Men and True Power

It is imperative that Christian men understand the authority that Jesus has given to them. Here is a helpful outline:

1. Adam and Eve were put on earth and commissioned to "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it." (Genesis 1:28) They were given dominion over the entire earth and their job description was to use this dominion to "subdue" the earth.

2. Satan is always empowered through man's agreement with him (Amos 3:3) and he seduced Adam and Eve into agreement with his suggestion to eat the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-4).

3. In their agreement with Satan, they forfeited their dominion over the earth to Satan giving him the power and authority that God had originally given them (Luke 4:6). They were driven from the Garden.

4. God sent Jesus into the world to recapture "that" which was lost (Luke 19:10).

5. Satan tempted Jesus to take a short cut to get the power and dominion over the earth back (Luke 4:5-8). Jesus didn't take the bait.

6. Jesus told His followers that He gave them authority to overcome all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). At the Cross, He defeated Satan and forever recaptured what Adam and Eve had lost (Colossians 2:13-15).

7. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus says He got all of the dominion and power back from Satan, and we are to go in His Name and His authority to "subdue" the earth and fulfill the original Genesis commission.

8. Jesus said that the Father would send the Holy Spirit in His name (John 14:25). To be born spiritually is to become children of God and it means that you have the Holy Spirit living in you (Romans 8:15-16).

9. Jesus said that His followers would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes (Acts 1:8) and Paul said we are to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Our faith is based, not on men's wisdom but on God's power (I Corinthians 2:4-5). This is our true power and our primary job description (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Christian men are empowered to subdue the enemy (Ephesians 6:12) and retake the earth. In this way we bring God's Kingdom to earth and change the atmosphere of our community. This is the purpose of being empowered by Jesus!