Authority and Responsibility

1998 Pontiac Grand Am SE. Now, you know this is a car. But it’s so old, twenty years now, you probably haven’t seen it on the road for the last ten. Actually, is Pontiac still a thing anymore? There’s really nothing special about this car. At 150 horse-power in a four-cylinder with manual windows, what is there, really, to get excited about? Wait…it did have a rear spoiler. Impressed? I normally wouldn’t either. But on the day I was given the keys to this car, best…day…ever! But when I was handed those keys, I was handed far more than keys. Authority. And, responsibility.

Not everyone should own a set of keys. But I’m no longer talking about the kind of keys that power up a car. I’m talking about the kind of keys that power up a Kingdom. Every site we visited today was a handing over of keys to a Kingdom. And when he did this, he gave both authority and responsibility over that Kingdom. You have never had that much authority. You have never had that much responsibility. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee; “Peter, if you love me, my sheep are yours now to take care of.” (John 21:17) That’s a hand-off. At Caesarea Philippi; “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the KEYS to the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 16: 18-19) That’s a hand-off.

“He was given two keys!” Pastor Cal said. “Whatever you BIND on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you LOOSE on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16: 20) In other words, “as you examine your domain and discern what is out of line with God’s kingdom reign, bind the enemies work in the powerful name of Jesus.” And, “as you examine your domain and discern what should be there that is not, loose the virtues and benefits of God’s kingdom in the powerful name of Jesus”. Pastor Cal says it best, “As a follower of Jesus, you have keys. Use them!!”

You know what this means? Best…day…ever!!!

We’ll see Jesus’ first miracle first thing tomorrow. That’s in Cana. From there we’ll head to the Nazareth village Jesus grew up in. Finally, we’ll see where it’ll all finally ends. Megiddo. You might know it better as Armageddon. Think Revelation 16: 12-16 as in the Final Battle.