Thou Hast Given Him All Power

We turn back to John chapter 17. Tonight I'm going to be speaking out of Ezra chapter 10 on strange wives and their children. That's where the people of the captivity who had married wives that were not Jews were commanded to divorce them and get rid of their children. That sounds harsh, doesn't it?

We're going to see, Lord willing, the gospel in that message. So if you could read Ezra 10 this afternoon, it would be helpful. I've entitled this message, Thou Hast Given Him Power. These words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, The hour has come, the hour of his death, the hour for which the universe was created. Glorify thy son, that thy son also may glorify thee. That's the purpose of the hour.

And then he says, as thou has given him power, authority over all flesh, every man, woman, boy and girl to ever live. He's got power over me. He's got power over you. He's got power over everybody in this room and outside of this room. Thou has given him power, authority over all flesh. that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Now, this is one of seven times he identifies who he's praying for in this great high priestly prayer. Seven times in this passage of scripture, he says, I'm praying for those whom thou hast given me. Now, why this emphasis? He's the one who made this emphasis. Why does he say in verse nine, I pray for them? I pray not for the world, but for them which thou has given me. Why this emphasis? Because he's letting us know if he prays for you, you must be saved. There's no one he prays for that's not saved. If there was someone he prayed for that winds up in hell, that means his prayers are meaningless and that shall never be. Thou has given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as Thou has given him."

Now, I want to confine our thoughts to this, this morning. His power. Thou has given him power over all flesh. Now, the word power here is authority. There are two different words that are translated both power in the scriptures. One has to do with his ability, his omnipotence, his ability to do whatever he wills to do. He has all power in that sense. He's omnipotent.

He's God. But the other word that's used in our text is the word authority, freedom of action, the right to act. Whatever he does is right. Whether you and I agree with it or not, it's still right. His absolute unrestricted authority. Every man is under this. Some love being under it. Others are not even aware of it. But all men are under his authority.

He has the authority to give eternal life to as many as thou has given him. Thou has given him power. God the Father has given to God the Son power, authority over all flesh. Now, I'd like you to turn first of all to Mark chapter four. I'm gonna ask you to look at these passages of scripture with me. There's five or six up we're gonna look at with regard to the power and the authority of Jesus Christ.

Verse 36, and when they had sent away the multitude, they took him, even as he was, in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships, and there arose a great storm of wind. It's been called a squall. Just suddenly, and the waves beat into the ship. It was filling up, so there was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship asleep on a pillow.

And they awake him and saying, the master cares now not that we perish. And he rose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, peace, be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? And they feared exceedingly and said one to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? I know the answer to that. What manner of man is this? The God man.

He's asleep, tired, worn out, having the physical limitations that you and I have as a man. He had to go to sleep. He's man. He's perfect man. He wasn't worried what this storm was going on. He slept like a baby right through it. Everybody else is scared to death. He's perfect man with perfect faith. The storms can come. He doesn't even think about it. He's asleep, resting in his heavenly Father. He's man.

God manifests in the flesh with all the limitations you and I have. As a man, sin accepted. He never sinned, but he's a man. Who can say to the weather, Peace be still and the waves are like glass instantly. Only God can do that. He is the God man. Thou has given him power, authority over all flesh.

Turn back to Matthew chapter seven. Now this is the end of the sermon on the mount. Look in verse 28. And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as one having authority. That's the same word. Not like the scribes. I love that slam on the scribes. What they said had no authority.

But when the Lord was speaking in the Sermon on the Mount, Six times during the course of that message, he says, you've heard it said by them of old. And then he'd quote a scripture. It wasn't just said of them of old, this was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Yet he says, you've heard it said by them of old, thou shalt not commit adultery or thou shalt not kill.

And then he said, but I say it to you. He never said, thus saith the Lord. He said, I say unto you as absolute authority, I'm the one who declares what this means because I wrote it. I say to you. And what he said recommended itself as the very word of God. And when the people heard this word, they were astonished. He spake as one having absolute, unrestricted, all-powerful authority, and not like the scribes. In Matthew chapter 28, verse 18, right before he ascends into heaven, he says, all power, all authority is given to me. in heaven and in earth. All power, all authority is mine. I have all authority. Only I have authority. Nobody else has any authority. Let me read you a passage from Colossians Chapter one, you don't have to turn there, I'll quote it to you.

Verse 16, for by him were all things created, by Jesus Christ, were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created by him and for, And He is before all things. Whatever there is, He's before it. He was before creation because He was eternally. And by Him, all things consist. Do you remember when He remained silent before Pilate? And Pilate said, Don't you know? You're not speaking to me, speakest thou not to me? Don't you know that I have power?

I have authority to release you or to crucify you? I would have loved to heard the tone of the Lord when he said, thou hast no power at all over me, except it be given thee from above. Therefore, he that delivered me to thee has the greater sin. But oh, how we love his words to Pilate. Pilate thought he had some authority. No, Pilate, you have no authority. This is my will being done. I'm not your prisoner. This is my will being done, my authority.

I love what Jude said of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the only wise God, our Savior. That's who he is. God, the only wise God, our Savior, be glory, dominion, power, and majesty. Power, authority, both now and forever. Now I'd like you to turn to John chapter five with me. All power is given to me. John chapter five, verse 26. For as the father hath life in himself.

Now this is speaking of the independence of God. He has no needs outside of himself. I love thinking about this because every attribute of God comes out of his independence. This is why sovereign, he has no needs. He doesn't need something to happen before His will can be done. He's eternal. All that God is, is seen in His utter, complete independence.

As the Father hath life in Himself. He doesn't need anyone to sustain His life like you and I do. So hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. Jesus Christ is utterly independent. He has no needs. All of his attributes come from this. He has no needs. Verse 27, and hath given him authority. There's the word.

Hath given him authority to execute judgment because He's the Son of Man. Now, He has authority to give verdict as a judge. That's what that means. He has the authority to give verdict as a judge. This is my verdict. That is demonstrated so clearly when that publican, beating on his breast, crying, God, be merciful to me, thee, sinner. And Christ gives his verdict. I tell you, that man went down to his house justified. That's the verdict of the infinite judge. Now, how could he do that? The man was sinful by his own admission.

He has all authority. And his verdict is true, just, and right. If he said that man went down to his house justified, cleared of all guilt, having never sinned, there's only one reason, because he was justified, cleared of all guilt, having never sinned because of what Christ did for him. He has authority to execute judgment. He looked at that woman who was taken in adultery in the very act. And he said, woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? No man, Lord, neither do I condemn thee. There's the execution of judgment.

He has authority. What he says is the verdict rendered. He speaks with the authority of God because he is God and he can do this in a way that's just. Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness. for the remission of sins that are passed through the forbearance of God, to declare, I say at this time, His righteousness, that He might be just and justify the ungodly." That is His authority. He renders the verdict. What He says is. Turn to Luke 5. I'd like you to read this with me, Luke 5. Verse 18. And behold, men brought into bed a man which was taken with palsy. He was a paralytic.

They carried him on a mat, and they sought means to bring him in and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what means they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop and led him down through the tiling with his couch in the midst before Jesus. I love to think of that sight. They're listening to the master preach and all of a sudden the ceiling breaks up and they start lowering down this man at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. They had to get him to Christ, they knew that.

Verse 20, and when he, the Lord Jesus Christ, saw their faith, these four men's, he said unto him, this paralytic man, man, thy sins are forgiven thee. What if I said to you, your sins are forgiven you? You know what it would be? it'd be blasphemous if I just said to you, your sins are forgiven.

Because the only one that can forgive your sins is God. The only one to forgive my sins is God. If you said you're forgiven, that wouldn't do me any good. The only one who can forgive sins is God. No one else has the authority to say to somebody, thy sins be forgiven thee because I said it.

Verse 21, and the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Like I said, that's a blasphemy. Only God can forgive sin. He's the one who sinned against. Only He can forgive. If your sins are forgiven, it's because He forgave them.

