Title: Power Or Authority
Memorize: Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Luke 7:11-17 (Nkjv)
[11] Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.
[12] And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.
[13] When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
[14] Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
[15] So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
[16] Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
[17] And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
Message:
Power is the ability to get something done, while having authority means having the right to get something done.
You may ask, “Which is more important?” I believe that both are important and necessary as they both serve different purposes.
For example, if your phone or laptop needs new software, and you lack the ability (power) to install it, all you need to do is take it to a software engineer to install the software.
However, when you do, you need to provide the fellow with the correct password, which gives the fellow the authority to access your device before he or she can install the software.
The illustration above explains why it is important for a fellow not to settle for power or authority alone; it is possible to possess both.
A person may have the power to excel in his or her academics, but such a person also needs to exercise his or her God-given authority to speak against failure in all areas of his or her life.
A fellow may have the power to enjoy good health, but he or she also needs to exercise his or her God-given authority to cancel sickness in his or her life.
My dear child, never be satisfied with having just power or authority; you should thirst for both, and you will get them.
I pray that as you thirst for power and authority, the Almighty God will hear your request and grant them to you, in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point:
Father, please equip me with the power of the Holy Spirit and teach me how to exercise the authority You have given me, in Jesus’ name.
HYMN 5: BLESSED ASSURANCE
1.Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood
Chorus:
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Saviour all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Saviour all the day long
2.Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight,
Angel descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3.Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love
Bible Reading In One Year: Matthew 3 Genesis 6-8
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye