Believer Authority

Text: Mark 16:15-20, John 1:12, Luke 9:1-2. 10:19, John 14:12,

Memorise  Luke 9:1 Act 1:5 & 8
   One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.

Introduction;
   Authority means power to enforce or implement or command.
     This authority is not a result of the hard work; fasting or prayer which you have done, but it's the function of the relationship with Jesus which releases the authority.
      Many people taught we need fasting and prayer as believers to exercise our authority,which is not right or real.

Note: Authority is all about Jesus, because he has obeyed God and God handed over to him all powers and authority.
    Jesus is the costodian of authority both in heavens and on earth.

          Source of authority
1.  Knowledge;when your knowledge surpasses that of others then you become an authority in the field.  Devil has the authority he enforced on people because he knows a lot about man creation. Gen 16:9
  I.e   Your father has authority over you because you know his your father.

2. Inheritance; Gal 4:1-2

3. Ordination: these can also be regarded as constituted authority.

4. Announcement. Example of this happening in the bible when Jesus was baptised and a voice from heaven confirmed him.  Matthew 3:16-17

           Entering into Authority
  There are stages and levels in authority; authority is not what you feel,as in when you feel the moving power of God. When it's done you only access it through knowledge of it.

 ☞  It is gotten through salvation  John 1:12a

☞   It is gotten through faith John 1:12

☞    Joshua 1:8 You must know ,the knowing through the search and reading of the scripture.

               Our Authority
         God is the power behind our authority as believers,he gave us to face the enemy without any effect through the Lord Jesus.
     Jesus got this authority through obedience to God,the father.

☞  We are seated with christ; col 3:1
      Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
      Jesus was raised from death that gave us the power that we are not stuck at the cross, Sin can not stop us we have gone far from the cross to the heaven in place of authority.

☞  Breaking the Power of the darkness(devil)

      We have been given the authority for which we are responsible. Those who are unaware of this often plead with God to do something about their circumstances. We must learn what our responsibilities are and learn to confidently rise up against the devil and demand the rights and privileges that fall within our sphere of authority.

  
    "Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.(Luke 10:19)

☞Authority over Demon Spirits, Not Human Wills.
      More examples of limitations on the exercise of our authority and how we can help others while they are in our presence. It is important to build a foundation of faith in the Word of God in order to experience ongoing victory in the exercise of authority over the attacks of the devil.

☞  Exercising Authority .
      Four Scriptural references that show what the believer’s responsibility is with regard to dealing with the devil. We have the authority to exercise Christ’s victory over the devil in our own household. We can often also help others in varying degrees, but our authority in their lives has many more limitations.

    But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.(1 John 4:4)

☞The Weapons of Our Warfare .

      Spiritual warfare is defined here as doing the works of Jesus and taking authority over the devil as we go about our daily lives, not going into head-to-head combat with the devil. The devil will try to discourage us from using our authority in Christ, but God has given us spiritual armor to protect us.

  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;

   Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2Cor. 10:4-5

      Hindrance to the Authority
  There are certain things which serves or work as the hindrance to our faith as believers, which can make all these authority useless and ineffective.
1. Unbelieve; lack of faith is a very terrible enemy of our authority Heb.11:1,2

2. Ignorance:

3. Immaturity: Gal 4:1

4. Fear: 2tim 1:7
  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

        Purpose of the Authority  

    •   What works had Jesus been doing? Healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers, casting out devils.

    •    To proclaim the kingdom of God, and more. Who else can do these works, than we the believers,because we can go anywhere in world and nothing can hinder our breakthrough.

   •  To do greater works than Jesus did? — the answer: "whoevever believes in [Jesus]".  John 14:12
    
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.
               In conclusion
    Not just His twelve apostles, not just pastors and church leaders, but whoever believes in Him!      You can share the Gospel, confirmed with powerful signs, because Jesus has delegated this authority to believers. And the believer's authority is not restricted by our own natural limitations. Remember, it is God's authority given through Jesus to us.