Main Point: The Kingdom of God is like a garden, and we have been given authority to tend and extend it.

1. Authority is the freedom to act without hindrance.

Genesis 1:28 NIV

²⁸ “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”

Increased AUTHORITY means decreased HINDRANCES

2. Authority is also the power and ability to take action.

Luke 4:31-37 NIV

³¹ Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. ³² They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. ³³ In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, ³⁴ “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”  ³⁵ “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.  ³⁶ All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” ³⁷ And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.”

Luke 4:36 NIV

“All the people were amazed and said “What words these are! With authority AND power He gives orders to impure spirits and they come out! And the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding area”.

Matthew 4:23-25 NIV

²³ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. ²⁴ News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. ²⁵ Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Mark 1:22 NIV

²² “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

• The teachers of the law were known to teach, but not demonstrate
• Jesus says “do everything the teachers of the law tell you but don’t imitate them”

Matthew 23: 1-4 NIV

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ⁴ They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

3. Authority is a sphere in which we live 

Luke 4:37 NIV

 ³⁷ And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.”

Matt 6:9-10 NIV

⁹ “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, ¹⁰ your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Conclusion: What areas in my life do I need to take authority over and release the power of God into? Are there areas in my life that need turning of soil, weeding, pruning etc.?

• Authority is the freedom to act without hinderance
• Authority is the power to act 
• Authority is a sphere or realm in which to act