Stepping Out in Faith: Power and Authority for Kingdom Work

Scripture: Luke 9:1–6

Topic: Power, Authority, and Kingdom Work

Operation Christmas Child: The focus this month is "Wow Toys." Ensure the toys are large enough to be exciting but still fit inside a standard shoebox.
Drive-Through Prayer: Volunteers are needed. Currently, 5-6 people are covering it. Committing to just one day a week or one day a month makes a huge difference.
Annie Armstrong Offering: The church goal is $1,500. An anonymous donor has agreed to match gifts up to $2,000.
Sunday School: Two adult classes meet at 9:30 AM.
Wednesday Night: Jason Fletcher is teaching through the book of Acts.
Choir Practice: Today at 4:00 PM.
Bingo Night: Friday, March 27th at 6:00 PM (Date adjusted to avoid Saturday choir practice). Bring a snack!
Easter Cantata: March 29th.

Icebreaker: What was your first job, and were you ready for it?
Illustration: Pastor Troy shared a story about his first job at 16 working for Bruce Hopper. Despite having just gotten his driver's license the day before—and being told by his dad he couldn't drive alone for six months—he was immediately handed the keys to a truck and an 18-foot trailer and told to go mow a property.
Spiritual Application: Like many jobs in life, discipleship often involves "on-the-job training." We might not feel entirely prepared, but God entrusts us with the task anyway.

The Shift in Ministry: Jesus had been performing miracles and healing the sick for about a year and a half. Up to this point, the 12 disciples were primarily observers, watching how Jesus operated.
The Mission: Jesus brings the twelve together and gives them the power and authority to drive out demons and cure diseases. He sends them out to proclaim the kingdom of God.
The Modern Parallel: As Christians today, we carry that same immense responsibility to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with our friends and community.

To do God's work, we need both power and authority. Pastor Troy broke down the difference between the two:

Concept

Definition

Real-World Example

Authority

The right to do something (Positional)

A police officer blowing a whistle to stop traffic; a green light at an intersection.

Power (Dunamis)

The ability or strength to do it (Physical)

The physical engine of a car; a landscaper's heavy equipment.

Application: God gives us the authority to share the Gospel, but we must actively use His power (our voices, our actions) as His instruments.
A Warning: We must be careful not to abuse the authority and power of Scripture to win arguments or further our own agendas. It must only be used to further the kingdom of God.

The Instruction: Jesus told the disciples to take nothing for the journey—no staff, extra shirt, money, or bread.
Stepping Out in Faith: God sometimes asks us to move forward without seeing the whole path or having all the resources upfront. He strips away our safety nets so we learn to depend entirely on Him.
Illustration: Pastor Troy recounted an early youth ministry trip to the Mississippi River Ministry. Despite arriving at a rundown, rat-infested building and wanting to leave, the team stayed and trusted God. Through hard work and faith, the church was revived, 200 kids were reached, and the location later became a thriving hub for missions.
Provision: God promises to supply every need according to His riches (Philippians 4:19). This doesn't mean life will be perfect or without struggle, but God will provide what is necessary for His work.

The Instruction: If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet.
Cultural Context: Shaking the dust off was a cultural representation of leaving uncleanliness behind and serving as a testimony against those who rejected the Gospel.
Application: You cannot force the Gospel on someone who isn't ready. When faced with hardened hearts, we must be willing to move on to where God is opening doors, leaving the timing and the outcome in His hands.

God will supply everything we need as we go about His kingdom work.
Only the power of God can bring about His kingdom purpose.
God's kingdom message requires a response of repentance and faith.
Call to Action: Where are you in your walk today? Are you relying on God's power to further His kingdom, or are you trying to do it on your own?

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