Category: The Authority of the Believer.


The Authority of the Believer 24: Reigning in life;

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February 24, 2012

Thank you for joining me in this study of the authority of the believer and I trust that the Holy Spirit has ministered to your hearts through this Word. To-day we conclude this study by studying “Reigning in life”.

Rom.5:17. (Amp) For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offence) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favour) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

We have to receive  abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. If we receive these two things we will reign in life as kings through Christ Jesus, immersed in eternal life.

The armour of a ruler:

Eph.6:10-18. (Amp) In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armour [the armour of a heavy armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil, 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. Therefore put on God’s complete armour, 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]. Stand therefore [hold your ground], 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, 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. Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. 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 (God’s consecrated people).

The armour of God consists of:

  • The helmet of salvation. We put on the helmet of salvation by renewing or minds by the Word of God and that is what protects and guards the way we think.
  • The breast plate of righteousness. Understanding righteousness is what frees us from condemnation and protects the spirit of man from which flow the issues of life.
  •  The belt of truth. Truth protects our freedom and speed of movement.
  •  The good news. Being willing to proclaim the good news of salvation by grace through faith protects our way of life, our walk with God and the places we go.
  •  The shield of faith. Faith protects our entire existence.
  •  The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God effectively drives off and defeats the enemy and obtains the victory.

Without this armour, we have no power to carry out our task for which we have been given authority.

The attitude of a ruler:

We are to have the same mind and attitude that Jesus had.

Phil.2:5-9. (KJV) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.

You are to let this mind be in you, know who you are in Christ Jesus, know what you are to God, you are His child and representative. Empty yourself of bitter envy and selfish ambition, take the attitude of a servant. Take the attitude of giving your life for the kingdom.

The methods of a servant – ruler:

Rom.14:17. (Amp) [After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

James.3:17-18. (Amp) But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].

1Cor.13:4-8. (Amp) Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

The way God’s servant’s rule:

With purity and peace; gentleness; willingness to yield; complete mercy; good fruit; not respecters of persons; no hypocrisy.

The commands of a ruler:

Mark.11:23-24. (KJV) For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

God has put His family in an awesome position of authority and responsibility. With the call of God comes His enablement. He has placed in us the desire and the means to fulfil this position of authoriy by the power of His Holy Spirit who works with us and through us. We need to realise this so that we can take up our position of authority. The longer we are deaf to His call and blind to our position of authority, the longer it will take to fulfil our proper role in His Kingdom.

God has restored man’s authority in salvation and can use the redeemed man for His initial plan and purpose of expressing and doing His will on earth. We should not hold back on our willingness to operate as useful sons in God’s kingdom. Living in obedience makes us suitable to be used in our proper role.

A ruler’s commands are always carried out and when we obediently operate in our God-given role, we have the potential of seeing God’s will come to pass as we pray within His will. Jesus said that He did whatever He saw the Father doing. If you are given a vision of what the Father is doing or saying, you can be sure you are in His will and as you pray, you will see the signs confirming God’s Word, miraculously. What glorious authority we have! [Under the category of prayer in the invisible church blog I have started posting Word based prayers that you can pray for yourself and others].http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

Realise the authority of your words. We should not treat our words lightly. When we speak idle words, lie or use our tongues for hypocrisy, we are actually dethroning ourselves. Ignorance in this area has robbed God’s family of their rightful place of authority. Understand that when you speak as a ruler, you speak on behalf of a King. Repent of idle speech and give God your tongue.

Matt.12:36-37. (Mess) Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.”

Make every word you say count. Be loyal to the kingdom of God and speak out words life. A ruler’s authority is only as good as his word, make sure you can back every word you say with action and choose words that can be carried out to the last detail. Get in tune with God’s will and do not rest until you have. Have the mind of Christ and come to know Him. Be Christ-like.

If, in obedience to God’s command, you command demons to go in the Name of Jesus, they will go, in the same manner, if you command sickness to leave, there will be healing. If you command blessing to come, make sure it is the blessing that God would have spoken into the situation. Make sure that you are acting in obedience to the Father’s command, and like Jesus, are doing only what you see Him doing.

A ruler has servants to carry out his word, in like manner rely on God’s angles to carry out His commands.

Hebr.1:13-14. (Amp) Besides, to which of the angels has He ever said, Sit at My right hand [associated with Me in My royal dignity] till I make your enemies a stool for your feet? Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation?

A ruler has the ability to carry out his own word

Eph.3:20. (Amp) Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].

God is able to do, through us far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams and He does it through the power at work in us, we know that the Word of God is the power of God, please note that it is the Word of God that is living, or working in us and always remember that the Word of God that is living in you is the Word that speaks to you. By the power of the Holy Spirit we can carry out His Word.

For further “Words of Cheer” go to: http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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The Authority of the Believer 23: The recreation of man;

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February 24, 2012

Here we are once again at the beginning of the week-end, I trust that this week has been a prosperous and joyful one for all and that you truly have a great week-end. Last time we discussed the fact that we are Christ’s ambassadors in the earth, and to-day we will discover that not only are we ambassadors from the Kingdom of heaven but we are a royal priesthood and have the status of kings in the earth, so cheer up my friends you are of importance in this world and our Father has made us (past tense) kings and priests, whether you are ruling and reigning or not, that is what God has made you, take your place among the rulers of the earth by faith in what has been done for you in Christ Jesus.

2Cor.5:16-17. (Amp) Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh]. Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

Jesus was put to death on the cross, His flesh was destroyed and when God raised Him from the dead, He had a resurrected body. When we repent, the old nature is put to death; when we are baptized in water, it signifies our burial with Christ; when we come up out of the water it, shows that we are resurrected into a new life, just like Jesus, the first – fruit of many brothers. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is our seal that we are God’s possession and are reserved for the resurrection day. We truly are newly created and can carry out what God originally intended for us. We rule and reign, have dominion, subdue the earth, are fruitful and replenish the earth.

Gen.1:26-27. (Amp) God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.

The word image has the connotation of a representative figure; man was God’s representative in the earth.

The word likeness means similar or just like; we are just like Him.

Born into the Kingdom of God:

Col.1:13. (Amp) [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.

Kingdom always means authority over a domain. It literally means “A dominion of a king or a sovereign” or “a place where a king is in dominion”.

The power of darkness:

This literally means the “authority of darkness”. Jesus Christ has delivered us from the dominion or domination of the devil and we are no longer his slaves because he has no authority over us, just as God delivered Israel from the dominion of Egypt through the Passover and mighty signs, we too are delivered.

The kingdom of Jesus Christ:

Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We are under His authority.

The right to family status:

We are members of the royal family of the King of kings. As sons and daughters, we are part of the ruling family of the universe. By receiving Jesus we have the right to become the children of God.

John.1:12. (Amp) But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.

Receiving Him:

We have to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and King to qualify. Believing in His exalted Name is what “receiving Him” means. A king is boldly proclaimed, honoured and received as king and his subjects must be loyal.

Believe in His Name:

A name represents the authority that is behind it. We must believe and show confidence in His absolute and supreme authority.

The right to be children:

By His Word, God Himself authorizes our family status once we receive the Lordship of Jesus and believe in the authority of His Name.

We are made a Kingdom of priests:

We have been made representatives of Jesus. We do not merely gibe a report of His ability, we do more than that, we are heaven’s good news messengers. When we bring the message of redemption through His blood, Jesus works with us through signs and wonders to confirm the message.

Together we work for a common goal, knit or built together like living stones to form a kingdom of priests who bring the glorious message from God.

1Pet.2:5. (Amp) [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

As priests we also minister to God in worship and bring our own submitted lives as a living sacrifice which is pleasing to God.

Before we become pompous and big headed, we must realise that we rule like Jesus. We are not tyrant kings but servant kings. The least shall be first, the servant of all shall be great this is the kingdom of God.

Rev.1:5-6. (Amp) And from Jesus Christ the faithful and trustworthy Witness the Firstborn of the dead [first to be brought back to life] and the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth. To Him Who ever loves us and has once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood, and formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father, to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

Please notice that Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, not the first raised from the dead but the first born, there were many people in the Old and New testaments that were raised from the dead. When Jesus was made sin He died spiritually, He was spiritually separated from the Father, just the same as Adam was after he sinned, Jesus never sinned but was made sin for us, and when He became sin was when He died spiritually, then God the Father, declared Him innocent and He was born from the dead, the same as when you accepted Jesus you were born again from your state of spiritual death into God life. Someone say Praise God that is an awesome fact.

If you have not made the decision to accept Jesus as your Lord then I would urge you to do so right now by praying the following prayer. Come join the family of kings, priests and lords of the earth, children of the Most High God:

“Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan. “I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is now my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. Now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

For further “Words of Cheer” go to: http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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The Authority of the Believer 22: The signs of our authority;

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February 23, 2012

Hi once again and thank you for joining in our study of the authority of the believer, trust the Lord has used this to minister to your heart and that you have gained a greater understanding of the power and the authority that has been invested in you by the Kingdom of God.

When God commissioned Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt He gave him signs to prove his God given authority and when Joshua became leader, God said that He would also give him signs to prove his authority. These men moved in great and awesome authority because of their complete obedience.

Josh.3:7. (Amp) The Lord said to Joshua, This day I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, so they may know that as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

This reminds us of what Jesus said when He commissioned the church.

Matt.28:18-20. (Amp) Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

In the gospel of Mark we see and expanded form of this commission:

Mark.16:15-20. (Amp) And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]. He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned. And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well. So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it).

