All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Authority
Authority, Do you feel as though you have authority. You do, you know. Do you speak with authority. What is it, how do we get it, and why do we need it? That is the subject of this study, today.
Listen to a story from Luke about an interesting occurrence in the life of Jesus that is largely concerning this issue of authority. Usually, this area of scripture is taught concerning "faith", and it is about faith. Jesus even refers to it in this passage, but I want us to look at "the thing" that Jesus saw which made Him refer to faith,... And that is "Authority"!
Let us pray,... Father of wisdom, light, and truth. Reveal your divine purpose and true intent of your Holy Word to us here now. Jesus, we ask that Your Word cut deep into our hearts and replace that which is of the world with the revelation of God. Open our eyes to the truth and change us into your likeness. We ask this in the Name Above All Names,... Jesus Christ. Amen!
Luke 7:2. Now a centurion had a bond servant who was held in honor and highly valued by him, who was sick and at the point of death. 3. And when the centurion heard of Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and make his bond servant well. 4. And when they reached Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that You should do this for him, 5. For he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense]. 6. And Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent [some] friends to Him, saying, Lord, do not trouble [Yourself], for I am not sufficiently worthy to have You come under my roof; 7. Neither did I consider myself worthy to come to You. But [just] speak a word, and my servant boy will be healed.
8. For I also am a man [daily] subject to authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bond servant, Do this, and he does it.
9. Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and He turned and said to the crowd that followed Him, I tell you, not even in [all] Israel have I found such great faith [as this]. 10. And when the messengers who had been sent returned to the house, they found the bond servant who had been ill quite well again.
I remind you, that in scripture, every word, dot, and tittle is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. There is much to cover here in this passage before us and so I want to cover much of it in this lesson. Luke tells us that,... "a centurion had a bond servant...". God is giving us a picture of someone in this story who, obviously would be a man of authority, for to be both a centurion, and someone with bond servants, you would have had been given much authority. But hold on, because that's not really what makes this passage about "authority".
Luke goes on to say that the bond servant "was held in honor and highly valued by him". Now this is something very different, because history tells us that usually, servants were not held in honor, nor were they valued much at all. There is something about this centurion that is very different. We are given, here, a picture of a man, whom is in a position of considerable authority and has much regard for those under his authority. God brings the nature of this man to our attention here in this passage and so we consider this as we read on.
Next, we see that the servant was sick and at the point of death and when the centurion heard of Jesus, in verse 3, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and make his bond servant well. Again, we are taken deeper into the nature of this man as one who really cares about this servant. We know what he heard of Jesus, because throughout the gospels we read where everyone was telling others about the healing miracles of Jesus. And so, for this centurion to send Jewish elders to Jesus on behalf of his servant tells us that not only was he caring but very wise as well. And to "send" Jewish elders means that he either had authority over them or, great influence with them. I believe it was both, but certainly the latter, because, listen again to what they say. 4. And when they reached Jesus, they "begged Him earnestly", saying, "he is worthy that You should do this for him". 5. For he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense].
This is a man who must know much about authority, cares deeply about people, and respect for the things of God. For some reason, God is revealing these things about this man to you and I and so we are adding these things together in our heart as we continue,...
6. And Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent [some] friends to Him, saying, Lord, do not trouble [Yourself], for I am not sufficiently worthy to have You come under my roof; 7. Neither did I consider myself worthy to come to You.
In verse 6 and 7, God really goes through great detail to add one more characteristic to this centurions' true nature, and that is "humility". Even though we are led to believe this man had much authority, we are shown here a humble respect that he had for the "authority" and position he attributed toward Jesus. And now, understanding all that about this man, let's listen to the thing that made Jesus speak of his faith.
Remember now, his friends are telling Jesus what the centurion said to say. 7b. But [just] speak a word, and my servant boy will be healed. 8. For I also am a man [daily] subject to authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bond servant, Do this, and he does it.
What is so important about what is being said right here? Everybody around already knew that Jesus could just speak and the miracle would follow. The centurion is talking about the "Authority" of Jesus! The "Authority" he (the centurion) himself had, and God is talking to you and I right now about the "Authority" WE HAVE, my friends. Oh, I hope you're hearing this today. It's one thing to have faith,... Amen?... But it needs to be a faith, not just to have, but to USE, dear friends. Faith to MOVE MOUNTAINS. And it takes an understanding of AUTHORITY. We are being taught about authority here in this scripture, because it is so important to your faith.
Listen to what a soldier with authority says and watch what happens. He said, "And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bond servant, Do this, and he does it. Now, listen to the "authority" Gods' Word says that YOU and I have.
Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the twelve together He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases and He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Some would argue that this only applies to the twelve disciples but it is not so as you will see.
Luke 10:1--- After this the Lord appointed seventy two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go. And then in verse 9, Heal the sick who are there. And in 17-20 The seventy two returned with joy and said. "Lord even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied. "I saw satan (the opposer) fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you. However do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
Here we find that the authority is extended to those without it even being specified. They found out as they were led by The Holy Spirit in the work.
Mark 16:17--- And these signs will accompany those who believe. In My name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up snakes in their hands, and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all, they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well. V20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His Word by the signs that accompanied it.
Here, we find the criteria is that you and I believe (trust in and rely upon). Is our faith strong enough to step out, speak up, and perform Gods' will with "authority". Use your authority that Jesus Christ has given you. Use the Power that God almighty has given you. Use the leading that the Holy Spirit has available to you.
Isaiah 41:10. Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God.
Now let's finish our study by reading, again, what happens after the centurion speaks about authority.
9. Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and He turned and said to the crowd that followed Him, I tell you, not even in [all] Israel have I found such great faith [as this]. 10. And when the messengers who had been sent returned to the house, they found the bond servant who had been ill quite well again.
