Knowing God is more than learning facts about Him—it is walking with Him in fellowship, obedience, and spiritual authority. In this Light on Life podcast, we trace the thread of dominion from Genesis to the Great Commission and into the letter of 1 John, where believers are told to test the spirits and stand firm against deception. Scripture reveals that Jesus did not leave His Church powerless in a dark world. Through His Name, His Spirit, and His delegated authority, believers are called to pray, overcome the world, and push back darkness so others may come to the knowledge of the truth. If you have ever wondered how knowing God connects to walking in spiritual authority, this episode will show you that the two belong together. The Truth About God’s Authority and How It Propels Salvation, that’s our focus on this week’s Light On Life.

This Week: What authority did Jesus give His Church, and how does knowing God empower believers to walk in delegated authority, push back darkness through prayer, and open the door for others to come to salvation?

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Accept the Challenge

Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put into operation.
This weeks call is:

Walk in Delegated Authority

This week, refuse to live like a powerless believer—walk in the authority Jesus has already given His Church.

Spend time in fellowship with God every day and remind yourself that authority flows from relationship with Him. Pray intentionally for your city, your leaders, and the influencers shaping culture, using the Name of Jesus and standing in the authority He delegated to His people. Then act in faith—speak the Word, pray with confidence, and push back darkness wherever you see it.

You were not saved to live defeated—Jesus entrusted His authority to His Church so His victory can be seen in the earth.

Join the Conversation

Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony. Testimony is vital to a believers life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11).

This week’s question is:

When you think about spiritual authority, do you see it as something distant and abstract, or something Jesus actually expects His Church to walk in every day?

Share: What is one area of your life, your family, your city, or your nation where you feel led to begin praying with greater confidence in the authority Jesus has given you?

Remember: The Church is not powerless. The Greater One lives in you, and when believers take their place in prayer and faith, darkness must give way to the authority of Jesus.

About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 49 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. Both he and his wife Sharon of 44 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is both the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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Podcast Notes:

• Well again, welcome.
• Let’s pray.

Father God, how we love you and so desire to keep your commandments. Not just a few of them, all of them. Help us today to walk in the authority that Jesus bought and paid for in His death, burial, and Resurrection. Show us how by your mighty Holy Spirit within. We ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Walking in Your God Given Authority and Knowing God

• In a previous podcast episode, we discovered that eternal life is not simply living forever—it is learning to know God.
• The apostle John shows us that knowing God grows through obedience to His Word, separation from sin, and genuine love for other believers.
• Knowing God is not merely collecting facts about Him or chasing spiritual experiences.
• It is walking with Him daily in fellowship.
• But John does not stop there.
• Because part of knowing God is walking out His plan.
• The Head of the Church exercising authority on the world stage through His body is part of that plan.
• The same letter that teaches us how to know God also teaches us how to stand against darkness.
• In this episode, we move deeper into John’s message by looking at 1 John 4:1–4, where John warns believers not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits.
• This passage reveals an important truth: those who truly know God are not powerless in a world of deception.
• They possess authority because “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
• So the question becomes:
• If we know God, how should we exercise the authority that comes from that relationship?
• To establish that thought look at the thread of dominion throughout the Bible.

God’s Authority In The Earth: One Thread Throughout the Bible

1 John 4:1–4 (NASB 2020) — 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world. 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

• The concept of ‘authority’ dominates the pages of the Bible.
• After God made everything on Planet Earth.
• We see light dominating darkness.
• We see waters separating and coming under control.
• Vegetation, plants, and fruit trees come into being from divine order.
• Sun, moon and stars are slung into place at the Word of the Lord.
• Oceans teem with life swirling and swarming as the birds flood the skies.
• Great sea creatures pop their head out of the waters in worship to God.
• Then come the animals and the creepy crawlers of the insect world.
• Day after day for six days the wonders of God’s creative power are on display.
• And then.

Genesis 1:26 (NASB 2020) — 26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.”

• Let them rule was the purpose for the creation of man.
• The Hebrew word ‘rule’ means to have dominion over, to dominate.
• Ruling means to be in charge of.¹
• God created man to be in charge of Planet Earth.
• The whole thing — all of what God just diligently created in six days was under man’s sphere.
• God’s dominion is exercised through men.
• Go and replenish the earth was the Lord’s prime directive to Adam.
• We know that Satan stole Adam’s dominion from him when he gave in to the serpent’s temptation.
• That’s one reason Jesus came to Planet Earth.
• He came to legally take back the authority Satan stole from man.
• He did that by defeating the devil in the heart of the earth after the Crucifixion.
• After God raised Jesus from the dead, He made a Genesis 1:26 move.

Matthew 28:18—19 (NASB 2020) — 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

• Immediately after receiving all authority, he delegated that authority to the disciples by saying Go, therefore.
• This delegated authority is now a step up from what Adam had.
• Adam had dominion over the earth.
• Jesus has authority in heaven and earth.
• Dominion dominates.
• So, we see quite clearly, that God kept the main thing, the main thing in this second transfer of authority.
• So one way you can exercise the authority that comes from walking with God is to become ‘dominion minded.’

