Knowing who you are

A message shared at Empower Christian Church on 8 November 2009 by Pastor Simone Womersley

As Pastor Nicholas mentioned last week, Jesus worked according to the
guidelines that He and the Father established before He came to Earth.
He understood His assignment. The people of His day were surprised by
His authority and felt threatened - especially by how normal He was as
a man among others. He remained strongly connected to the Father.

In Luke 9:1, Biblical authority is a personal right to use God's
power. Jesus had His Father's authority, full authority to exercise
within the guidelines set. He knew He had to maintain intimacy with
His Father.

• SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: Do you know who you are as a
Christian? How does that knowledge affect your ability to ask God for
His power in your life?

Adam handed over his authority. Satan does not want us to retain our
authority. He also does nt want us to know who we are, or to remember
it.

WHO ARE WE?

1 We are created only a little lower than God.

2 Jesus restored our place with God. See 1 Cor 15:45-47.

3 See 1 John 3:1. We are children of God.

4 God gives us the Holy Spirit to live inside us, as family members.
See John 16:7, Afts 1:8, Gal 5:22-23.

5 Jesus, as God's Son, has united with us for eternity. See John
7:16-18.

6 We are children of the King, with special rights and privileges. See
Hebrews 4:16. We are always welcome, and able to approach with
confidence. We are to say no to expecting negativity. We are NOT UNDER
MURPHY'S LAW!

7 With His grace, God actually trusts us. See John 8, John 21:15-19.

8 Spiritual authority is part of who we are. It is recognised as
flowing from our beings. We have no choice as to whether or not we
have it.

• SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION TOPIC: Read Matthew 28. Now discuss what our
authority is meant for. How should our prayers line up with that
Scripture?

We have the power of God living inside us and the full authority to
use it.