Are You Willing To Let Christ Have Authority Over Your Life?

Are You Willing To Let Christ Have Authority Over Your Life?

Good Morning Friends,

Today’s scripture is couched in the context of missionary work for the Kingdom of God and the efforts of early Christians in certain towns in Palestine. But it also has application for us as well as it relates to any unwarranted conceit we might have in our lives as it relates to ministry. Part of the scripture reads like a mathematical equation, the answer to which we may not like very well. You see Luke paints a dismal picture, even for those places where many miracles of Jesus occurred. The woes read like a list of the ruins of archeological sites long ago destroyed by their own self-importance. It is a caution for those who would take pride in the generous love of Jesus without extending it to others giving Jesus the credit. Jesus has given us the opportunity to oversee how we respond, at least for now. But we must have the right approach. The focus is not about our moral condemnation of others but the transformation of our own lives to God’s glory. Are You Willing To Let Christ Have Authority Over Your Life?

Scripture: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

Luke 10:13-16 (NRSV)

Message: Friends, Jesus has secured our power and authority by defeating Satan. We have been given authority to share the Gospel and to stand against Satan. We are given access to the throne room. We have the power of God’s Word to share. We have been given authority to act as new creations. We have been given the power of ministry. Success in ministry is a sign of the reality of God’s Kingdom but pride can get in the way of places and people that attach the works of God to their own balance sheet. It is all vanity if not done out of love. So, ultimately it is not what we have but whose we are that determines our fate. Everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled and everyone who humbles themselves will be exalted. The higher position we give ourselves the lower position God will give us. The reality is that we are not in charge of most things but one thing we can have influence over is the evil of Satan in our lives. Most people believe that this is reserved for only a few but that is not true. We all must face the issue of authority. So, we too, as Christ’s disciples today are also sent out on an urgent mission to find those who are receptive to the Gospel message, and wherever and whenever we are received we are to minister in the name of Jesus.

Pray we provide support and encouragement to each other. Pray we realize that God’s intention is that we have dominion to reign in life over ourselves, over sin, over death and over every negative thing. Pray we have the confidence to face the judgement of history. Pray we realize that Jesus has given us authority over the enemy. Pray we realize that ultimately, we must be accountable for our actions. Pray we listen to Jesus. Pray we share the Gospel with a sense of urgency but also with great love.

Blessings,

John Lawson