The signs that follow believers are:

  • They will cast out devils.
  • They speak with other tongues.
  • They are unharmed by deadly things.
  • They heal the sick.

Ambassadors of the Kingdom:

The dictionary definition for an “Ambassador” is:

An accredited diplomatic agent of the highest rank appointed as the representative of one government or state to another.

“We are high ranking representatives of the government of heaven to the government of the earth.

An ambassador lives by the authority and law of the government which they represent, they carry the same authority as the head of the government they represent, they declare the will and the word of the government which they represent, they are immune from the law of the government in which they are found.

All this applies to us, we represent the Kingdom of God, He has invested in us all authority and we are untouched by the law of the world system as long as we live within the boundary of the Kingdom of God.

2Cor.5:20. (Amp) So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favour [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

Eph.6:20. (Amp) For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.

Hebr.11:13-16. (Amp) These people all died controlled and sustained by their faith, but not having received the tangible fulfilment of [God's] promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, and all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon the earth. Now those people who talk as they did show plainly that they are in search of a fatherland (their own country). If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it. But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. For that reason God is not ashamed to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob], for He has prepared a city for them.

The head of our government has vested His authority in His children on earth. If we are to be untouched by the law of the world system, we should live within the boundary of the law (of liberty) of the Kingdom of God.

Well, once again it is time to say “till next time”. I pray that this will be your day of greatest blessing. Now don’t forget to share His Word of power and spread His great love with which He loved you all around to day.

The Word says that Jesus come to seek and save the lost, He didn’t just come for the lost, He came to seek out those who are lost, by lost it is meant those who are not yet in a covenant relationship with the Father. To enter into the covenants of God a man must be born again, the only way to be born again is to accept the sacrifice that God has made for you by putting forth His Son as a sin offering. If you have never done that then to-day is your greatest day of blessing. All you have to do is bow your head and pray the following prayer from your heart and receive the salvation God is offering you right now:

“Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan. “I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is now my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. Now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

For further “Words of Cheer” go to: http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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The Authority of the Believer 21: All authority;

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February 22, 2012

Matt.28:18-20. (Amp) Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

Make disciples;

Baptize into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost;

To train in obedience;

The word baptisms or baptize which appears in our English bible is not really a true translation of the original word at all; it is really a transliteration of the Greek. By the time the translators of the bible were ready to do the translating, there was already a tradition in the church, a mode of baptism, a way of baptizing people. For these people to translate the word as it appears in the original would require a major change in their theology. The church was not practicing what the word really meant and because of this they came up with an obscure transliteration.

Baptize; (Greek) really means to immerse, to dip under, or to bathe.

The word baptism should really be replaced with the word ‘’immersion”, or “immerse”.

Immerse means to involve deeply or to absorb. What Jesus was saying was “make disciples and immerse them, get them deeply involved with the person of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”

This was God’s original intention for Adam, if these three elements are present the result will be a person who is in full submission to God and His Word. It follows that this person will have complete authority over the world and the devil.

1John.5:3-5. (Amp) For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous). For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?

1John.2:14. (Amp) I write to you, fathers, because you have come to know (recognize, be conscious of, and understand) Him Who [has existed] from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.

Delegated authority;

Matt.28:18. (Amp) Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Jesus has final authority and His authority exceeds all other authority in heaven and on earth and under the earth. He has authority in three worlds:

God’s world;

Man’s world;

Satan’s world;

Delegated authority means “to be given the right to act in the name of the one who has the authority, as if that authority were present in person”. Delegated authority is subject to the will of that authority and is proportionate to the willingness of the one who is to carry out that authority. Jesus rose from the dead and delegated His authority to all whom:

Are born again;

Are his disciples;

Believe on the name of Jesus Christ and have received Him as Lord of all;

He then ascended into heaven and sat down.

Eph.2:4-6. (Amp) But God – so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favour and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

To do business;

Luke.19:13. (KJV) And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

This is the parable of the talents and it is a picture of the Master ascending into heaven, and as He does so, He tells His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they be clothed with power, they could then continue to work at the great commission.

Acts1:4, 8. (Amp) And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, of which [He said] you have heard Me speak. But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

Acts2:33. (Amp) Being therefore lifted high by and to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised [blessing which is the] Holy Spirit, He has made this outpouring which you yourselves both see and hear.

Jesus has commissioned the believer and has given him a responsibility to:

Make disciples;

Baptize in the Name;

Train to observe, i.e. do business (Keep busy) till He comes.

Jesus has also empowered and enabled the believer by the gift of the Holy Spirit, who in turn gives nine gifts to enable us to do business or our work in the earth. They are our weapons from heaven. And as the early believers went and preached everywhere, the Lord worked with them.

