Power
Power
By Pastor Aaron Rios | Garden City Church | August 1st, 2026
Are You Walking in Power?
Understanding the Authority and Power Given to Every Believer
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.” - Luke 10:19
The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of power.
Scripture does not present Christianity as merely a collection of beliefs, moral principles, or inspirational ideas. The Gospel announces that Jesus Christ is King, that He has defeated the powers of darkness, and that those who belong to Him have been given authority and power to live and minister in His name.
Paul writes plainly: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” - 1 Corinthians 4:20
We have done an excellent job emphasizing the good news of salvation, and we should. Jesus saves! But Jesus did not only preach salvation. He preached the Kingdom of God.
In Luke 4:43, Jesus said, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
The word gospel simply means good news, and there is a lot of good news in the Bible! Christ forgives sin, restores our relationship with God, gives eternal life, defeats the works of darkness, fills believers with His Spirit, and gives His people authority to carry His Kingdom into the world.
Jesus Has Defeated the Powers of Darkness
We cannot understand our authority as believers until we first understand the authority of Christ.
Colossians 2:13–15 tells us that through the cross Jesus forgave our sins, canceled the record that stood against us, and “disarmed the powers and authorities.” Christ triumphed over them through the cross.
The cross was not a defeat. It was a victory.
Satan is not equal to Jesus. Darkness is not equal to light. The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness are not two equal forces struggling to see which one will ultimately prevail. Jesus is supreme.
Ephesians 1:20–22 tells us that God raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand: “Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked.” Everything is under His feet.
We see this authority throughout the ministry of Jesus. In Luke 8, Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons. What appears terrifying and uncontrollable to everyone else immediately comes under the authority of Christ.
Jesus does not struggle with demons. Demons struggle with Jesus. They recognize His authority because His authority is absolute. This is the foundation for understanding the believer's authority. Our confidence is never in ourselves. Our confidence is in the victorious Christ to whom we belong.
The Two Powers at Work
One of the most important truths from Sunday's message was the distinction between two Greek words translated in Scripture as “power”: exousia and dynamis. They are related, but they are not identical.
Exousia: Authority
Exousia refers to authority, right, jurisdiction, or delegated authority.
Think of a police officer standing in the road.
An 80,000-pound tractor trailer is coming toward him. The officer cannot physically overpower the truck. The truck possesses far more raw power than the officer.
Yet when the officer raises his hand and commands the driver to stop, the truck stops.
Why?
Authority.
The officer represents a government greater than himself. The badge signifies that he has been legally authorized to act.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Christ possesses supreme authority. He then delegates authority to those who belong to Him.
This makes Luke 10:19 especially powerful. Jesus says: “I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy.”
Two different Greek words appear in that statement. Jesus gives believers exousia over the enemy's dynamis.
The enemy may possess power, but he does not possess ultimate authority. Authority always outranks raw power when that authority comes from the throne of God.
Dynamis: Supernatural Power
The second word is dynamis. Dynamis speaks of might, ability, supernatural power, and miraculous working. It is also the Greek word from which the English word dynamite was eventually derived.
Jesus told His disciples: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” Acts 1:8
The disciples had already been commissioned by Christ. But Jesus told them to wait for something more: the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
This gives us a simple distinction: Authority tells you what you have the right to do. Power enables you to do it. Or another way to remember it: Exousia is the badge. Dynamis is the firepower. Jesus Demonstrated Both. Jesus ministered in both authority and power.
Mark 1:27 records the astonishment of the people after Jesus commanded an unclean spirit:
“What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” That is exousia.
But Luke 5:17 says: “The power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.”
That is dynamis. Jesus possessed the authority to command and the supernatural power to accomplish the Father's work.
And remarkably, Jesus intended His disciples to minister in both. Luke 9:1 says:
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.” Notice that Scripture deliberately mentions both.
Power and authority. Dynamis and exousia. This is Kingdom ministry.
The Believer Has Been Given Authority
Our authority does not originate with us. An ambassador may not personally possess tremendous wealth, military strength, or political influence. But when that ambassador officially speaks on behalf of a king, the authority behind his words is greater than the individual standing in the room. The ambassador carries the authority of the throne.
In the same way, believers do not confront darkness based upon personality, emotion, volume, personal goodness, or human strength. We stand in Christ.
Colossians 2:10 declares: “In Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”
Our authority exists because we are under His authority.
The centurion understood this principle when he approached Jesus concerning his servant in Matthew 8. He said, “I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.” Because he understood authority, he knew Jesus did not even need to physically enter his home. Christ could simply “say the word” and his servant would be healed.
This reveals an important Kingdom principle: Spiritual authority flows from submission to authority.
We are not spiritual freelancers attempting to wield God's power for our own purposes. We are disciples submitted to Jesus Christ, filled with His Spirit, carrying out His mission.
