By Whose Authority? Part 3: Submission and Exaltation - Santosh Poonen - December 13, 2015
http://rlcfchurch.org/submission-and-exaltation River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual authority comes from diligent study of God's Word, making it personal rather than just hearing it preached. He contrasts worldly or authoritarian displays of power with the quiet, inherent authority Jesus demonstrated. Ultimately, he warns that the Devil gains advantage not from external enemies, but from internal sins like lust, pride, bitterness, and unforgiveness, which must be brought into the light of God.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
A recap of spiritual authorityThe speaker reviews previous messages on spiritual authority, noting how Jesus exercised authority that angered both religious leaders and the devil.
Real authority versus a hypocritical lifeReal spiritual authority cannot be faked; if secret sin like lust, pride, or bitterness is harbored, the devil holds an advantage and ignores our supposed authority.
The basis of spiritual authorityThe crowd recognized Jesus had spiritual authority because he lived out every word he preached, which serves as the foundation for our own walk.
God's definition of a righteous personProverbs defines a righteous person not as one who never falls, but as one who gets back up every time they fall.
The centurion's great faithJesus marveled at the Roman centurion's faith because he understood that Jesus could heal his servant simply by speaking a word from a distance.Matthew 8:5
A man under authorityThe centurion recognized he was a man under authority with soldiers under him, mirroring how Jesus operated under the Father's command.
Personal testimony of submissionThe speaker shares his own testimony of how God convicted him about lacking spiritual authority until he learned to submit to local church leadership.
Obeying and submitting to leadersBelievers are commanded to obey and submit to their spiritual leaders who keep watch over their souls and must give an account to God.
Submission brings victory over the devilPeter and James both teach that humbling ourselves and submitting to authority positions us to resist the devil successfully so he will flee.
