Category: All Authority

Matthew 20:26-28 NIV
26 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

“This is the heart of the Great Commission. This is how we experience God’s authority in our relationships with one another – becoming a servant, becoming a slave. Go and make disciples – this must be preceded by the surrender of our own hearts as disciples of the Lord, servants of the Lord.” [Pastor’s Nate’s Sunday Message].

Because we have been touched by God’s great love in our lives, we can now love others. The authority of the kingdom of God is upside-down from how authority is expressed in this world. Christ did not come to be served, but by laying down his own life so that many would be saved. We now can lay down our lives for others as he sends us in his authority. May we be a servant unto their salvation!

Prayer: Lord, may your Kingdom come as it is in heaven. We pray for those in our small groups and missional groups; may their salvation come quickly! Help us to be a servant unto their salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s cry out to the Lord and worship to “l Speak Jesus” by (click here).

-LB

Philippians 2:6-11 (NIV)
6  Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7  rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8  And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11  and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

“As we read in the Confession today from Philippians 2, we saw the kingdom order of authority, which this world order we are immersed in gets so upside-down. Jesus humbled himself, taking the nature of a servant, and became obedient even unto death on a cross. This is the shape of authority that we are given – servant-hearted obedience and worship to our King, Jesus. As we are under his authority – His authority flows into and through our lives!” [Pastor Nate’s Sunday Message]

Prayer: Lord, we come humbly before you and pray that you would change us more and more to be like Christ. Help us to glorify you in our thoughts, heart, and actions. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s cry out to the Lord and worship to “Rhythms of Grace” by Hillsong (click here).

-LB

 

Ephesians 1:18-21 (NIV)
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Paul’s prayer is that we would be awakened and aware of the great power that we have as God’s holy people. Because the Kingdom of God is to be expressed through his holy people, God has equipped us to oversee worship, to pray for others, and to bring Jesus to those around us by making disciples. As we reflect on how faithful God has been in growing us and equipping us as his body, let’s give God the glory.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the riches of your glorious inheritance that you have given us. Fill us with your Holy Spirit as you send us out to our campuses, workplaces, and cities this week. We thank you and may you receive the glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to “God of Revival” by Bethel Music (click here)

-LB

Matthew 4:8-11 (NIV)
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jesus’ response to Satan’s claim of authority over “all the kingdoms of the earth” is to “Worship the Lord your God!” Authority is a matter of worship and obedience to the one who is truly in authority. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, he has shown us his authority over sin and death, and he is already ruling the whole world. This authority is from God through Jesus. When we worship and obey the Lord, we have the same power over temptations and sin, and can begin to grow in becoming more like Christ to this world. Let us worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth!

Prayer: Lord, you alone are God. We turn from temptations and sins, and we stand in your love which is greater than anything else. You are our strength and our salvation, and we worship you and you alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship our God, who is the King and Lord of all, let’s sing to “Christ Alone” by Passion (click here).

-LB

Let’s read aloud together the following passages and prayer:

Daniel 7:13-14 NIV
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

John 17:1-3 (NIV)
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Jesus was given authority, glory, and sovereign power by the Father.  Jesus gives eternal life to all who love God and belong to God. As we worship and love God, we experience his authority and protection now and also for eternity.

Prayer: Father, we surrender all the areas of our life to you today, we trust in you for you have the words of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship our God who is the King and Lord of all, let’s sing to “Worthy“ by Elevation Worship (click here).

-LB