"Spirit Works: Joy In Given Power"
(Sermon #6)

Luke 10:17-24  "And the seventy returned again with joy, (chara, delight, overflowing happiness) saying, Lord, even the devils are subject (hupotasso, to be under obedience) unto us through thy name. [18]  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. [19] Behold, I give unto you power (exousia, privileged force, mastery over) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. [20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. [21]  In that hour Jesus rejoiced (agalliao, to jump for joy, be ecstatic) in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. [22]  All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. [23]  And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: [24]  For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

One of the best kept secrets in Christendom is the power and the potential of the believer. This is a best kept secret, not because God or our Lord Jesus Christ wants to hide the truth from you, but it is a best kept secret because Satan wants to hide that truth from you. And, sadly, many Christians fall into the Devil's traps.

I listened with shock to a tele-minister's sermon the other day. This man extolled the "truths" that Christians are completely powerless against sin in their lives, that Christians have no power against sin, for their flesh is sinful. We are, after all, only human. Now I do know that, even as Christians, we are human and do make mistakes - which are certainly sinful. But does the Scripture teach that we are powerless against, cannot help but sin? If so, why are we commanded to keep Jesus' commandments? We must have power, else Jesus commanded us to do the impossible!

The Biblical truth is, the same Jesus Who commanded certain things of us who believe in Him, this same Jesus gave us the power and the authority to fulfill His commandments. The Devil wants you to believe that you are weak, powerless. The Spirit of Christ wants you to know that you have the potential, if you obey Him, to be great for Jesus.

Our text that we have just read falls into four sections or major divisions:

Let's look at each of these Scriptures and, as God the Holy Spirit empowers us, try to apply them to our lives.

Luke 10:17-19  "And the seventy returned again with joy, (chara, delight, overflowing happiness) saying, Lord, even the devils are subject (hupotasso, to be under obedience) unto us through thy name. [18]  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. [19] Behold, I give unto you power (exousia, privileged force, mastery over) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
 

"And the seventy returned again with joy, (chara)": It is impossible to understand the overwhelming joy (chara) of these seventy disciples unless you understand who these seventy are. There were many disciples or students that followed after Jesus. Usually when we think of "disciples" we think of the original twelve (and one a devil) whom Jesus handpicked at the beginning of His ministry. These men - fishermen, tax collectors, common people, followed after Jesus very closely indeed. They ate when Jesus ate, slept when Jesus slept, perhaps bathed with our Lord. These twelve were an inner circle of students, those at the "head of the class", and of those twelve there were three (Peter, James, and John) whom Jesus took aside for "special education". I am told that Brother Lee Hamlin took some of you Deacons aside for training before he would ordain you as Deacons. This is the same thing that Jesus did with the "inner circle of the inner circle", Peter - James - and John.

As the inner circle, the "Twelve" went around, misconceptions began to abound. Those who followed after Jesus saw the Twelve cast out demons, heal the sick, give sight to the blind. As they saw this, two dangerous errors began to creep into the flock. First, the crowd of disciples began to think that there was something special about the inner circle. Now don't get me wrong, the inner circle was special, but not because of their own abilities. No, these twelve had no special inherent power of their own, but were chosen by Jesus to go out, evangelize, and judge the Twelve Tribes of Israel:

Matthew 19:27-28  "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? [28]  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

These twelve (though one was a devil, Judas Iscariot) were to be Christ's hand picked Apostles, people who would go out and establish the Church once Jesus died for it. The crowd watched the Twelve and, in time, began to think "We just can't do anything. No, if we need something done, call the Twelve". The Twelve, on the other hand, began to think that they were special. After all, they cast out demons. After all, they laid hands on the blind, and now the blind see. Weren't they the inner circle, the blessed of Christ?

Then the unthinkable happened. In our earlier context we read:

Luke 9:37-44  "And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. [38]  And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. [39]  And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. [40]  And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. [41] And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. [42]  And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. [43] And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, [44]  Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men."

"Can you imagine it", the crowd muttered, "the 'A' team blew it! What hope do we have now, now that the Inner Twelve have failed"? What a terrible thing. Oh, how the mighty have fallen, have fallen! In Luke 9:46-48 the Inner Twelve began to fight over who was greatest among the twelve. In Luke 9.49-50 this arrogance continued when the Inner Twelve objected over others not of their privileged class healing. In Luke 9.54-56 the Inner Twelve wanted to destroy a village of the Samaritans because they would not accept Christ as Savior. An evil spirit had crept into the midst of the Inner Twelve, not to possess, but to whisper. The Twelve had started to puff up in pride, had forgotten that their power came from the Spirit of Jesus, that this Spirit must be followed, not the other spirits -

These other spirits are around everyone, whispering, calling. The Twelve answered that call and allowed these spirits into their midst, each one demonic, from the pits of hell!

Jesus looked out over the Twelve, then looked at the other disciples that followed Him, and:

Luke 10:1  "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."

Oh, hear this, dear believer! Never become puffed up, or forget where your power comes from! Jesus purposely went outside of the Twelve and chose seventy other disciples. He sent them to cities that He was going to evangelize for the Kingdom. Jesus didn't paint a sweetness and light picture for these seventy. No, He told them you're going out as lambs among the wolves. He told them to take nothing with them so they'd be dependent on nothing but the Spirit of Christ. He told them they would be rejected and they would have to tolerate that rejection.

And wonder of wonders, the seventy went. They did what Jesus told them to do regardless of consequences. And in so doing, they discovered great truths about the Christian life.

Christianity is not about what you say, but what you do for Christ. Christianity is not about position or advantage, but it is about being submitted to Jesus Christ our Lord. The Twelve had advantage only while they were doing what Jesus told them to do. When they stepped outside of His Will, His Word, they lost all power. The blind were not given sight, the lame not healed. Unless you keep Jesus ever lifted up before you, obeying His Spirit, you will have a largely ineffective walk with Him.

The Seventy saw this truth, found it, held it to their breast and lived it. This brought (chara), overwhelming joy. When we follow after the spirit not of Christ we weaken our lives, bring discipline on ourselves, lose our power in Jesus.  Look what Jesus told the Seventy:

Luke 10:18-19  "He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. [19] Behold, I give unto you power (exousia, privileged force, mastery over) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Jesus said "I beheld Satan as lightning fall". Jesus, as Creator God, was in Heaven when Michael the Archangel cast the Evil Angel out to the earth. Jesus made this statement so all who heard Him would know that He was, is, and always will be God. When I give you something, or a man gives you something, that which we give is mortal, no more powerful than the things of the world. But when God gives you something, then you've received power! When God gives you something, you've received glory!

Jesus said "I, being God, have given you privileged power (exousia) over all things evil, over all the spirits and demons of Satan." While we focus on Jesus and His Spirit nothing can stop us. We have the Word of God Incarnate on that, and that Word is good enough.

The Lord's First Caution To The Disciples: Vs 20
 

Luke 10:20 "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

The Seventy had proved, to both themselves and the Twelve, that the power of Jesus was just as valid for the alleged "big Christian" as it is for the "little Christian". We often erroneously develop the idea that we are less powerful or have less potential than our brother or sister who has better training, greater riches, prettier looks. Yet we all have equal power in Christ by His Spirit. Jesus was nailed to the Cross equally for each and every one of us. He suffered and died equally for each of us. He rose again for each and every one of us, and sent the Holy Spirit into each and every one of our lives. In other words, dear believer, Christ leveled the playing field. As long as you are in Him, heeding Him, obeying His Words, you have power.

Had the Seventy not stepped out when Jesus called, they would have had no power. Had the Seventy refused to go where Jesus sent them, or refused to do as He demanded, they would have had no power. The Spirit of Christ demands that we follow the commands of Christ. Jesus cautioned the Seventy, though. Many believers, upon discovering the awesome power of the Spirit in their lives, often mistakenly begin to focus on and glorify that Spirit. In Toronto, Canada, followers of the Latter Rain/ Laughter  movement become so enraptured and overtaken by emotion that services are disrupted, the Word is not preached, Jesus is not lifted up. Be happy, certainly, that we all have power over the spirits, the demons of this life, but don't let that be your focus of (chara). No, be giddy with (chara) rather that you are in Christ and that your name is written in the Book of Life. It is wise to remember that the name of Jesus has power, and Judas also cast out demons with the other eleven. Power alone should not be the focus of our joy. Let your joy be your salvation, and the Power of Christ your means of operation.

Luke 10:21-22  "In that hour Jesus rejoiced (agalliao, to jump for joy, be ecstatic) in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. [22]  All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him."

Do you know what makes Jesus Christ our Lord happy? It is when you do what He calls you to do. Jesus literally "jumped for joy" (agalliao). Now, Jesus knew that He was heading toward the Cross. He knew that He was coming up on a time when He would be forsaken by all, even by His Father, and I know this was in His mind, in the background, at all times. Knowing this time of tearing was coming Jesus found ecstatic joy in the fact that someone finally got it.

Do you really and truly know how much your Jesus loves you? Do you know how much He wants you to succeed in Him? Do you know what great pains He went through to secure our salvation so He could send the Holy Spirit to indwell us? Jesus "jumped for joy" (agalliao) because the Father revealed the truths He had been trying to teach "unto babes", revealed the truths unto the Seventy who were willing to submit themselves and listen to Him. Yet the "wise and prudent", the Twelve who should have known better, they couldn't see for their own wisdom. Beloved, the Scripture teaches:

Isaiah 55:8-9  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. [9]  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

The Seventy were broken, willing, knowing they had no power in themselves. Because of this acceptance of their powerlessness, their total reliance on the name and Spirit of Jesus, they were rewarded with results. Or, as the Apostle Paul testified:

2 Corinthians 12:10  "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

Beloved, they understood the message. Beloved, they decided to follow Jesus and do as He commanded, no matter what. And in so doing, they caused our Lord to leap for joy rather than weep from disobedience. Are you making Jesus leap for joy in your Christian walk, or are you causing Him to weep because of your disobedience?

The Lord's Second Caution To The Disciples: Vs 23-24

Luke 10:23-24 "And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: [24]  For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

Some of you have become lukewarm in your walk with Christ, a little too "used to" Jesus. Jesus warns you to remember that there were many who would have given their left arm to see and hear the Gospel fulfilled in Jesus. Prophets and Kings, certainly empowered by the Holy Spirit of God, knew that Messiah was coming. They felt His Spirit, but could only believe on Him Who was to come. You, the blessed of God, are after the Cross of Christ. You have the Words of Jesus to live by, you know where the power is, you know your potential - but have you become a little too comfortable, a little too jaded?

We live in exciting times. Jesus could return at any moment. The snatching up of the Church could come while I speak. God could use us to heal the sick, or restore sight to the blind.

Or, more importantly, someone could find Jesus Christ as Savior today. Someone could come to know how much He loves, and someone could turn away from the spirits of the world and toward the Spirit of God. Someone could discover a salvation in Christ that angels wish they could have, but cannot:

1 Peter 1:7-12 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: [8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: [9] Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. [10]  Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: [11]  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. [12]  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."

Do you know Jesus? Are you following Him as He has called? Are you a joy to Him, realizing you could be face to face with Him in the next moment? Remember, where our treasure is, our pleasure is.  Our treasure follows our investments, of time, money, and spiritual gifts. If we misappropriate the things given to us as a stewardship, the source of our pleasure shifts, and thus our joy in the Lord is weakened.  May God enable us to find our joy in Him, and in Him alone.
 

- Who is responsible for the lie that Christians are powerless and without potential?  How can I know that such doctrine is totally untrue?  - Jesus had two groups of people who followed Him. What were these groups?  - The inner and outer circle of disciples began to get the wrong impression of one another. What was this impression?  - Was the Inner Circle more important to God than the outer (Matthew 19.27-28)? Why? - What were some of the failures of the Inner Circle? (Luke 9.37-44, 46-48, 49-50, 54-56) - What “spirits” were the Inner Circle guilty of following? - Why did Jesus choose the seventy? (Luke 10.1) - Christianity is not about _________, but what you ________ for Jesus Christ. - What did Jesus’ caution to the Outer Circle (Luke 10.20) consist of? - Why did Jesus “jump for joy”? (Luke 10.21-22)  - When can God use us? (Isaiah 55.8-9; 2 Corinthians 12.10) - What is the danger of getting “used to” Jesus? (Luke 10.23-24)  - Can the angels have salvation like we have? Why or why not? (1 Peter 1.7-12)