A Powerful Life

Powerlessness

Dichotomy of power narrative and powerless people

I find it ironic that narratives that prioritize power end up disempowering people.

Our own power is limited

Jn 15.4-5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

A form of godliness without power

2 Ti 3.5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

The Power of God

Disciples rejoiced at the power conferred on them

Lk 10.17 “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”

Jesus is the one with the power

Ep 1.19-21 “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:”

The power of God in Christ exceeds all other powers.

We cannot rely on our own power

Power of the Holy Ghost

Lk 24.49 “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

Ac 1.8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Rm 1.16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Opposing Powers

Power of the enemy

LK 10.19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Job illustrates there is power

Enemy power also comes from God

Dynamis: technical capability

TDNT: “to be able; to be capable of”

LN: “the potentiality to exert force”

Divine Authority

Lk 10.19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Exousia: permission, jurisdiction, dominion

TDNT: “ability to perform an action” to the extent no hindrances are in the way, as distinct from dynamis in the sense of intrinsic ability.

“exousia is also the possibility granted by a higher norm or court, and therfore ‘the right to do something or the right over something . . . the possibility of action given authoritatively by the king, government of laws of a state and conferring authority, permission or freedom . . .

“backed by real power . . .

Dynamis denote external power, whereas exousia is the power displayed in the fact that a command is obeyed.”

The most powerful life is the life that is operating in under the commissioning of God’s directives.

To act with authority is to express legitimacy

Authority as agency: you can determine

Like Pilate of Jn 19.10-11 who had authority to release or crucify Jesus, but only as it was given from above, there is a capacity that can be authorized by the Spirit of God.

Authority as creative power

The concept is related to ‘author’ as in the beginning, primary, or principle thing out of which others flow.

Colossians 1:16–18 KJV 1900

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Jesus gives you authority to bring the creative power of his word and his Spirit to bear on your life and circumstances, and over the capability of the enemy.

Authority with God

Centering our lives in alignment with Jesus and his word positions us to where we can simply be agents of his authority.

We have dominion when we exercise his dominion

We have authority when we are operating in God’s authority

We have power when we are synced with God’s power.

It’s about us assmilating ourselves into the flow of godliness

My name is written in heaven is the reason to rejoice

Mk 16.16-18 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Baptism is taking the name (authority of Christ)

The signs follow

Mt 28.18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Operating in the authority of Jesus Christ, we have the power to observe what he has commanded.

Alignment with God brings power

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Pp 4.11-13 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

I have learned that I can handle anything with the power of Christ working in me!

This is a kind of authority that authorities dream of

Luke 10:23–24 KJV 1900

And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.