Comfortable With Authority
Nov. 12, 2020.
Many American Christians see themselves as humble citizens of the Kingdom of God. And while humility holds certain theological merit, there is another truth associated with our authority that needs to be embraced too. I have noticed that the average Christian becomes nervous when it is suggested that they’ve been given authority to change things here on the earth. Thankfully, we aren’t the only disciples throughout church history that have been concerned about that.
#JesusStories: There is an interesting exchange recorded in Luke 10 where the disciples returned to Jesus after being sent out two-by-two with the assignment to do what they had seen Jesus do numerous times. They healed the sick and preached about the Kingdom of God with great effect. But what surprised them most was their ability to make demons flee by using Jesus’ Name. The Lord’s reply is worth sober meditation; he told them something we all need to hear afresh today: “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightening! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy.” Did you hear that? Jesus’ disciples (including us) have been given authority over the enemy. Do you believe that? I would propose that most present-day disciples have not embraced the authority Jesus wants to give them. We all know the horror stories of leaders who have used spiritual authority to abuse and control others, and we want no part of that. But what do we do with the scriptural fact that Jesus wants us to hold significant authority over the uprising kingdom of darkness? (BTW – this is not the only verse that suggests such authority. See Matt. 16, Mark 13, Mark 16, Luke 19, John 14, and John 20 for more evidence). Scripturally, it is clear that Jesus wants us to join in the Christ-tradition of ‘destroying the works of the devil’ (1 Jn. 3). This is our heritage; this is our calling. At some point, every disciple must choose to become comfortable with the authority that Jesus is actually trying to hand them.
#DinnerChurchQuotes:
- “We underestimate how much spiritual authority we have when we pray in accordance with the will of God.” – Mark Batterson.
- “Our ability to live like Jesus is the basis of spiritual authority.” – Alan Hirsch
#PracticalStuff: Ask the Lord to give you at least one person to pray for each evening at Dinner Church when you walk in. Then don’t be surprised when during a conversation you feel a stirring in your heart to do so. Boldly act on it! In this way your ability to pray healing prayers will grow, and so will your healing stories.
Blessings & Boldness,
Verlon
Dr. Verlon and Melodee Fosner have led a multi-site Assemblies of God Dinner Church in Seattle, Washington since 1999 (www.CommunityDinners.com). In this decade when more churches in the U.S. are declining than thriving, and when ninety-six churches a week are closing, Verlon and Melodee sensed that a different way of doing church was needed for their 97-year old Seattle congregation. It soon became obvious that they were not the only ones in need of a different path. They joined the FX team in 2016 and founded the Dinner Church Collective. And then in 2019 founded the Dinner Church School of Leadership. There is a lot to be gained when church leaders begin to see open doors in the American landscape that they had previously overlooked. Therein lies the journey for those who will forge a new future for the American Church.
Categories: Uncategorized
11.13.20
By: Josh Gering
Thanks for this reminder of one of the things that Jesus has given us as His kids. I think sometimes we are leery of this concept and over look it because as much as we believe that the good of the Holy Spirit is at work, it’s a little unnerving to consider the opposite. I think also we are afraid of the extremes, of looking for a demon behind every rock or even behind every struggle. I think we need to seek for a healthy balance here. We must fight this war in the spiritual, bind darkness and release the light of Christ in our dinner churches and the neighborhoods we serve. If Jesus has called us to an area to bring the light of the Gospel, He has also given us authority to drive back the darkness.
11.13.20
By: Marion Sortore
“At some point, every disciple must choose to become comfortable with the authority that Jesus is actually trying to hand them.”
Thank you for this statement! It is a statement with many, many layers of actuality. To be comfortable with the authority that Jesus gives, we have to know Jesus. The deeper our relationship with Jesus the more comfortable with the authority He gives – or not. I have thought I had a pretty good relationship with Jesus, until I discovered that while I may have accepted, on some level, the authority given me through Him, I had not been comfortable with totally receiving His love. For me, it is in the receiving of His love, and embracing it, that I can be more loving – and more willing to lovingly use the authority Jesus gives to His disciples.
There is also the level of extending permission to people to receive, accept and live in God’s loving authority – especially permission for those who have been/are under the authority of heroic solo leader pastors. But that’s a whole other topic…
11.14.20
By: Greg LeMaster
Hi Verlon, please put us down for 20 of the Jesus Story Bibles…Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
11.18.20
By: Roger Bird
This is a really good reminder for all of us. The story of creation begins with authority being given to God’s people, “take the earth and subdue it,” “be fruitful and multiply”. Of course, we know that Adam and Eve abdicated their responsibility and handed that authority over to the serpent when they rebelled against God, forcing the world to live under the rule of darkness for millennia.
A good part of Jesus’s ministry and work on the cross was to take back that authority from the enemy and give it back to us. That is why He introduces the Great Commission with, “all authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go…”. He is granting us the Kingdom authority to take back world in His Name.
11.18.20
By: Rodney Martin
Authority is a tricky thing today. There are too many stories of abuse of authority in the church. Religion can be used in a way that is manipulative claiming to cast out darkness only to have an agenda attached to act of casting out. When we see Jesus casting out demons he is delivering people into new life. The bondage and oppression of darkness is transformed into a wholeness of life. We have authority in the church because Jesus has commissioned us to continue this work of reconciling and healing people to be a new creation in the risen Christ.
Do we allow space in our traditional churches for Christ’s life-giving authority to be practiced? It may be difficult (or bizarre) to do the work of casting demons in a pre-programmed worship service. In my minds eye I find it easier to imagine practicing authority over darkness more possible in dinner church than proclamation church. Perhaps it’s the informal nature of dinner church or the space created by fellowship over food. But, as in any other area of life to practice this authority requires attentiveness and obedience to the Spirit.
11.18.20
By: Carl Bauchspiess
I agree that we do have the spiritual authority to heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead, and all of the other things that Jesus told us to do in His name, and I’ve been blessed to have God use me in some of these. But is spiritual authority only for the miraculous? Can we also not break bondages by feeding the poor, clothing the hungry, helping with basic needs, and being Jesus with skin on to the people we meet every day? Giving, mercy, and service are listed as gifts of the Spirit. A combination of all could really break strongholds.
11.19.20
By: Roger Bird
Verlon, we would be interested in the Jesus Stories Bibles. Probably 40-ish to start.
11.19.20
By: Verlon Fosner
Roger, got your #JesusStories Bible order. Will be in touch. Thx man.