We've been studying lately about our authority in Christ, and we have learned that we do not own his power and authority; He grants it to us in order to accomplish his purposes on this earth. This principle is illustrated by way of a story from Charles Kraft in his book,
I Give You Authority, where he compares our authority under Christ to a "heavenly credit card."
When Dr. Kraft's son went away to college he gave him a credit card. The card had Dr. Kraft's name on it as the one with ultimate responsibility. Under his name appeared the name of his son, authorizing him to use it. His son's name alone carried no authority at the time because he had no credit history. But with Dr. Kraft's name on the card, all the financial backing of his dad was behind him.
Now there could have been a little apprehension about misuse of the card, but after all, this was his son--his own flesh and blood. They had a close relationship and his son checked with his dad regularly regarding its use. Kraft had made it clear to his son that he expected him not to misuse the authority he had been given. The card was for certain things: emergencies, books and other school expenses. And so he entrusted the card to his son, whom he trusted.
When Jesus came to this earth, it was like he carried a credit card from his Father. Dr. Kraft writes,
"As Jesus ministered, his ears were always open to the voice of the Father. Because he listened, he could take authority confidently, knowing he was acting in God's purposes. Jesus' intimacy with the Father enabled him both to maintain his authority and to get God's instructions concerning what the Father wanted him to do each day."Friends, Jesus was a man under authority. He was submitted and given to His Father's desires, perspectives and heart.
"I do nothing on my own authority, but I say only what the Father has instructed me to say." John 8:28
"The Son can do nothing on his own; he does only what he sees his Father doing." John 5:19
Why do you suppose Jesus spent so much time in his last days on earth making sure we understood this? Because it is a model of how we are to operate
today under the authority of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus sent his disciples out he gave them
dunamis, power, and
exousia, authority.
"...he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." Luke 9:1-2
Before he left the earth he said,
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.....so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." John 14:12-13
The model for us, as always, is Jesus, who used his power and authority to bring glory to God and demonstrate the love of the Father for his children.
Now that's a credit card!
Greg~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS WEEK
Monday, July 23: Monday Night Class
Psalm 91 is one of the great Psalms. Pat will lead us in a wonderful journey of discovery through Psalm 91 like you have never heard it before. Bring a dish for the Soup & Salad potluck supper at 6:30 PM. Class starts at 7:15 PM at Peace Lutheran Church.
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SUMMER EVENTS
THIS SATURDAY, JULY 21: Arizona Rattlers Game
Check out the Arizona Rattlers Arena Football at the US Airways Center. Bob has ten tickets for Saturday evening, July 21 at 7 PM. They're great seats on the lower level--$23.00 each. This is the final home season game for the Rattlers. If you've never watched arena football, come try it out. Some of us have gone before and it's a blast. We will likely carpool and catch some food before or after the game. Call Bob NOW at 623-326-9047 to get your ticket!
Saturday, July 28: Day-trip to Willow Springs LakeGet out of the heat for a day this summer with a day-trip to the
Mogollon Rim! Kayak, Hike, or just relax by the lake! Bring a chair, camera, picnic lunch, food to share, swimsuit and watercraft if you have one. It doesn't hurt to bring a sweatshirt just in case (it can get cold and rainy). Willow Springs Lake is surrounded by tall trees and a nice hiking trail, so if you prefer hiking don't forget your boots or tennies.
Meet Saturday morning at the Deer Valley Park & Ride at I-17 and Bell at 7:00 AM (leaving at 7:15). Call Elly at
623-297-1110.
Directions to Willow Springs Lake: Follow 260 to crest of the Mogollon Rim; go 1 mile past FR 300 to FR 149; turn left and follow road to lake.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUMMER SCHEDULE
Here it is! To the best of our knowledge this is the schedule for the rest of the summer. Check this e-news weekly for more info or changes in the plan. (You know--predictability with flexibility:-)
Monday Night Class: Every Monday night at Peace Lutheran except the second Monday of the month, 7:15 pm, call Greg at 623-376-9926
Womens' Study: Second Monday night of each month - location varies, 7:00 pm, call Nancy at 602-570-5531
Fellowship of Followers: Second Sunday evening of each month at Greg & Jeane's house, 6:15 pm, call Greg at 623-376-9926
Breakfast Club: Third Sunday morning of each month at Greg & Jeane's house, 10:30 am, call Greg at 623-376-9926
DivorceCare: Every Wednesday evening at Community Church of Joy, 6:30 pm, call Jerry at 623-972-7651~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ON-GOING
DivorceCare: Wednesday Evenings, 6:30 PMCommunity Church of Joy
21000 N 75th Ave
Glendale
If you are going through a divorce or have unfinished emotions and feelings regarding a past divorce, come for this series of videos that can help you heal and move forward. This is a small group setting.
Call Jerry for more info at 623-972-7651.
Healing from Loss: Beginning this FallThis 12-week grief recovery workshop involves reading, reflection, homework and sharing. The next workshop will begin this fall. Please call Greg for info: 602-622-1488.
