Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Luke 9:1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,
Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
1 John 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
Ephesians 4:27 And give no opportunity to the devil.
Matthew 28:18-19 ESV / 784 helpful votes And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 13:1-2 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Ephesians 2:6 And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
Ephesians 1:21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
1 Peter 2:13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Matthew 10:1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, …
Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
1 Peter 2:18-20 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Mark 6:7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Titus 2:15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Titus 3:1-2 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Romans 13:2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 10:18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
2 Peter 3:15-16 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
Romans 5:17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 6:1-23 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. …
Luke 10:18-19 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 1:5-6 And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
2 Timothy 4:4 And will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
John 10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Acts 1:7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
1 Peter 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Revelation 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Deuteronomy 8:18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
Joshua 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.
Mark 13:34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.
Matthew 17:20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Revelation 1:1-20 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood …
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Romans 13:1-14 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …
Matthew 18:18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Mark 11:23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
Matthew 22:29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Hebrews 6:18 So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
Luke 9:1-2 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
John 10:35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
Revelation 20:10 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Mark 6:13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Mark 9:17-29 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. …
Matthew 7:24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
As new creations we have been put in a position of power and authority– a position delegated to us by God through Jesus Christ. Along with that authority come certain responsibilities. I want us to examine God’s Word concerning that position and the authority we have in Him. When you made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, Colossians 1:13 says you were delivered from the power of darkness. The word power is literally translated authority. You have been delivered from the power, or authority, of darkness and placed into God’s kingdom. Jesus said, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore…(Matt. 28:18,19). That power was given to you as part of your inheritance in Christ Jesus. You have entered into this position of authority because you are in Him. The Word says that righteousness has come upon all men (Rom. 5:18). You may ask, “Then why don’t all become righteous?” Because in order to receive it, you have to act on righteousness from the point of authority. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 – JESUS SECURED OUR POWER AND AUTHORITY
Jesus succeeded in securing all power by going to the cross, dying a horrible death, suffering the penalty for sin, and defeating Satan in the pit of hell. He came to earth as a man for one reason: to re-capture the authority that Satan had stolen through Adam’s disobedience in the garden. Jesus was called the last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45). After securing that power and authority, He freely gave it over into the hands of those who would believe on Him–you and me.
It is not enough for us to simply accept Jesus’ work at Calvary. We are held responsible for much more. Jesus’ words in the 16th chapter of Mark were not intended for the early church alone. His words are just as vital and real today as when they were first spoken.
Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection from the dead. His words to them form the basic foundation for the work of the New Testament church. It was at that time that He delegated the authority to carry out that work. Beginning in verse 15, Jesus said:
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
2 – WE HAVE AUTHORITY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Every born-again believer has the authority and responsibility to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this earth. If you can’t go, then you can send someone in your place. And these signs shall follow them that believe….I want you to notice who is to do all these things: them that believe. The signs will follow the believers who act in faith and boldly speak in Jesus’ name. THEY shall cast out devils; THEY shall speak with new tongues; THEY shall lay hands on the sick, etc. The believer is the one with the power and authority to do these things. Verse 20 says, They went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. God will confirm His Word, but first it has to be put forth. That is where you and I come in. God does not preach; He has given us the authority to do the preaching. God will not lay hands on the sick. He will bring the healing, but you and I as believers must lay hands on the sick by faith, believing that God will perform His Word.
3 – WE HAVE AUTHORITY TO STAND AGAINST SATAN
One of the most vital areas of the believer’s authority is his power to successfully stand against Satan. Ephesians 4:27 says, Neither give place to the devil. In the sixth chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul describes the armor that we as believers are to wear in combat against Satan. He explains each piece of that armor. It is the armor of God. But not once does he say that God will put the armor on you or that God will fight the devil for you. YOU is the understood subject of these verses. He says, “YOU be strong in the Lord. YOU put on the whole armor of God that YOU will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. YOU take the whole armor of God that YOU may be able to withstand in the evil day; and having done all, YOU stand.” God has given you the power and the authority to stand against Satan and his destructive works. He has provided the armor, but it is your responsibility as a believer to put on that armor and stand against the devil. James 4:7 says, YOU resist the devil, and he will flee from YOU. The armor and the weapons are at your disposal. God is there with you to back His Word; but all is worthless unless you take your position of authority and assume the responsibility to use what He has provided. You have the power and the authority to take the Word of God, the name of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit and run Satan out of your affairs. Don’t pray and ask God to fight Satan for you. You are the one in authority. Take your responsibility and speak directly to Satan yourself and stand your ground firmly. He will flee!
4 – WE ARE SEATED WITH HIM IN HIGH AUTHORITY
In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul prayed a prayer for the body of believers in Ephesus. One part of that prayer was that they know the exceeding greatness of his power to those who believe (Eph. 1:19). That exceeding great power is the same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies. Ephesians 1:21 tells us that Jesus is seated far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named. The work God did in Jesus was supreme. He raised Jesus from the dead and set Him far above all other authority–not only in this world, but also in the heavenly world. Then verse 22 says that God has put ALL things under His feet and made Him head over the church which is His body. Where are the feet? They are in the body. As believers, we are part of His body and we are seated with Him in that highly exalted place of authority. Praise God! Look at Ephesians, chapter two:
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins…Even when we were dead in sins, (God) hath quickened us together with Christ…And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:1,5,6). We are seated together with Him. Where? Far above all principality and power and might and dominion. As a believer, you have accepted the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary. Therefore, you are a part of His body and are seated with Him in that heavenly place, equipped with the same power, the same authority that He has. The great power that God worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead is the same creative power of God that worked in you to make you alive when you were dead in your trespasses and sins. The moment you made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, that same power was exercised on your dead, unregenerate spirit, causing it to be reborn in the likeness of God Himself. Any man who is in Christ Jesus is a new creation: old things have passed away, all things are new, and all things are of God (2 Cor. 5:17). “As believers, we are part of His body and we are seated with Him in that highly exalted place of authority.”
5 – WE HAVE THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD TO EXERCISE OUR AUTHORITY
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awoke him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are you so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? (Mark 4:35-40). Jesus spoke the words, Let us pass over unto the other side, and there was enough power and authority in those words to accomplish the job. One thing I want you to notice is that Jesus did not take command of the ship to see that His words were carried out. He walked to the back of the boat and went to sleep. Jesus delegated the authority to His disciples and they accepted it. But when the storm came, they were filled with fear that the boat would sink. Jesus had to carry out the responsibility of authority that he had delegated to them by rebuking the wind and the sea. “You have the power and the authority to take the Word of God, the name of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit and run Satan out of your affairs.” I want you to see the parallel here. You are the captain of your ship. You have control over your own life–your spirit, your soul, and your body. Jesus has delegated power, or authority over Satan to you as a believer. You are to give him no place in your life. You are born of the Spirit of God. You are filled with the Spirit of God. You have been given the Word of God. Those three elements are enough for you to carry out your spiritual authority here in the earth. You don’t need any more power. You have all the power necessary. You simply have to exercise your authority. Jesus has already done everything necessary to secure the authority and power over sin, sickness, demons, and fear. You have to employ the faith action to receive that authority and join forces with Him in this earth. You are the one to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
6 – WE HAVE AUTHORITY TO ACT AS NEW CREATIONS
Hebrews 2:14 says, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. Jesus partook of flesh and blood, so that you could partake of spirit and life. For you to partake of that spirit and life, you must take the responsibility of standing in the place of authority as the new creation in Christ Jesus that you are. You are born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God (1 Pet. 1:23). It was the Word of Almighty God that was injected into your spirit man to bring about the new birth in your life. When the church was first beginning, Acts 12:24 described it as the Word growing and multiplying. The Word is in you, but you are the one who must be willing to allow it to work in you.
Ephesians 4:21-24 says, If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
You are the one in authority. It is your responsibility to put off the old man–the unregenerate man that you were before you accepted Jesus. The Holy Spirit does the actual work in you, but you must make the decision to allow Him to do it. God has never forced His will on any person. YOU put off the old man. YOU use the Word of God to renew your mind. YOU put on the new man, which is created in righteousness and true holiness.
7 – WE CAN MINISTER AND WALK FROM A POINT OF AUTHORITY
God’s power is in His Word. He is upholding all things by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3). You need to learn to minister and walk from a point of authority. In His earthly ministry, Jesus said such things as “Be thou made whole.” “Take up your bed and walk.” Then to a lame man Peter said in Acts 3:6, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” He too ministered and spoke from a point of authority.
“He came to earth as a man for one reason: to re-capture the authority that Satan had stolen through Adam’s disobedience in the garden.”
It’s time for you as a believer to begin to act that way. You have obtained an inheritance, and in that inheritance you have been given all authority. The God of the universe lives inside you! He lives and walks in you. Become God-inside-minded and you will begin to walk in this point of authority.
Keep right on building yourself up in your inheritance. You live in a world that is full of evil influences. Satan wants to see to it that you forget the reality of being born again. He wants to see to it that you never realize your place of authority in Christ Jesus, because if you do, that power you walk in makes you absolutely dangerous to him. He has no defense against you when you walk in the power of God’s Word.
When you see in the Word that you are in Christ Jesus, that you are in Him, then confess it with all of your heart. Then you will be strong, standing in a point of authority and operating in your inheritance in Him. As you do this, the power of God will always be available to work in your behalf. Praise God!
8. – POWER TO DISCERN SPIRITUAL MATTERS
God gives believers inherent power to discern spiritual matters. There are those that say they can’t understand the Bible, it’s too difficult. But unlike unbelievers, whose minds have been blinded to spiritual truths, Christians can know God’s counsel.
Jesus said in Matthew 13:11, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.” In other words, God wants us to understand what the Bible says. He’s more than willing to reveal it.
A kindergarten teacher observed her students during art class. When she looked over one child’s shoulder she inquired about the picture. “What are you drawing?” The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher said, “Now wait a minute Joan. Nobody knows what God looks like.” Without a moment’s hesitation Joan looked up and said, “They will in a minute!”
Of course, nobody knows what God looks and no one has unraveled every mystery of Scripture; but Christians can have deep knowledge of the Scriptures. They were meant to be investigated and deciphered. The Holy Spirit has hidden deep wonders in His Word for Christians to investigate. 2 Timothy 2:15 says: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
A. Ephesians 1:17-21 (Read). There are three things in this passage that Paul says are important for believers to know: Paul said: “I want you to have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you can know Him better.”
He said: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” [“Lord, what is Your will for me?”]
And then Paul said God wanted us to know “his incomparably great power for us who believe.”
(Transition) But there is another significant passage that confirms the believer’s power to understand spiritual matters. Turn to 1 Corinthians 2. B. 1 Corinthians 2:7-13 (Read).
Did you notice what Paul said? Lack of knowledge does not belong to the Christian. Revelation does! God intended for Christians to search out the deep, depths of His Word. Psalm 42:7 speaks of “deep calling unto deep.” And Hebrews 6:1 commands us to: “leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.”
Let’s not miss this opportunity of being practical here. There are some sensible and pragmatic ways to increase your spiritual understanding:
Use an updated version of the Bible. Purchase a good commentary of the Scriptures. Pray before you study. It’s amazing what God will reveal when you invite Him into your study. Use online Bible tools. OliveTree.com and BlueletterBible.com are two helpful sites. Get involved in a Bible study group. And most importantly, stay full of the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls Him the “Illuminator,” and the “Spirit of Counsel.” The Holy Spirit stands ready to reveal and disclose God’s Word. That’s why you should invite Him to fill your life.
These are practical ways that you can increase your knowledge of Scripture.
But the Believer not only has inherent power to understand spiritual matters, believers have inherent power to persevere and live for Christ during every circumstance.
9. INHERENT POWER TO LIVE FOR CHRIST
Throughout Scripture God is revealed as the omnipotent Creator—the Divine Architect of the Universe. As our Creator, God’s engineering of Man would be incomplete had He fashioned us without the ability to withstand life’s difficulties. But He didn’t. He gave us the capacity to serve Him regardless of what happens.
I know we have some science engineers in this church, but I’m unsure that we have any structural engineers. While I do not possess an architectural degree, I do understand structural engineers design buildings with double-strength in their foundation. Their blueprints call for both cement and steel. While cement provides compression strength, steel provides flexible strength. Each element accomplishes what the other can’t do, but working together steel and cement provide a structure with double-strength.
God does the same for Christians: He provides the rock-solid support of His Word and the energetic, life-giving power of His Spirit. And we need both the Word and the Spirit to live at the highest level! You see, it’s not enough to simply understand the Word of God says:
“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Or that Romans 8:37 says: “in all these things we are more than conquerors.” Or that 1 John 5:4 says: “everyone born of God overcomes the world.”
