God Given Authority
Ikaika shared this message at our church (Heart of Aloha) in October 2021.
I was stumped and didn’t know what I wanted to share. I felt nervous, as most the church leaders were away due to family and medical reasons. The comfort these people bring to our lives when they are always there for us is brings a sense of peace. BUT…what happens when they are not there?
Will we pick up and keep going? Do you say you can't do this, and quit?
It feels like my favorite football team just lost their top 5 players, and the team will have to figure out how to carry on and play this game to win anyway!
It is then we must remember where the source of our peace comes from. It comes from God, and he is so evident in the lives of our church leaders that we begin to rely on them when we should remember to rely on God.
When the times comes, and its our turn, we need to rise up and put into action all that we have learned.
We are capable and can do that through the authority that God has given every one of us through his son Jesus.
I was gifted a coin by one of our friends years ago, and I’ve always kept it in a safe place. The coin says Adopt a Cop and there are two scriptures on it. He reminded me that he is praying for me and thanked me for what I contribute to my community in the position I am in.
The first verse on this coin is from
Romans 13:1-5
“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So, anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So, you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.”
In reading this, it seemed heavy to me. I thought to myself, in my human form I had respect for authority, but now after reading this verse, I see it in a different light. I was not put here, because I took a test, passed and became a police officer.
I did not receive the position of Sergeant and then given the title of Detective because of man’s accord. I was given this title because God intended it to happen. God set my path and ordained me. As I look back and remember the interview process, the testing process, and all the things I went through to become a police officer, I think to myself…How did I make it? How did I come to be where I am? There is no other explanation, except because of God’s will for me. He knew I would be here. He knew what I would be doing, but I didn’t. That opened a whole new door for me. Again, I had to remember I’m not here because of what man said. I’m here because of what God has destined for my life.
When I get ahead of myself, I need to fall back to the word and ground myself. I open up my bible, confirm the truth that is written and I know who qualifies me and, why I made it this far. I ask God to help me use this position to help others rise to raise God up.
It wasn’t until later when I was promoted to Sergeant, that I gave the glory to God. I didn’t realize that until recently, but once I did that, things happened unexpectedly that I can’t explain.
Yes, God placed me here, and I am thankful. I am also thankful for all the people who love and support me and pray for me. This helps me to remember to support and pray for others.
Now let's look at the other side of the coin with this verse from
Timothy 2:1-6
"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, there one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone."
This scripture tells us to pray for all people.
It also instructs us to pray for our leaders. Because they have been appointed by God to be in that position.
If we choose to accept Jesus in our hearts and believe in him. It gives us authority from God through his one and only son. It gives his people authority to share the word and the good news about what Jesus did for us. We don’t have to feel afraid or unqualified, or unworthy. We are qualified and we are worthy. We need to use what God has given us and go out into our community and share what we know.
All of us are chosen and appointed by God.
My last thought comes from
Revelation 22:10
“Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”
To me it means, to keep our bibles open and always go back to it for the truth when we go through the valley, and when we are on the mountain top.
When bad things are happening, people will close it as a sign of defeat. When life is going great like butterflies and unicorns through rainbows, (like my daughter lives her life every day), we close the book because we feel like our job is done and we have succeeded in this world, so we close the book thinking we don’t need direction.
The world will continue to have good people, and the world will continue to have evil people. It is never the right time to close the book. Continue to read through it, continue to study the bible. There is always something to learn. The book should remain open whether things are good or bad, keep it open at all times. With that, I pray for strength for you to remind yourself that you have been given authority and you have been appointed to spread God’s word.
If you heard/read my message today, and if you are ready and you are willing to accept God into your heart and receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus then pray this prayer with me.
Heavenly Father thank you for this message. Thank you for sending your son Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice so we may spend eternity with you. Thank you for the authority you have given us to bring people to know you. Thank you for qualifying us through the sacrifice of your son.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
If you prayed this, I encourage you to reach out, and find a church family to help support and pray for you.
All the best,
Ikaika
Here is a video link of the message I shared at our Heart of Aloha church service.
