SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

 

Authority may refer to the power or right to give orders or make decisions. When one is in authority, those under him will listen and they will recognize his authority.

When Jesus was teaching; people were completely astonished and amazed at His teaching, for he was teaching as one having authority and not as the scribes. Mark 1:22. People who used to go to the synagogues to listen to Gods word all their life; when it came to Jesus teaching, they realized that it was different with Jesus. The people enjoyed listening to Christ sermons. Mark 12:37. Everyone spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that fell from his mouth. Luke 4:22. Whenever Christ spoke; they said to each other; ‘’did not our hearts burn while He spoke to us, while he was explaining the scriptures to us? Luke 24:32

Both Jesus, and the teachers of the law taught from the scriptures, yet their sermons did not have the same impact. People enjoyed listening to Jesus, but did not enjoy listening to the boring sermons of the Pharisees and scribes. In other word, what Jesus had that the teachers of the law lacked was spiritual authority. Even today, that is what makes difference between preachers; some have spiritual authority while others to not. 

What was the source of Jesus authority? 

HE ONLY TAUGHT WHAT HE HAD ALREADY PRACTICED. Act 1:1. Things which Jesus begun first to DO and then TEACH. The Pharisees on the other hand, taught things which they never did. Mat 23:23

The Pharisees laid heavy burdens on people and will not lift a finger to help; Mat 23:4; Jesus on the other had says; take my yoke upon you and learn from Me. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Mat 11:29-30. In others words; any demand that Jesus makes in His disciples, he helps us to fulfill. He is our example and that is why He says unto us; LEARN FROM ME.

Even today, if God is to give us spiritual authority, such that whenever we speak even in our day to day conversations with people, WE MUST NEVER SPEAK BEYOND OUR EXPERIENCE. And we must learn to be examples to others in what we teach them.

Paul the apostle had spiritual authority and the devil recognized it. ‘’Paul we know and Jesus we know; but who are you?’’ Act 19:15. The children of Sceva tried to cast out a demon but they had no spiritual authority; they were beaten and run away naked. The devils recognize authority; but if we are living in sin; we lose our authority. 

Paul had spiritual authority because he always kept his conscience clear before God and men. Acts 24:16. He never coveted anyone’s money or wealth or clothes; Act 20:33; he never took advantage of his position to enrich himself. He says; we have have wronged no one, we have betrayed no one, we have corrupted no one, WE HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF NO ONE. 2Cor 7:2

Just like Samuel, at the end of His life he could stand up before everyone and ask; whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I exploited? Whom have I oppressed? from whose have I taken bribe to blind my eye? And the people answered he had not used his position and taken advantage of any of them. 1Sam 12:3-4. That is why he had authority. If all people you be given a position over them could stand before you; would you be able to ask such questions with a clear conscience?

To have spiritual authority is to have God backing you up. God will back you up if you do the above. Therefore, set right the things in your life that needs to be set right. 

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SOMETHING BETTER

 

As we walk through this world as believers, there are many good things that we can do. But in the sight of God, not everything has equal value; some things have greater value than others, or some are good, but others are better.

 Starting with the well-known verse, ‘’ OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE’. 1Sam 15:22. To sacrifice to God means to give up something voluntarily without coercion that you value in the service of God. Its something that costs you and causes you pain. We are told it is better to obey than to sacrifice. 

Many times we sacrifice to God but God does not accept our sacrifices because we are disobeying him somewhere. The psalmist says; you do not delight in in sacrifice and offerings… but what God delights God is when we delight dong His will. Ps 40:6-8. Again he says in Ps 51:16-19; you do not desire in sacrifice or delight in burnt offering; but what excites God is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. It is only then that the sacrifices we make have value before God. For it continues to say in verse 19; THEN you WILL DELIGHT IN RIGHTEOUS SACRIFICES, IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS. In other words, God only accepts the sacrifices we make to Him if we are walking in obedience to Him, delight in doing His will and walk in brokenness and contrition before Him.

GOD HAS PROVIDED SOMETHING BETTER FOR US. Heb 11:40. This verse comes at the end of Hebrews 11 which is generally known as the ‘heroes of faith’. God has provided something better for us than when these heroes experienced. Some of the things mentioned in this chapter include; dead being raised, making of the ark, translation to heaven, barren women having children, crossing the red sea, falling the walls of Jericho, shutting lions mouth, walking in fire… and many more miracles mention. We may think that that is the greatest thing that ever happened, but the concluding verse shows us that there is something better. What is better is explained by the starting verse of chapter 12. Which says THEREFORE; thus it’s a continuation of our closing verse of chapter 11. 

What is better than all the mirtacles in chapter 11? Eunning our Christian race looking unto Jesus as our example who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, faced grievous opposition from sinners and yet when his struggle against sin led him to shed blood, he never sinned. Heb 12:1-4

Jesus who performed miracles more than anyone else since creation; his miracle ministry was not the greatest thing that He did, that is why it is not mentioned in the next chapter. The greatest thing he did was to become our example in enduring the cross, despising shame and resisting sin to the point of shedding blood. That why we are told to run looking unto his; in other word making Jesus our example; We have something BETTER THAN THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS; THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS. Taking the same principle, one who by his life continually denies himself, despises the shame of being a bold witness of Christ, and continues to resist sin; his life becoming an example to others; such a person is better than one who performs miracles.

Jesus says that many will say they prophesied and performed miracles; but because instead of resisting sin; they indulged in it; he will deny them. Mat 7:21-23; ITS BETTER TO RESIST SIN THAN PERFOM MIRACLES.

Imagine that you lived in Nazareth, one day Jesus visited you with His disciples; after receiving the guests, the next thing to do would be to prepare them food so they can eat and bless you. This is the same thing that Martha did.

Jesus travelled with His disciples to the house of Mary and Martha; Martha immediately went to the kitchen to prepare some meals for His guests; and when she realised that her sister was ‘just sitting’’ in the table room just listening; she went to Jesus to complain; but to her surprise, she got rebuked; ‘’Martha, Martha’’, you are troubled and worried about many things but only one thing is necessary and Mary has chosen it. Luke 10:38-42. Mary only sat to listen but Martha was serving Jesus and His disciples sacrificially. 

LISTENING TO GODS VOICE IS BETTER THAN SERVIN HIM SACRIFICIALLY. Learn to listen to God first before going out to serve him

THE END OF A MATTER IS BETTER THAN THE BEGINNING. Ecc 7:8. It is very easy to start the Christian race with passion and zeal to live wholeheartedly for God; but that passion can die along the way. It’s easy in the beginning to serve out of love, but love can die out while you are still in the service of God…but I have one thing against you, YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE: REPENT. Rev 2:3-5

It is better to serve God out of love than serving as duty.

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GOD HAS DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP YOU

 

In our lives we face different situations and challenges and when we pray God delivers us. The problem comes when we face a similar situation in life, we tend to think that the first way that God used to solve the first time is still the same way He will solve the current problem but God has different ways of solving a problem. Expecting God to solve our problems the first way He solved the first is often the reason we experience delays in receiving answers to our prayers. We should always pray with open hearts and allow God to have His own way not our preconceived ways of delivering us in any our problems.

Elijah, after declaring famine for three and a half years, God sent him to Cherith, where he drunk and got fed by ravens. His hunger problems got solved but it was just for a short time; the brook dried due to the famine. God then sent him to be fed by widow. 1 Kngs 17:1-16. Naturally he got used to raven s feeding him but God had to turn his attention and expectations from ravens back to God. God even today allows brooks and ravens which solved our problems to come to a dead end, so that we can turn our attention to Him.

In the wilderness journey, the children of Israel experienced thirst twice, the first time God told Moses to hit the rock, the second time he was told to speak to the rock. Ex 17:6, Num 20:8. The problem was the same but instructions to the solution was different although Moses disobeyed the second time, the fact that God gave water proves that He loved the people and not that He approved of Moses’ disobedience and that is why He punished him.

David fought many battles but God gave him victory but not the same way in the battles. When fighting the Philistines, God told him to go after them and smote them and he burnt down their images.2Sam 5:19-21. When the Philistines gathered themselves again and David sought God, God gave him different instructions, he was now to go around behind them and come upon them over opposite balsam trees. 2Sam 5:22-25. In another battle, the trees killed more people than the army of David. 2Sam 18:8

In the ministry of Jesus, He touched two blind people and they saw. Mat 9:27-30. In another instance, he took a blind man outside the town, spit on his eyes, and when asked whether he saw, he saw men as trees, and he put hands on Hid the second time and he saw everything clearly. Mark 8:22-25. In another instance, he saw a blind, he spat on the ground, made clay, anointed the eye of the blind and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam, and the blind man saw. John 9:1-7

Even when God was filling his disciples with the Holy Spirit, the first time they were sitting, Acts 2:2. In another instance as they were listening to the gospel, Acts 10:44, and another instance, when apostle Paul laid his hands on them. Acts 19:6. In the case of Jesus, He got filled with the Holy Spirit as he was being baptized. Luke 3:21-22

In all the examples above, we see the same problem but in all cases, God solves each differently. THERE IS NO FORMULAR ON HOW GOD WILL ANSWER YOUR PROBLEM. Don’t expect by listening to a testimony that the same way he helped someone, He will help you exactly the same way. He heals instantly and also through medicines. Whatever you maybe facing, be open to God to help you in the best way he thinks in your case. He wants to surprise you.