Yes, we need the steadfast, bedrock assurance of God’s Word that discloses these promises, but we also need the anointing of the Holy Spirit to arise within us and proclaim these promises in faith and power. And that’s what the Word and the Spirit working together in a Believer’s life accomplishes. It’s double-strength for Christians! Jesus Renames Simon
Do you remember when Jesus first met Simon? Christ’s first course of action involved renaming Peter. The name Simon meant, “a swaying reed.” But his new Hebrew name, Peter, meant, “a piece of a larger rock.” This name change indicated a new power and strength for living. You say, “But what about Peter’s fomenting craze the night preceding Christ’s crucifixion?” He cursed, lied, and denied the Lord. In fact, all the apostles fled and forsook Jesus the night of His trial. However, in keeping with His omniscience, Jesus knew Peter’s liabilities the moment He called Peter from his fishing boat. Jesus knew Simon Peter was mortally flawed from the beginning. But Jesus also knew Peter was someone the Spirit could transform into a man of steadfast faithfulness unto death:
Peter failed Christ at the crucifixion, but he was first to preach after the resurrection to those that crucified Jesus. Peter failed Christ at the crucifixion, but he was the one refusing to shrink from the threats of the Sanhedrin Court when threatened with imprisonment. Peter failed Christ at the crucifixion, but he never again cowered from Christ. In fact, history tells us that in Peter’s last days he was arrested and crucified head-down.
Peter wasn’t perfect, but with the Spirit working within him he never gave up or turned back. He drew on his inherent power to overcome.
I read the story of a violent thunderstorm that ripped through a city late one evening. A mother was tucking her boy into bed and about to turn off the light when he said with a shaky voice, “Mom would you sleep with me tonight?” Who could blame him? Flashes of lightning, peels of thunder, and the wind nearly peeling off the roof! The mother smiled, reassured him with a hug, and said, “I can’t stay with you baby, I have to sleep with daddy.” The boy replied, “The big sissy.”
Saints of God, Christians aren’t wimps! When we become Christians God gives us power to live victoriously at all times. He promises “never to leave nor forsake us” and that means we can triumph through all tests and temptations.
Then there is a third inherent power in every Believer. Christians not only have power to know, and power to stand steadfast, they have power to bind and loose.
10. POWER TO “BIND AND LOOSE”
Matthew 16:19 says: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” This passage of binding and loosing has undergone relentless scrutiny throughout the centuries, so the topic can’t be exhausted in one sermon. But I do want to address one aspect of what it means to “bind and loose.”
Keys symbolize authority. They determine what is granted entry and what is forbidden entry. As it relates to the keys of the kingdom it means, as the Holy Spirit authorizes us, we have power to restrict and release in life. This applies to whatever pertains to our welfare in life.
Before continuing let me inject a word of caution. Scripture never teaches that Christians can manipulate God’s principles to achieve their purposes without regard to God’s predeterminations. We can’t go around binding and loosing” at our autonomous discretion. When we claim Matthew 16:19 to “bind and loose” we are authorized to do so as the Holy Spirit directs! God is “the author and finisher of our faith.” He is the One that sovereignty distributes the spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12). And only the Holy Spirit can lead and empower you to take authority over certain issues.
A young man was saved and began preaching in China. As he preached on the streets of Zhoukou he was cursed and beaten by a bystander. He quickly prayed for God’s help. In an instant, the Holy Spirit quickened the man to take authority over the situation. He looked at his attacker and said: “In Jesus’ name, I bind you”! The attacker immediately fell to the ground and was unable to move. His relatives tried to rescue him but to no avail. The young evangelist said: “He is bound. If I don’t pray for him, the only way you can move him is to hoist him into a truck.” The crowd asked for his release, so the preacher said: “In Jesus’ name, get up.” The man jumped to his feet and with many villagers witnessing a miracle of God firsthand. It eventuated in many sinners converting to Christ. (Mega Shift, James Rutz, Empowerment Press, 2005, pages 16-17.)
Sometime back a woman that suffered from gout told me how God miraculously healed her. After hearing a message that challenged her faith she went home and was unable to sleep. Finally, she got out of bed, went into the kitchen, grabbed the cooking oil, anointed herself, and commanded the gout to leave her foot. The Lord honored her faith and instantly healed her! While she could have ignored the prompting of the Holy Spirit to anoint herself and miss her miracle; she didn’t! As the Lord quickened her faith, she coupled it with works, and took her authority to bind the sickness and loose the miracle.
What are Christians authorized to “bind and loose”? We are empowered to “bind and loose” whatever Jesus, our Example, “bound and loosed.”
He cast out devils. (Matt. 8:28-32 and Mark 1:27) He exercised authority to heal. (Matt. 4:23) He took authority over nature. (Matt. 8:26) He took authority over financial lack. (Matt. 14:15-20) He overcame the power of sin that threatened the destruction of others. (1 Pet. 2:22, Rom. 6:18))
CONCLUSION
Matthew 16:16-19 The geography of Caesarea Philippi provides a fascinating backdrop regarding this passage of Scripture. Jesus had gathered His Apostles to a plateau that overlooked a region renowned for superstition and idolatry. The Syrians had erected temples of Baal throughout the area. Nearby, the Romans had constructed a magnificent white marble structure dedicated to the deity of Caesar. Not to be outdone, the Greeks considered a nearby cavern to be the birthplace of Pan, the mythological god of nature. Then, there was the mysterious origin of the Jordan River that bubbled forth from cave. The Jordan began as a trickle that a man could step over, but would later gush forth as a mighty torrent.
Everything about this mystical backdrop made for theatre at its finest—Asian, Roman, and Greek religion all intermingling beneath this summit. And everything had been divinely staged. This is where Jesus asked His Apostles how people perceived Him. They reported how people thought He was one of Israel’s bygone Prophets that had been resurrected—perhaps John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah. But Jesus wanted to hear more. So with a penetrating gaze He asked: “What about you . . . who do you say that I am?” You can imagine how this question rattled their nerves. Their eyes flipped back and forth between the magnificent structures of paganism to a vilified prophet standing before them in sandals. Thankfully, Simon Peter rescued the day when he shouted the confession of the ages: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”! And with that, Jesus replied: “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”
God has invested you with inherent power to live victoriously. Don’t ignore it. Claim what God has pledged.
This message refers to the innate authority God bestows upon those who accept Christ as Savior. It is imperative to know that God has invested you with divine, spiritual empowerment that provides you with victory for everyday living. It deputizes you to triumph over anything you face. And as the Holy Spirit directs believers have the same power to “bind and loose.”
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Gal 5:1 RSV) The sad thing about the slave trade was not the very act of making people slaves but it was the pain that came with the breaking up of the families. The social fabric of Africa was dealt a severe blow as the most productive, the fathers, and the beautiful ones were taken as slaves. At this juncture, I will define what a slave is, according to the Oxford Dictionary. A slave is, “a person who is the property of another and is obliged to work for him or her or one who is dominated by another or by an influence.” Paul addresses the Galatians and he says to them. It was for freedom that Christ Has set us free. Stand fast therefore and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. When one is born again, there is a danger of failing to understand what Jesus Has done and thereby a failure to walk in the power of His might. One then remains in bondage. Christ died to free all from the forces that once held us captive. We were slaves in our sins. We were bound and being led to death. There was disruption in our lives. Everything that we worked on did not succeed. When Jesus came and we received Him, He made us free and we must enjoy the freedom.
Many have remained in the pain of poverty and all the negative things that have happened in their lives for failing to embrace His freedom. Many lead themselves back into captivity through crippling mindsets. Paul urges us and he says, “Stand fast therefore.” Don’t be carelessness. Disregard everything that may seek to destroy you and just stand. You have to stand and defend this freedom that you have received from Christ! With the freedom that you have attained, do not submit yourself again to the yoke of bondage. It is possible as a believer to put yourself under the yoke of the enemy again. This is why it’s so imperative for you to stand fast. The yoke of slavery does not have any power over you anymore. There is only one person who can put you under that yoke again-that person is you. The devil cannot do it; no demon in hell can put you under that yoke again. They can only succeed with your help. The African slaves looked forward to a day of freedom. When that day came, some of them were used to slavery that they were happy remaining with their masters as slaves. Have you been a slave for too long that you are happy marching back into that lustful relationship? You are emerging a winner; you will not and cannot be enslaved again in your life.
Since all believers are responsible to share their faith with others, every Christian needs a clear understanding of the plan of salvation. This is especially true for new babes in Christ.
The following short presentation of the gospel is designed to reinforce the key issues and provide a tool for presenting the gospel to others as new Christians begin their walk down the road of life as Christians.
God’s Plan of Salvation
1 John 5:11-12 And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
While 1 John 5:11-12 is written to Christians to give them assurance of their salvation based on the testimony of God’s Word, this passage also highlights the key issue in salvation.
God’s Declaration to Man: “And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (verse 11).
The Important Issue: “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” (verse 12).
This passage teaches:
God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son, Jesus Christ.
The way to possess eternal life is to possess God’s Son.
Two important questions must be asked and answered:
Why is possession of God’s Son necessary to have eternal life?
How can a person possess or have the Son of God?
The Problem of Man’s Separation From God
According to Romans 5:8, God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His Son. Why did Christ have to die for us? Because Scripture declares all men to be sinful. We are all sinners. To “sin” means to miss the mark. The Bible declares we have all sinned and fall short of the glory (the perfect holiness) of God. In other words, our sin separates us from God who is perfect holiness (righteousness and justice) and God must therefore judge sinful man.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God …
Habakkuk 1:13a Thine eyes are too pure to approve evil, And Thou canst not look on wickedness with favor.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.
Sin separated man from God
The Problem of the Futility of Man’s Works
Scripture also teaches that no amount of human goodness, human works, human morality, or religious activity can gain acceptance with God or get anyone into heaven. The moral man, the religious man, and the immoral and non-religious are all in the same boat. They all fall short of the glory of God (God’s perfect righteousness). After discussing the immoral man, the moral man, and the religious man in Romans 1:18-3:8, the apostle Paul declares that both Jews and Greeks are under sin, that “there is none righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:9-10), and that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
Added to this are the declarations of the following verses of Scripture:
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
Titus 3:5-7 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Romans 4:1-5 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,
God’s Solution
No amount of human goodness is as good as God. God is infinite or perfect righteousness. Because of this, Habakkuk 1:13 tells us He cannot have fellowship with anyone who does not have perfect righteousness. In order to be accepted by God, we must be as good as God is. Before God, we all stand naked, helpless, and hopeless in ourselves. No amount of good living will get us to heaven or give us eternal life. What then is the solution?
God’s Solution for Man’s Problem
God is not only perfect holiness (whose holy character we can never attain to on our own or by our works of righteousness) but He is also perfect love and full of grace and mercy. Because of His love and grace, He has not left us without hope and a solution.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
This is the Good News of the Bible—the message of the gospel. It’s the message of the gift of God’s own Son who became man (the God-man), lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, and was raised from the grave proving both the fact He is God’s Son and the value of His death for us as our substitute.
Romans 1:4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Romans 4:25 He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
Christ reconciled man with God
The All-Important Question
How then do we receive God’s Son that we may cross the gulf and have the eternal life God has promised us? What becomes the issue for us today?
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, {even} to those who believe in His name.
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross, the Bible states “He that has the Son has life.” We can receive the Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior by personal faith, by trusting in the person of Christ and His death for our sins.
This means we must each come to God the same way—as a sinner who recognizes his sinfulness, repudiates any form of human works for salvation, and relies totally on Christ alone by faith alone for our salvation.
YOUR REACTION
Acts 16:32-33 32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
The word of God was spoken to them as had been explained. And those who received these words responded immediately by accepting the baptism
1.Sin: If we humble ourselves, seek God, and turn from sin, God will forgive us and hear our prayers.
2.Fear: Fear blocks our prayers by undermining our faith. We must accept God’s forgiveness and the new spirit He has given us—one of power, love, and a sound mind.
3.Guilt: To conquer feelings of condemnation, we must realize that God has forgiven us and has forgotten our sins; therefore, we can pray with assurance.
4.Feelings of Inferiority: As God’s beloved children, we are not beggars. We can pray confidently based on God’s Word, Jesus’ testimony, and the Spirit’s advocacy.
5.Wrong Motives: When we have our priorities right and put God’s kingdom first, He will hear our prayers and meet our daily needs.
6.Bitterness: God will not hear our prayers if we hold iniquity in our hearts. We need to maintain pure, transparent hearts before God and men.
7.An Unforgiving Spirit: Withholding forgiveness blocks our relationship with God and others. “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
8.Broken Family Relationships: God will not answer our prayers if we fail to demonstrate His love and grace to our family members. We must reconcile broken relationships as soon as we can.
9.Idols: We must examine our priorities. Anything we value more than God is an idol that will hinder our prayers.
10.Stinginess: Proverbs 21:13 says, “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” Our prayers will be answered if we are compassionate and generous rather than greedy and stingy.
Noah was a man who had chosen the Lord and he was a preacher of righteousness.
God did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; II Peter 2:5
Life was very difficult during the days of Noah. The hearts of the people were wicked and there was no restraint to their wickedness.
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:5-8
Noah was able to stand alone and be faithful during his generation. The Lord was pleased with Noah. Noah listened to the Lord and obeyed by faith. By faith, Noah pleased God and Noah and his families were saved and Noah became a heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7
The Lord is still warning of the judgment to come. Those who listen and obey will be saved. Those who ignore God’s warning will perish, just as in the days of Noah.
And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Luke 17:26, 27im that
The characteristics of the days of Noah are here and many people cannot heed to the warning sounding every day. In the days of Noah things were difficult and many had no means of survival, but Noah build an Ark in the midst of suffering people because he obeyed the Lord and the people were watching him accomplish the purpose of God.
Secondly, the people were wicked and could not help Noah out of the problem. But Noah did not give up but work hard to accomplish the purpose of God. And it was because God is with him that he was able to fulfill the purpose of God.
Most of the people time were used for merriment and enjoyment, setting up occasion by occasion without placing value to the things of God. Their priority is eating and drinking everyday.
Jesus Christ is returning just as He said. It will be like the days of Noah when everyone carried on business as usual.
For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. Matthew 24:37
Noah was faithful to the Lord and the Lord was faithful to His promises with Noah. The Lord is always faithful for He can not deny Himself.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. II Timothy 2:13
Noah stood alone during a time when it would have been easier to “go along with the crowd”. The Lord praised Noah as being righteous.
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,” declares the Lord God. Ezekiel 14:14
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, Psalm 33:18
The Lord is still looking to help the one whose heart is completely His. If you have never given your heart to the Lord then know that you still can and you will never regret it.
For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars. II Chronicles 16:9
The Lord is God and if He is with you then He is sufficient enough.
If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31b
He who gave up His only begotten Son, will He not with Him give you all things?
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
The Lord will not withhold any good thing from those who seek Him.
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing. Psalm 34:10
For love to be faithful there will be times that love must stand alone. However, we are never alone, just as Noah was not alone. The Lord had His eye on Noah and extended His favor to Noah. The Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth and the One who made the world that He was getting ready to destroy preserved Noah.
PART 2
JUST AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH Luke 17:26, 27
Noah was a man who had chosen the Lord and he was a preacher of righteousness.
God did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; II Peter 2:5
Life was very difficult during the days of Noah. The hearts of the people were wicked and there was no restraint to their wickedness.
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:5-8
Noah was able to stand alone and be faithful during his generation. The Lord was pleased with Noah. Noah listened to the Lord and obeyed by faith. By faith, Noah pleased God and Noah and his families were saved and Noah became a heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7
The Lord is still warning of the judgment to come. Those who listen and obey will be saved. Those who ignore God’s warning will perish, just as in the days of Noah.
And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Luke 17:26, 27im that
The characteristics of the days of Noah are here and many people cannot heed to the warning sounding every day. In the days of Noah things were difficult and many had no means of survival, but Noah build an Ark in the midst of suffering people because he obeyed the Lord and the people were watching him accomplish the purpose of God.
Secondly, the people were wicked and could not help Noah out of the problem. But Noah did not give up but work hard to accomplish the purpose of God. And it was because God is with him that he was able to fulfill the purpose of God.
Most of the people time were used for merriment and enjoyment, setting up occasion by occasion without placing value to the things of God. Their priority is eating and drinking everyday.
Jesus Christ is returning just as He said. It will be like the days of Noah when everyone carried on business as usual.
For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. Matthew 24:37
Noah was faithful to the Lord and the Lord was faithful to His promises with Noah. The Lord is always faithful for He can not deny Himself.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. II Timothy 2:13
Noah stood alone during a time when it would have been easier to “go along with the crowd”. The Lord praised Noah as being righteous.
even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,” declares the Lord God. Ezekiel 14:14
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, Psalm 33:18
The Lord is still looking to help the one whose heart is completely His. If you have never given your heart to the Lord then know that you still can and you will never regret it.
For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars. II Chronicles 16:9
The Lord is God and if He is with you then He is sufficient enough.
If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31b
He who gave up His only begotten Son, will He not with Him give you all things?
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
The Lord will not withhold any good thing from those who seek Him.
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing. Psalm 34:10
For love to be faithful there will be times that love must stand alone. However, we are never alone, just as Noah was not alone. The Lord had His eye on Noah and extended His favor to Noah. The Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth and the One who made the world that He was getting ready to destroy preserved Noah.
