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Saturday, March 21st, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Numbers 32:1-33:39
Luke 4:31-5:11
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 11:22
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/OCBfZk
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” – Lk 4:36
“Authority” is the Greek word exousia (Strong’s #1849): the power of rule or government. “Power” is the Greek word dunamis (Strong’s #1411): the power inherent in a person by the virtue of his nature.
All of us want to experience God’s power (dunamis). We all want to see signs, miracles and wonders come to pass as we pray for them. We want to see God use our hands to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons! But sometimes we focus on God’s power so much that we miss His authority.
Understanding Jesus’ authority (exousia) is the necessary precursor to seeing His power. Even the demons knew who Jesus was, and followed His commands (see vv 34-35). Paul tells us that, “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth” (Phil 2:10). Jesus was so powerful because He possessed heaven’s authority. When He speaks, all of heaven listens and provides the resources necessary to perform His words; and all of hell pays attention and respects His commands.
We can operate with the same power as Jesus. We are called to greater works than even He was able to perform (Jn 14:12). But in order to see His power, we must understand and exercise His authority! Jesus told us to use His name. He gave us power of attorney: permission to walk into any situation and pray, and expect the same results as if Jesus Himself were praying!
Prayer:
Father, I want to walk in power. I know that in order to do that, I need to understand your authority. I submit to you completely, and I know that all of heaven and hell do the same!