[Scripture: Luke 9:1-6]
Are you a disciple or a Christian? If someone asked you this question, what would you answer? You could say, “I am a Christian,” or you could also say, “I am a disciple of Jesus.” Nowadays, these two words are used interchangeably.
However, Jesus Christ never used the word “Christian” because that wasn’t what they were called in the days of Jesus. The term “Christian” was first used by unbelievers in Antioch after the ascension of Jesus Christ. Acts 11:26 says, “In Antioch, the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’” The word “Christian” is only used three times while “disciples” is used 263 times in the New Testament. Therefore, all of us are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
Disciples
Today’s passages tell us two things that Jesus Christ had given to his disciples when he sent them into the world. Those things were power and authority. Power and authority are the most powerful gifts given to the disciples in order to build up Christian fellowship and spiritual leadership with other people in the Church and community. More importantly, Jesus said that having authority and power gives us the ability to maintain spiritual stability in times of spiritual warfare.
Status and Force
Authority and power look like they have the same spiritual qualities, but they have different spiritual functions in our Christian life. In Greek, “authority” is “ἐξουσίᾳ” (exousia). This is specifically the legal power to give orders. This authority comes from a person’s status. “Status” means who someone is and where they belong.
For example, a police sheriff in our town has the authority to stop any person who drives 98 miles an hour on Grafton Road. The sheriff’s authority means he has the legal ability to stop the car and order the driver not to drive over the speed limit. His status as a law enforcement official gives him the legitimate authority to do this.
“Power” in Greek is “δύναμις” (dunamis), and it is where the English word “dynamite” comes from. “Dunamis” is an ability to use one’s force to influence others or an energy or ability to control people and events.
When the same sheriff tries to stop a vehicle driven by a drunk driver, but the driver does not follow the order and challenges the authority of the law enforcement official, the sheriff should inevitably use his power. Whether it be a taser or a firearm, the “dunamis” is the force that subdues anyone who challenges legal authority.
That is why a good sheriff must always be ready to use these two abilities to complete his mission because on the road, there are not only decent drivers who are compliant with authority but also reckless drivers too.
In the same way, when Jesus sent His disciples into the world, He was concerned about their safety because there was so much evil in the world. In Matthew 10:16, He says, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” So, Christians should have authority and power from above to live as children of God in the world.
I want to tell you in a little more detail about how Christians can have the power and authority that Jesus Christ promised for us.
Authority
Christian get authority when we believe in Jesus Christ as a Savior. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right (in Greek “authority”) to become children of God.” When individuals come to Jesus Christ, Jesus changes their status from “sinner” to “children of God.”
We know the story of the prodigal son in the Bible. He asked for his father’s property, sold it, and left home. When he had spent all his money, he begged for food that pigs were eating, but no one gave him any. When the prodigal son repented and went back to his father, his father brought the best robe and put it on him, put a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet. His authority as a son was restored in his father’s house when he came back to his father.
Power
God gave us the authority to be children of God when we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. However, having power is a different spiritual process. Christians can have power when the Holy Spirit works in us.
Acts 1:8 tells us how Christians receive the power of the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
John Wesley said that saved Christians need to receive the Holy Spirit to experience Christian perfection and that Christian perfection means that the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of people and gives them the ability to fight against the power of evil and no longer be captive to sin. This is the power to fight against evil when it attempts to take away a Christian’s joy and peace.
Is it possible for saved Christians not to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit? The answer is yes! Sometimes even saved Christians who believe in Jesus Christ do not have the ability to fight against evil that surrounds them.
For example, in Matthew 17, Jesus went to the mountain top with Peter, John, and James, and He was transfigured before them. After that happened, when Jesus Christ came down from the mountain, a man brought his demon-possessed son to the other nine disciples who were waiting for Jesus under the mountain, and he asked them to cast out the demon. (di:mon)
The man believed that nine disciples might help his son, but they could not help him. When they were fussing over it, Jesus came to them. When the man saw Jesus, he called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” When Jesus Christ heard him, he healed the boy.
After that, while Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why did we not have the power to cast out the demon?” Jesus answered that they could use this power only through prayer.
Prayer
Prayer is the time when we communicate with the Lord who created our soul. Through prayer, the Spirit of God empowers us to receive the heart of God. John Wesley talked about the first moment when he experienced the Holy Spirit. He said, “I felt my heart strangely warm.” After that, he fully trusted in God and was assured that the love of God was fully poured on him.
Prayer is the time when we connect with God who is the source of power. Through prayer, we can radiate God’s power and blessings to others. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me, he will bear much fruit.” The “fruit” is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Therefore, you and I as the Church should be true disciples of Jesus Christ who has the power and authority of God. Our faith in Jesus Christ gives us authority, and our prayer gives us the power of the Holy Spirit.
2022.01.23. Pastor Cloud Poy
@ Photo on Unsplash
