to make earth more like heaven and less like hell. Wherever He went, He restored God’s will—healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, and bringing hope to the hopeless. He calls us to pray and live out “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” inviting us to participate in His work of restoration. No matter how much darkness or brokenness we see around us, Jesus is actively working to bring heaven’s reality into our lives, our families, and our communities. [01:15:19]

Matthew 6:10 (ESV)
"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Reflection: Where do you see “hell on earth” in your life or community, and how can you invite Jesus to bring heaven’s restoration into that specific place this week?

Day 3: The Authority and Power of Jesus

Jesus’ words carried authority and power because He was fully submitted to the Father and anointed by the Holy Spirit. He commanded demons, calmed storms, and healed the sick, demonstrating the reality of God’s kingdom breaking into the world. This same authority is available to those who come under His lordship, allowing us to speak and act with confidence, knowing that we are backed by heaven’s power. The deeper our revelation of who Jesus is, the deeper our worship and the greater our boldness to act in His name. [01:18:42]

Luke 4:36 (ESV)
"And they were all amazed and said to one another, 'What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!'"

Reflection: In what situation do you need to step out in the authority of Jesus this week—whether in prayer, in speaking truth, or in serving others—and what would it look like to do so boldly?

Day 4: The Violent Take It by Force—A Warrior Mindset

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. The enemy’s attacks may be subtle or overt, but Jesus calls us to rise up with a warrior mindset, refusing to let the enemy run our lives, families, or communities any longer. We are not called to be passive but to actively take back what has been stolen, standing firm in faith and pressing forward with spiritual courage. [01:29:39]

Matthew 11:12 (ESV)
"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to adopt a “warrior mindset” in your spiritual life, refusing to let the enemy have the final word?

Day 5: Jesus Restores All That Was Lost

Everything that was lost through sin and the fall—health, wholeness, peace, purpose—Jesus came to restore. No matter what has happened in your past, or what wounds you carry, Jesus is able to restore your soul and bring back what was stolen. His restoration is not just for you, but so that you can become a model of blessing and hope for others, inviting them into God’s family and His plan of restoration for the world. [01:25:49]

Psalm 23:3 (ESV)
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Reflection: Is there a place in your soul or story that needs Jesus’ restoration? Ask Him to begin restoring that area today, and consider how your testimony could encourage someone else who needs hope.

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a celebration of the authority, power, and purpose that Jesus Christ brings into our lives and our world. We began by recognizing the supernatural work of God in our midst—healings, miracles, and the ongoing renewal of our community. We reminded ourselves of our identity as a multi-ethnic, multi-generational family, called to love God, love each other, and love the world. This is not just a vision for our church, but a declaration of God’s will for every believer: to be agents of heaven’s renewal on earth.

We explored the meaning of “plunder” as Jesus used it in Matthew 12:29, understanding that Christ came to bind the strong man—Satan—and to empower us to reclaim what has been stolen from humanity. The enemy’s tactics are subtle but violent, seeking to separate us from God, sow division, and keep us in bondage. Yet, Jesus came to restore everything lost in the fall: healing, wholeness, peace, prosperity, and purpose. He is not just our personal Savior, but the Savior of families, cities, nations, and the world.

The authority Jesus demonstrated—casting out demons, calming storms, healing on the Sabbath—was not self-derived, but came from perfect alignment with the Father’s will. He inaugurated a new kingdom, a new administration, where the will of God is being restored on earth as it is in heaven. This restoration is not passive; it requires a warrior mindset. We are called to rise up, take back what the enemy has stolen, and participate in God’s great restoration project.

