Using Your Key!

There is nothing like the moment you are first given the keys to something.

• My First Car (66 Plymouth Valiant)

• Home

• Church

Having keys to something means ownership, power, the ability to unlock something or have access to something that not everyone else had. Like being a part of something exclusive!

Matthew 16:19(NIV)

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Wow! Talk about being given the keys to something important!

• The keys to open up or lock up the things of heaven right here on earth!

• Now obviously Jesus wasn't handing Peter a real set of keys but he was giving him access to and responsibility for something that was the substance of dreams!

• These keys in a sense are something that is given to every believer at some level.

• When you say yes Jesus come into my life you are in a spiritual sense give access or keys to the kingdom.

Very Expensive Keys:

These keys are of the highest value and part of a sacred trust!

I was giving a set of keys to a car at 16 but I made a mistake and let a friend borrow them without the authority to do so

• because I didn’t fully understand the liability or the value of my actions

• I quickly learned that those keys could be taken away!

• You better believe that when I got my keys back, I made sure I never gave them to the wrong person again!

In the same way…

• God created this Earth

• Gave man the keys (They didn't fully understand the value or the consequences)

• Sin forfeited them to Satan

• Jesus bought them back with his life

John 3:16(NIV)

16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

• Then gives them back

The keys I am talking about today are the most costly keys ever handed over and they come with a great responsibility!

Keys of Authority and Responsibility:

Each and every one of us that have believed on the name of Jesus Christ for our salvation are possessors of the authority of (Keys) heaven.

• Keys represent authority. I have on my key ring a key that will open every door in this building,

• A door is meant as a barrier but once you possess the key it no longer hinders you

o Something that is meant as a barrier to others becomes simply a walkway for you

• The keys to open up or lock up the things of heaven right here on earth!

• All because you have been given authority

Source of Authority

I think we all understand that you don’t mess with someone who has a badge because they are not acting solely on their own authority and they have keys too. Keys that can lock you up!

• Jenny’s Dad Keven has those kind of keys

• He can lock you up

• If you think your bad enough to overpower him- He has friends and eventually you will be locked up

• Because with those keys and that badge, he is backed up by a greater authority

The Keys we are given are backed by absolute authority!

Matthew 28:18(NIV)

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

Mark 1:22(NIV)

The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

• Authority to command wind and waves

• Authority to heal crippled

• Authority to open blinded eyes

• Authority to stop funeral processions

• Authority to change your circumstance

• This is the authority that these keys unlock!

This is the authority that these keys unlock yet somehow we have convinced ourselves that it is for a different time and place.

Matthew 10:1(NIV)

He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

They received his authority because of their relationship with Jesus just as I got the keys to that first car because of my relationship with my parents.

Our Authority is based solely on our relationship with Jesus

• That is why we must maintain that relationship.

• Apart from Christ we are nothing.

Sons of Sceva (Acts 19)

• No relationship with Jesus

• No authority to use His name

• Got their tails kicked!

I’m tired of the church of our risen savior getting its tail kicked because of a lack of genuine relationship we continue to operate in a lack of authority!