Essential to the message of Luke’s gospel is the power of delegated authority. In the gospel, we are often told that Jesus unselfishly extended God’s love to those around Him and that He ministered to the lost, the sick and those in bondage. When the early church preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, their preaching was validated and illustrated by signs, usually in the form of healings. This combination of preaching and manifest power was marked by the demonstration of healings and miracles. In Luke’s story of the seventy others sent out by Jesus he writes, “2Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 “Go your way; behold I send you out as lambs among wolves…8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 “And heal the sick there, and say to them the kingdom of God has come to you” (Luke 10:1, 3, 8-9).
The Power of Delegated Authority
Miracles are intended not only for a perpetual demonstration of Christ’s power as now living and glorified, but also as a visible fore-token of His coming kingdom. The Bible tells us that the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus, returned with joy as they experienced the power of delegated authority. It is God’s desire for you to experience victory over the forces of darkness (Satan, demons, or evil spirits) for God has given you “the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Moreover, a greater reason to rejoice according to Jesus is the fact that “... your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20); that my friend is our salvation. In order for this extraordinary salvation to be experienced here and now, God sent His Holy Spirit, without whom it would be never have been accomplished.
The Priority of True Worship
Richard Foster author of Celebration of Discipline wrote “If the Lord is to be lord, worship must have priority in our lives” (Foster, p. 160). Perhaps the greatest example in scripture to capture the truth of Foster’s statement is the story of the sisters Mary and Martha:
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
The Bible provides us countless scriptural examples of God calling people to worship and people to God’s call. This Christmas I want you to “focus on Jesus” who is the reason for the season. For “2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:2, NLT). As Jesus reminded Martha, may I remind you that everything else in life is secondary to Jesus; so remember to spend some time at the feet of Jesus and hear His word!
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