But this authority is not automatic. It flows from revelation—knowing who Jesus is, coming under His lordship, and receiving the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Only then can we put the enemy under our feet and plunder his house. Jesus has already bound the strong man; our part is to step into our authority, reclaim what was lost, and help make earth more like heaven. This is the call for every believer: to be a showcase of God’s restoration, to live in freedom, and to invite others into the same victory.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Came to Restore What Was Lost Christ’s mission was not only to save individuals from sin, but to restore everything that was lost in the fall—healing, wholeness, peace, and purpose. He came to make earth more like heaven and less like hell, inviting us to experience and extend that restoration in every area of life. This is a call to see ourselves as participants in God’s plan to redeem and renew all things. [75:01]
2. Authority Flows from Alignment with the Father Jesus’ authority was rooted in His perfect submission to the Father’s will. He did nothing on His own, but only what He saw the Father doing. Our authority to plunder the enemy’s house and bring restoration comes as we align ourselves with God’s will, allowing His Spirit to work through us. [84:17]
3. The Enemy’s Attacks Are Subtle but Violent The devil’s strategies often appear harmless—questions, doubts, small compromises—but their intent is always destruction. Recognizing the violence behind the enemy’s subtlety is crucial; we must not be passive, but vigilant and ready to resist, knowing that the enemy seeks to rob us of God’s best. [88:11]
4. Restoration Requires a Warrior Mindset Jesus has already bound the strong man, but reclaiming what was stolen requires us to rise up with a warrior’s mindset. Christianity is not a passive faith; it is an active participation in God’s victory, taking back our families, cities, and nations for His kingdom. We are equipped with spiritual weapons for a purpose—to advance God’s restoration on earth. [96:14]
5. Revelation of Jesus Deepens Worship and Empowers Action The depth of our worship and the effectiveness of our mission are directly tied to our revelation of who Jesus is. When we see Him as more than a teacher or prophet—as the Savior, Redeemer, and Restorer of all things—our worship becomes deeper, and our lives become powerful testimonies of His authority and love. [61:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[14:47] - Praise and Worship
[24:41] - Community and Involvement
[35:56] - Confession of Faith
[38:24] - Prayer for Miracles
[40:35] - Celebrating Jesus the Savior
[58:01] - Revelation of Jesus as Savior
[62:09] - Declaration Over the Word
[67:08] - God’s Presence and Healing
[68:05] - The Meaning of Plunder
[69:41] - Identifying the Strong Man
[73:53] - Jesus Came to Restore
[78:42] - Jesus’ Authority and the New Kingdom
[85:17] - Restoration of God’s Will
[87:23] - The Violent Take It by Force
[93:50] - Binding the Strong Man
[96:14] - Warrior Mindset and Restoration
[98:33] - Invitation and Prayer for Salvation
[101:31] - Testimony and Ministry
[106:36] - Closing and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 12:29 (ESV) — > “Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.”

John 5:19 (ESV) — > “So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.’”

Matthew 11:12 (ESV) — > “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 12:29, who does Jesus identify as the “strong man,” and what does it mean to “plunder his house”? ([01:09:06])
According to John 5:19, what is the source of Jesus’ authority and power? ([01:24:17])
In Matthew 11:12, what does Jesus mean when he says “the violent take it by force”? How does this relate to the idea of restoration? ([01:27:23])
The sermon described Jesus as not just a personal Savior, but the Savior of families, cities, and nations. What examples were given to show this broader mission? ([59:13])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important that Jesus’ authority comes from his alignment with the Father, rather than from himself? How does this shape our understanding of spiritual authority? ([01:24:17])
The sermon says the enemy’s attacks are “subtle but violent.” What are some ways the enemy tries to separate us from God, and why is recognizing this important for believers? ([01:28:11])
The message emphasized that restoration requires a “warrior mindset.” What does it look like for a Christian to have this mindset in everyday life? ([01:36:14])
How does a deeper revelation of who Jesus is affect both our worship and our willingness to act in faith? ([01:01:12])

Application Questions

The sermon said Jesus came to restore everything lost in the fall—healing, wholeness, peace, and purpose. Is there an area of your life where you feel something has been “stolen” or lost? What would it look like to invite Jesus’ restoration into that area? ([01:15:01])
Jesus’ authority flowed from his alignment with the Father’s will. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to submit to God’s will? What is one step you could take this week to align yourself more closely with God? ([01:24:17])
The enemy’s tactics are often subtle—doubts, small compromises, or division. Can you identify a recent situation where you recognized (or missed) one of these tactics? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? ([01:28:11])
The sermon called us to have a “warrior mindset” and to actively reclaim what the enemy has stolen. What is one practical way you can take a stand for restoration in your family, workplace, or community this month? ([01:36:14])
The message said, “If you don’t know who’s over you, you can’t put anybody under you.” How confident are you in your spiritual authority in Christ? What helps or hinders your confidence? ([01:32:14])
The depth of our worship is tied to our revelation of Jesus. How can you intentionally seek a deeper understanding of who Jesus is this week? Is there a specific practice (like worship, prayer, or study) you want to focus on? ([01:01:12])
The sermon described the church as a multi-ethnic, multi-generational family called to love God, each other, and the world. What is one way you can help make your small group or church more welcoming and united? ([36:14])

