Stewarding Biblical Authority

I. Stewarding Delegated Biblical Authority Starts With You

Acts 19:13–20 (ESV)

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”

14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.

15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”

16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.

18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.

19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

A. Relationship with Jesus Is the Access Point of Authority

1. The sons of Sceva were attempting to confront the enemy using a formula rather than a personal relationship with Jesus.

2. They recognized the power in Jesus’ name, but they lacked submission and intimacy with Him.

3. It is not the repetition of Jesus’ name that carries authority—it is a life surrendered to Jesus.

B. Our Identity in Christ Is the Foundational Block of Authority

Ephesians repeatedly reminds us of who we are as “those who are in Christ.”

1. We are chosen and adopted by the Father

2. We are redeemed by the Son

3. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit

4. We have been given resurrection power

5. We have been given spiritual eyes to see His Lordship

Authority flows from identity. When we know who we are in Christ, we walk with confidence, humility, and spiritual discernment.

C. The Fear of the Lord and the Name of Jesus Highly Honored

Authority is exercised where the fear of the Lord is present.

When the name of Jesus is honored, repentance follows, deception is exposed, and the Word of the Lord advances with power.

D. Close the Door Where You Have Allowed the Enemy a Foothold

1. Deception began with Adam and Eve in the Garden.

2. Genesis 4:7 “Sin is crouching at your door; its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

   • Temptation is immediate, predatory, and seeks dominance.

3. Purposeful hearts must be examined: Which direction is your life truly pointing?

4. Sin opens doors to the enemy—repentance closes them.

Common footholds include:

• Gossip and judging others (James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1)

• Deceit and lies (Romans 3:13–15)

• Sexual sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5)

• A religious spirit (Matthew 23:33)

• Gluttony (Philippians 3:19)

• Manipulation and control (Ephesians 4:25)

Repentance restores authority and reestablishes spiritual alignment.

II. Stewarding Biblical Authority Demands Releasing the Power of the Kingdom

A. Jesus Has Authority and Binds the Strong Man

Mark 3:27

“But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.”

Jesus did not negotiate with darkness, He overcame it.

1 John 3:8

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

Power is the ability to act 

Authority is the legal right to act

Believers don’t generate power, we steward authority given by Christ

B. Believers Have Been Given Delegated Authority

1. Authority given to the apostles (Matthew 10:1)

2. Authority given to the seventy-two (Luke 10)

3. Authority given to all believers (Mark 16:17–18)

4. 
   

Mark 16:17–18

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

If we are not experiencing these realities in the Church today, it is not because God is unfaithful to His promises, but because authority must be stewarded through faith, devotion, obedience, and activation.

C. Three Stages of Spiritual Battle

1. Declare war against Satan according to God’s purposes, not personal emotions.

2. Enter territory where the enemy has a stronghold and engage through God’s Word, prayer, and fasting.

3. Liberate, restore, and cultivate new growth through discipleship and obedience.

Altar Time

1. Salvation – A call to submit fully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

2. Repentance and Closing Open Doors – Inviting the Holy Spirit to reveal and remove footholds the enemy has used.

3. Release the Power of the Kingdom – Prayer for healing, deliverance, restoration, and freedom.