ICS Daily Devotions
We Have His Vested Authority
John 14:12-13 (NKJV) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
When Jesus was on earth, He preached the Gospel, casted out demons, healed the sick, ministered to the people, helped the poor, and He said we would do all these and even greater things. Why? Because there are more of us as compared to Him doing it alone. Jesus is interceding for us in heaven now, and we are given the use of His name. Because the same Holy Spirit whom He was anointed with resides in us, we have an anointing to do the work too. Moreover, the church has the critical mass to do more than Jesus did on earth. Through modern communication channels and social media, the church can reach much bigger audiences.
Sharing the Gospel may or may not involve power evangelism because every case is different. Nonetheless, we should all be equipped to do the work of the ministry. Jesus has promised to be with us and to confirm His Word with signs and wonders. We cannot do it alone because it is not about us and our abilities, but about God and His abilities working in and through us. Therefore, we should stop rationalising, being self-conscious or doubting our own abilities.
For example, nobody would pay attention to us if we stood in the middle of the road, raised our hand, and asked all vehicles to stop. However, it would be very different if we were to repeat the action wearing police uniform, because the uniform carries the vested authority empowered by the government to do the work of directing traffic. Drivers have to stop because they respect the authority vested upon the police to carry out the necessary work for law and order.
Likewise, Jesus is not sending us out to minister to people with our own abilities, but with His vested authority to enforce the victory that He has achieved through His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. He has triumphed over the devil and there is power in His name! Therefore, it is not us the devil respects but the authority vested upon us by God.
The ability to minister to someone has nothing to do with us but everything to do with God’s abilities. It is liberating knowing that we are only vessels for His power and abilities to work in and through, and this applies not only to fulltime ministers but anyone who is willing to be used by Him. He gave the use of His name to His entire body so that every believer is equipped and empowered to do the work of the ministry on His behalf.
Sermon Series: Arise and Build (Part 4)