Mark.16:20. (KJV) And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

When Jesus commissioned the believer, He reinstated the original commission.

Gen.1:28. (KJV) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Luke.19:13. (KJV) And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Occupy till I come; we are to take occupation of the earth like the Israelites where to take possession of Canaan.

Josh.1:3. (KJV) Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

We have been given all authority and ability to take possession of all the earth and to occupy.

We are to proclaim the Gospel.

When we are in submission to Jesus, He will send us in His Name to all those places where He intends to go.

Luke.10:1. (KJV) After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

We have authority when we submit to God’s plans. He has told us to go everywhere. Here He gives more specific instructions for a specific situation. Listen to His instructions:

Luke.10:17, 19. (Amp) The seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name! Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Thank you for joining me to-day in this study of authority, trust the Holy Spirit has ministered to your heart through this Word. Have a blessed day and don’t forget to spread His love and share His Word, cast out the devil and have a happy day.

If you haven’t made Jesus the Lord of your life then I urge you to accept what God is offering you this day, He is offering you a fresh start by forgiving you of all your sins and all you have to do is accept what He did for you in Christ Jesus. Bow your head and pray the following prayer and receive the miracle of eternal life:

“Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan. “I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is now my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. Now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

For further “Words of Cheer” go to: http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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The Authority of the Believer 20: The delegation of authority;

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February 21, 2012

Last time we discussed the fact that at this present time Jesus is seated at the right hand of majesty in the place of all authority. We will now discuss the delegation of authority.

Eph.1:19-23. (Amp) And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].

The man Adam lost the authority that God gave him by subjecting himself to the word of an impostor. Remember that authority is delegated and depends on submission to the one who grants the authority. God sent His Son to redeem man in order to open a way for man to come into full submission again. Jesus subjected Himself to the Word of God, including the Word that required the death penalty for the sin of Man. After the resurrection, Jesus proclaimed that He had been given all authority in heaven and on earth, and then immediately spoke of the Great Commission to be executed in His Name. This authority only rightfully belongs to the person of Jesus. He is the one who fully satisfied all the requirements. As we listen to His voice, make His will our own and act in His Name as we understand what He would have done, can we have His authority covering our actions and His supernatural signs and wonders witnessing to our preaching.

Jesus, because He came in the flesh, can fully identify with mankind. He has compassion for His sheep who listen to His voice.

Hebr.2:10-18. (Amp) For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering. For both He Who sanctifies [making men holy] and those who are sanctified all have one [Father]. For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren; For He says, I will declare Your [the Father's] name to My brethren; in the midst of the [worshiping] congregation I will sing hymns of praise to You. And again He says, My trust and assured reliance and confident hope shall be fixed in Him. And yet again, Here I am, I and the children whom God has given Me. Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death, that is, the devil and also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives. For, as we all know, He [Christ] did not take hold of angels [the fallen angels, to give them a helping and delivering hand], but He did take hold of [the fallen] descendants of Abraham [to reach out to them a helping and delivering hand]. So it is evident that it was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people’s sins. For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].

Jesus in His humanity identifies with mankind, and has compassion for His fellowman. He is not ashamed to call us brothers and to stand in our midst as our brother. He partook of flesh and blood for three reasons:

To bring to naught and to destroy the works of the devil;

To redeem man and to release him from bondage;

To make us one;

1John.3:8. (Amp) [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].

John.11:52. (Amp) And not only for the nation but also for the purpose of uniting into one body the children of God who have been scattered far and wide.

Time once again to say “till next time”. Father I pray and ask that you would grant us according to the riches of your glory, to be strengthened with might by your Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now, Father, unto You that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout the ages. And may this be the greatest day of their lives, their day of great blessing and deliverance. In Jesus name I pray, and I believe I receive. Amen.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost and He said all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved, so if you have not yet done so I urge you to make a quality decision right now and to pray the following prayer and receive Jesus as your Lord:

“Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan. “I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is now my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. Now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

For further “Words of Cheer” go to: http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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The Authority of the Believer 19: The restoration of authority;

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February 20, 2012

Hi once again, here we are at the beginning of a new week with fresh challengers facing us and the power of God to put us over, praise God. We will continue with our study of the authority of the believer and start with the restoration of authority.

Phil.2:9-11. (Amp) Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is still a man.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He rose as a man in His glorified human body. This is exactly what Jesus demonstrated when He appeared to the twelve disciples.

Luke.24:37-39. (Amp) But they were so startled and terrified that they thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, why are you disturbed and troubled, and why do such doubts and questionings arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Feel and handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.

In the above scripture Jesus asks His disciples to feel Him that He is flesh and bone, note He did  not mention blood, why is that? You see Jesus’ blood is what was shed and sprinkled over the mercy seat in the Holy of holies in heaven. Now, running through His veins is light, I believe that science has discovered that blood is congealed light. We know that Jesus is the express image of God the Father and that God is light:

Hebr.1:3. (Amp) He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light - being, the out - raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high.

