You Got This

You Got This: Unleashing Heaven’s Power in Your Life

Stepping Boldly into the Authority God Has Already Given You

Scripture Focus: Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 10:19, Ephesians 1:18-23

Introduction: Recognizing Your Authority

• Addressing Common Struggles: Self-Doubt, Fear, and Inadequacy

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by feelings of self-doubt, questioning whether you’re capable of handling what life throws your way? Maybe it’s a new responsibility at work, a challenge in your family, or even stepping out in faith in something God has called you to do. Fear creeps in, whispering, “You’re not enough. You’re not strong enough, smart enough, or spiritual enough.”

For some, these feelings of inadequacy can feel paralyzing. They might avoid stepping into new opportunities or take a back seat in their own lives because they believe the lies that say they aren’t capable. Does this sound familiar?

Perhaps you’ve thought, “What if I mess up? What if I don’t have what it takes?” These questions can leave you feeling stuck, anxious, and defeated.

But here’s the truth: while the world often measures your worth by your abilities or accomplishments, God measures your worth by who He created you to be and what He has equipped you to do through His power. God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called.

This morning, we’re going to confront those feelings of self-doubt, fear, and inadequacy head-on. We’ll discover that God has not only called you but has given you His authority to overcome every obstacle and fulfill His purpose in your life. And by the end of this message, I hope you’ll walk out of here declaring with confidence, “I’ve got this, because God’s got me!”

• Illustration: Rising to Leadership Despite Hesitation

Let me tell you about someone who started life with more challenges than most of us could imagine. As a child, this person was frail, often bedridden, and constantly battling a serious medical condition. Many thought they would never accomplish much because of these limitations.

 

But there was one person in their life who saw past the weaknesses and spoke directly to their potential. This mentor and father figure didn’t dismiss the challenges but encouraged them to rise above them, saying, “You have the mind, but you haven’t got the body. You must make your body.” Those words became a turning point.

 

This individual began to work harder than anyone around them, both physically and mentally. They embraced challenges head-on and grew stronger with every obstacle. However, life wasn’t done testing them. As an adult, they faced unimaginable grief—losing their spouse and their parent on the same day. Broken and unsure of their future, they withdrew from the public eye, questioning their ability to lead.

 

But something stirred within them—a resilience that had been forged through years of overcoming doubt. Encouraged by others and driven by a deep sense of purpose, they stepped back into leadership. They went on to become one of the most influential leaders of their time, tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges and inspiring millions with their determination.

 

That person? Theodore Roosevelt. Despite his frail beginnings, personal tragedies, and moments of doubt, he rose to become one of the most celebrated presidents in American history. His story reminds us that even when we feel inadequate, with encouragement, resilience, and faith, we can accomplish what seems impossible.

 

So when you face challenges, remember this: just like Roosevelt, you’ve got this—not because the path is easy, but because God equips you to rise above your doubts and fulfill His purpose.

• Here’s the truth: God doesn’t just believe in you—He has empowered you. He has placed His authority within you, not for small things, but to accomplish His divine purposes. You’re not walking in your own strength; you’re walking in His.

 

1. Jesus Has All Authority (Matthew 28:18-20)

• Key Scripture: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."
• The Great Commission is not just a call to action; it’s a declaration of power. When Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me,” He wasn’t speaking of limited or partial authority. It is absolute, complete, and unmatched. What’s even more incredible is that He chose to delegate that authority to His followers—to you and me. This means that as you go out to make disciples, you’re not acting on your own but carrying the full backing of heaven. When you walk in His name, you walk in His authority.
• Jesus empowers us not just to survive but to thrive in our calling.

It means demonstrating that Jesus equips us with everything we need, not merely to get by or endure, but to excel and fulfill the purpose He has for our lives.

For example, think of Peter walking on water. When Jesus called him out of the boat, Peter wasn’t empowered to just stay afloat—he was empowered to do something extraordinary. Jesus didn’t call Peter to safety; He called him to step out in faith and experience something miraculous.

Similarly, Jesus doesn’t just help us "survive" the challenges of life. He empowers us to thrive, to lead, to impact others, and to live boldly in the fullness of our calling. His authority enables us to move beyond our limitations and do far more than we could ever imagine on our own.

Application: Recognize that when God calls you to something, He equips and authorizes you. You’re not going in your own strength but in His.

2. Authority Over the Enemy (Luke 10:19)

• Key Scripture: "Behold, I have given you authority to walk on snakes and scorpions, and authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you."
• Context: Jesus sends out the 70 disciples, and they return amazed at the spiritual authority they wielded in His name.

• When Jesus said, “I have given you authority to walk on snakes and scorpions” (Luke 10:19), He wasn’t talking about literal creatures. Instead, "snakes and scorpions" are symbols of spiritual challenges, opposition, and the schemes of the enemy.

Snakes represent deception, temptation, and the cunning ways the devil tries to derail us, just as he did with Eve in the Garden of Eden. Scorpions symbolize pain, fear, and attacks meant to sting and wound us spiritually. These are the trials and battles we face in our walk of faith.

But here’s the key: Jesus assures us that we have authority over all of these things. The enemy’s power is real, but it’s limited. God’s power is absolute, and through Christ, we have the authority to overcome every scheme, every lie, and every spiritual attack. We’re not victims; we’re victors through Him.

