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Spiritual Warfare 4: Authority in Christ

Matthew 9:35-10:8

I want to talk with you today – about our future.
All across the country today – Pastors are feeling the PRESSURE to come up with some big VISION for 2006. I’ve felt that pressure in the past – and have come up with a lot of well-intended nonsense over the years as a result.

This is not that kind of message.

This message fits in exactly with what God has already been doing to shape us as His people for His purposes. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll not leave here today scratching your head in wonder as to where I came up with this stuff. It fits. It is consistent with the process of development we’ve been in for two years! God has been shaping us for what He wants us to be and to accomplish. Who you are in Christ determines what you’ll do for Christ!

Now – before we read the Matthew 9 passage – let me review where we’ve been in recent weeks:
As we’ve studied Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:10-12
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:10-12

We’ve come to see…
1. We are to be strong – not in our own strength – but in the strength of God.
2. We aren’t in a battle against other people – we are fighting spirit beings who hate God and hate us.
3. We are learning to see that there is more than the material world – but in fact there is a spirit realm filled with spirit beings both good and evil.

Now with that as our backdrop… Read Matthew 9:35 and following….
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 9:35-10:8

In verse 35 we see Christ involved in two activities:
1. He is preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom! Christ is bringing a message that says: “You can be set free! You can have a genuine relationship with the One who made you!
2. He is demonstrating the Kingdom by healing the sick! Talk is cheap – He is showing the reality of the Kingdom by intervening in people’s lives where is counts: Leprosy is cleansed! Deafness is removed! Sight is given! Parents with children who are sick are bringing them to Jesus and they are fully restored!

Look at verse 36 – it says that “Jesus had compassion on them…” Do you know what that means? It means that Jesus put Himself in their shoes. Do you know what their problem was? They had no one to guide them to freedom! And Jesus couldn’t stand it.

This is one of the true hallmarks of any follower of Jesus – COMPASSION. If you are not compassionate, you need to pray to the Holy Spirit to transform you.

Now, look at verse 37: “Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

Living in cynical Southern California, sometimes it is hard for us to really believe that people are hungry for the Gospel. After all – we put on virtual Gospel Circuses – complete with all the latest and greatest speakers, musicians, high-tech gadgetry and hype – and the response is disinterest and apathy.

Here’s the reality: In a world 6 Billion people strong – there are hundreds of millions of people who are hungering for a genuine connection with God! And while the world may be rejecting what the RELIGIONS OF MAN offer – they are deeply interested in TRUE SPIRITUALITY.

So, what are we to do? Jesus tells us in verse 38…
"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

If we really believe that Christ is the answer to the problem of sin – then we need to become intercessors and plead with God to raise up men and women – young and old – who are willing to do more than simply attend weekly worship services – and who instead are going to use up their lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God!

This ends chapter 9 of Matthew – but the story continues in chapter 10. Look at verse 1.

"He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." Matthew 10:1

This is the response of God to prayers of verse 38. Don’t miss this. In verse 38 we are told to pray for God to raise up workers – and in 10:1 – God says YES!

NOW – look at that verse closely…

“He called” – This is that undeniable spiritual reality that Jesus reaches down into our hearts and creates a desire to do something that we previously had no interest in. I shared this story with the Tuesday night group this week. When I was in High School, my youth pastor told me that I was called to be in ministry. I told him to pound sand. There was no way I was going into ministry. Yet – he was right. And here I am – some 30 years later seeking to fulfill the calling of God upon my life.

“His twelve disciples to him…” – I want you to notice something vital. At this stage in Jesus’ ministry He had only collected a dozen people who were willing to be called “disciples”. There weren’t hundreds or thousands – there was 12. They were called “disciples” – do you know what disciple means? “Followers” – these were the first dozen to say: “I will follow YOU, Jesus!” Later, these 12 became apostles – but at this stage they are simply disciples. Why is this important? Because this word is used nearly 300 times in the New Testament to refer to any one who is a genuine follower of Christ! So, what follows in this verse applies to US – not just the Apostles! Get it?

“And gave them authority…” – He granted them something that He possessed. Authority. The Greek word for authority is ‘exousia’ and it means ‘the power of choice and influence…” Jesus says: “Disciples – I’m giving you what I possess: YOU can have power to influence and determine things! Authority is yours!”

Now this authority is specific…
“authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." – Christ granted His followers the ability to use power to demonstrate the Kingdom of God – just like He did!
You are not weak. You are not powerless. Jesus says: “In the same way that I’ve been demonstrating the reality of the Kingdom of God, you can too!” I want you to see this clearly:

- Authority to drive out evil spirits – The word ‘drive out’ literally means ‘cast out, compel, forcefully require’ So, then You – as a disciple of Christ are enabled to take the authority of Christ to compel evil spirit beings to leave!
- Authority to heal every disease and sickness – We’ve begun to see in 2005 numerous instances of this reality in our own fellowship. Headaches, back pain, cancer, tissue damage – all healed as a result of the Body of Christ praying believing!

