Understanding Spiritual Authority and the Power of the Gospel

Devotional

Day 1: Exercising God-Given Authority

Understanding the difference between power and authority is crucial for Christians. Power is the ability to do something, while authority is the right to use that power. Satan may have power, but he lacks the authority that Jesus has given to us. If we do not exercise our God-given authority, Satan will use his power against us. This means that Christians must be vigilant and proactive in using the authority granted to them by Christ. By doing so, they can resist the devil and stand firm in their faith. [02:43]

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: In what areas of your life have you been allowing Satan to use his power against you? How can you begin to exercise your God-given authority to resist him today?

Day 2: The Unaltered Power of the Gospel

The gospel loses its power when we rely on our own strength, wisdom, or eloquence. The true power of the gospel lies in the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord, His death, resurrection, and His eventual return. This message is not just words but comes with the power of the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. Christians must be careful not to dilute or modify the gospel message, as its power is inherent in its truth. By faithfully proclaiming the gospel, believers can witness its transformative power in their lives and the lives of others. [05:35]

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (ESV): "And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Reflection: Have you ever felt tempted to modify the gospel message to make it more appealing? How can you ensure that you are proclaiming the true and unaltered gospel in your daily interactions?

Day 3: Utilizing Spiritual Power Effectively

Every Christian has spiritual power, but it must be exercised. We have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This power is essential for demolishing strongholds in our lives, families, and communities. The question is whether we are using it effectively. Christians must actively engage in spiritual warfare, using the authority and power given to them by God to overcome obstacles and challenges. By doing so, they can experience victory and freedom in their spiritual lives. [12:22]

Ephesians 1:19-20 (ESV): "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."

Reflection: Are there strongholds in your life that you have not addressed with the power of God? What steps can you take today to begin demolishing these strongholds using the spiritual authority given to you?

Day 4: Seeking the Manifest Presence of God

There is a significant difference between the omnipresence and the manifest presence of God. While God's omnipresence is everywhere, His manifest presence is selective and requires our obedience. Without the manifest presence of God, there is no power of God. Christians must seek to live in obedience to God, creating an environment where His manifest presence can dwell. This presence brings power, guidance, and transformation, enabling believers to live victorious and impactful lives. [18:46]

Exodus 33:14-15 (ESV): "And he said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.' And he said to him, 'If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate an environment of obedience in your life to invite the manifest presence of God? How can you prioritize seeking His presence daily?

Day 5: Setting a Godly Example and Reclaiming Authority

It is crucial to set a godly example for our children. When we prioritize God and His authority in our lives, we can walk in the fullness of His power. Repentance is key to reclaiming our authority and experiencing the power of God. By living a life of obedience and repentance, Christians can demonstrate the power of God to the next generation and lead them in the ways of the Lord. This not only impacts their own lives but also creates a legacy of faith and spiritual authority. [27:28]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: How can you set a godly example for your children or those who look up to you? What areas of your life need repentance to reclaim the authority and power of God?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound difference between power and authority, using a vivid illustration of a crossing guard and a powerful vehicle. While power is the ability to do something, authority is the right to use that power. This distinction is crucial for Christians to understand, especially in the context of spiritual warfare. Satan may have power, but he lacks the authority that Jesus Christ has given to us. If we do not exercise our God-given authority, Satan will use his power against us.

We delved into the importance of not relying on our own strength or wisdom but on the power of the gospel. The gospel loses its power when we try to modify its message or rely on our own abilities. The true power of the gospel lies in the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord, His death, resurrection, and His eventual return. This message is not just words but comes with the power of the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.

We also discussed the necessity of operating in the power of God, which requires exercising our spiritual authority. This authority comes from Jesus and is essential for demolishing strongholds in our lives, families, and communities. We have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, but the question is whether we are using it effectively.

Moreover, we examined the difference between the omnipresence and the manifest presence of God. While God's omnipresence is everywhere, His manifest presence is selective and requires our obedience. Without the manifest presence of God, there is no power of God.

Finally, we emphasized the importance of setting a godly example for our children and not giving away our authority through disobedience or neglect. When we prioritize God and His authority in our lives, we can walk in the fullness of His power. Repentance is key to reclaiming our authority and experiencing the power of God.

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Key Takeaways

1. given authority, Satan will use his power against us. [02:43]
2. The Power of the Gospel: The gospel loses its power when we rely on our own strength, wisdom, or eloquence. The true power of the gospel lies in the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord, His death, resurrection, and His eventual return. This message comes with the power of the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.

3. Exercising Spiritual Authority: Every Christian has spiritual power, but it must be exercised. We have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This power is essential for demolishing strongholds in our lives, families, and communities. The question is whether we are using it effectively.

4. Manifest Presence of God: There is a significant difference between the omnipresence and the manifest presence of God. While God's omnipresence is everywhere, His manifest presence is selective and requires our obedience. Without the manifest presence of God, there is no power of God.

5. Setting a Godly Example: It is crucial to set a godly example for our children. When we prioritize God and His authority in our lives, we can walk in the fullness of His power. Repentance is key to reclaiming our authority and experiencing the power of God.

