Authority

The power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.

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1. There can be a transfer of Authority
Numbers 27:20
Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
Authority can be given away.
The Authority that is given is effective.
The Authority is given away by the will of God, the one in authority and via the laying on of hands.

Prerequisite to receive an impartation of Authority.
a man in whom is the spirit

The Character of Christ with a Gift from God will make an effective minister.
Gifts without character won’t last very long.
Character without Gifts also won’t go very far either.
Both is best! The greater the gift the greater the need for Godly Character.


2. It’s wise to delegate Authority to have a greater influence
Deuteronomy 1:15
So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.

The Jethro Principle
Prerequisite for receiving authority.
leading men
wise men
respected men
If you want to find a leader just look around and see who’s leading.

If you want to find a deacon just look around and see who’s taking a leadership role in taking care of the natural affairs of the church.

3. Authority can be taken away
Daniel 4:28-33
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" 31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.


32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." 33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Grace is the power to do the right things and resist the wrong things.
Mercy is not getting what we do deserve (judgment), Grace is getting what we do not deserve (power to live the Christian life).

4. Understanding Authority = Great Faith!
Matthew 8:9
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

Matthew 8:10
10When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Revelation about the authority of Christ will lead us to great faith.

5. We have Christ's authority delegated to us
Matthew 28
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The 12 Sent Out
Luke 9:1
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,
Should a person with the authority to drive out demons ask God do to it? When they come across a sick person should they ask God to do something he’s already given us the authority to do?
The 72 Sent Out
Luke 10:17-20
17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

6. Fullness Comes from Christ
Colossians 2:10
and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

7. Submit to Human Authority
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Leaders who keep watch over you must give an account
Disobedient followers make the job of the leader a burden
This situation is of no benefit to the follower

8. Find your place under authority
Ephesians 4:15b, 16
speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Jubilee Family Church