ICS Daily Devotions
God Given Authority
Matthew 28 :18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
As believers, we have been given Jesus’ delegated authority or vested authority. This includes all authority in heaven and on earth and the source of our authority is found in the resurrection and exalting of Christ by God.
Ephesians 1 :19-23 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principali ty and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
When Christ ascended, he transferred His authority to the Church. You and Me! Christ’s authority has to be perpetuated through His body, which is on earth and He expects us to exert this authority. This is not a position or authority that we have gained or attained by ourselves but it is an authority that God has given to us. We are raised above the powers of the enemy and made to sit at the right hand of God.
Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
This authority is not over man nor their will. People are not the enemy. This authority is over the power of all demons, evil spirits , sicknesses and diseases.
Luke 9:1-2 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
With this God-given authority , nothing shall harm us.
Luke 10:19-20 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Sermon Series: Kinds of Authority
