'As One Having Authority'
Jesus spoke with spiritual authority, and we can grow in this authority through prayer, fasting, and trusting God's word.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the profound authority of Jesus as demonstrated in the Sermon on the Mount, where listeners were astonished by His mastery and control, distinguishing His teaching from that of the scribes. He highlights the need for the church today to embrace this spiritual authority, as many preachers have diluted the message of the Gospel, leading to a weakened congregation. Wilkerson calls for a return to prayer and fasting, which he believes is essential for gaining power over spiritual challenges and aligning our hearts with God. He asserts that true righteousness involves believing in God's truth and committing to it, which ultimately grants believers spiritual authority. The sermon serves as a reminder of the urgency for the church to reclaim its power in a time of spiritual complacency.
Text
After Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, his listeners sat in awe. Scripture says, "The people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:28-29). The Greek word for authority in this verse means "with mastery, power, as one in control." Jesus' listeners were saying, in essence, "This man speaks as if he knows what he is talking about."
Note, the verse does not say that Christ spoke "with authority" but rather "as one having authority." It is one thing to speak with what we think of as authority -- in loud, boisterous tones -- but quite another to speak with spiritual authority.
The authority Jesus wielded shook up the entire religious system. Jewish leaders kept coming to him demanding, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" (Matthew 21:23). But Jesus knew he didn't have to answer the devil's questions.
If ever the church of Jesus Christ needed his power and authority, the time is now. The devil has brought his own false Christs into God's house -- weak, godless preachers who speak as angels of light and turn churches into feel-good comfort zones where sin is never mentioned and people's consciences are dulled. As a result, the church is filled with hurting, withered people who do not know how to challenge Satan's invasion into their lives.
When the disciples were helpless against the enemy, Jesus told them that power over Satan came only by prayer and fasting. Why is this so? I believe it is because the Lord wants time to work on our inner man. He wants our hearts completely attuned to him.
Beloved, righteousness is believing that what God says is true and then committing your life to it. It's that simple. As you learn to grow in your hidden man and trust his word to you in every crisis, you will be given all spiritual authority.
Sermon Outline
- The Authority of Jesus
- The Source of Jesus' Authority
- The Importance of Spiritual Authority
- Growing in Spiritual Authority
- Through prayer and fasting
- Attuning our hearts to God's word
Key Quotes
“Jesus' listeners were saying, in essence, 'This man speaks as if he knows what he is talking about.'” — David Wilkerson
“Righteousness is believing that what God says is true and then committing your life to it. It's that simple.” — David Wilkerson
“As you learn to grow in your hidden man and trust his word to you in every crisis, you will be given all spiritual authority.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We need to seek spiritual authority in our lives, which comes from God and His word.
- Growing in spiritual authority requires prayer, fasting, and trusting God's word.
- Righteousness is believing what God says is true and committing our lives to it.