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Face to Face:Authority
by J. Ross Greer of The Place of Grace Ministries (about the ministry)
[Note: If you'd like to read more from J. Ross Greer, be sure to subscribe to his daily e-mail list A Word For The Church.]
31And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; 32and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority. 33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34“Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm. 36And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, “What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.” 37And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district.
We have many teachers among us today, but few with real authority because they are teaching their own message and not that of Christ.
Whenever Jesus taught, His hearers were always amazed with the authority of His message. We can teach with authority as well, when we declare Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Few of us, if any, will ever be placed in a position of casting out a demon. Frankly, that is not necessary to impact the world for Christ. The world does not need to see flashy miracles, but they do need to see the reality and authority of Christ in our lives.
Jesus was not a real flashy teacher. He just simply traveled around His world, told people the truth, and lived a sinless life before them. He met them where they were, addressed the needs they had, and loved them unconditionally. Why can we not do the same?
It does not take a seminary degree to speak or act with God's authority. It does require, however, full dependence upon Him. If we want the world around us to see Jesus in our lives, if we want them to hear His words and recognize His authority to speak them, then we must allow Him to work through us. We do not possess the wisdom or ability to transform our world. Only Jesus does. The sooner we get ourselves out of the way, the sooner Jesus can begin reaching our family, neighbors, co-workers, and friends.
Copyright 2002, The Place of Grace Ministries. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About The Place of Grace Ministries: In 1992, God interrupted the well-organized life of J. Ross Greer through a study called "Experiencing God". This encounter birthed a passionate vision for local churches that has become The Place of Grace Ministries. Through teaching, music, and writing, we call believers to return to the basic principles of God's Word and participate in the work of God. For questions or scheduling information, please contact us at: theplaceofgrace@att.net Or visit our web site at: http://home.att.net/~theplaceofgrace/theplaceofgrace.html |
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