Kingdom Authority

   22 July 2007

1. Introduction:

· Matthew 28:18-20  -  “All authority has been given to me…..go therefore…”

· Authority = the power of government, of rule, of judicial decision.

· Jesus Christ is absolute Lord and King over all creation.

· Jesus came to reveal the Father and restore out mandate.

· Mandate    = a command or authorization to act in a particular way given

                           by a King to His ambassadors.

= to authorize, decree.

= a command for a superior court to a lower one.                       

· Our mandate is:

i) Global – Nations               ii)  Life transforming – teaching Kingdom life.

· To Believe = To obey, align with the King’s will.

· Mandate = Purpose not Preference; a Command not a Suggestion.

2. The Kingdom and the Church:

· Matthew 16:13-20  -  “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom”

a)  Revelation of the King - verse 13:

· Opinions = personal idea, attitude, prevailing way of seeing things.

· Opinions reflect beliefs – how I would live my life.

· Many opinions about Jesus – personal ideas.

· Peter’s revelation = Jesus = the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

   =  Jesus is the Messiah -  The Coming King.

· Jesus was born King – came to reveal God and restore His Kingdom.

b)  Revelation of the Church – verse 18:

· Church = Ecclesia = to call out, called out ones.

· Ecclesia:

– Used by Greek/Romans to refer to the governing group in the nation.

– People hand picked to govern the nation on behalf of Emperor.

– NZ – Caucus.  

· Meaning of the word ‘Church’ has been distorted.

· God’s intention has always been family, sons and daughters to enter His secret council and extend His Kingdom.

· Every Believer is to be a Son and Ambassador of the King.

· Revelation 12:24  -  Nations shall walk in the light of the City of God.

· Every believer called to intimacy and to fulfill purpose.

· Every believer must understand authority; Be under and to exercise.

c)  Revelation of the Kingdom Authority – verse 19:

· Keys of the Kingdom = authority to access and operate.

· Key = Knowledge and authority to enter and to speak.

· God gives us keys to open heaven and bring blessings to earth.

· We need to understand our authority as a believer.

· We are authorized to:

-  Invite the Holy Spirit                               -  Heal the sick

-  Bless and release creative words      -  Bind and loose

-  Inner healing                                          -  Raise the dead

-  Break bondages/curses                      -  Deliverance      

-  Release prosperity

· We are called to act as ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven.

· We must learn the principles of authority – how to govern.

· Mathew 8:8-10  - The Creation

i) He recognized authority and submitted to it.

ii) He was a man under authority.

iii) He exercised authority.

· Note:  Jesus commendation – “Great Faith”

   Recognizing and responding to earth positions us to exercise authority.

· Note: The religious people had knowledge but did not enter or experience Kingdom life and power – form without power.

d)  Revelation of the Nature of the Kingdom:

Matthew 16:21-23  -  “The Kingdom reflects the nature of the King”.

Peter’s opinion - Response when forced with submission to the Will of God.

· “Pity yourself”  -  “Be it far from you!”  - rebuked Jesus.

· Peter’s mentality = preserve yourself, personal rights are important.

· He wanted to preserve his position and privileges.

· He wanted a Jesus that could give him what he wanted.

· People desire a Jesus to bless, benefit – but He is a King.

Jesus response

· Kingdom = call to submit to the will/authority of God.

· Submission = a paradox = gives freedom!

· Whatever / whoever submit to come under the authority.

· Become like the character of the one you submit to.

John 5:9  -  Jesus was a submitted person.

E.g.      Submitted  to parents                                 - Luke 2:51-52

            Submitted to John the Baptist                   - Matthew 3:15

            Submitted to Government authority       - Matthew 22:21

· Jesus confronted the spirit the was behind Peters statement.

· Conflict between Kingdom God (submission/humility) and King Satan (pride/lawlessness)

· Romans 13:1-2  -  “All must be under authority”.

· Source of Authority = GOD

· God delegated authority;

    = positional – church, home, government, world.

    = personal – men anointed thus relationships.

· Our choice to position ourselves under authority.

E.G. Acts 9:44-15  -  Paul encountered direct authority – placed under delegates.