We also know that Adam was a light being as he was created in the likeness of God, at the fall of man the light was extinguished and Adam became mortal or subject to death, he pass that on to all men. We became flesh, bone and blood, the light had been corrupted. The difference between Jesus and the rest of mankind now is that unlike us, Jesus has already put on immortality. He is the first born from the dead in the flesh. It is in this glorified body that He ascended into heaven.

Jesus ascended into heaven as a man.

Acts.1:9. (Amp) And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.

In the same way that He ascended He will descend. Right now, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God as a perfect man who is truly God, as God the Father has declared His divinity.

Rev.1:12-18. (Amp) Then I turned to see [whose was] the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lamp stands, and in the midst of the lamp stands [One] like a Son of Man, clothed with a robe which reached to His feet and with a girdle of gold about His breast. His head and His hair were white like white wool, [as white] as snow, and His eyes [flashed] like a flame of fire. His feet glowed like burnished (bright) bronze as it is refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth there came forth a sharp two – edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full power at midday when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, and the Ever – living One [I am living in the eternity of the eternities]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and Hades (the realm of the dead).

Hebr.1:8. (Amp) But as to the Son, He says to Him, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever (to the ages of the ages), and the sceptre of Your kingdom is a sceptre of absolute righteousness (of justice and straightforwardness).

Hebr.2:6, 8. (Amp) It has been solemnly and earnestly said in a certain place, What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You graciously and helpfully care for and visit and look after him? For You have put everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to man, He left nothing outside [of man's] control. But at present we do not yet see all things subjected to him [man].

(Mess) It says in Scripture, What are man and woman that you bother with them; why take a second look their way? Then you put them in charge of your entire handcrafted world. When God put them in charge of everything, nothing was excluded. But we don’t see it yet; don’t see everything under human jurisdiction.

Here a reference is made to Psalm eight – our foundation scripture – and is in context with Hebrew.1:8, which shows that Jesus the man or Jesus the son of man is the person spoken of. We see that Jesus Christ, as a resurrected man in a resurrected body with resurrected flesh and bones is called God, by God the Father.

Before He became a man, God the Son existed as God, co-equal, co-eternal and with the same authority, without beginning and without end. And when the fullness of time came, He emptied Himself and came in the flesh as a true man and true God forever. At the resurrection, we see that Jesus Christ the God – man, was exalted and elevated to have all authority. All things are subjected to Him and right now, Jesus Christ in His resurrected body is ruler of all things in heaven and in earth and under the earth.

My dear friends it is time once again to say “till next time” trust that this discourse has thus far enlightened you and blessed you, it is my greatest desire that we as the body of Christ grow-up in him in all things, and that we take our place as the son’s of God in the earth and show forth His glory and power in all the earth. Have a great day and may it be filled with love, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost, as that is the Kingdom of God.

I urge you by the mercies of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ that if you have never made Jesus your Lord and Saviour to take this opportunity to do so by praying the following prayer from your heart:

“Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan. “I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is now my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. Now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

For further “Words of Cheer” go to: http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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The Authority of the Believer 18: Jesus’ resurrection was in submission to the Word of God.

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February 18, 2012

After three days God was satisfied that His Word had been carried out, so He justified Jesus by raising Him from the dead according to His Word. A man died; a man was buried; a man went to hell on behalf of mankind; a man rose, a man was exalted far above all principalities and powers on behalf of mankind. At this moment Jesus is seated at the right hand of God in a position of high authority.

Eph.1:20-23. (Amp) Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].

Please read the above scripture again and stop to think of what is being said about the position of His church in the earth, and when I talk about the church I am not taking about the building down the road but about His people that are the called out ones, as that is what the Greek word used for church means. The church is His body, and in that body lives the full measure of Him who makes everything complete. The fullness of Jesus lives in us, all the authority that has been given to Him is delegated to us. Jesus is the champion of all mankind having paved the way for all mankind to enter the same position of all authority.

We are no longer servants; we are the friends, brothers and sisters of Jesus; we are heirs of God.

John.15:15. (Amp) I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer; for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]

Whenever God uses the term “My friends” in scripture it is strictly a covenant term and it is used to remind us of what the covenant entails. It is the strongest term of commitment from God’s part. (You need to study the blood covenant to understand what God is actually saying).

Rom.8:29. (Amp) For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be moulded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

Hebr.2:11. (Amp) For both He Who sanctifies [making men holy] and those who are sanctified all have one [Father]. For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.

Since Jesus and we have the same Father; Jesus calls us His brothers. Think about that, see how Jesus thinks, He thinks in terms of family, we are His little brothers and sisters, that’s awesome.

