1. by Max Lucado

2. Father, you are good. I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen

3. In Jesus’ name With his authority But how do we view authority in our lives?

4. The English Civil war started in Hull in 1642 when we refused to let King Charles I enter the city

5. Have we lost faith in authority? Following scandals with MPs, banks, the army, church, NHS…?

6. So what do you think of Jesus’ authority?

7. What happens when we want to see the Queen, but we try to bypass London? We never arrive at Buckingham Palace

8. What happens when we want to see God, but we try to bypass Jesus ? We never arrive at the heart of his kingdom

9. What’s at stake for us if we don’t understand the authority of Jesus? Our faith and prayer life becomes a shadow of what it could be

10. What does God have to say about Jesus’ authority?

11. Colossians 1: 15-19 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. v For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him

12. Matthew 28: 18 Then Jesus came to them and said,

13. Matthew 28: 18 ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

14. Matthew 28: 19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

15. Matthew 28: 20 And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

16. The more we know the authority of Jesus the more we know the power of prayer

17. So how can we know his authority more?

18. Practice…

19. Father, you are good. I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen