23/10/2016
Today's Message @ Cornerstone Worship Assembly (Rooigrond, RSA)
The power and authority of a believer
By Bishop Charles M Mcino
Just before the preaching of the word during the service of song, the man of God (Bishop Charles) saw figures of beings like human beings entering the church. He could only see their feet passing before him as he was sitting down. To his astonishment, it occurred to him that these were angels. As he was wondering what were they doing at the service, it came to him that these messengers came to bring the answers of God's children in the church. After narrating this to the congregation, he invited everyone who was expecting an answer from the Lord to hasten forward to receive from the messengers of the Lord. At that time many were slain/fell in the Spirit even before the man of God laid hands on them.
The man of God, proceeded to the message of the day.
Reading: Luke 9:1-6
The passage we read ushers us to a very remarkable day in the life of the disciples of Jesus Christ. It was a day he called them to give them power and authority. It must have been something they have longed for all along-the ability to do what their master has been doing.
Now Jesus give them two things: power (raw ability to do something) and authority (a right to do something).
There are four areas Jesus has authority over and wanted His disciples to have as well after he demonstrated it to them in chapter 8 of Luke:
1) Jesus has power and authority over nature (Luke 8:22-25)
He commanded the storm and raging water to calm. We also remember how at one time he spoke a curse to a fig tree, how he managed to cause the water to support him as he walked on it and how he caused the whale to keep Jonah alive for three days in its belly.
2) Jesus has power and authority over spirits (Luke 8:26-33)
We learn that Jesus commanded evil spirits from a certain man who lived in the tombs for a long time. Jesus' disciples witnessed Jesus driving out demons many times.
3) Jesus has power and authority over sicknesses (Luke 8:43-48)
A woman who had an issue of blood as healed at an encounter with Jesus. When the woman touched Jesus, power left Jesus and the sickness that held her for 12 years could not stand the power and authority of Jesus.
4) Jesus has power and authority over death (Luke 8:49-56)
Jesus brought a little girl back to life at a command of His voice to the astonishment of her parents.
Going back to our main scripture reading, it must have been an exciting day for the disciples to receive power and authority just like their master. But the key to experiencing this power and enforcing it, is when they obey and do the command of the master. Verse six (6) of chapter 9 says "And they departed...". This was a sign of obedience. Jesus in one scripture teaches that signs and wonders would follow His disciples. Miracles follows obedience. As they go about obeying and doing the commands of the Lord, miracles are sure to happen.
Where does this leave us? We receive of the same grace through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Tempests of this life must not blind us to a point of forgetting the power and authority we have through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.
When a child of God face situations of unclean spirits, sicknesses, natural disasters, even death, he/she must not fear. At that moment, he/she must obey the word of the Lord to stretch forth a hand and/or speak a word of faith.
Declaration:
This week you will encounter many unclean spirits and people will bring the sick to you. You will stand in the Power of the Lord and authority to drive demons out and heal all sicknesses in Jesus' name. Amen.