### [02:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Power vs. Authority
[02:43] - Satan's Power and Christ's Authority
[03:40] - The Power of the Gospel
[05:35] - Proclaiming Jesus as Lord
[06:12] - Encountering Jesus
[07:06] - Operating in God's Power
[08:41] - Personal Story: College Fight
[11:27] - The Word of God as a Weapon
[12:22] - Divine Power to Demolish Strongholds
[13:15] - Paul's Example of Power
[14:09] - Spiritual Authority from God
[15:41] - Authority in Jesus' Name
[18:00] - Peter's Example of Power
[18:46] - Omnipresence vs. Manifest Presence
[20:33] - Authority Given to Humanity
[22:26] - Reclaiming Authority from Satan
[23:22] - Giving Away Authority
[27:28] - Prioritizing God
[28:59] - The Power of Repentance
[29:42] - Submission to God's Authority
[30:27] - The Holy Spirit's Power

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What is the difference between power and authority as illustrated by the crossing guard and the vehicle? [01:54]
According to 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, what can cause the cross of Christ to be emptied of its power? [03:40]
How does 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 describe the nature of the spiritual weapons we have? [11:27]
What does Ephesians 1:19-20 say about the power available to believers? [12:22]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important for Christians to understand the distinction between power and authority in the context of spiritual warfare? [02:43]
How can modifying the gospel message or relying on our own abilities diminish its power? [03:40]
What does it mean to exercise spiritual authority, and why is it essential for demolishing strongholds in our lives? [12:22]
How does the concept of God's manifest presence differ from His omnipresence, and why is obedience crucial for experiencing His manifest presence? [18:46]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you relied on your own strength or wisdom instead of the power of the gospel. How did that situation turn out, and what could you have done differently? [03:40]
In what areas of your life do you need to exercise more spiritual authority? Identify one specific stronghold you want to demolish and discuss practical steps to do so. [12:22]
How can you cultivate an environment in your home or community that invites the manifest presence of God? What specific acts of obedience might be required? [18:46]
Think about the example you are setting for your children or those who look up to you. Are there areas where you might be giving away your authority through disobedience or neglect? How can you change that? [27:28]
Identify a specific distraction or sin that is preventing you from prioritizing God in your life. What steps can you take this week to minimize or eliminate that distraction? [27:28]
How can you better proclaim the true power of the gospel in your daily interactions? Share a recent experience where you had the opportunity to share your faith. [05:35]
Repentance is key to reclaiming our authority and experiencing the power of God. Is there an area in your life where you need to repent? What steps will you take to do so this week? [28:59]

Sermon Clips

1. "Many people misunderstand the difference between power and authority. Power is the ability to do something. Authority is the right to use that power. For example, this little woman and me and my F-150. Now facing each other head-to-head. If she drops down into a three-point stance, I start revving my engine. And we decide we are going to go head-to-head and see who's made of what. Who's going to win that fight? I am. In my F-150. Who has more power? I do. However, who has more authority? She does." [01:54] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you remember nothing else from this message today, remember this. If you do not use your authority, Satan will use his power. We live in a world today where many people are walking away from the faith. Whole churches, even entire denominations, are now changing the message of Jesus. And as a result, it's losing its power. So often we rely on our own strength, our own gifting. We can think that we do it. And we don't even invite Jesus. And we don't even invite God into it. Because we're like, I got this. And we have no power." [03:40] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The gospel is not an ideology to be argued. It is a truth to be proclaimed. Jesus is King. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is God. That is our declaration. That is our message. And if we start preaching anything other than that, the message loses its power. 1 Thessalonians says, Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power. With the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. 1 Corinthians says, The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power. The truth is that if someone can talk you into faith, someone else can talk you out of faith." [06:12] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Without the power of God, we have nothing. The title of the message today is how to operate in the power of God. And every Christian must exercise their authority in order to access the power of God. Because if you don't use your authority, Satan will use his power. And so I'm going to give you three truths to help you to be able to operate in the power of God. The first is that you have spiritual power. If you believe in Jesus today, if your faith is in Him, you have spiritual power." [07:06] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You have an incredibly powerful spiritual weapon, and it is this, it is the word of God. This is why Jesus responded when the enemy tempted him and tested him. He said, away from me, Satan. It is written. He responded with the word of God. Second Corinthians says, for though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. You have divine power to demolish strongholds." [11:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "You have the exact same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead that is living in you. The question isn't, do you have power? The question is, are you using it? Are you acting? Are you accessing it? Are you stewarding it? Are you walking in the fullness of this power? Even in Acts, Paul is doing incredible things. He's moving in power. It tells us that the locals, when they saw what he had done, they shouted in their native language, the gods have come down to us in human form." [13:15] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "In your life, there are spaces that Jesus will try to lead you into. And when you do it, the enemy will drop his hand in front and say, no, no, no, you can't go in there. You cannot get healing. You cannot get healing in that area of your life. You will never let go of that sin in your life. You will never overcome that deficiency that's on the inside of you that's plaguing you. You will never get free of that. You will never get that job. You will never have that family. You will never have a kid." [17:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Jesus' church can never be built on wisdom, technique, charisma, personality. It must be built on Jesus. On his power. On his authority. And on his presence. There is no power of God without the presence of God. There's a huge difference between the omnipresence of God and the manifest presence of God. The omnipresence of God is the presence of God. The omnipresence of God is everywhere all the time. The manifest presence of God is not. The omnipresence of God is everywhere all the time. But the manifest presence of God shows up in specific times at specific moments." [18:46] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "When you deprioritize God, you give away your authority to the enemy. The only authority the enemy has is that which you give away to him. He has no other authority in your life. Where are you giving away your authority? And my encouragement to you is stop. Change. The biblical word for that is repent. It means to change direction. And so if there's an area of your life where you're giving away that authority, stop. Walk out of here making a commitment to say no more. Not again. That ends today." [28:15] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Without repentance, there is no power. Without repentance, there is no power. Without repentance, there is no power. And honestly, I don't think God is looking for perfect Christians. There's zero of them. Myself and Juliet included. I don't think God is looking for Christians who are perfect, who are the most gifted and talented, who have the most amount of money in their bank account, who are the most educated, or even who have the biggest personalities. I think God is looking for Christians who will submit to him, who will be accountable to him, who will come under his authority." [29:42] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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