Knowing Authority by Brother Duke Hansen

         If there was to be a title for this morning's message it would be knowing authority.  In general, man does not like authority because he views himself above everything else as the one in charge. It does not matter if it is at work, or in the church, or even with appointed leaders. The distance of the plum line, which is the scripture, and what our flesh would consider as a faithful walk is as wider than it has ever been. In this day, our flesh is continually being fed. You do not have to seek out others to stir up mischief or wait to find someone to gossip or backbite. You have the tool in your hand that has the access you need. If you sat down and looked up the average time you spent reading the Bible every day and you compared it to the time you are on social media, the media wins by a large margin!

        Let us look at LUKE 7: 1-10 shall we?

    7 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

        2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

        3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

        4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

        5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

        6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

        7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

        8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

        9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

        10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

      The centurion in this scripture is not Jewish, he was a Roman. When he comes to Jesus he is coming in humility. This is so inspiring still today just on the act of faith from hearing about Jesus and not seeing Jesus performing miracles. The centurion knew that Jesus had authority based on what he had heard and respected Jesus because of it. The centurion knows and understands  authority because he has people who work under him.

        Now let's look further on in LUKE 7 verses 11-16:

        11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

        12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

        13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

        14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

        15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

        16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

        In this part of the chapter Jesus travelled to the city called Nain and raised a dead man who he then delivered back to his widowed mother. The first 10 verses show Jesus' power over all sickness, and verses 11-16 show he also had power over death itself.

        When the church and its members grow weak, the devil increases in authority over them for he has an understanding of authority. This is why there are so many today feeling lost. When your flesh gets out of hand and things become irrational because you are operating on just emotion, this is when you stand firm and say no thank you. 

        If you understand and are following the salvation plan, you should know that you already have authority over your flesh. This authority was established in Genesis after Adam and Eve were created in the Garden of Eden. Jesus is demonstrating in his time on earth and still today how you can quit walking in the flesh and thinking eye for an eye as a response for many things. Jesus is showing us how to walk instead with grace and mercy.

    

        ACTS 1:8 says 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. God has given name and his spirit to man. Look at LUKE 10 where Jesus has appointed his disciples to heal others in his name. That name of Jesus overrides all man made authority and principalities here on earth. Not only did the disciples heal the sick, but that name gave them the power to cast out spirits. All power and authority were given under the name of Jesus. This means you do not  just need the holy ghost to heal the sick or cast out devils. The thing we often forget about Jesus was that he was up against his flesh daily and he fought that flesh. Here are some scriptures about Jesus' name.

        ACTS 3:16 says 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 

        Colossians 1:14 says 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

        Romans 8:11 says 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

    

        The scripture in Romans emphasizes authority through the holy ghost. We have authority if we believe in his name. In your daily life you have to be willing to do that what is presented in front of you instead of nitpicking and whining about it. God is the authority in our life, and we are ambassadors of him to the world. To sit back and not follow his authority or his  direction but try to pick and choose where we want to go or who to speak because it will appeal to our flesh is rebellion and has no home in heaven!

   

        There are different phases of authority which the Bible shows. Over time you have to learn and how to use the authority in your life, by first starting to place this under your flesh! The flesh is your biggest enemy you will face. Do not be content with stopping your growth after you obtain the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is merely earnest money. Our bodies are homes for the Holy Ghost. A purchase amount is different over the earnest money. Earnest money alone won't buy you a house or a spot in heaven. It is great if you know about the blood applied and are full of the Holy Ghost, but you need to realize the authority God has given you.     

    

        God wants you to have knowledge of the truth and have authority over your flesh. LUKE 6:45 says 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Jesus brother James says in chapter 3 of his book that our tongue is our unruliest member. Ask yourself today- Do you believe in the name of Jesus? You may have faith in his name but Do You Believe?

        It is tough to listen to another and give power to them when we really want to be in control. Stress is a principality in this world, it is common in the flesh and can have dominion over your life you allow it to. Jesus is greater than what stresses you! This authority is something that you don't just go around giving your advice to others without being asked. If you are asked, then provide them advice otherwise you are really coming with an opinion. You can get more done with a prayer over someone's life than your opinion ever will. Prayer and fasting before God will yield things about yourself that you did not know were there to change. They also give you strength when he puts you in a wilderness or your actions place you in one to see you through.