Power and Authority of Jesus in YOU

Every Friday night after ministry our squad would join with Brian and his team of people and share Shabbat Shalom.  Each team would prepare or purchase a dish and we would fellowship together.  After our meal, we would worship and encourage one another with a message.  I was asked to give a message and as I prayed and sought the Lord about what I should share, he led me to Acts.  Here is the message about the power and authority of Jesus in you and your responsibility to use this gift, that I received from the Lord:  

During our time here with Agape, we have all been learning more about the Holy Spirit and prophetic exercises.  We’ve done treasure hunts, prophetic drawing, amad, prayer walks and more.  For some this is the first time doing these exercises and for others, this is part of their regular exercise routine with the Holy Spirit.  

Acts 19: 1-6 When Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.  There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”  They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”  So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”  “John’s baptism,” they replied.  Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.  He told people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”  On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Receiving the Holy Spirit is part of the gift of salvation.  Along with this gift, comes power and authority.  Authority means the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.  Authority comes with responsibility.  Are you exercising your power and authority in the Holy Spirit?  How do you receive or exercise your responsibility in authority?

Acts 3: 1-16 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.  Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.  When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.  Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”  So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.  When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.  When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.  You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.  By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.The beggar was healed.  

In verse 6, Peter tells the beggar that he cannot give him earthly things but that he will freely give him what he can, “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk”.  When Peter prayed he did not say “If it’s Your will, Lord…….”  He did not pray for 25 minutes.  Long prayers are good but not necessary all the time.  Peter did not pray in a way that he was trying to protect God’s reputation or that he was trying to take His glory.  In verse 16, Peter tells the crowd how this beggar was healed “by faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has completely healed him, as you all can see”

Do you need healing in your life?  Think about it.  Are there unresolved health, mental or emotional issues that have been troubling you for years?  Have you told anyone about them?  I encourage you to tell a friend and have your friend pray for you with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name.  Believing in faith that you will be healed.  We all need to exercise the power and authority that has been freely given to us.

Acts 19: 11-17

Verses 11 and 12 show the power and authority that was given to Paul, even cloth he had touched were taken to sick people and they were healed.  Paul, himself had no special abilities to heal, it was through the Holy Spirit that these miracles were performed.  

Verse 15 we see that unauthorized/fake power and authority will be detected and brought into the light.  It is not our job to bring it into the light.  God will take care of His reputation.

Do you know that once you receive Jesus as your Savior, this is only the first step in your relationship with Christ?  You also receive the Holy Spirit.  Through your relationship with Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, you have power and authority.  How do you view your responsibility?  How have you used your gifts today?