Empowered With God's Word

➤ by Pastor Andy Fulson

The Power of God

The power and wisdom of God (1Cor 1:24), revealed in Jesus Christ's actions, are granted to every born-again believer through grace. It requires only a decision to use that power and that wisdom, not doubting, with the help of the Holy Spirit: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come, John 16:13.

Jesus prophesied to His disciples about His atoning sacrifice on Golgotha. Its dual significance is decisive: Now is the judgment of this world: [1] now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, [2] if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me, John 12:31-32 (brackets added).

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life, John 3:16

By this, Jesus not only defeated Satan's dominating power (John 16:33), but also made God's grace available, leading to salvation.

Jesus' resurrection from the dead fulfilled His own prophecy, I will draw all men unto me, by inviting all mankind to share in His victory: Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, [1] he led captivity captive, and [2] gave gifts unto men, Ephesians 4:8 (brackets added).

This twofold outcome [1] freed the captive saints of the Old Testament from their place in Abraham's bosom and brought them into God's presence; [2] born-again believers receive spiritual gifts according to the will of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12:1-11) to carry on Jesus' works (John 14:12).

The fact that not everyone will accept the offer of salvation or the gift of God's grace is noted in the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:22-31).

The Power of God leads to Salvation

The Gospel of John declares: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved, John 3:16-17.

To be saved [G4982 - sozo, Jn 3:17] refers not only to eternal life but also to being healed from disease, restored to health leading to a state of well-being. Satanic hindrances are to be overcome and cast out to make room for what brings satisfaction, healing, security, assurance, strength, and health [Strong's Concordance].

It is written: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you, Luke 10:19.

Unfortunately, not all people are convinced of this. Their own beliefs make them subject to influence by Satan’s deception, just as Adam and Eve were with, Yea, hath God said? Genesis 3:1.

Jesus made the same point in His parable of the sower and the seed: The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts, Mark 4:14-15.

In the New Testament, Jesus points to the origin of all world problems: The thief [Satan/devil] cometh not, but for to [1] steal, and to [2] kill, and to [3] destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly, John 10:10 (brackets added).

Another translation reads: The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till itoverflows), John 10:10. AMPC.

Resisting the thief successfully lies in following Jesus’ instructions according to the authority given to born-again believers in Luke 10:19.

And James adds: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7, as with the temptations of Jesus (Mt 4:4).

Likewise, Luke, the beloved physician (Col 4:14), adds the often-overlooked mention: And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season, Matthew 4:11.

Remember that in every one of our victories over Satan’s attacks (Jn 10:10), he continuously attempts to regain his former control over our lives.

Exercising Assigned Authority

How is assigned authority used? In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus provides the example of the mountain after having cursed the fig tree: Verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith, Mark 11:23 (bold text added).

The instruction to "resist" comes from Jesus' prophecy in John 14:12-13:

  1. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, John 14:12 (bold text added).
  2. ... because I go unto my Father, John 14:13.

Jesus spoke again about this: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark 16:17-18 (bold text added).

Doing Jesus' works is granted to everyone: He that believeth on me, John 14:12. This fulfills His promise: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, Acts 1:8 (bold text added). This happens through being born again (Jn 3:3) 

Before His death at Calvary, Jesus performed all healings and miracles. Since then, His works are to be continued by those who have professed faith in Him (Rom 10:9-11).

After Saul's encounter with Jesus (Act 9:5), the disciple Ananias was sent to Saul (Act 9:10-19) to lay hands on him in order to restore his sight: Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, Acts 9:17.

The calling (Mk 16:17-18) to lay hands on others still applies today. What Jesus commanded cannot be revoked, as it is written: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it, Isaiah 55:11.

Believers have lovingly committed themselves, through their confession of Jesus as Lord, to proclaim Christ's command without holding back, as redeemed and Holy Spirit-empowered sons and daughters of God.

Philip also travelled, preaching the message of salvation in Samaria. His proclamation was confirmed by signs of Jesus' works: For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city, Acts 8:4-8.

