The Halls Of Power

Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

For the past several weeks we’ve been talking about God’s Economic Plan, partly because of the current economic condition, but primarily because Jesus referred to how we use money, the “unrighteous mammon”, as being the “least” area of living by faith. That is the starting point. We will be going back to continue the series next week, but today I want to take a step up the ladder in living by faith.

We often hear the phrase “the Halls of Power” referring to government – the White House, the Congress, the leaders of the nation, those who shape policy and the direction of a nation. Today I want us to take a look at the true “Halls of Power”. To do this, we are going to take a look at two Greek words from the New Testament most often translated as the English word “power”. First, “exousia”:

1849 exousia ex-oo-see’-ah
AV-power 69, authority 29, right 2, liberty 1, jurisdiction 1, strength 1; 103
1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases, leave or permission

This word was translated as “power” 69 times, and as “authority” 29 times. It refers to having permission or authorization to do something, what I’ll refer to as “delegated power” or “authority”. To illustrate, here are a few of the verses using this word:

For I am a man under authority[1849 delegated power/authority], having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. (Matthew 8:9)

The Roman Centurion whose servant was ill and then healed helps us understand this word – he was under authority, delegating power to those under him in rank, and having delegated power from those above him in rank. He tells someone to do something, and that soldier or servant has not only the authority to do it, but also the responsibility to do it. So as we look at this word exousia, let’s remember two words: authority and responsibility.

For he taught them as one having authority[1849 delegated power/authority], and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:29)

This same word exousia is used to describe the manner in which Jesus taught, which was markedly different than the normal teachers of His day.

And the devil said unto him, All this power[1849 delegated power/authority] will I give you, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (Luke 4:6)

We see this type of power is not only used to describe God; the devil also offered to give Jesus this form of power (although as we will see later, he really had NOTHING to offer Jesus…).

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power[1849 delegated power/authority] of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18)

Here we see Jesus telling Saul/Paul what his mission is to be, taking people out of Satan’s power/authority and turning them to be under God’s power/authority!

So I hope you understand this form of power. Now we will look at another Greek word, this one “dunamis”:

1411 dunamis doo’-nam-is
AV-power 77, mighty work 11, strength 7, miracle 7, might 4, virtue 3, mighty 2
1) strength power, ability, inherent power, power for performing miracles, moral power

This word was translated as “power” 77 times, and as “mighty work” 11 times. It refers to having the inherent ability to do something, and quite often it refers to supernatural or miraculous power. Here are a few of the verses using this word:

Jesus answered and said unto them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power[1411 inherent/miraculous power] of God. (Matthew 22:29)

Jesus answers the Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection after death, that they do not know the inherent and miraculous power of God to raise the dead.

And Jesus returned in the power[1411 inherent/miraculous power] of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. (Luke 4:14)

And Jesus, after spending forty days in the wilderness being tempted of the devil, returns in the inherent and miraculous power of God’s Holy Spirit.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue[1411 inherent/miraculous power] had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? (Mark 5:30)

And he did not many mighty works[1411 inherent/miraculous power] there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:58)

And in these two verses we see this same word “dunamis” referring specifically to the miracle producing power that surrounded Jesus as he went about His life on this Earth.

So, we see these two aspects of power: the delegated power or authority; and the inherent ability and miraculous power. Which leads me into today’s Key Point Number 1: ALL power comes from God! (which is why I said the devil had NOTHING to offer Jesus – Jesus already had ALL power)

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For yours is the kingdom, and the power[1411 inherent/miraculous power], and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13)

“THE power” is God’s.

And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power[1849 delegated power/authority] is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)

“ALL power” has been given to Jesus in heaven AND in earth, following His death & resurrection.

Then says Pilate unto him, Do you not speak unto me? Do you not know that I have power[1849 delegated power/authority] to crucify you, and have power[1849 delegated power/authority] to release you? Jesus answered, You could have no power[1849 delegated power/authority] at all against me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered me unto you has the greater sin. (John 19:10-11)

And here we see Jesus specifically speaking to Pilate, that the ONLY authority given comes from God above! And to reinforce this perspective on the source of power, let’s read from the book of Romans:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers[1849 delegated power/authority]. For there is no power[1849 delegated power/authority] but of God: the powers[1849 delegated power/authority] that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power[1849 delegated power/authority], resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power[1849 delegated power/authority]? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same: (Romans 13:1-3)

And why am I spending all of this time on these two types of power? When we want to enter in to the true Halls of Power, we need to realize today’s Key Point Number 2: God has given us BOTH! Both His delegated authority (and the corresponding responsibility) and His inherent miraculous power:

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power[1411 inherent power] and authority[1849 delegated power/authority] over all devils, and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1)

Behold, I give unto you power[1849 delegated power/authority] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power[1411 inherent power] of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

But as many as received him, to them gave he power[1849 delegated power/authority] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power[1411 inherent/miraculous power] from on high. (Luke 24:49)

I especially want you to notice those last two verses, as they apply to all who have received Jesus and His Holy Spirit! So, since God has given us His power, it is time for today’s Key Point Number 3: Let’s ACT on the Authority and Power that He has given us!

Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)

And what are some of those “works” that Jesus was referring to?

And they were all amazed, and spoke among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority[1849 delegated power/authority]and power[1411 inherent/miraculous power] he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out. (Luke 4:36)

Behold, I give unto you power[1849 delegated power/authority] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power[1411 inherent power] of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

So, although we need to be diligent and active in all that is going on in our Government, let’s not be fearful! Let’s realize that the true Halls of Power originate in the Spiritual realm with God our Father! And let’s be diligent in applying His power as He directs through His Holy Spirit:

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power[1411 inherent/miraculous power] toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power[1849 delegated power/authority], and might[1411 inherent/miraculous power], and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:19-23)

Today’s lesson has really just been an introduction. We will be coming back to discuss it in more detail in the near future.

Join us next week we as we return to our series on Living by God’s Economic Plan, in a lesson titled Giving Credit Where Credit is Due.

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