Authority of the Believer Guest Minister Sherry Sullivan 6/16/25

Good evening. In today's world there is a lot of chaos, like wars, earthquakes, flooding, riots in the streets, families being torn apart, etc. So I think now more than ever, is a time to use our authority.

Here's a thought, "if we don't use our authority how will we stand?" The answer is if we won't stand, that won't be pretty. However Jesus has given us authority to use this day.

What is it? Does everyone have it? How do we use it? In this teaching, what I am going to share I believe will help you to understand many things about authority.

God gave Adam the original authority, and he gave it away! However, Jesus paid the price to take it back. He gave it to us as the body to use it.

In the body (of Christ), too many believers don't understand what authority is or how to use it. So the enemy takes advantage of this.

Just a quick thought, which I am sure you already know, you must apply the blood of Jesus daily, and use Jesus' name as part of that authority.

What it is : Your authority as a believer is  1). delegated, Heavenly power in words and actions. 2). Legal right to produce a change in something. 3). Divine authorized legal right and responsibility given to us under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 'Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ' is crucial in the understanding of our authority.

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Genesis 1:28 "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 moves upon the earth."

1 Corinthians 6:17  ^"But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."

 Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

Ephesians 1:16-20 "Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,"

 Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

These passages give us clear understanding of who we are in Christ and how we know we are in Him.

We must know who we are in Christ, apply the blood of Jesus, and use His name for the authority to work. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We are seated with Christ in Heavenly places. We overcome (the works of darkness) by the blood of the Lamb, and the words of our testimony.

Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Does everyone have this authority?

Yes, it is the portion of all of those who share the resurrection of the Son of God. It is the birthright of every true believer and of every born again child of God.

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Hebrews 8:1 "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;" So where are all we Christians seated? Hmmph. Ephesians 2:6 "He raised us up to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." This means we potentially share in the present, in the authority, which is His. We also share His throne which allows us to partake.

How do we use it?

A couple of prerequisites: Say yes to God Matthew 5:37

We are products of our agendas Romans 6:13 

The way we are shaped (how we believe) is how we approach life.

Scriptures: Be doers of the Word. James 1:22

Study to show yourself approved 2 Timothy 2:15

How you hear determines what you hear and act on.

Revelation is a big key. 4 Types: 1). Schooling  2). life experiences, cluster of people  3). Heaven opens and God reveals a truth to a people  4). A particular time for a specific reason. This is how we want to hear revelation from God.

Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." In this verse the serpents are the devil and his cohorts. "Authority" is the delegated power given to us by God. Power is dunamis translated dynamite. This position of influence stems from our rights being a child of God. Ephesians 6 :10-20 We must know who we are in Christ, apply the blood, and put on the whole armor of God.

Remember  Matthew 28:18, all authority has been given to us in heaven and earth.

How do we use it?

1). Say yes to God and His ways. Matthew 5:37,  Mark 11:23,24

2). We use our authority whenever the enemy comes at us to steal, kill, and destroy.

3). Using our words to speak to the mountain to be removed. We believe with our heart, speak with our mouth, and release the power by our words.

Examples of Jesus using His authority.

Matthew 4:1-11 "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.² And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.³ And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.⁴ But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.⁵ Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple,⁶ And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.⁷ Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.⁸ Again, the devil took him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;⁹ And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.¹¹ Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered to him."

Matthew 8:3 "And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."

Matthew 8:32 "And he said unto them, "Go". And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters."

Matthew 8:26 "And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."  So as Jesus did we can do the same.

Some of my Examples : I have spoken to storms and mine was the only house on the block that wasn't hit! I have also spoken to rain and asked for a clear path so I could see to drive, and God cleared the windshield on my side, but not the passengers! Glory to God!