Sermon Clips

Jesus is the planet Saver, the nation Saver, the city saver, the family savior. And yes, it's good that he saved me and he saved you. So he's our personal Lord and savior. But, you know, he saved us for a purpose that's beyond us. He saved us to be a part of his plan to save the planet, a part of his plan to save the nations, a part of his plan to save the cities. He saved us to be a part of his plan to save the world. [00:59:42] (57 seconds) #PlanetSaviorPurpose

The greater your revelation of who Jesus is, the deeper your worship will be. If Jesus is just a good teacher, if Jesus is just a prophet, if Jesus is just a good religious leader. Your worship may be kind of shallow, but if you get to know Jesus as the Planet Saver, if you get to know Jesus as the redeemer, the deliverer of all mankind, if you get to know that Jesus has all power in heaven and in earth, something happens on the inside. Something happens on the inside. [01:01:12] (55 seconds) #RevelationDeepensWorship

God wants you to be a model for somebody else to look at. Maybe it's your children or your grandchildren or what, or maybe the people around you. But God wants you to be a model of blessings so somebody else can say, I want to work, worship that God. I want to worship God. Because look what God did for her. Look what God did for him. God wants you to be a show, a showcase, a show model of what he can do for somebody so that somebody else will want to get. Get saved and not go to hell. [01:12:17] (36 seconds) #ModelOfBlessings

God's will is that you would experience heaven on earth. Heaven on earth in every aspect of your life. And then when you. When you've lived your life out, when you're satisfied, then you not only get to enjoy heaven on earth, you get to enjoy heaven in heaven. That's God's. That's God's plan. God's will. Jesus came to make the earth more like heaven and less like hell. [01:14:51] (29 seconds) #HeavenOnEarthPlan

Jesus came to make the earth more like heaven. He came restoring the will of God wherever he went. Wherever he saw somebody oppressed by the devil. Wherever he saw somebody oppressed by sickness, Jesus came to restore. He go and heal them. Because he was restoring the will of God on the earth. [01:15:42] (27 seconds) #RestoringGodsWill

Jesus is restoring God's will on the earth when he heals. He's restoring God's will when he delivers. He's restoring God's will when he feeds the hungry. He's restoring God's will when he unites people, he's rest God's will. Jesus came to bring God's will into a planet that had lost its way. Healing, health, wholeness. That's the will of God for everybody. Prosperity without sorrow, that's the will of God for everybody. Righteousness and justice, that's the will of God for everybody. Peace and joy and freedom, that's the will of God for everybody. Jesus came to restore the will of God. [01:24:42] (59 seconds) #RestorationThroughJesus

It's time to let go of the devil. It's time to get mad at the devil. It's time to get upset. It's time to say, enough is enough. We have suffered enough letters. The devil run us, letting sin run us. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of God suffers violence. And watch this part, that's the first part. That's the Old Testament part. But then the New Testament part says, and the violence, take it. Everybody say, take it. The violent take. Take it by force. In other words, Jesus is saying, there's going to be a people that are going to rise up and take back what the enemy stole. Take back what the devil took. Take back. Somebody say, take it. [01:29:28] (51 seconds) #AuthorityRevealed

Everything God has done for you is for a reason. Take your planet back, take your nations back, take your cities back, take your families back. Jesus is lord of the restoration of this planet. He's the executive officer in charge. When he was seated in the right hand of God, God gave him charge of. Of the operation of the restoration of this planet, of these nations, of these cities, of these families, of your body. He's the chief executive officer of the restoration operation of God. [01:36:31] (45 seconds) #EmpoweredToPlunder

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