And they understood that this is a man declaring only what God can do. In the scribe, verse 21, and the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he perceives your thoughts right now, too, and my thoughts. Nothing can be hid from him. When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered and said unto them, what reason ye in your hearts?

Whether is it easier to say thy sins be forgiven thee, or rise up and walk? Now, what's easier to say, your sins are forgiven, or tell a man paralyzed, laying there, can't move a muscle, get up and walk? Well, it's easier to say your sins are forgiven, because it really can't be verified whether or not they were. I can say that, but it doesn't mean anything. What's easier, to say your sins are forgiven, or say to this paralyzed man, rise up and walk? Well, it's a whole lot harder to say to the paralyzed man, rise up and walk, because it can be verified. Here is the verification. Let's go on reading. What's easier to say, thy sins be forgiven thee, arise up and walk, but that you may know that the Son of Man hath power, hath authority upon the earth to forgive sins.

He said unto the sick of the palsy, I say unto you, arise, take up thy couch and go into thy house. And immediately he rose up before them and took up that whereon he lay and departed to his own house, glorifying God. He demonstrated his authority. I love to think of that scene. Turn to Mark 1. Thou has given him power, authority over all flesh. Mark 1, verse 23.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out saying, let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him and said, hold thy peace and come out of him.

And when the unclean spirit had torn him and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. In Mark chapter five, he commanded a legion of demons to come out of the man. And the demons said, suffer us to enter into the swine. We know that we can't even leave here and go somewhere else without your permission. We realize that. Suffer us to go into the swine.

Now not only does the son of man have power over all flesh, he has power over all demons. He has absolute, unrestricted, authority. They couldn't make a move without him. Turn to John chapter 10 now. Thou has given him authority over all flesh. Verse 15.

As the father knoweth me, oh, how the father knew the son. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life that I might take it again.

Now hear what he says. I lay down my life and I'm the one who raises it up again. Verse 18, no man taketh it from me. Those people who nailed him to the cross flattered themselves if they thought they had any power over him. No man takes my life from me. Look what he says. I have power. I have authority. lay it down and I have power to take it again. I've got power to let death take me. He couldn't take me without my permission.

You know when he died? When he willed for death to come and get him. When was he raised from the dead? when he raised himself from the dead. Now, somebody says, explain that to me. I can't explain that, but this is who he is. He has such authority that he has power to lay down his life and die, and he has authority to raise himself from the dead. Now, that's authority, isn't it?

I don't understand how he could die in the first place. He's the God-man, yet he died. And I know the only reason he died is because he willed his own death. When he gave up the ghost, he gave death permission to come and take him. And he raised himself from the dead because he has absolute unrestricted authority. I love when he entered the temple right before his death.

And he sees people trying to make money out of religion. selling sheeps and having money exchanged and so on. And he makes a scourge of whips, drives them out, overthrows the temple, or the money changers. He said, you've made my house, he's calling this house my house, this temple. Yes, he's speaking of the Father, but he didn't say, he said, you've made my house a den of thieves.

And Some people came to him and said, who gives you the authority to do this? What makes you think you can come marching into the temple and overthrow the money changers and drive out the cattle and the sheep? Who do you think you are? Who gave you this authority? And the Lord said, let me ask you a question.

The baptism of John, was it of heaven or for men. And they reasoned within themselves. If we say of heaven, they'll say, why didn't you believe Him then? Even if we say of men, we'll get stoned. The people highly esteem John. They think he's a prophet. So they said, we can't tell. We can't tell. And the Lord said, neither tell I you by white authority I do this. You see, he has all authority. The authority was his, and his authority is such that he didn't have to give them a reason for what he did.

You know, I don't know how it is when your parents ask you a question, or your parents tell you to do something, and you say, why? Because I said. Now, I've heard that, and it just got under my skin when I would hear that. I wouldn't say anything because I'd get knocked across the room if I would say anything, but I questioned that.

