Jesus Gave His Disciples Power

MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 10:1 — And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against
unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

God gave Jesus the Holy Spirit or the power without measure (John 3:34-36). In Jesus 3-year ministry, he baptized those who received & believed on Him with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matthew 3:11, John 1:12-13). These believers were baptized in the Holy Ghost on the basis of believing on Jesus as the scriptures hath said (John 1:12-13). In Jesus’ ministry, Jesus would pray for the people, heal, deliver, and save the people to make them believers. Jesus gave his disciples power to do the same works and to make more believers. In the church today, the elders and ministers need the power of God to continue the works of Christ to make more believers.

• Who are the believers in the Church?
  • Those who have been born again or filled with the Spirit (John 1:12–13)
  • Those whom God chose before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)
  • The minister (Ephesians 4:11, ref. K)
  • The elder (James 5:13–15)
• What should the elder or minister be able to do?
  • Have a prayer life
  • Have the anointing or power of God in their life
    • Operate in the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8–10)
    • The purpose of the gifts is to cause the people to believe
  • Pray for the people with effectual fervent prayer (James 5:16)
    • This is what the prayer line in the church is for
    • Pray for the sick (James 5:13–16)
      • That they may be forgiven of sins and healed (James 5:15)
  • Understand what they are teaching and preaching (doctrine)
    • Doctrine is light and understanding (Ephesians 1:17–18)
    • When doctrine is taught and preached correctly, the Holy Spirit confirms it with miracles, signs, and wonders
    • Cause the believer or unbeliever to believe
    • Prayer is not for unbelievers to be prayed for and go on their way
    • Prayer is for unbelievers in hopes that they become believers
• Jesus Appoints More Believers with Power
  • He gave the twelve disciples power (Matthew 10:1)
  • He gave the 70 power (Luke 10:1)
    • He sent them first to Israel because He would save “His” people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)
    • They returned rejoicing that even devils were subject to them through the name of Jesus (Luke 10:17)
  • Jesus did not give power to the multitude that ate the fish and loaves because they went back and walked no more with Him (John 6:66)
  • After the resurrection and before Pentecost, the writer tells us that there was not a large multitude of people like the 5,000 and the 4,000; there were about 120 disciples who believed (Acts 1:15)
• Old Testament saints, prophets, and Jesus had power
  • They operated in the gifts of the Spirit
  • They did not speak in tongues

• Why Didn’t The Saints Prior To The Day of Pentecost Speak in Tongues?
  • Jesus’ body had not been glorified (John 7:38-39)
  • The Spirit had not been poured out and made available to all (Acts 2)
  • After the Spirit had been poured out, tongues came as a sign (Acts 11:18)
  • This sign was to show that God granted eternal life to the Gentiles (which in time past had no God in the world) as well as Jews (Ephesians 2:12)
  • This is why anyone after the day of Pentecost receives this sign
    • This sign of tongues shows that you have been born again
    • The saints were taught how to use the gift of tongues in the church service and when not in service when they are praying (I Corinthians 14)

• Jesus Gave His Disciples Power and Authority to Do Two Main Things
  • Against unclean spirits (Matthew 10:1)
    • Unclean spirits can also be seducing spirits (1 Timothy 4:1)
    • Many people had unclean spirits during Jesus’ ministry
    • Many people today walk with unclean spirits
    • This is because of idolatry, horoscopes, etc.
    • These people with unclean spirits are not saved and not set free
    • Unclean spirits are cast out with the knowledge and light of the Word
    • You can’t be saved and have an unclean spirit.
    • Mary Magdalene had seven devils, and all left when she was born again (Luke 8:2)
    • To heal all manner of sickness and disease (Matthew 10:1)
• Conditions to Receive the Power
  • Do not allow the devil to deceive you into thinking he has the power
  • Doubt will hinder drawing near to God in prayer
  • Grieve not the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30)
    • Do not blaspheme the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:32)
    • As the Spirit can come into someone’s life, He can also leave (1 Samuel 16:13–14)
    • After departing the faith, they receive 7 evil spirits (Matthew 12:45)
    • Incline your heart toward God
    • Believe the Word line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:12)
• Preachers Should Grow Beyond Enticing Words
  • You start out preaching with enticing words, but you are not supposed to stay in that state a long time in your ministry (1 Corinthians 2:4)
  • One may be a babe in Christ for a time, but must grow
  • The Holy Ghost creates a desire to go deeper
    • He will give you a desire to read your Bible
    • He will give you a desire to pray more
    • He will lead you and guide you
• Confidence in the Holy Ghost Gives Power
  • There is no condemnation to those in Christ (Romans 8:1)
    • Ask God for forgiveness and forgive yourself
  • Repent from all sin (1 John 1:9)
  • Power begins with a made-up mind (2 Corinthians 8:12)
  • Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8)
    • This is how you know you are truly saved
    • By grace you are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8)