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THE FOUR WISE CREATURES

 

The book of proverbs was written by the man who God gave wisdom beyond any human being. 2Chron 1:11-12, 1Kings 4:29-30. When writing the proverbs, there are four living creatures that he observed that were exceeding wise. Prov 30:24-28. We can learn lessons from such creatures for ourselves

THE ANTS

Prov 30:25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they lay up their food in the summer. It's amazing that these little creatures know that there are different seasons and that there is a winter season which will be coming and at that time they will not be able to go out to look for food. Since they know they will need food at that time, they lay up food during summer when they can go out and get food. They are constantly thinking about the future. This is a good question for us to ask ourselves. Are you gathering food for the future when you will not be able to go out?

Joseph told Pharaoh that in the year of plenty, he should not use up all the food but save as much as possible for there will be a time of famine when there will be no food. The food that was stored is the one the citizens ate at that time.Gen 41:25-36. Egypt then fed other nations that had not saved food. In the same way, as believers, there is a time of plenty and a time of famine. For example, when one is young, he/she has plenty of time to study God's word and to give himself to much prayer and fasting and zealously serve God. But a time will come when such time will not be available, when you get a job and marry, there will be less time for the above. At this time, what you had saved for yourself through studying the bible and prayers is the one you'll feed yourself with and feed others who never saved for themselves but only invested their time more in social media and TV than in God's word and prayers. The Holy Spirit will be there when the shaking and winds come to remind us what God has already said to us in His word. Jn 14:26, Mat 7:25-27. Those who have nothing to be reminded of are most likely to be discouraged when trials come but those who have saved will face life with confidence knowing that God is still in control of all things.

There is a time when there will be a famine for the words of God, i.e. prophetic words of God. There will be many preachers but very few with God's approval and authority and thus men will be moving from city to city desiring to hear the prophetic words of God. This is because in the time of plenty when God tested many who he wanted to use, will fail the test but will still continue Preaching Amos 8:11-12

Jesus said that we should lay up our treasures in heaven not on earth for our hearts will always follow where our treasures are. Mat 6:19-20. He gave an example of one man who was rich but didn't lay any treasure in heaven. Lk 12:16-21. This man thought of building huge granaries to store his food to enjoy it the rest of his life, little did he know that his time on earth was over. Paul encourages the rich to lay up treasures in heaven Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 1Tim 6:17-19. 

Jesus said that we should use our material wealth in evangelism so that when we die, those who got saved in the Lord's work we supported may receive us in heaven. Lk 16:9

ROCK BUDGERS

They are weak but they make their homes in the rocks. Prov 30:26. These little creatures know that they have many enemies and thus they make their homes in rocks where no enemy can catch them. In the same way, in our Christian journey there are so many enemies and temptations that wants to destroy us and cause us to backslide. The only place we can hide is in the rock which is Jesus Christ. 1Cor 10:4. Thus whenever we are tempted or faced with a difficult situation let us run to Christ and we'll be safe. Ps 18:2, 94:22

THE LOCUSTS

They have no king yet they go in swarms. Prov 30:27. They know that alone they will be an easy prey by together they are strong and can survive for long. In the same way, we need fellowship with one another. When we are in fellowship we accomplish more than when alone. Five can chase a hundred but when they are hundred they will put ten thousand to flight. Lev 26:8. One can chase a thousand but two will put ten thousand to flight. Deut 32:30. Sin is very deceitful and if we are to stand to the end we need encouragement every. Heb 3:13. I remember listening to a testimony of two Christians who were told to deny Jesus or be killed. Out of fear one denied him but the other reminded that if he got killed he meet Jesus and get crowned as a martyr and being a martyr was a privilege and honour. He repented and confessed Jesus and and they both got killed and went to heaven. All of us are weak and we need constant encouragement.

THE LIZARD

They easy to catch but are even found in kings palaces. Prov 30:28. "Easy to catch". Man is to catch with fleeting pleasures of sin, love of money, pride in beauty, achievements, wealth, anointing, spiritual gifts, wisdom, excellence in skills and many other things that make us proud. Ezek 28:13-18, Heb 11:24-26, 1Tim 6:6-12, Heb 13:5-6, Jam 4:6, 1Pet 5:5. There are so many good things that distract people from pursuing God. Since we are so weak we need to live in the King's palace beholding him all the days of our lives and we'll be protected from all distractions in our Christian pilgrimage. Ps 27:4, 91:1

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