Bulletin Faith-Activate Authority Luke 8:24-25 (NIV) 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we're going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” It does no good to have authority if it is never utilized. Belief in it along with the understanding of what to say is necessary for getting the desired results. There is an episode of Andy Griffith where Barney Fife has difficulty with this. When he attempts to shut down an unlawful produce stand, the owners recognize his insecurities and completely disregard his orders. With Andy’s support Barney is enabled to stand up to them and, with some trembling, get them to comply. For this challenge to be overcome, though, it required that he stand up and proclaim what was his authority to proclaim. Jesus was sleeping right through the same storm that was causing his disciples extreme anxiety and fear. Their wakeup call was void of any confidence in their ability to weather this raging storm. Instead of taking on any of their alarm, however, Jesus merely spoke with authority to the offending storm, telling it to cease. In His next words, though, He revealed something they would later discover to be true. The authority Jesus displayed was theirs as well. He just believed in what was His and knew how to talk with authority to the storm. This was something He did as a man like the disciples, but with full belief in His authority along with understanding of how to implement it. There is definitely a storm coming. In Christ we are fully equipped to weather the storm, no matter its form, with confidence and joy. A great part of this equipping is the authority we’ve been given in Jesus’ name. For many storms, being safe in the Secret Place of the Most High will be sufficient to weather them. For many others, however, it is necessary to exercise the authority we’ve been given in Him. Faith in this authority will be found in the words that are spoken. Instead of declaring the certainty of drowning, there will be commands of peace and stillness. Notes Faith-Activated Authority Finding faith that weathers – in confidence/words Luke 8:24-25 (NIV) 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we're going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Faith – found in persistence - Luke 18:8 (NIV) 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?". Faith is effective in a storm – must be taken Ephesians 6:13-17 (NKJV) 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Taking faith for weathering – knowing the truth Authority to go in power over every storm Mark 16:15-18 (NIV) 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” In Christ – we have power over everything Ephesians 1:18-21 (NIV) 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 2:6 (NIV) 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, Must release power through words Mark 11:23 (NIV) 23 "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Faith is seen - actions Matthew 9:2 (NIV) 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”