Kingdom Power, Kingdom Authority

Kingdom Power, Kingdom Authority
By Don Vess

Scripture Reference:
Matthew 16:13-19 NLT
When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus then asked, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirmed him, revealing that this truth came from the Father in heaven, not from human teaching. Jesus declared that Peter’s confession would be the foundation upon which He would build His church—His ekklesia (a body summoned to govern)—and that it would withstand even the forces of hell. He granted His followers the “keys” of the kingdom, symbolizing authority and power, with the ability to bind and loose things on earth as in heaven.

Reflection
Through prayer and the spoken word, we possess divine authority. Consider Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1—his bold proclamation to King Ahab that no rain would fall until he commanded it. Elijah’s very name, meaning “Yahweh is God,” served as a living testimony against Israel’s idolatry, showing that true power and authority lie with God alone, not in man-made idols or ideologies.

In a world often wavering between conflicting beliefs, Elijah called Israel to choose: “If the Lord is God, follow Him!” Our society, much like Elijah’s, has turned toward modern-day “idols” like secularism, materialism, and self-worship. But as followers of Christ, we are given a name that declares our allegiance: Christian, meaning “follower of Christ.” We, too, are called to stand firmly in our identity, using the power and authority given to us by Christ.

Application
James 5:13-18 reminds us of the power of prayer, as seen in Elijah’s life. Elijah, though human like us, prayed earnestly, affecting the natural world by stopping and starting rain. This same power is accessible to us today, as we are part of God’s ekklesia. With the authority granted to us by Christ, we are called to bind and loose according to God’s will, to be vigilant in prayer, and to stand in agreement with fellow believers.

Today’s world may be entrenched in the forces of darkness and spiritual battles, but we have been equipped with divine resources. The armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17) and the weapon of faith are at our disposal. With the authority of the King of Kings and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can wield kingdom power to resist evil, intercede for others, and impact our world for Christ.

Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for entrusting us with kingdom power and authority. Help us to use these gifts wisely and boldly, to bind the works of the enemy, and to loose Your blessings over our lives, our families, and our nation. Empower us to stand firm in our faith, proclaiming Your truth and love to a world in need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.