The Power of God Is at Work Within You
The New Testament does not describe God's power as something that believers merely observe from a distance.
Paul writes:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” - Ephesians 3:20
God's power is at work within us. Acts 1:8 says we receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. 2nd Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but “of power, love and self-discipline.”
This does not make the believer powerful independently of God. Quite the opposite. The power comes from the Holy Spirit. Our life must therefore remain surrendered to Christ, filled with the Spirit, and led by the Spirit.
The cross remains our pattern.
The Christian life is not about strengthening the flesh until we become impressive enough to accomplish spiritual things. It is about dying to self so that the life and power of Christ can operate through us. Authority and Power Must Work Together
Authority without power lacks visible demonstration. Power without authority lacks rightful direction. Jesus intended His Church to minister in both.
Imagine an officer who has a badge and the legal authority to act, but no radio, vehicle, backup, or means of enforcement. His authority is real, but his ability to carry out his assignment is limited. Now imagine a military tank. It possesses tremendous power, but without authorization it has no legal right to direct traffic. The Kingdom brings these realities together.
Authority speaks. Power accomplishes.
This is why believers desperately need the Holy Spirit. We have not been called merely to know what Christ has authorized us to do. We need the supernatural empowerment of the Spirit to accomplish what He has called us to do.
That is why Paul prayed that believers would understand: “His incomparably great power for us who believe.” - Ephesians 1:19
This is the same mighty power God demonstrated when He raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
So, Are You Walking in Power?
The question is not whether Jesus possesses authority. He does.
The question is not whether Jesus defeated the powers of darkness. He did.
The question is not whether the Holy Spirit possesses sufficient power. He does.
The question becomes: Are we living in what Christ has given us?
Too many believers live afraid of an enemy Jesus has already defeated. We can become more conscious of demons, curses, sickness, circumstances, and spiritual opposition than we are conscious of the Christ who is seated “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.”
Our confidence must never be in ourselves. But neither should we live intimidated by darkness.
Jesus said: “I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy.” -Luke 10:19
Know whose you are. Know who sent you. Know the authority of the name of Jesus. Be filled continually with the Holy Spirit. Remain submitted to Christ and led by His Spirit. Then go where Jesus sends you with confidence, knowing that the authority of Christ is over you and the power of the Holy Spirit is at work within you.
Exousia answers: “Who gave you the right?”
Dynamis answers: “How are you able to do it?”
Our answer to both is the same: Jesus Christ.
The Kingdom of God is not merely a matter of talk. It is a Kingdom of power.
Understanding the Authority and Power Given to Every Believer
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.” - Luke 10:19
The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of power.
Scripture does not present Christianity as merely a collection of beliefs, moral principles, or inspirational ideas. The Gospel announces that Jesus Christ is King, that He has defeated the powers of darkness, and that those who belong to Him have been given authority and power to live and minister in His name.
Paul writes plainly: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” - 1 Corinthians 4:20
We have done an excellent job emphasizing the good news of salvation, and we should. Jesus saves! But Jesus did not only preach salvation. He preached the Kingdom of God.
In Luke 4:43, Jesus said, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
The word gospel simply means good news, and there is a lot of good news in the Bible! Christ forgives sin, restores our relationship with God, gives eternal life, defeats the works of darkness, fills believers with His Spirit, and gives His people authority to carry His Kingdom into the world.
Jesus Has Defeated the Powers of Darkness
We cannot understand our authority as believers until we first understand the authority of Christ.
Colossians 2:13–15 tells us that through the cross Jesus forgave our sins, canceled the record that stood against us, and “disarmed the powers and authorities.” Christ triumphed over them through the cross.
The cross was not a defeat. It was a victory.
Satan is not equal to Jesus. Darkness is not equal to light. The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness are not two equal forces struggling to see which one will ultimately prevail. Jesus is supreme.
Ephesians 1:20–22 tells us that God raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand: “Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked.” Everything is under His feet.
We see this authority throughout the ministry of Jesus. In Luke 8, Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons. What appears terrifying and uncontrollable to everyone else immediately comes under the authority of Christ.
Jesus does not struggle with demons. Demons struggle with Jesus. They recognize His authority because His authority is absolute. This is the foundation for understanding the believer's authority. Our confidence is never in ourselves. Our confidence is in the victorious Christ to whom we belong.
The Two Powers at Work
One of the most important truths from Sunday's message was the distinction between two Greek words translated in Scripture as “power”: exousia and dynamis. They are related, but they are not identical.
Exousia: Authority
Exousia refers to authority, right, jurisdiction, or delegated authority.
Think of a police officer standing in the road.
An 80,000-pound tractor trailer is coming toward him. The officer cannot physically overpower the truck. The truck possesses far more raw power than the officer.
Yet when the officer raises his hand and commands the driver to stop, the truck stops.
Why?
Authority.
The officer represents a government greater than himself. The badge signifies that he has been legally authorized to act.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Christ possesses supreme authority. He then delegates authority to those who belong to Him.
This makes Luke 10:19 especially powerful. Jesus says: “I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy.”
Two different Greek words appear in that statement. Jesus gives believers exousia over the enemy's dynamis.
The enemy may possess power, but he does not possess ultimate authority. Authority always outranks raw power when that authority comes from the throne of God.
Dynamis: Supernatural Power
The second word is dynamis. Dynamis speaks of might, ability, supernatural power, and miraculous working. It is also the Greek word from which the English word dynamite was eventually derived.
Jesus told His disciples: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” Acts 1:8
The disciples had already been commissioned by Christ. But Jesus told them to wait for something more: the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
This gives us a simple distinction: Authority tells you what you have the right to do. Power enables you to do it. Or another way to remember it: Exousia is the badge. Dynamis is the firepower. Jesus Demonstrated Both. Jesus ministered in both authority and power.
Mark 1:27 records the astonishment of the people after Jesus commanded an unclean spirit:
“What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” That is exousia.
But Luke 5:17 says: “The power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.”
That is dynamis. Jesus possessed the authority to command and the supernatural power to accomplish the Father's work.
And remarkably, Jesus intended His disciples to minister in both. Luke 9:1 says:
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.” Notice that Scripture deliberately mentions both.
Power and authority. Dynamis and exousia. This is Kingdom ministry.
The Believer Has Been Given Authority
Our authority does not originate with us. An ambassador may not personally possess tremendous wealth, military strength, or political influence. But when that ambassador officially speaks on behalf of a king, the authority behind his words is greater than the individual standing in the room. The ambassador carries the authority of the throne.
In the same way, believers do not confront darkness based upon personality, emotion, volume, personal goodness, or human strength. We stand in Christ.
Colossians 2:10 declares: “In Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”
Our authority exists because we are under His authority.
The centurion understood this principle when he approached Jesus concerning his servant in Matthew 8. He said, “I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.” Because he understood authority, he knew Jesus did not even need to physically enter his home. Christ could simply “say the word” and his servant would be healed.
This reveals an important Kingdom principle: Spiritual authority flows from submission to authority.
We are not spiritual freelancers attempting to wield God's power for our own purposes. We are disciples submitted to Jesus Christ, filled with His Spirit, carrying out His mission.
The Power of God Is at Work Within You
The New Testament does not describe God's power as something that believers merely observe from a distance.
Paul writes:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” - Ephesians 3:20
God's power is at work within us. Acts 1:8 says we receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. 2nd Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but “of power, love and self-discipline.”
This does not make the believer powerful independently of God. Quite the opposite. The power comes from the Holy Spirit. Our life must therefore remain surrendered to Christ, filled with the Spirit, and led by the Spirit.
The cross remains our pattern.
The Christian life is not about strengthening the flesh until we become impressive enough to accomplish spiritual things. It is about dying to self so that the life and power of Christ can operate through us. Authority and Power Must Work Together
Authority without power lacks visible demonstration. Power without authority lacks rightful direction. Jesus intended His Church to minister in both.
Imagine an officer who has a badge and the legal authority to act, but no radio, vehicle, backup, or means of enforcement. His authority is real, but his ability to carry out his assignment is limited. Now imagine a military tank. It possesses tremendous power, but without authorization it has no legal right to direct traffic. The Kingdom brings these realities together.
Authority speaks. Power accomplishes.
This is why believers desperately need the Holy Spirit. We have not been called merely to know what Christ has authorized us to do. We need the supernatural empowerment of the Spirit to accomplish what He has called us to do.
That is why Paul prayed that believers would understand: “His incomparably great power for us who believe.” - Ephesians 1:19
This is the same mighty power God demonstrated when He raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
So, Are You Walking in Power?
The question is not whether Jesus possesses authority. He does.
The question is not whether Jesus defeated the powers of darkness. He did.
The question is not whether the Holy Spirit possesses sufficient power. He does.
The question becomes: Are we living in what Christ has given us?
Too many believers live afraid of an enemy Jesus has already defeated. We can become more conscious of demons, curses, sickness, circumstances, and spiritual opposition than we are conscious of the Christ who is seated “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.”
Our confidence must never be in ourselves. But neither should we live intimidated by darkness.
Jesus said: “I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy.” -Luke 10:19
Know whose you are. Know who sent you. Know the authority of the name of Jesus. Be filled continually with the Holy Spirit. Remain submitted to Christ and led by His Spirit. Then go where Jesus sends you with confidence, knowing that the authority of Christ is over you and the power of the Holy Spirit is at work within you.
Exousia answers: “Who gave you the right?”
Dynamis answers: “How are you able to do it?”
Our answer to both is the same: Jesus Christ.
The Kingdom of God is not merely a matter of talk. It is a Kingdom of power.
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