But here's one time it can never be questioned. He has all absolute unrestricted authority. Thou has given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou has given him. Now, the final scripture I want us to turn to is Luke chapter seven. I'd like you to turn there with me if you would. Luke chapter seven. Saving faith has something to do with understanding His authority. If I don't have some understanding of His authority, it's because He's never revealed Himself to me. Because if He has revealed Himself to you, you understand that He has all authority. Now, looking back at Luke chapter 7, verse 2, or verse 1, now, when he had ended all his sayings, in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick and ready to die. Oh, he loved this man. And he was at the verge of death. And when he heard of Jesus. Have you heard of Jesus?

The one who has all authority the one whose will must be done. When he had heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. So he sends these elders of the Jews to the Lord. And we know why he sent somebody else. as we go on reading, he didn't feel like he's worthy to come. He felt totally unqualified to come to this one who had all authority. Verse four, And when they, the elders of the Jews, came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying that he was worthy for whom he should do this, for he loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue. He's worthy of this. Go heal his servant. I mean, he's got it coming. Verse six, then Jesus went with them.

And when he was now not far off from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself, for I'm not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof. Wherefore, neither I thought myself worthy to come unto thee, but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. Now, how do you know this, Mr. Centurion? because I understand authority. Verse eight, for I also am a man set under authority, given authority, having under me soldiers.

And I say to one, go. He goes. And to another, come. And he comes. And to my servant, do this. And he does it. He obeys me. The soldier obeys me. Whatever I say goes because of my authority. I understand authority. All I gotta do is say it. They gotta do it. There's no question about this. This is my authority. I understand that. And I understand that you have all authority. If you will it, it will be done.

When Jesus heard these things, remember he said, speak the word only. You don't need to come under my roof. I don't need to come under you. I'm not worthy to come to you. All you have to do is will it. Such is your authority, that all you have to do is will it, and my servant shall be healed.

You see, he knew who Jesus Christ was. He knew his own unworthiness. If you ever know who he is, I won't have to convince you of your unworthiness. You'll know it if you know who he is. If I know who he is, I know my own utter unworthiness. That's where a sense of sin comes from, seeing who he is. It's when you see who he is that you see who you are.

When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him and turned him about and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I've not found so great faith. No, not in Israel. Now here's the one, only one who really knows what great faith is. And he says, regarding this man's faith. What was his faith? You have absolute unrestricted authority because of who you are. If you will it, my servant shall be healed. And Christ said, regarding that man's faith, I say unto you that I've not found such great faith. You want to know what great faith is? Here it is. It's what the Lord calls great faith. This is great faith. He says, I've not found this in one person from Israel.

This Gentile, heathen, centurion who heard of Jesus. He heard who he was. Verse 10, and they that were sent returning to the house found the servant whole that had been sick. They went back and found out He was whole, He was made whole, He was healed by the will of Him who has absolute authority. Now, where are me and you with this? I've stated the truth. He has all authority. You are in His hand. Your eternal destiny In heaven or in hell will be determined by Him. It's not in your hand. It's in His hand. Now what?

Behold, there came a leper. You can read about this in Matthew chapter eight. It's in actually three of the four gospels. Behold, there came a leper and worshipped him. You see, he's to be worshipped whether he heals you or not. Amen? Is he worthy of worship as God? Yes, he is. Behold a leper. came and worshiped him saying, Lord, if you will, and this leper understood authority, didn't he? Lord, he knew who he was. Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. It's up to you, I realize that.

I can't make myself clean. Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. Is that your prayer? While you're sitting here listening right now, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. And immediately, Jesus put forth his hand and said, I will be thou clean. If that's your prayer, Lord, if you will, I know you have absolute authority. If you will, you're able to make me clean, to make me clean before God so that I'm accepted. If you will, you can make me clean.

Everyone that has ever prayed that prayer, inspired by God, he says, I will. You are clean. pronounced clean by him who has all authority. Let's pray. Lord, I ask that you would give each one of us the grace to pray this prayer Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. And may we, by your spirit, hear the word spoken to our heart, I will be now clean. In Christ's name we pray, amen.

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