Mike Bickle - Authority of the Believer - Part #3

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The Authority of the Believer: Exercising Our Dominion in Christ Pt. 3

I. REVIEW: GOD GAVE THE DOMINION OF THE EARTH TO HUMANS

A. God gave the dominion of the earth to humans forever. In other words, He releases His power in the earthly realm in response to redeemed humans living in agreement with Him. When God gave the governing authority of the earth to Adam, he had the right to use it in any way that he chose. He committed high treason and gave his authority to Satan (Lk. 4:5-6).

26Let them have dominion…over all the earth…28God said to them, “…Fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over…every living thing…on the earth.”
(Gen. 1:26-28)

16The heavens are the LORD’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men. (Ps. 115:16)

B. At the cross, Jesus defeated Satan. The Church must enforce Jesus’ victory in this age. Satan’s attacks against us will continue if we accept them. Faith is having confidence in our God-given authority, with urgency to act. It is not enough to know about our authority; it must be acted on.

15Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it [His death and resurrection]. (Col. 2:15)

C. We take our stand against the devil and put him on the run by speaking the Word to him. We base our faith on what the Word says, not on what we can see. When our circumstances do not instantly change, some give up and let Satan attack them without resisting or challenging him. Many talk as if the devil is more powerful than Jesus. We do not run from him; he flees from us.

7Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (Jas. 4:7)

D. Demons must obey Jesus’ authority when it is exercised. We challenge demons fearlessly. Authority has nothing to do with feelings. Demons are not afraid of us, but of Jesus, whom we represent. “Serpents and scorpions” refer to the power of demonic spirits (Ps. 91:13).

19Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Lk. 10:19)

E. These signs will follow any believer, not just prophets. The most immature member in the Body has as much authority over demons as the ones who are most mature.

17These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues…18will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mk. 16:17-18)

F. Satan has no legal right to torment us. The power of Jesus in us is greater than demonic power. Our faith or confidence is based on the fact that Jesus defeated Satan. Many do not understand their authority over Satan. Some think it is only for a select few with a special healing ministry.

4He [Jesus] who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world. (1 Jn. 4:4)

8For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 Jn. 3:8)

II. OUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY IS BASED ON OUR UNION WITH JESUS

A. Our spiritual authority is based on our union with Jesus. The authority that Jesus received as an “exalted Man” is given to His people. God gave Jesus to the Church (v. 22) as our head and made us His Body, the vehicle through which He expresses His power on earth (v. 23).

17The Father of glory, may give to you…revelation in the knowledge of Him…18that you may know…19what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe…20which He [the Father] worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand…21far above all principality and power…and every name that is named…22And He put all things under His [Jesus’] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Eph. 1:17-23)

B. We cannot understand our authority solely by our intellect; we need spiritual revelation about it. Those who exercise more authority do so because they have more revelation about their authority in Christ. Our authority comes from Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation. It is based on what He accomplished, not on our mood, feelings, fervor, or recent victories.

C. Not only is Jesus seated at the Father’s right hand, but we are also seated far above all demonic powers with Him. Having been raised to sit in heavenly places, we are given access to God’s throne. When we pray according to God’s will, our prayers reach His throne and find approval.

6Raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ... (Eph. 2:6)

D. The head (Christ) and the body (the Church) are joined together at God’s throne. The authority given to Jesus is also given to the body so we can do the works of Christ! Physically, our head does not exercise authority or act except through the agency of our body. Many believers see Jesus as the head of the Church, but fail to understand that the head is dependent on His body to carry out His plans. Many only proclaim the truth of the cross without the truth about the throne.

E. Jesus gave His authority to the Church as His ambassadors or official representatives on earth. Christ is not here in person, but is here in the body of Christ. He has delegated His authority on the earth to His body, the Church. He exercises authority over demonic powers through His body. Many problems continue because the Church is passive about stopping the enemy.

18All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… (Mt. 28:18-19)

18God…has given us the ministry of reconciliation…19God…has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ…
(2 Cor. 5:18-19)

F. Jesus was speaking of us being seated with Him when He described how the keys of the
kingdom operate. We have authority to bind (stop) Satan’s power and to loose (release) God’s power. Many are waiting for God, but He is waiting for us to take a stand and use our authority.

19I will give you the keys of the kingdom…whatever you bind on earth will be [shall have been] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be [shall have been] loosed in heaven. (Mt. 16:19)

The Authority of the Believer:

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Download Authority of the Believer exercising dominion in Christ Part 1

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Download Authority of the Believer exercising dominion in Christ Part 2

Download Authority of the Believer exercising dominion in Christ Part 3

DOWNLOAD Session #3 'Exercising Our Dominion in Christ Pt. 3' Bible Verse Handbook

Much of this teaching will be used by the English speaking Pastors in the Africa Training Bible School.(ATBS)

Each of these ATBS Series includes an audio and handout or study notes to be downloaded as well as a PowerPoint to make the viewing more visual for the Pastors and youth in their churches.