Faith can be a life-saver,... authority turns it into a life-changer. Amen?
I love you.
Listen to a story from Luke about an interesting occurrence in the life of Jesus that is largely concerning this issue of authority. Usually, this area of scripture is taught concerning "faith", and it is about faith. Jesus even refers to it in this passage, but I want us to look at "the thing" that Jesus saw which made Him refer to faith,... And that is "Authority"!
Let us pray,... Father of wisdom, light, and truth. Reveal your divine purpose and true intent of your Holy Word to us here now. Jesus, we ask that Your Word cut deep into our hearts and replace that which is of the world with the revelation of God. Open our eyes to the truth and change us into your likeness. We ask this in the Name Above All Names,... Jesus Christ. Amen!
Luke 7:2. Now a centurion had a bond servant who was held in honor and highly valued by him, who was sick and at the point of death. 3. And when the centurion heard of Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and make his bond servant well. 4. And when they reached Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that You should do this for him, 5. For he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense]. 6. And Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent [some] friends to Him, saying, Lord, do not trouble [Yourself], for I am not sufficiently worthy to have You come under my roof; 7. Neither did I consider myself worthy to come to You. But [just] speak a word, and my servant boy will be healed.
8. For I also am a man [daily] subject to authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bond servant, Do this, and he does it.
9. Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and He turned and said to the crowd that followed Him, I tell you, not even in [all] Israel have I found such great faith [as this]. 10. And when the messengers who had been sent returned to the house, they found the bond servant who had been ill quite well again.
I remind you, that in scripture, every word, dot, and tittle is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. There is much to cover here in this passage before us and so I want to cover much of it in this lesson. Luke tells us that,... "a centurion had a bond servant...". God is giving us a picture of someone in this story who, obviously would be a man of authority, for to be both a centurion, and someone with bond servants, you would have had been given much authority. But hold on, because that's not really what makes this passage about "authority".
Luke goes on to say that the bond servant "was held in honor and highly valued by him". Now this is something very different, because history tells us that usually, servants were not held in honor, nor were they valued much at all. There is something about this centurion that is very different. We are given, here, a picture of a man, whom is in a position of considerable authority and has much regard for those under his authority. God brings the nature of this man to our attention here in this passage and so we consider this as we read on.
Next, we see that the servant was sick and at the point of death and when the centurion heard of Jesus, in verse 3, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and make his bond servant well. Again, we are taken deeper into the nature of this man as one who really cares about this servant. We know what he heard of Jesus, because throughout the gospels we read where everyone was telling others about the healing miracles of Jesus. And so, for this centurion to send Jewish elders to Jesus on behalf of his servant tells us that not only was he caring but very wise as well. And to "send" Jewish elders means that he either had authority over them or, great influence with them. I believe it was both, but certainly the latter, because, listen again to what they say. 4. And when they reached Jesus, they "begged Him earnestly", saying, "he is worthy that You should do this for him". 5. For he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense].
This is a man who must know much about authority, cares deeply about people, and respect for the things of God. For some reason, God is revealing these things about this man to you and I and so we are adding these things together in our heart as we continue,...
6. And Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent [some] friends to Him, saying, Lord, do not trouble [Yourself], for I am not sufficiently worthy to have You come under my roof; 7. Neither did I consider myself worthy to come to You.
In verse 6 and 7, God really goes through great detail to add one more characteristic to this centurions' true nature, and that is "humility". Even though we are led to believe this man had much authority, we are shown here a humble respect that he had for the "authority" and position he attributed toward Jesus. And now, understanding all that about this man, let's listen to the thing that made Jesus speak of his faith.
Remember now, his friends are telling Jesus what the centurion said to say. 7b. But [just] speak a word, and my servant boy will be healed. 8. For I also am a man [daily] subject to authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bond servant, Do this, and he does it.
What is so important about what is being said right here? Everybody around already knew that Jesus could just speak and the miracle would follow. The centurion is talking about the "Authority" of Jesus! The "Authority" he (the centurion) himself had, and God is talking to you and I right now about the "Authority" WE HAVE, my friends. Oh, I hope you're hearing this today. It's one thing to have faith,... Amen?... But it needs to be a faith, not just to have, but to USE, dear friends. Faith to MOVE MOUNTAINS. And it takes an understanding of AUTHORITY. We are being taught about authority here in this scripture, because it is so important to your faith.
Listen to what a soldier with authority says and watch what happens. He said, "And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bond servant, Do this, and he does it. Now, listen to the "authority" Gods' Word says that YOU and I have.
Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the twelve together He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases and He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Some would argue that this only applies to the twelve disciples but it is not so as you will see.
Luke 10:1--- After this the Lord appointed seventy two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go. And then in verse 9, Heal the sick who are there. And in 17-20 The seventy two returned with joy and said. "Lord even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied. "I saw satan (the opposer) fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you. However do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
Here we find that the authority is extended to those without it even being specified. They found out as they were led by The Holy Spirit in the work.
Mark 16:17--- And these signs will accompany those who believe. In My name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up snakes in their hands, and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all, they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well. V20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His Word by the signs that accompanied it.
Here, we find the criteria is that you and I believe (trust in and rely upon). Is our faith strong enough to step out, speak up, and perform Gods' will with "authority". Use your authority that Jesus Christ has given you. Use the Power that God almighty has given you. Use the leading that the Holy Spirit has available to you.
Isaiah 41:10. Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God.
Now let's finish our study by reading, again, what happens after the centurion speaks about authority.
9. Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and He turned and said to the crowd that followed Him, I tell you, not even in [all] Israel have I found such great faith [as this]. 10. And when the messengers who had been sent returned to the house, they found the bond servant who had been ill quite well again.
Faith can be a life-saver,... authority turns it into a life-changer. Amen?
I love you.
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