Today we conclude this installment of our AI series. Lives are being changed by the understanding of our authority as we learn. As a servant of God you need to realize that you have been given authority and you have the right to use it. You do not have to put up with the devil and demons, sickness and disease, or aches, pains and depression. You have authority to rise up and do something about your situation.
Think about an insurance policy. What if you had insurance to pay for a car or home repair, but you didn't know about it. Instead of making a claim and the insurance covering the costs, you would pay out unnecessary funds to get the repairs done.
You need to know your authority in Christ. It is the truth that you know that sets you free. Our authority is found in one word, and that is the name of Jesus. There are 28 chapters in the book of Acts and it describes what the churches looked like when it was birthed. I believe those 28 chapters are an example of what the church needs to look like in this generation and that it gives us a blueprint for the church. We need the power and the supernatural that we see in the book of Acts in today's churches.
Acts is a picture of redeemed people who are filled with God’s power and are going out into the world, exercising their authority in the name of Jesus. Get hold of this. If you do, you can expect miracles, cities to be turned upside down and then right side up and people to get filled with the revelation and the glory of God.
Have you ever uttered the name of Jesus in a command? I want you to know Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) so you can rise up in the middle of a battle, stand against the enemy and declare your authority using Jesus' name. “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. [And again] Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!’ (John 14:12-14 NLT).
Whatever you command in Jesus’ name, he will back it up and will do it. It’s not that we command God or the Holy Spirit or Jesus, but we command in his name. He is saying, "If you will ask, put some force in it and demand on my name, I will back you up and I would do it.” That is the authority of the believer.
“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. [Don't be intimidated!] These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages” (Mark 16:15, 17 NLT). You just have to believe. In the moment you become a believer, you have rights and authority in the name of Jesus.
The first thing you’ve got authority to stand against sin, to say "No devil, you’re not my Lord. Jesus is my Lord and I have authority over you. You can take your sickness and your poverty and your heartache and your storms and get out of my life." He will do it.
This is not just for pastors! Jesus said “believers will startle the world,” that they should lay hands on the sick and they will recover. That means stay-at-home moms, doctors, engineers, maintenance workers, students… any believer has this authority. We have the authority to go into the world using the power in the name of Jesus. You should be excited about this!
Do you want to see something change in your life, in your church or city? Get an understanding of this, that you have power and ability to lay hands on the sick, cast out devils, help people that are suffering or hurting and give them hope. You’ll see people begin to come to hear about Jesus and to hear what God is doing. Hallelujah. If there was ever a time that we needed believers who will rise up in the power of God, understanding who they are in Christ, it is now.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts of the Apostles 1:8 NLT). Then in Acts 2:1-2 “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.”
The church started with a mighty sound from heaven. When we hear that sound from heaven, we will never be the same. This was not just for the new church but it is for us now. If it was good for them, it is good for you!. When we let a sound down from heaven come out of our churches, our cities will never be the same. The disciples began speaking in tongues and glorified God. The Bible says when you speak in tongues you speak the mysteries of God and you build yourself up in faith. It becomes a sign for the unbelieving world.
Think about how they used the name of Jesus in the book of Acts. Did you know that the first three words Peter used in the very first sermon under the new covenant was "Jesus of Nazareth". Say "Jesus of Nazareth!" In the first use of Jesus' name and his authority, we see thousands of people gathered around Peter and “Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, 'Brothers, what should we do?'” (Acts 2:37).
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts of the Apostles 2:37-38 NLT). When he spoke that name, 3000 people found God and began to shout out “We believe!” They were then baptized in water in the name of Jesus. We don't have a religion. We have a name!
Start talking about Jesus and you’ll see nothing gets a reaction like that name. That is the name that has power in it. That name spells victory for every child of God. I’m telling you, if we will begin to use Jesus' name, lift him up, and make his name famous, we will begin to use our authority and live a victorious life. Goodbye to whining and begging and hosting pity parties and hello to changing the course of your life. “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11 NLT). Jesus is the name above every other name. All of heaven is behind that name. At that name, heaven stands at attention. J E S U S spells victory for every child of God, for every believer.
