By What Authority?

Introduction

For far too long, the Body of Christ has suffered with those who have operated under a spirit other than that of the Holy Spirit. In many cases ministers refuse to do anything about situations that arise in their congregations for fear that they would lose yet another contributing member.

The division and destruction that ensue is often unmeasurable by natural means. The real tally known only to our Heavenly Father. This is quite possibly one of the most important messages you will ever hear outside of the Gospel message itself. It is, in fact, tied to the very core of the Gospel itself; for it recognizes the centrality of Christ in all things with everything flowing from Him as He Himself directs the Church.

Unless we understand the authority of God and how He delegates that authority, it will be easy for us to find ourselves out of alignment with God’s will.

Authority refers to the prerogative to rule or govern others. It has to do with the right to regulate and control the activities of one or more individuals.

In Jesus’ time on earth, He was confronted by those that supposed they had the authority to ask Him to give an account of Himself.

Mark 11:27–28 ESV

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?”

Now, of course we know by reading through the rest of that interaction between Jesus and the chief priests and scribes that He did not feel inclined to answer their question since they could not give them a straight answer concerning John the Baptist.

Jesus shunned their claim to authority over Him in that moment...

Later, as Jesus is before Pilate, He recognizes the authority God has given Pilate to have power over the unfolding events..

John 19:9–11 ESV

He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

Now we have the privilege and benefit of knowing How Jesus operated through the means of Holy Scripture and understanding brought about by the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. The people of Jesus’ time just saw the man, and depending on their openness to the things of God, they would either understand and love Him or be confused by and hate Him.

1. Understanding the Nature of Authority

Understand the difference between authority and power. Your neighbor may have the power or ability to walk into your home, grab your laptop and use your internet - but they do not have the authority to do so. My wife has both the power and the authority to do so. When a police officer is in uniform and observes a speeding or reckless driver- he turns on his lights to signify that the driver should pull over. The driver has the power to ignore the officer, but pulls over because of the authority the officer represents.

So what is spiritual authority? Swaggering around screaming at the devil "IN THE NAME OF JESUS" does not impress the demonic world one bit. The bottom line in exercising spiritual authority is ENFORCING TRUTH.

"Authority" when used as a noun, comes from a word (exesti –> exousia) which means, "it is lawful." The most basic meaning of the word, then, means a derived or delegated right. The right to do what? The right to bring God’s order to bear on a situation.

As a matter of fact - did you know that is why you were created? To rule? God made man in His image and immediately He gave him dominion - authority to rule.

The authority that Paul speaks about in Romans 13 is the right and power to enforce obedience, and the authority Peter speaks about in 1 Peter 5 expounds on the responsibility to serve God’s people for God’s purposes in God’s ways.

Now watch this - here is the principle - ‘all authority is derived authority.’

ALL AUTHORITY IS DERIVED AUTHORITY

Why? Because all authority comes from God. Even the devil only has the authority God gives him. "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat."

Jesus understood this when He said in Matthew 28:18, "All authority has been given to me . . ."

Matthew 28:18 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

The disciples understood this when he said to them, "I give you authority over . . . all the power of the power of the enemy." (Luke 10:19)

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.

2. Understanding the Need for Authority

Why is this authority thing such a big deal?

Because the kingdom is a big deal and the kingdom of God is the place where God’s rule and authority is submitted to.

Authority is a big deal because when satan rebelled and when mankind rebelled it was against the authority of God.

Now look quickly with me if you will at that verse in Luke 10 again - it is critical.

The Source of Authority - ‘I’

The value of the authority you have is directly proportionate to the authority of the one who gave it.

The Assurance of Authority - "have given you"

Past tense - already accomplished.

The Essence of Authority - "authority"

The right and power to act on behalf and in accordance with God and His purpose.

Opposition to Authority - "serpents and scorpions"

Serpents and scorpions are a biblical picture of the power of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy.

Extent of the Authority - "over all the power of the enemy."

All the power.

3. Understanding How to Nurture Authority

Your Degree of Authority Is Proportional to the Authority of the One Who Delegated it to You

Some of you may still acting out of your mother or father’s authority!

You may wonder what I mean by that; allow me to explain. Some people are just naturally inclined to lead and find it easy to get others to follow or listen to their ideas at least. That does not necessarily mean that type of authority is God Authority.

You see...

Your Degree of Authority Is Directly Related to Your Submission to Authority

Allow me to say that another way -

Your Ability to Exercise Authority Will Rise No Higher Than Your Degree of Submission to Authority.

3 John 9 ESV

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.

Submission to authority is about humility and humility is about putting someone or something else first and putting yourself second!

Watch this folks - the test of your humility is the degree of your submission! That’s right - when God wants to test your humility He checks your submission to authority.

No - I didn’t think you would like that!

That goes for

- children submitting to parents and teachers,

- wives submitting to their husbands,

- husbands submitting to Christ,

- Citizens submitting to government (as long as it does not infringe on our ability to submit to God first),

- and Christians submitting to their pastors, elders and leaders.

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

If you belong to this church then your active submission to the leadership of this church is the measure of your humility and of your authority.

If you do not belong to this church then the measure of your humility and of your authority is the active submission on your part to your pastor and your church leadership.

If you are a Christian and you do not belong to a church I would suggest you may be out of order - you may need to check your submission - and get under authority. And of that is offensive you do not need to check any further - the results are in!

Let me give you the first key to submission to God - it is not obeying God - it is not even being able to hear God, it is seeking to be godly - to be like God. It is filling your mind with godliness.

If you want to be in submission to God start to dwell on the things God dwells on. Fill your mind with the Word of God, with the thoughts of God. You have the mind of Christ - learn to listen to it.

What fills your mind?

Negativity - lust - pornography - complaints - self pity - loneliness - regret!

What is your addiction?

Drugs, lies, gossip, bitterness, unforgiveness, anger!

If you want to move in the authority of God you must be in submission to the God of authority - and if you want to be in submission to God you must choose to think the thoughts of God - have the mind of Christ,

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Your Degree of Authority Is Also Directly Related to the Exercise of Your Faith

Psalm 103:19 ESV

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.