Jesus' instruction in John 14:12-13 plainly point to the continuation of His works: It was impossible for God to lie, Hebrews 6:18,

And these signs will follow those who believe: ...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover, Mark 16:17-18

Dealing with Satan's Intentions

The empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Act 1:8) authorizes believers to make Satan’s influence of no effect: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you, Luke 10:19.

But how is resistance against him achieved?

As during the temptation, Satan’s intention (Mt 4:4) was not only to distort the Scriptures but also to sow doubt and unbelief into the lives of believers. His intention being also (1) to steal, (2) to kill, and (3) to destroy, if possible.

1 - To Steal

Jesus explained in the parable of the sower and the seed: When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side, Matthew 13:19.

The event of Eve in the garden regarding God’s command (Gen 3:3), was an example of hearing but not understanding.

Satan's contradiction with: Ye shall not surely die, Genesis 3:4, brought on the consequences which continue to trouble mankind to this day.

Our faith will never exceed our knowledge of Scripture, enabling us to distinguish between truth and lies.

Regarding health and healing — Scripture declares: By whose stripes ye were healed, 1 Peter 2:24, as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy: And with his stripes we are healed, Isaiah 53:5.

Is it believed?

It is also written: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1? And yet, how often of what is written, is declared outdated and no longer relevant today?

Such lack of understanding contradicts the healing authority which Jesus announced. Shall the sick continue to suffer unnecessarily?

2 - To Kill

Born-again believers not only die due to health reasons, but also by allowing themselves to be deceived by false doctrines that appear to be correct. For example, “There are multiple ways to salvation.” Does that sound familiar?

Jesus declared: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me, John 14:6. Believers allow themselves to be deceived: Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God, Matthew 22:29.

One of Satan's worst deceptions is unbelief — a rejection of Jesus Christ as the Son of God: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil, John 3:18-19.

Until that day when Jesus returns with the cry of the archangel and splits the heavens (1Thes 4:16-18), unbelief can still be transformed into steadfast faith and eternal life through the renewing of the mind (Rom 12:2).

3 - To Destroy

To oppose all misery, suffering, fear, misfortune, and terror with which Satan attacks unprepared believers, God has provided effective overcoming power through His Word: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, Revelation 12:11. Their testimony is the faith declaration and doing of what Jesus said believers are to do: And these signs shall follow them that believe, Mark 16:17.

In Satan's temptations (Mt 4:4-11), Jesus replied with:

  • Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Matthew 4:4.
  • Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, Matthew 4:7.
  • It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve, Matthew 4:10. Then, Satan left Him until a more opportune time (Lk 4:13).

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus speaks of a mountain (as a symbol for suffering, fear, or misfortune). He commanded: Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them, Mark 11:22-24 (bold text added).

Doubting Thomas was told: Be not faithless, but believing, John 20:27.

And again, All things are possible to him that believeth, Mark 9:23.

As born-again believers:

  • speak with Christ-given authority against every obstacle not in line with scripture (Mk 11:23).
  • represent Kingdom power (Act 1:8) through the Holy Ghost.
  • know that you are authorized by Jesus Christ to defeat all attacks (Lk 10:19).

Do not allow intimidation to keep you from using Kingdom power and authority.

Doubt is your lack of knowledge of Holy Scripture. Unbelief, on the other hand, opposes what God has ordained. Both, doubt and unbelief, can be transformed through the renewal of the mind: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God, Romans 12:2.

The scripture of speaking to the mountain (Mk 11:22-24) points to Jesus' instruction “do what I did” (Jn 14:12). He, as our example, taught how to resist every temptation of Satan in order to live in the abundance of God's promises (Ps 34:10).

Every born-again believer has God's grace to demonstrate Kingdom power. This Jesus revealed to His disciples, and they to the early church: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, 1 Corinthians 2:9.

Put your faith into action: for all things are possible to him that believeth, Mark 9:23. Demonstrate your empowerment and authority with God's Word.

From the article, Ausgestattet mit Gottes Macht , by Pastor Andy Fulson 

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For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life, John 3:16
And these signs will follow those who believe: ...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover, Mark 16:17-18

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

Unless stated otherwise, all Bible passages quoted in orange are from the KJV translation.

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