The Authority of A Believer - Pt1
May 20, 2020 | by Mike Prah
THE AUTHORITY OF A BELIEVER – PART 1
Bible Study
Mike Prah
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope God has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come” Ephesians 1:18-21 NLT
1. A REVELATION OF THE CONFIDENT HOPE GOD HAS GIVEN BELIEVERS
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope God has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance” Ephesians 1:18 (NLT)
2. A REVELATION OF THE INCREDIBLE GREATNESS OF GOD’S POWER FOR BELIEVERS
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)
“Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come” Ephesians 1:21 NLT
- When we are under the authority of Christ, we have all His authority behind us
- This “power” in Greek is “Dunamis” = the “inherent power”
- This power was demonstrated to us through the resurrection of Christ.
3. A REVELATION OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “POWER” AND “AUTHORITY”
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19 NIV
“I have given you authority [EXOUSIA = Ruling Power] to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power (DUNAMIS = Inherent Power] of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19 NIV
4. THE SOURCE OF OUR POWER IS CHRIST (Acts 1:8)
“But you will receive power [Dunamis] when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere” Acts 1:8 NIV
DEFINITIONS
Power is: Greek: Dunamis
Def: “Inherent power;” “The ability to act;” “Having the might/efficiency/ability to do something”
Authority is: Greek: Exousia
Def: “Ruling power;” “Being authorized to act;” “Having the right to do something”
The source of our authority is the delegated authority of Christ, when He defeated the devil through Calvary’s victory.
“Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7
HOW TO RULE AND REIGN WITH CHRIST IN YOUR WORLD - EPHESIANS 6:10 – 19 (Amplified Bible)
1. GROW IN THE LORD’S STRENGTH
“Finally, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]” Ephesians 6:10 AMP
2. LIVE FULLY PREPARED
“Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies]” Ephesians 6:11 AMP
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith” 1 Peter 5:8-9 PH
3. TAKE A STAND AGAINST THE DEVILS SCHEMES
“that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 AMP
“Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7
4. RECOGNIZE THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE
“For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” Ephesians 6:12 AMP
2 Cor 10:3-6 …the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God…
5. STAND YOUR GROUND … STAND
“that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. 14 Stand therefore [hold your ground]” Ephesians 6:13 AMP
6. KNOW GODS ARMOUR AND WEAR IT
13Therefore put on God's complete armor,…14….having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, 15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. 16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 17And take the helmet of salvation” Ephesians 6:13-17 AMP
7. DEVELOP YOUR “IT IS WRITTEN” ABILITY
“…And the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17b AMP
8. PRAY AND “INTERCEDE” EFFECTIVELY
“Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints” Ephesians 6:18 AMP