Speaking the Kingdom

I listened to a sermon recently that is challenging me... challenging the way that I pray and engage in spiritual warfare. 

The sermon discussed Luke 13:10-13 and other passages, where Jesus healed people, cast out demons, and performed miracles.  It discussed how Jesus didn't pray to His Father and ask people to be healed, He didn't pray to God and ask demons to be cast out.  Instead, Jesus used power and authority to "speak the Kingdom", allowing people to be healed. 

So, what?  That's Jesus, right?  He was fully human, yet fully God, so of course he has authority and power to exercise.  Not so fast... In Acts 3:6 Peter used this same technique to heal a man, and command him to get up and walk.  He didn't pray to God to heal the guy, he just did it, with the power that was already inside of him, through the Holy Spirit.

Throughout Scripture we are told that we have this same power and authority, and we are called to go...

Luke 9:1 One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.

Luke 10:19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.



John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father."

Challenging to say the least!  It seems almost arrogant to think that I have the power to heal people.  To cast out demons.  To perform miracles.  But it's not arrogant... it's a result of complete confidence in Christ... in His Spirit inside of me... in His power... in His promise.

1 Corinthians 4:20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.