RSV Bible Luke 10: 1-12
These days authority is in a badge or an identity card authorised by the company a person works for. The street ministry in Rammy we wear our badge, making those God appointments with people searching for God. I circulated the badge I wear on Saturday mornings #doyouknowhim?.
Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to carry a badge, a staff, or bag to carry extra shoes or clothing. They were chosen and anointed in the word of his authority.
Today, every Christian is under the same authority to ‘Go and tell’ the good news about God’s love in sending Jesus to pardon us from our sins, so we can stand before God.
God is working in people who are searching for God for example: “Anne Curry interviewed Anthony DeCurtis, a writer for *Rolling Stone* magazine. DeCurtis talked at length about the late George Harrison’s search for a meaningful spiritual life. Curry said, “Apparently Harrison was the most spiritual of the Beatles group, when interviewed before his death he said, ‘Everything else in life can wait, but the search for God cannot wait.’”
God is making those God appointments with people searching to meet a Christian with Jesus’ message.
The 12 and 70 disciples were given Jesus’ authority to tell the message, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” And his authority to cast out demons, raise the dead and heal the sick. They were to follow Jesus’ example.
In Mark 1: 21-28. Jesus started his ministry from Capernaum, he taught the people in the synagogue with such authority that they commented on it. There amongst the people gathered was a man who is described as having and unclean spirit. The word ‘immediatly’ implies that while Jesus was speaking this man spoke out saying, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come here to destroy us.” Jesus rebuked him saying “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit came out of him, shaking him and crying out.
“What have you to do with us, “
These words indicated that it was the unclean spirit speaking through the mind of the man.
The words were in relation to the prince of the power of the air whose presence has been on the earth for a very long time, Since the occasion of his removal from heaven.
What I’ve learnt recently from the book, “The Invisible War” by Donald Grey Barnhouse
In it he states that the prince of the power of the air, Lucifer before he was cast out of heaven held the offices of prophet, priest and king in the royal government of God. He writes: “At his creation Lucifer was given the office of prophet, to speak for God; the office of priest to take the worship of the universe of creatures to God: the office of king to rule for God.” Ezekiel 28:11-19.
A prophet – Lucifer instead of being God’s messenger, he wanted to be God himself, sending others with his message. Isaiah 14:14
A priest – He was in the throne room of God, cherubim were close to God in the holy of holies. The earthly temple was a copy of the heavenly, He was one of those who led worship in heaven. Isaiah 14:11
A king – He wanted to govern the whole universe. Isaiah 14: 13
Satan lost all his offices when he rebelled against God. Jesus said that he saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. Luke 10: 18
Before Jesus went to the cross, Jesus recognised that the prince of darkness had spiritual authority in the world. Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he would acknowledge him as god. Matthew 4:8-10. Matthew 12: 15, 16.
At Capernaum Jesus didn’t send the unclean spirit to hell, as hell doesn’t come until force until the judgment takes place. D Barnhous
The unclean spirit said, “Have you come here to destroy us.?” Thankfully, YES Jesus’ victory on the cross has made Satan’s offices destitute, the death, resurrection and ascension has won the victory over them.
But God hasn’t destroyed Satan because of free-will
The victory is won through Jesus’ death resurrection and ascension, so it’s by the way of the cross. Every person in the world have free will to choose to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour.
During Jesus’ earthy ministry: God’s prophet his message: “For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has bidden me.” John 12: 49. 50. John 3: 36.
Uniting earth and heaven Jesus the High Priest of God when he laid down his life to satisfy the requirements of God, being the perfect sacrifice. As high priest after the order of Melchizedek Jesus presides over worship. John 10: 15-18. Hebrews 5: 5-10. Genesis 14: 18.
Jesus born a King, When the magi inquired about the birth of a King, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” Matthew 2: 2.
And later, “Pilate said to him, ”So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth, everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” John 18: 37.
Isaiah’s prophecy “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9: 6, 7.
So, we can apply Jesus’ total victory through his presence within us, his authority in his commission to us. Matthew 28: 18-20. Mark 16: 15-18
Jesus equips his disciples for the task we are given, with the Holy Spirit’s gifts and the words that speak of God’s love.
Prayer is available to all On the street we ask people if they have any prayer requests and write them in a book which is taken and prayed for in one of the churches. prayer is offered either on the street or in St Paul’s Church on the main street.
Some people don’t have any prayer requests, I’ve found that they are very polite in their response.
Several people during morning on the street will commend us for making prayer available and value what we are doing.