Hebr.1:2. (Amp) [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].

Gal.4:7. (Mess) Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. Bless God.

Man’s authority has been completely recovered by Jesus through the New Covenant. This has been done by a legally binding covenant made with the blood of Jesus, in this way God has proved that the death penalty was satisfied and fulfilled. The law of sin and death has been forever destroyed in the lives of believers and man can once again become a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus and once he is received as God’s child he then had complete access to the inheritance. Hallelujah.

The dominion and rule of Jesus:

Jesus ruled over:

The works of God’s hand;

The temptation of the devil;

Sin and death;

Next time we will begin to delve into the restoration of authority, in the meanwhile have a great Saturday and an even better Sunday and please join me again on Monday. Be blessed and don’t forget to share His word and spread His love. “Till next time”.

Are you in a position right now where you know that you know that you are a child of God? If not then I want you to bow your head right where you are and pray the following prayer from your heart and receive the son-ship that God is offering you right at this moment in time, today is the day of salvation for you.

“Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan. “I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is now my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. Now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

For further “Words of Cheer” go to: http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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The Authority of the Believer 17: The birth of Jesus was subject to the Word of God;

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February 17, 2012

Once again we find God revealing Himself to mankind, but this time it is to Mary, a descendant of Abraham, who was God’s friend. God presents Mary with the final piece of His Word picture.

Luke.1:26-33. (Amp) Now in the sixth month [after that], the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a girl never having been married and a virgin engaged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, Hail, O favoured one [endued with grace]! The Lord is with you! Blessed (favoured of God) are you before all other women! But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled and disturbed and confused at what he said and kept revolving in her mind what such a greeting might mean. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace (free, spontaneous, absolute favour and loving – kindness) with God. And listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages; and of His reign there will be no end.

Before God acted, He first unfolded His divine plan to Mary who immediately accepted the Word of God, she had to submit to and act upon that Word of God and as soon as she did, God brought about the reality of the spoken Word.

Luke.1:38. (KJV) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Jesus birth was subject to the Word. Mary submitted to these terms and thereby acknowledged God’s authority. When Jesus was born God revealed His ultimate authority on earth. Jesus was the one who submitted to the Fathers authority and was the one who became obedient unto death.

Jesus’ life was submitted to the Word of God.

John.5:19. (Amp) So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].

John.12:49. (Amp) This is because I have never spoken on My own authority or of My own accord or as self-appointed, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me orders [concerning] what to say and what to tell.

The authority that Jesus had was subject to His submission to the Father. He perfectly submitted to the will of the Father in every way and totally believed all the Father said and spoke of. Jesus subjected His life to obedience. He subjected Himself to the covenant that God made with Abraham in every way. He said that whatever the Father says, He does; whatever He hears from the Father, He speaks; whatever the Father shows Him, He does. Jesus said that He could do nothing without the Father.

Jesus fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant.

The Father was totally committed to His Son just as He was in the covenant He had made with Abraham. The test of Abraham’s submission was his willingness to sacrifice his son, which he did without question. His son was spared, but God’s only begotten Son was sacrificed for us. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was the final part of the puzzle. The moment Jesus became the sin offering and was separated from His Father (He died spiritually) for the first time in eternity. He committed His spirit to the Father and then He died physically and descended to the place of the dead where He conquered death by rising from the dead (He took captivity captive).

Mark.15:34-37. (Amp) And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? – Which means, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me [deserting Me and leaving Me helpless and abandoned]? And some of those standing by, [and] hearing it, said, See! He is calling Elijah! And one man ran, and, filling a sponge with vinegar (a mixture of sour wine and water), put it on a staff made of a [bamboo - like] reed and gave it to Him to drink, saying, Hold off! Let us see whether Elijah [does] come to take Him down. And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His life.

Col.2:13-15. (Amp) And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions, having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].

God through Jesus, provided the perfect “Lamb” for the altar of His covenant – the cross. Because Jesus was the Lamb without blemish, He could lay down His own life on behalf of all mankind. Jesus became mankind’s substitute.

The death of Jesus was in submission to the Word of God.

Phil.2:5-8. (Amp) Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God. God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, but stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!

Hebr.2:14. (Amp) Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death – that is, the devil.

The moment Jesus died; man was forever set free of the death sentence. The Word required that man should die and be separated from God forever. When Jesus died, the Son of man died as our substitute, He came under the death penalty and suffered death. We note that on the cross Jesus was cut off (forsaken) from His Father – He was separated from the source of life, this is what is called spiritual death.

We notice that God always revealed Himself to a man who then had to submit and act on the Word of God by proclaiming it. God’s Word picture came by the mouths of men who believed in God’s promise, purpose and power and who submitted to Him. Jesus is the full picture of God’s original intention for man. He, the Son of God, is the seed of Abraham. Jesus is Immanuel – God with us. Man was created after the image of God. Jesus is the full expression of God’s substance; He is exactly what the Father intended.

