There is Power in the Name of Jesus

There is power in the name of Jesus!

1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

The power Jesus gave is disciples as well as us is power or authority cast out demons, heal all manner of sickness and disease. The question is have we exercised that power? We see more and more Christians shrinking from their duties instead of embracing the the authority we have. We need to be more bold in our approach. We must recognize that its not us but the power in us. If we are to live out the scripture I can do all things through christ who strengthens me. Look at this text. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples he gave them power. So it is evident that when Christ calls you he equips you with power.

In I see three things Christ did for his disciples.

1) Calls them to give them Authority 2) Appoints them for the assignment 3) Annoints them for the fight

5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Jesus call 12 distinctly different individuals to take on the assignment of preaching. Yet its important to know he gave them Authority

1) Calls them to give them Authority

Verse one makes it clear Jesus gave his disciples power! This power over unclean spirits and the power to hear. This is a lot of power. Yet Jesus trust that these twelve would use it to continue his mission of compassion that they had seen him do. The people were seeking relief from the oppression of the Roman government not only did the people have to deal with the Roman government but also the Jews of the time were oppressive within them selfs.

deal with the Roman government but also the Jews of the time were oppressive within them selfs.

2) Appoints them for the assignment

We have been given an assignment. We have been given as assignment with instructions. I have found that with this assignment we have instructions. They were to go but only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Its there in the text look Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

They were to avoid the gentiles and the do go into any of the towns of the Samaritans. Instructions were vital to success. Jesus wanted the disciples to exercise their power and to preach to a group he had prepared them to receive. The lost sheep of Israel who were by design the first to receive the word. Many times our lack of success is we did not follow directions. Today we must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us. The message is a simple one the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Its a message they had heard Jesus preach and the same message John the Baptist preached. Our success will be to stay on message. I was told early on don’t try to be so creative you miss the mark. Preach Jesus. Paul said He he preached Jesus and him crucified. The Lord has already conditioned our audience to receive the message. They were to go trusting that God would provide. Heal the sick, raise the dead cleanse the lepers and cast out demons. This is what they had seen Jesus do. Early in Mark we see Jesus was moved with compassion and healed many and cast out demons. In a man demon possessed was brought to Jesus and Jesus healed him. It was in Luke chapter 5 that we see a man with leprosy fall down and begged Jesus to make him clean. It’s in Luke chapter 7 we see Jesus stop a funeral procession and raise the widows son in Nain. So the disciples had seen Jesus heal the sick , cast out demons, cure leprosy and even raise the dead so as disciples they were to do what they saw Jesus do! I wonder today are we in position to do what Jesus did? John 14:12-14 New International Version (NIV)

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Anoints them for the fight.

Now the assignments come with difficulties. But how many know anything worth having is worth fighting for. We are fighting for the lives of many. Yes there will be challenges. We have challenges of rejection. That is easy Jesus said simply shake the dust off your feet. If they reject the word they were not worthy of it. But in this walk the challenges can get even greater than rejection. Jesus told them I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Look at verse 16. In order to understand this we must know the nature of a sheep and the nature of a wolf. A sheep is defenseless. It needs the guidance of the shepherd. He goes where it is lead. Yet wolves are ravenous and travels in packs. It does not give warning of its pending attack. A wolf will pluck a defenseless unsuspecting sheep from the heard or one who has wandered off who is vulnerable. Its the same today. when we stray away we become vulnerable to the ravenous wolves. So Jesus tells his disciples to be wise and serpents and innocents as doves. We have to learn how to be cunning. We must remember (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

We have to learn how to fight! Our anointing will cause us to be aware. When they drag us into courts or flog you in synagogues don’t be surprised. Jesus is really saying trust God. He tells his disciples not to worry. Don’t be anxious ! The psalmist said look to the hills form whence coming your help for all our helps comes form the Lord! He will give you the words to say. How when you have the anointing it comes from the Holy Spirit that dwells in you. Yes we have Power. There is Power in the name of Jesus!

We can’t be surprise when we see the fall out Jesus brother will deliver brother over to death children will turn on their parents. He said we will be hated. Just remember But the one who endures to the end will be saved!

You have what it takes to go through! You have what it takes to make it to the end. For he has anointed you with his power! Never under estimate the Power of Jesus.