• A young man named James, a regular guy who was working a 9-to-5 job and had a new wife to care for, one day, he found himself facing an overwhelming struggle—his marriage has begun on the rocks, his finances were spiraling, and he felt like everything was falling apart. Fear and doubt gripped him, and he didn’t know where to turn.

 

But James knew one thing: he was not powerless. He began to pray, not just asking God to fix everything, but surrendering his fears and trusting in God’s authority over his life. He prays, “God, I know I’m not in control, but I trust You are. I trust Your power to change this situation, and I believe You’ve given me the authority to overcome.”

 

Over time, James starts to see a breakthrough. His marriage begins to heal as he leans on God’s wisdom and patience. Slowly, but surely, his finances stabilize because he starts living out God’s principles of stewardship and generosity. A short time later James Dobson Started Focus on the Family.

 

James’ victory didn’t come because he had all the answers or was somehow "better" than anyone else. It came because he trusted in the authority God had already given him. Through prayer and surrender, he tapped into the power of God’s authority, and the obstacles that once seemed insurmountable were overcome. One of the nation's largest Christian family organizations results from one man tapping into and exercising that authority.

 

Like James, we all face spiritual challenges. But when we pray and trust in God’s authority, we tap into a power far greater than ourselves. And that’s when things begin to shift.

 

 

 

Application: Understand that you don’t need to live in fear. God has already given you the authority to face and overcome the challenges in your life. Tap into that authority, exercise it and declare victory in Jesus’ name!

3. Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places (Ephesians 1:18-23)

• Key Scripture: "And He put all things in subjection under His feet and made Him head over all things to the church."
• Paul prays for believers to understand the hope, riches, and power available to them.
• Christ’s authority is our authority because we are His body. If He is the head and all things are under His feet, that means we walk in His victory. His power flows through us, not because of who we are, but because of who He is. When we move in faith, we’re not just standing for Christ—we’re standing with Christ, carrying His authority into every battle.
• “MOVE” in faith – Christ did just sit and wait for things to happen, nor did He “pray” and wait for The Father to make things perfect and comfortable.
• Jesus “moved” with power and love demonstrating the “authority” he already possessed.

• Think of Billy Graham’s ministry. While Billy Graham himself was the face of the movement, he empowered a team of leaders, pastors, and volunteers to act on his behalf. When his team members organized crusades, preached the gospel, or counseled people, they carried his authority because they were entrusted with his mission. Even though they weren’t Billy Graham, they operated with the same purpose, vision, and power behind them.
• In the same way, Christ, as the head of the Church, empowers us, His followers, to carry His mission and authority. We don’t act in our own strength or name, but in His. Just as Billy Graham’s team moved with his trust and backing, we move with the full authority of Christ to accomplish His purposes on earth.

Application: You’re not a victim of circumstances. You’re a representative of Jesus, carrying His authority to make a difference in your family, workplace, and community.

4. Activate the Authority Given to You

• Faith in Action: Authority only works when it’s exercised.
1. Moses and the Red Sea (Exodus 14:15-16)

When the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, Moses cried out to God for help. God’s response was powerful: “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it...” Moses already had the authority given by God, symbolized by the staff in his hand. But it wasn’t until Moses stretched out his hand that the sea parted. Authority only worked when Moses acted in obedience to God’s command.

 

1. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

David, a young shepherd, faced the giant Goliath while the rest of Israel’s army stood paralyzed in fear. David stepped into God’s authority, declaring, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a saber, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of armies.” David didn’t just believe God could deliver him; he acted on that belief by stepping onto the battlefield. The authority God gave David became evident only when he slung the stone and took down the giant.

 

1. Peter Walking on Water (Matthew 14:28-29)

When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Jesus gave the command, but Peter had to step out of the boat to experience the authority Jesus gave him. As long as Peter kept his focus on Jesus, he walked on water—an act of faith and obedience that demonstrated the power of authority when exercised.

 

• In each example, Moses, David, and Peter were given authority by God. But that authority didn’t manifest until they acted in faith. Whether it was stretching out a hand, slinging a stone, or stepping onto the water, they moved in obedience to God, and His power was revealed through their actions. Authority is not passive—it requires faith in action.

 

• Prayer and Declaration: RISE UP, CHILD OF GOD!
  The authority of heaven has been placed in your hands—don’t hold back! Pray with boldness, knowing your words reach the throne of the Almighty. Speak the truth of God’s Word with unwavering confidence, for it carries the power to break chains and transform lives. Act with fearless faith, because the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in YOU! This is your moment to stand, to declare, and to move in alignment with God’s promises. Don’t shrink back—walk in the authority you’ve been given and watch as heaven moves through you! You’ve been chosen, empowered, and sent. Now GO and change the world!

 

• Stay Connected to the Source: Your authority comes from your relationship with Jesus. The closer you abide in Him, the more confidently you can walk in His power. Stay connected to the Vine, and His strength will flow through you, equipping you to overcome every challenge and fulfill His purpose.

 

Challenge:

1. What is God calling you to step into with boldness?
2. Where have you hesitated to take action?

 

Today, believe that

• “You Got This,” because God’s authority is at work in and through you.

• You Got This, not because of who you are, but because of who God is in you.

 

Closing Prayer: A declaration of faith:

"In Jesus’ name, I declare that I walk in the authority given to me by God. I will not fear, I will not doubt, and I will not shrink back. I am called, empowered, and equipped to fulfill God’s purpose for my life!"