It's Your Life Take Authority

Authority is defined as the right to control, command, or determine; a commanding influence. It carries with it a right to respect or acceptance of one’s word, command, or thoughts. People with authority have both an ability to command and a right to demand respect. Some people in authority have limited power; they can only command certain people in regards to certain things. Those with limited authority overstep the bounds of their power when they expect obedience from people who are not under their command or when they try to control a situation that is not in their jurisdiction. Jesus Christ had full authority. He told His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18 NIV). All authority on heaven. All authority on earth. Jesus had the authority to control nature. He had the authority to command demons. He had the authority to teach even the greatest experts. He even had the authority to demand diseases to depart from the people. The people were amazed by this kind of power. “For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him” (Mark 1:27 NKJV). And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be that even the wind and the sea obey Him” (Mark 4:41 NKJV)? However, there were some people who demanded an explanation for Jesus’ authority. Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority” (Matthew 21:23 NKJV)?