Authority and Power Given

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Matthew 28:18 NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Paraphrased) and now I commission you with that same authority and power to go forth and make disciples of all nations and be assured that Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the age.

This post is gleaned from Pastor Carl’s sermon on Sunday as he shared on the Authority of Jesus. When Jesus did miracles and instructed the crowds, they were amazed because he ministered with authority and power.

Jesus taught with authority and power because he had spent time with his Father, and he was full of the Holy Spirit. He told it like it really was and that upset some of the people. They complained and criticized Jesus for they said “He speaks blasphemy.”

We don’t like it when people complain, gripe and find fault, especially if it is with other people (or with us.)

Matthew 9 “They brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” Immediately some of the Scribes said within them-selves, “This Man blasphemes! For who but God can forgive sins?” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

Pastor reminded us that when we partake of communion, that in our time of meditation, we have asked forgiveness of our sins, and as the Pastor says, this is the blood and body of Christ – we are to believe that our sins are forgiven and are gone.

Jesus was led as a lamb to the slaughter and he was silent and opened not his mouth. Pilot told him, “Don’t you know that I have authority and power to release you or condemn you to death?” Jesus answered and said, “You have no power except that which God has given.”

Jesus died but in three days He rose from the dead and showed himself to his disciples, and to many others for a 40 day period of time. His final commandment was “So send I you, and I give you power and authority to minister and share the Truth of the Gospel.

Not authority to crush and put down, but power to lift up, to encourage, to heal the broken hearted, to redeem men from their sins and to let them know that there is a better way to live.

This is an astounding and breathtaking claim, and it is the Great Commission assuring us that we can move in the Power and Authority as Jesus did.  We can minister boldly knowing that we are not alone, but that He is with us always.

Linked up today with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday 
and Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays