We Have Jesus' Power Of Attorney

Turn with me to Matthew 28. We’re going to read verses 18, 19 and 20.

(18) And Jesus came and spake unto them (the disciples) saying, All power (this is the Greek word exousia and it means “authority”) is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Because all authority is given unto me in heaven and earth, I am authorizing you to...

(19) Go ye therefore, and teach (the word “teach” means to “disciple”) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Now turn to Mark 16. We’re going to read verses 15 through 18. Another very familiar passage.

(15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Now, Jesus is not talking about teaching the gospel to dogs, cats, rabbits, salamanders or alligators. I just wanted to clear that up. Dogs don’t go to heaven. I know I just broke somebody’s heart.

(16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

(17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; [In my name] they shall speak with new tongues;

(18) [In my name] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, [in my name] it shall not hurt them; [and in my name] they shall lay hands on the sick, and [and in my name, those that they have laid hands on] they shall recover.

What we have just read: Jesus has given us the power and authority to do on earth what He did when He was here. For us, that will be what is called “power of attorney”.

A Power of Attorney, or POA, is a written authorization to represent or act on another person’s behalf in private or business affairs or in other legal matters. Sometimes the POA will act against the wishes of the person who has given him or her the POA.

The person authorizing the other to act is the principal, grantor, or donor (of the power).

The one authorized to act is the agent – “Hello agents” – or, in some common law jurisdictions, the attorney in-fact.

A Power of Attorney will be enforced as long as it is signed by the grantor – as long as it is in writing (I held up my Bible.).

A Power of Attorney may be special or limited – for a specified act or type of act – or it can be general or temporary.

This next point is very, very important.

A Power of Attorney cannot grant powers to the agent that conflict with the rules and regulations governing people and companies the agent deals with.

For example, Kathy is my POA and she wants to go the bank and do a transaction. The bank has a policy that says the person for whom the transaction is to be executed must be present. So Kathy can’t transact any business for me at the bank because I am not present.

Here’s where I’m going ladies and gentlemen.

We have been given Power of Attorney by Jesus. Listen to me clearly. The only authority we have as Jesus’ Power of Attorney is written in Heaven. Every rule, every regulation that is in Heaven, we are authorized to use.

In my name Jesus says, they will cast out devils. That is our POA. That’s the power we’re authorized to use.

In my name they shall raise the dead. That is the power we’re authorized to use.

We are to act and function just like Jesus acted and functioned when He was here. That’s what it mean to have Jesus’ Power of Attorney! We have the legal right and authorization to conduct business just like Jesus conducted business – and you know what I mean! Do you hear me?

One of the rules of the kingdom: when light comes darkness flees. “Hello light!” That’s one of the rules of the kingdom. And do you know why darkness flees? It’s not because you ladies and gentlemen. It’s because you have the power given to you by the principal, the donor, the grantor of the power.

This is who you are ladies and gentlemen. We are so much more than we know.

What is the value of a Power of Attorney?

The value of a Power of Attorney depends entirely upon the authority and the power the name represents. In Philippians 2:9-11, and we’re not going to turn there, we know that God has given Jesus the name that’s above every name. So we have Power of Attorney of the one whose name is above every name!