DTS:101 - Authority And Power

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spoke to them (His Disciples, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."

We had "Doing The Stuff:101" session #2 last night at Vineyard ReCovery.
We're taking a look at how Jesus ministered to those around Him, and how he taught His followers to do likewise. You see, to me, there isn't an "A" team or a "B" team when it comes to ministry. The church has taught us that such does exist. Oh they might not have actually verbalized it, but it is an unwritten rule. If you're sick, you want the A-team. You want the pastor to come and lay hands on you, or at least a deacon or elder. Don't be sending Joe Schmoe who shows up on Sunday morning. I don't think this is what Christ had in mind when he told Peter, "Upon this rock (the simple fact that He was the Messiah) I will build My church." I think Jesus operated, and continues to do us, under the premise that every follower of His get's to play in the Kingdom.

In our teaching last night, we touched on the subject of Authority and Power.
Authority is the right to carry out a duty that God may be leading you to do.
Like seeing someone who needs prayer for healing. O.k.....God just threw us in the deep end of the pool. You see the need, and automatically your mind kicks into overdrive. "Me? Not me. I don't have anyway of healing that person. Maybe God got it wrong." But the thought won't go away. "Go over and ask that person if you can pray for them." Right thee, we need to realize that God has given us the authority to act as His emissary to carry out a kingdom work.

O.k....I've got authority. Big Whoopin' deal. No, it is a big awhoopin' deal. All sickness, all disease, all infirmities are present in our time and space because of one thing. SIN! Jesus, in his death and subsequent resurrection, broke the power of the enemy at every level. So when Jesus says that ALL authority has been given to Him, He means that He is capable of undoing whatever the enemy has brought forth. Jesus, in the great commission, transferred, or brought us under His authority, and has given it to those who have chosen to follow Him. 

O.K......Now I have authority. Now what?
Well, authority without power doesn't mean much.
Authority is the right to carry out a duty given to us by God.
Power is the ability to fulfill the authority.
In other words, Jesus isn't going to call us to work in His kingdom...to pray for people, to cast out demons, to restore sight to the blind, unless He backs us up with His power. Authority and Power, given by Jesus, is the what we are learning to rely on as we move forward in our teaching on how to do the stuff.

Funny part about playing in the kingdom, and the thought that every one who follows Jesus can is that all it requires is to listen and follow the instructions you hear from God. In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us that we ARE salt, and we ARE light. He didn't say if you study for a long time and get a degree you can become salt and light. He didn't say if you work in the church for at least a year, you might be able to be salt and light. No! He stated right off the bat, those whose hearts are committed to Him ARE salt and light. As such, we bring flavor and preservative (salt), and illumination (light) to a world that is bland and in darkness.

I will be posting Session #2 here at the Greene Street Letters later today.
God on you...
Michael b.