Hebr.1:3. (Amp) He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light - being, the out - raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high.

Remember there is no authority where there is no obedience.

Well, well it is time to say “cheers” for now and I pray that to-day will be special for you in every way, smile it’s weekend once again and really have a lovely one, spread the Word share His love and I pray a hundred fold return for you, but you must sow something. Be blessed “my friends” remember what that means?

If you are not sure of whether or not you are a “friend of God’s” then please pray the following prayer from your heart and receive Jesus as your covenant partner, become a blood brother to the King of kings and the Lord of lords:

“Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan. “I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is now my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. Now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

For further “Words of Cheer” go to: http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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The Authority of the Believer 16: The New Covenant;

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February 16, 2012

The New Covenant is the fully grown product of the Abrahamic covenant. The Abrahamic covenant was a picture of the New Covenant, and its expanded form under the Mosaic covenant with its sacrificial animals was a picture of the final covenant to come in Jesus.

The Son of man.

We need to understand that although Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, He was born of a woman. God became man and dwelt among us. He laid aside His deity and became a man.

John.1:14. (Amp) And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honour, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favour, loving-kindness) and truth.

Jesus emptied Himself voluntarily of His glory and became a man; He came to fulfil the Law and the Prophets.

Matt.5:17. (Amp) Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfil them.

Jesus was subject to every temptation that we are subject to:

Hebr.2:18. (Amp) For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].

Hebr.4:15. (Amp) For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

Phil.2:5-8. (Amp) Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God, God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, but stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross.

I don’t think that the majority of people really understand that Jesus became a man in every respect, He was not operating as the Son of God in His earth walk but as the son of man, people seem to think that Jesus did what He did on the earth because He was God, no Jesus was a man like you and I but he was totally subjected to the Word of God, which is the will of God, He underwent the same temptations as you and I undergo, He was tempted with weakness, infirmities (sickness) He was tempted in every respect, but He never succumbed to the temptation. Let this same attitude and purpose and humble mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, now Jesus being essentially one with God didn’t hold on to that privilege but consented to what the Father wanted of Him, He became part of His own creation, now in the same way we ought to accept what God has done for us in Christ Jesus and become all that He says we are, be subject to His Word, e.g. Jesus became sick with our sickness so that we can be healed by His strips; Jesus yet being so rich became poor so that we could become rich, He became sin so that we could made righteous. True humility is accepting by faith what God says about you. Let this mind be in you.

Rom.5:16-19. (Amp) Nor is the free gift at all to be compared to the effect of that one [man's] sin. For the sentence [following the trespass] of one [man] brought condemnation, whereas the free gift [following] many transgressions brings justification (an act of righteousness). For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offence) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favour) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Well then, as one man’s trespass [one man's false step and falling away led] to condemnation for all men, so one Man’s act of righteousness [leads] to acquittal and right standing with God and life for all men. For just as by one man’s disobedience (failing to hear, heedlessness, and carelessness) the many were constituted sinners, so by one Man’s obedience the many will be constituted righteous (made acceptable to God, brought into right standing with Him).

1Cor.15:21. (Amp) For since [it was] through a man that death [came into the world, it is] also through a Man that the resurrection of the dead [has come].

(Mess) There is a nice symmetry in this: Death initially came by a man, and resurrection from death came by a man.

When Adam fell through disobedience, the fall constituted condemnation (or bondage) for all men, but when he (man) overcame through obedience by the one man Jesus Christ, the way to liberty of obedience was opened to the whole human race.

Jesus subjected His life to obedience. He subjected Himself to the Abrahamic covenant in every way.

John.5:19. (Amp) So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].

Jesus carried out mans part of the covenant perfectly and because of this He could lay down His life on behalf of all mankind.

Gen.22:1-19. (Amp) After these events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. [God] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you. So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and then began the trip to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. And Abraham said to his servants, Settle down and stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and come again to you. Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on [the shoulders of] Isaac his son, and he took the fire (the firepot) in his own hand, and a knife; and the two of them went on together. And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice? Abraham said, My son, God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there; then he laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar on the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took hold of the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! He answered, Here I am. And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son. Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son! So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide. And it is said to this day; On the mount of the Lord it will be provided. The Angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that since you have done this and have not withheld [from Me] or begrudged [giving Me] your son, your only son, In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies, and in your Seed [Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves, because you have heard and obeyed My voice. So Abraham returned to his servants, and they rose up and went with him to Beersheba; there Abraham lived.

Time once again to say “till next time” be blessed and have a day filled with love, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost, and don’t forget to spread the Word and share His love with all you come into contact with this day.