Now, it is important to answer the question: “This verse says ‘EVERY’ disease and sickness – so why doesn’t EVERY PERSON who is sick get healed?” I’ll tell you why – I know the answer. God doesn’t say that EVERY SPECIFIC INSTANCE OF DISEASE AND SICKNESS will be healed. He says that EVERY KIND of disease and sickness can be healed. In other words – there is no TYPE of disease that is beyond the scope of God’s power to heal! God is able to heal – through you and I – any kind of disease – from the common cold to advanced Alzheimer’s!

And God is teaching us to pray believing so that as He brings people across our path who need the Gospel – we will be able to do as Jesus did – to demonstrate the reality of God’s Kingdom by healing the sick. We have authority over disease! Christ gave it to us. And we get to participate with God in it! What a joy! What a privilege!

Now – look at verses 2-4
"These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him." Matthew 10:2-4

The word used to describe these men is ‘apostles’ – these men were selected to be more than disciples – they were called to be apostles. The word means ‘messenger sent with specific orders’ and it was indeed the specific calling of the apostles to facilitate the spread of the Gospel and to establish churches across the world! Apostles generally overseer numerous local churches.

In verse 5-6, Jesus gives them specific instructions:
"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel." Mt 10:5,6.

In there training period – the apostles were not to take the message outside the existing faith community. The Gospel message was first for the Jews.

During the last year or two, we’ve been going through a process of change in our ministry – and God has not yet seen fit to cause us to do much in terms of outreach or evangelism. I gotta tell you – it’s killing me. But, I believe God has been preparing us – He’s getting us ready. He is preparing this church to be a place of authority – where we demonstrate the reality of God’s Kingdom through signs and wonders – just like in the early church! So – we trust Him to bring the increase. We cannot produce fruit – we are called to abide in Christ – and allow Him to build His church, as He sees fit.

Now – look at verse 7…
“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’" Mt 10:7

“As you go…” – Literally ‘As you continue in your faith journey…”

“preach…” – Did you know that you are called to preach? I don’t mean stand in a pulpit – I mean to proclaim. To tell the story of what Christ has done for you! You don’t have to have all the answers – and you cannot force anyone to do anything – but you can become adept at telling your story. And as you tell your story…

“preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ – We can say it a million different ways – but the core of what we have to say is this: “God has reached down and is more than willing to lift us up!”

You have been given the authority to do this! It is yours as you walk in Christ! Stop believing the lie ! Stop believing that only the super-spiritual can do this! You can do this! You can impact those around you with God’s Message!

Now – look at verse 8:
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8

These are the same things that Jesus was doing in 9:35! You’ve been given the authority. It’s yours. Whether you ever accept this, embrace it – or use it – it is yours. What a gift!

“Heal” – there are scores of people around you who are sick and need healing and who would come to faith in Christ if they saw the power of Christ at work!

“Raise” – this one is toughest for us – yet – we are beginning to believe! After all – the very core of our faith has to do with someone who was raised from the dead! And if can do that in order to accomplish God’s purposes – it is still possible today!

“Cleanse” – You’ve been given authority to help people get clean of the garbage. Emotional – psychological – spiritual – physical – GARBAGE IS GARBAGE – and you’ve been given authority to help people get cleaned up!

“Drive out” – Demons are like rats. They love darkness and they love garbage. As you help people get cleaned up, and come to the light of Christ, inevitably there will be rats that need to be driven out. It’s really no big deal – stop thinking Exorcist – start thinking FAITH AND AUTHORITY! For – as 1 John 4:4 says… “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” You can help people get free of demonic oppression and demonization. You can even help yourself get free as well!

Now – look at last words of verse 8: “Freely you have received, freely give."

The Greek is this: dorean lambano, dorean didomi. FREELY TAKE, FREELY GIVE.

I told you that I wanted to talk with you about our future. Here it is: I believe Christ is calling us to learn to take His authority and to become skilled in impacting the lives of the people around us with the reality of the Gospel – just like Jesus did and just like the early church did.

For the Gospel isn’t History to be learned – the Gospel is NEWS to be experienced! And news is what happens NOW!

All around us – people need to be healed.
All around us – people need to be cleansed of demonization.

And we have been given the authority to do so.
And it is time we take God at His Word and go for it.

This is our calling.

When my youth pastor prophesied to me about my calling – I initially rejected it, but God is tenacious and I eventually ‘got it’ and embraced it.

What will you do with this?