09 Jul
09Jul

 Christ gave his followers authority in the world that he exhibited in His earthly walk. The authority is given not for people to act selfishly but unselfishly. It is used for displaying the love of Christ on earth for the goal of expanding the Kingdom of God. That does not mean God (Yahweh) doesn’t hear and answer prayers for our needs. He does. There is a difference between wants and needs. I may want a Rolls Royce but a Ford or a bicycle will suffice. The Kingdom of Heaven provides freedom, joy and peace.  

The only person you need to impress is God. It is Christ that will ultimately judge you. 

The fun the world offers cannot compare to the joy granted by God. Many view alcohol and drugs as fun but they come with unintended consequences. Some permanently harm their bodies or die. There can be addiction to material things which drives you into debt.  The joy granted by God has no unintended harmful consequences.

The Father gave Christ followers authority to draw all men unto Him. Mankind sins and needs forgiveness. Your spirit knows this, though you might not be willing to accept it. Jesus shed his blood and died to redeem us from sin. Christ followers are to preach the Gospel to the whole world. And as the Gospel is preached the Holy Spirit through believers will perform miracles.  The Gospel says much about this: 

“8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 New American Standard Bible 1995 

“23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 

25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” John 16:23-27 New International Version (NIV) 

“3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask [a]with wrong motives, so that you may spend it [b]on your pleasures.” James 4:3 New American Standard Bible 1995 

“17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18 New American Standard Bible 

“21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be to you; just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins [a]have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”” John 20:21-23 New American Standard Bible 

The authority granted believers is broad in scope to benefit the unsaved so that they may receive the ultimate miracle which is salvation and eternal life.



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Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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