If you have never made Jesus your personal Lord and Saviour then to-day is your day of greatest blessing, to-day salvation has come to your house, all you have to do is subject yourself to what God has already organized for you in Christ Jesus by saying the following prayer:

“Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan. “I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is now my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. Now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

For further “Words of Cheer” go to: http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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The Authority of the Believer 15: The pieces of the puzzle;

Filed under: The Authority of the Believer. — Leave a comment
February 15, 2012

Every jigsaw puzzle comes in a box with a picture on the cover to indicate what the completed puzzle should look like. The end should look like the picture on the box. When the thousands of little pieces are thrown out, we are presented with a mystery. We have no idea of what goes where. However, we do have colour and shape, and the picture on the cover to help assemble the puzzle.

Words paint pictures.

When words are spoken, they form a picture on the inside of the one receiving the communication. When Adam fell and all seemed lost, God began to reveal a picture by the Words of His mouth. He had a picture on the inside of His ultimate goal and intention for man and the whole of creation.

Gen.1:26-28. (Amp) God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.

God has His ultimate goal and intention for man and the whole of creation. As soon as man fell God began to build the puzzle, every time He spoke a Word He brought out a piece of the puzzle until slowly the picture began to form.

The first piece of the puzzle:

Gen.3:14-15. (Amp) And the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all [domestic] animals and above every [wild] living thing of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust [and what it contains] all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel.

This was the first piece of the mystery which the god of this world would never understand. He had no idea when or how it would happen, yet this Word of God’s power was waiting to be fulfilled. God had release His word of the coming Saviour and this is why Satan tried to destroy every prophet and man of God from Able down, he did not know which of the “seed of woman” would “bruise his head”.

Gal.4:4. (Mess) But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law.

1Cor.2:6-8.  (Amp) Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away. But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God, [that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

If Satan and the principalities, the powers, the world rulers and the wicked spirits in high places (Eph.6:10.) had actually known what was happening at the cross they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory.

Slowly God began to put a Word picture together piece by piece.

The second piece of the puzzle:

The second piece of the puzzle was God’s covenant with Abraham.

Gen.17:7. (Amp) And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting, solemn pledge, to be a God to you and to your posterity after you.

A blood covenant is where two parties, by agreement, agree to serve one another, provide for one another and support one another. It is losing your life for the other person. (This can be studied in more detail in “The Blood Covenant”)

There are three basic elements to a blood covenant.

There is an exchange of:

Possessions;

This represents the person, their character and their nature. I give you myself, my being, my life as a pledge.

Weapons;

I am giving you my strength and support. If anyone attacks you they attack me. I will fight with you, help you and defend you. Your enemies are my enemies; your friends are my friends.

Names;

This is an exchange of authority and reputation. In this way man and God became one, where God is on a mission to recover His right to rule through the submission of man; it is still like that to-day. In Abraham we find a man choosing to walk in obedience and to believe God’s Word, for this reason God declares him righteous and called Abraham His friend.

The final piece of the puzzle;

Gal.3:15-18. (Amp) To speak in terms of human relations, brethren, [if] even a man makes a last will and testament (a merely human covenant), no one sets it aside or makes it void or adds to it when once it has been drawn up and signed (ratified, confirmed). Now the promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir). He [God] does not say, And to seeds (descendants, heirs), as if referring to many persons, but, and to your Seed (your Descendant, your Heir), obviously referring to one individual, who is [none other than] Christ (the Messiah). This is my argument: The Law, which began 430 years after the covenant [concerning the coming Messiah], does not and cannot annul the covenant previously established (ratified) by God, so as to abolish the promise and make it void. For if the inheritance [of the promise depends on observing] the Law [as these false teachers would like you to believe], it no longer [depends] on the promise; however, God gave it to Abraham [as a free gift solely] by virtue of His promise.

The final piece of the puzzle is the New Covenant that is ratified in the blood of Jesus Christ. We will continue with the final piece of the puzzle to-morrow.

Time to say “cheers” once more, trust you have been blessed thus far in the study of the authority of the believer as I have been by sharing it with you, the Word of God always builds us up, as you study along it will build you up and give you a sense of your rightful place in Christ Jesus, and it takes me a little further in the knowledge of Him. Thanks for joining me, have a blessed day and don’t forget to spread His Word and share His love with all around you.

If you have never accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour then I urge you “do not delay another day” to-day is the day of salvation. You can now make a commitment and enter into a covenant relationship with God by praying the following prayer from your heart:

“Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from dead, I shall be saved. Therefore, Father, I confess that Jesus is my Lord. I make Him Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead. I renounce my past life with Satan. “I thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Jesus is now my Lord, and I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. Now all things become new in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

For further words of cheer go to:  http://theinvisablechurch.wordpress.com/

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