Spiritual Authority Part Deux

The next session of the class we reviewed more terms and discussed definitions of each and we looked at biblical narratives that exemplify each of these concepts.

Notes from Wednesday, October 22 ClassUnderstanding Spiritual Authority

Ambassador - One who governs AWAY in a foreign land...the president away...they protect the interest of their nation while they exist in a foreign land....II Cor 5:20 [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

We are ambassadors of Christ. Our mission is to establish the kingdom of God in the earth realm. Bring heaven to earth. Ambassadors live in an embassy. The embassy is not under the local jurisdiction. We are in the world and live here but we do not follow the mindset of the world and we are not "of" the world. We are kingdom people and we get our authority from above not from the world. As ambassadors we are gods away from heaven on earth. Most people struggle with that term and run away from their authority and name. When a police officer attempts to arrest a perpetrator he/she will exclaim, "Stop! In the name of the law!" This in itself shows the complexity of the authority/power vested in the officer. The officer is not coming just within themselves but their single person represents scores of people that are not present. When we declare and speak Gods word in the earth, we declare more than we can see and grasp. We have already established that authority comes from above therefore you receive the same power/authority/honor as the one who granted you authority. Jesus said "occupy till I come"...he means for us to occupy his place or seat...which place did he hold on earth....he was lord. We are to lord over circumstances and scenarios in our lives. When you lord over something it is "under your feet". That is a biblical phrase that means you have conquered it and it is a part of your domain.

Where is our jurisdiction? Earth realm. Where does our authority and power lie? Our authority is in our name....at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess. This phrase means that Jesus just did not have potential power but kinetic and that he also had "good credit". His presence created an effect, a submission, and a response. When we preside in our own life as lord...our words and presence should create an effect wherever we go. Life and death is in the power of our tongue. The word of God is our sword. When things don't respect our name/authority we must exert power which is our words (word of God).

Let me also add that the "in the name of Jesus" phrase is not hocus pocus magic words. Most of us pray and use this tag but it is more than just saying it, you must spiritually be in the place of authority and power in order for the same results to manifest. The disciples attempted to heal and cast out one time and were not successful (no results). Jesus told them that there are "kinds" that require fasting (not missing meals but denying yourself/flesh) and prayer. This baffled me because I wondered why do the disciples need to pray....after all Jesus is in their company. Prayer is also synonymous with connection/alignment/unity/communion/oneness/atonement. He is saying its not enough to go through the ceremony of prayer and never make a connection. Pray without ceasing. He is not saying audibly talk to me ALL DAY, he is saying stay connected to me. My cell phone is automatically connected because I'm in my zone or coverage area. Whenever I move from it I will began to roam and the price will escalate. Stay in your zone or your place of assignment, too many of us are spiritually roaming and paying a dear cost to our family and ourselves. One subject that confuses me is when I hear people say, they took prayer out the school! They did not take prayer out of the schools....they took the cermony out of the school but no one can take away your dedication and connection to God. You can pray in jail, in the mall, on the job, in the classroom....everywhere you go! No one but you can hinder your connection with God.

Anointed - gifted, called, chosen, commissioned for a specific task.

Appointed - those in the seat of position, power, place, and authority.
David was Anointed to be king, while Saul was Appointed as King. How do the anointed treat those who are Appointed? God will show and reveal to you the appointed's vulnerabilities and faults just to see if you will use it to assassinate the appointed or if you will abide and follow authority.

Spiritual Authority

Our school of ministry class is studying "Spiritual Authority" by Nee. Here is a snippett of the information that I taught on. I am stickler for clear understanding so alot of my teachings, particularly Bible study, I spend a great deal of time "defining" and "redefining" terms. As we grow in God and in grace our language and our understanding changes and definitions of words expand. So it is advantageous for us all to revisit terms periodically to calibrate our minds and spirit to a more precise meaning.

*I began the class by throwing out several terms (they are listed below) and we went through them one by one and I asked for input from the class. I stated the word and I asked them what image do you conjure up in your mind when you hear the word spoken.

Authority - legitimacy, validation, authentic, etc. Authority always comes from above.
ex. A police badge symbolizes authority and validation.

Spiritual - energy, soul, pertaining to the spirit, life force, holy spirit, holy ghost, supernatural, non-physical.

Carnality - flesh, worldly, emotions (they are quasi spiritual & carnal)

Power - ones ability to exert authority or use force. When one does not respect authority then the individual must use power to keep order. ex. a police officer using his/her gun.

Jurisdiction - specified place where authority is exercised. ex. every law enforcement agency has a jurisdiction...aLRPD officer cant pull one over on the interstate...thats outside his/her jurisdiction. Actually they can pull you over and then they will call one with jurisdiction to write the ticket or file the report.

Dominion - seize control of plot of land or property for the needs of the king or kingdom.

*Clincher
As leaders/ministers we must be cognizant of these terms as we lead and minister to God's people. Just because you have the power (physical/financial/strategy means) to complete a task you will be operating out-of-order as a renegade if you do not submit to authority or if you have not been authorized. And if you have been authorized (called, chosen, & commissioned) make sure you are in the designated place for you to serve.