Summarizing yesterday’s sermon, here are the three main points validating the Word. Moses asked, “How will they believe me?”
1. Authority over animals and the demonic realm – God gave Moses the authority to demonstrate His power by transforming his staff into a snake and then back into a staff.
2. Authority over sickness and disease – God granted Moses the ability to call upon both sickness and healing.
3. Authority over the earth – Moses was given the power to turn water into blood.
Although I mention Moses, all power and authority come from God, and the work is ultimately His.
John the Baptist was the forerunner, preaching a message of repentance. He performed no miracles, instead deferring them to Jesus, who was to come. However, John’s spirit, which was from Elijah, had already demonstrated miraculous power, establishing his authority. The ability to preach God’s Word sealed John’s title as one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. Yet, when people are saved and enter the Kingdom of God after rebirth, the Word—through the power of the Holy Spirit—brings dunamis power.
When Jesus appeared after John, He was not only the Word made flesh, but He also performed miracles to confirm His authority. Just as earthly kings used a signet ring to seal decrees as a mark of authority, God’s seal of authority extended over all creation, including demonic principalities. Jesus did not need to carry a staff to symbolize His authority—He was the authority. He did not have to grab demons by the tail; they fell before Him, begging for mercy, pleading not to be cast out. He healed thousands, walked on water, and supernaturally appeared and disappeared in different locations.
The purpose of Jesus’ miracles was to confirm the authority given to Him by the Father—just as God had given authority to Moses on Mount Sinai. Jesus’ desire was for His people to repent and believe in Him. However, the hearts of men were and are evil, and many became mere spectators, assuming they were already in right standing with God. Today, it is no different. Many in religious circles presume they are saved—just as the Pharisees and their followers assumed they were right with God simply because they were descendants of Abraham.
The revelation of the Word and the miracles performed are God’s mark of authority. Those who attend churches that neither display this power nor move in that direction should consider seeking a church or ministry where revelation and power are properly demonstrated.
***Grammar fixed by AI 😊
You only become a spectator, refusing to change, when you believe you are already in right standing with God or it is the other person’s fault. You must realize that we all have a long way to go in the process of sanctification.
You only become a spectator, refusing to change, when you believe you are already in right standing with God or it is the other person’s fault. You must realize that we all have a long way to go in the process of sanctification.
Senior Pastor Steve Kim