The Authority of Christ
Question: What must we know about the Authority of Christ?
Question: How does the Authority of Christ apply to us?
Question: Is the Authority of Christ important to my Christian life?
These are some of the questions that we will attempt to answer from today’s message.
We need to know that:
1. The Authority of Christ was given by God the Father
Matthew 28:18
“All authority [exousia] is *given unto me* in heaven and earth.”
The word Exousia means = delegated authority
God, the Master of the Universe, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Creator of all living things has all the authority in the whole Universe.
Now God gave that authority to Jesus according to Matthew 28:18. That is delegated authority.
Jesus had authority/exousia when he was on earth, and the reaction was that the people were awed, and glorified God when they saw the authority that Jesus had.
John 14:10,11
“The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.”
Everything Jesus did and said, He did it with the authority that God gave to Him - Jesus said both His words and His works were given to Him by God the Father.
Illustration:
Example: A manager has delegated authority [exousia]. If a manager resigns, he has no more authority. A policeman with uniform has authority when he stands at the traffic junction.
When he removes his policeman’s clothes, he has no more authority.
Application:
And because we are the Body of Christ and Jesus is the Head of the Body, we carry His Authority with us everywhere we go. It is not Jesus who is physically walking on the earth today, but you and me. So God wants us to know that the authority that He has placed on Jesus Christ is now walking with us.
We need to know that:
2. The Authority of Christ includes Heaven and Earth
Matthew 28:18
“All authority [exousia] is given unto me in *heaven and earth*”
Philippians 2:10
“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in *heaven and on earth and under the earth* and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
That authority given to our Lord Jesus Christ is not just for the period of history when Jesus was walking on the earth more than 2000 years ago. It is for the NOW. And it includes all heavens and all earth.
There is no place anywhere that the authority of Jesus does not apply. Hallelujah!
What does Authority include Heaven means?
Heaven means:-
a. Authority over angels
Hebrews 1:6 “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”
All of God’s angels obey Jesus and the words of Jesus.
Satan is a fallen angel – he also will have to bow his knees and worship Jesus.
What does Authority include Heaven means?
Heaven means:-
b. Authority over Principalities and Powers
Ephesians 1:20
“God raised Jesus from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power [authority], and might, and dominion…”
Satan is called the “god of this world” and the “prince of the power of the air”
- That means Satan is also under the feet of Jesus and must submit to the authority of Jesus Christ.
Jesus made a public show of the defeat of Satan.
Colossians 2:15
“Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in the cross.”
Illustration:
So many Christians live in fear of the devil – afraid of what the devil will do to them. Instead they should have the fear of God. They should be walking in righteousness and holiness before a great and a mighty God. Many of the religions of the world today center around the fear of what their gods (devil) will do to them if they do not perform certain rituals. But God came to set us free from the fear bondage of the devil and to live in liberty and freedom through the cross of Jesus Christ.
Application:
Make a decision to walk a 100% under the authority of Jesus. Break away from the umbrella of the authority of Satan and Satan will have no more hold over our lives. Walk in the Fear of God. The fear of God is our Guiding Principle not the fear of principalities and powers of the devil.
What does Authority include Earth means?
Earth means:-
a. Authority over the church
Colossians 1:18
“Jesus is the head of the body, the church.”
We as the church of Jesus Christ are under Jesus authority.
We are not under Satan’s authority.
We are not under the control of superstition, curses, charms, horoscopes, holy water, holy paper, dirty spirits in this world.
Satan is the god of this world. He uses these to control the world not us. He used to do that but not anymore. In the name of Jesus we can break Satan’s hold over us because we are under a new authority. We are under a new Government. The Government of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus had already defeated Satan. That means = Jesus has all the authority over Satan.
- We the church shares the same authority of Jesus.
- We are the body – and we follow the head.
- The body cannot go in one direction, and the head in another direction. If we do that, we will have an accident.
The church is not defeated.
The church is not ineffective.
The church is no longer powerless.
The church is victorious. The church should have the power of God.
Application:
What should the church be doing now?
Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, … and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
According to Matthew, the church should be breaking down the gates of hell. Invading the territory of the devil. Be on the Offensive and not the defensive. Building the church that has the mindset of an Army and not the mindset of a Hospital.
What does Authority include Earth means?
Earth means:-
b. Authority to save and to judge
Acts 2:21
“And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Jesus can save.
Jesus can deliver.
Jesus can heal.
Jesus can conquer.
Jesus can make whole.
Jesus can forgive.
This same Jesus who can save can also “Judge”.
Illustration:
The Officer in charge of the Police Department (OCPD).
When you are caught for doing something wrong, the OCPD has the authority to let you go (that means - to save you) or to execute judgment on you (that means - to judge you). This power/authority was given to him by his Police Chief in the Head Office of the Police Force. Who gave the Police Chief the power? It is the King/President who gave the Police Chief the power to save or to judge. Similarly, our Lord Jesus was given the authority to save and to judge us.
Believers and unbelievers will be judged by Jesus Christ.
Believers and unbelievers will be judged separately.
John 5:22,23
“For the Father judges no one, but has given ALL JUDGMENT to the Son.”
Jesus can execute judgment.
But we seldom hear of Jesus passing judgment – because we always speak of His compassion and mercy.
Does Jesus ever judge? Yes.
When Jesus was here 2000 years ago, Jesus cursed the fig tree – that did not bear fruit.
Jesus passed judgment on the Pharisees (so called self-righteous people).
When Jesus comes again at the end of the age, get ready
- Believers will be judged for what they did and did not do.
- Unbelievers will be judged for what they did not believe.
Application:
Let us walk with fear and trembling before a God who not only saves us but also can judge us according to His standards.
We need to know that:
3. We must Believe in Christ’s Authority
The key to have spiritual authority in our lives – is not head knowledge but a passionate heart knowledge of the Authority of Christ.
- It is a like fire in our heart
- It is a zealous passion in our life.
- It is an inward conviction of our spirit.
- It is an inspiration from the Holy Spirit.
This is Faith for Victorious Living.
Faith is one of the three things (Faith, Hope and Love) that will remain.
This is the Key to drive out the enemy – and release the Power of God in our lives.
A strong faith comes from a constant abiding fellowship in the presence of God.
Application:
Do all things possible to enhance the value of staying and abiding in the presence of God. Call it quiet time, bible study, worship or any other name. It all means spending time with God.
Quote: To be Much for God, we must be Much with God.
A Living and Vibrant Faith comes from Knowing God.
And Knowing God comes from spending time with God.
May you find your intimate moments in Jesus.