Using God’s Authority As An Overlay

• I recently purchased an electronic device that had a blue screen protector.
• When I installed this overlay, what I saw when I looked at the unit, was blue.
• If they had sent me a green overlay, then I would have seen green.
• To become ‘dominion minded’ overlay the concept of authority and dominion when you read the Bible.
• When you read Genesis one, the beginning of creation, what do you see?
• You see the Godhead giving Adam dominion in Genesis.
• The same is true when you get over into the New Testament, where New Creation truth resides.
• You see Jesus giving His disciples dominion in Matthew 28.
• Dominion just leaps off the pages.
• To become dominion minded use the overlay.
• Read your Bible, look through the glasses of authority for the threads of dominion.

Mark 1:22 (NASB 2020) — 22 And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

• As soon as Jesus hits the scene, authority is exercised.
• Teaching goes forth with power — devils go flying out of people.
• Walk with Jesus through the various villages and cities of first century Palestine and see dominion exercised over sickness, and disease.
• Do you think these displays of authority are any different today?

John 14:12 (NASB 2020) — 12 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.

• You can and must operate in dominion.
• It’s for all of Jesus disciples.

Mark 3:14–15 (NASB 2020) — 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out the demons.

• Be dominion minded.
• It’s not just the gospels where dominion takes center stage.
• It’s all over the letters to the churches.
• Read the epistles and you will notice this golden thread of dominion.

1 John 4:3–4 (NASB 2020) — 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world. 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

• Right here in First John we see that God, the supplier of dominion lives in you.
• Did He leave His authority home when he came to live with you?
• Your authority is greater than that of the spirit of the antichrist.

God’s Authority In The Earth: The Church Is To Reign

1 Corinthians 15:25 (NASB 2020) — 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

• Jesus must reign — it doesn’t matter what the news media believes.
• Right now, as the head of the Church, Jesus is reigning through you.

Romans 5:17 (NASB 2020) — 17 For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

• The Greek word ‘reign’ is the one we want to look at and with that thought, here is the Definition of the Day.
• The word ‘reigned’ is a verb.
• It is an active ruling as a king or supreme ruler over a nation, or to become ruler or supreme ruler over a nation.
• Iran just elected a new spiritual supreme ruler.
• They got it wrong.
• Nations elect rulers, but in the spiritual realm the authority of Jesus’ Church is greater.
• In the Spirit, Jesus followers are the supreme rulers because His dominion flows through you.

Proverbs 29:2 (NASB 2020) — 2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked person rules, people groan.

• When the righteous increase, the people, the citizenry rejoice.
• Do not just think natural authority when you read this.
• This doesn’t just mean ‘when a saved president, or any other government office rules’ the citizens of the country rejoice.
• It means when those righteous ones step up to their place of spiritual authority the people rejoice.
• To the degree that the righteous in Jesus reign, righteousness will reign.
• During 911, a missionary family was visiting the United States from overseas.
• When they heard about the planes hitting the World Trade Center, they began to pray.
• The Lord showed this missionary a vision.
• She saw angel armies standing at attention.
• The regiments weren’t moving.
• This missionary cried out and said — why aren’t you going? Why aren’t you moving? Do something!
• The Lord shared this in the vision and said that these were angels assigned to the local churches.
• They weren’t doing anything because the churches weren’t taking their place of dominion in prayer.
• Angelic forces were standing ready, but they were waiting for the authority of the Church to be released through intercession.
• It’s a sobering responsibility to know that God has chosen to work through His people.
• When the Church prays, heaven moves.
• When the Church is silent, the forces of darkness advance.
• Think of any heinous attack in a city.
• Why does it happen?
• Because the churches are asleep and have not stood up and taken their places of authority.
• Push back against the darkness.
• Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
• Are you hearing this?
• Authority is released through the Greater One in you.
• Rise up and take your place — dominate the darkness.
• Walk the Way with constant contact.
• Pray according to His direction.
• He knows what’s trying to rise up in your city.

Jeremiah 29:7 (NASB 2020) — 7 Seek the prosperity of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD in its behalf; for in its prosperity will be your prosperity.’

• Here’s a great question to ask: what state is your state in?
• What condition is your city in?

The Reason to Walk God’s Authority In The Earth

• Another way you can exercise authority is to understand the reason why you need to.

1 Timothy 2:1–4 (NASB 2020) — 1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

• When you pray, do so from a platform of authority.
• So that all men can be saved.
• Praying for kings and ALL who are in authority is the path.
• Use authority to pray for those in authority.
• The word authority refers to those who are preeminent, of high status or importance.
• Kings refers to government officials.
• Authorities refers to influencers.
• I’m not talking social media influencers.
• There are people in Hollywood for example that are influencing the use of immorality and ungodliness in their movies and then feeding that message to our youth.
• Pray for these people.
• That’s one way to push back against darkness.
• There are riots occurring in our streets that are being fueled by influencers.
• Someone behind the scenes is pulling the strings.
• Pray for and exercise authority here.
• Notice, I said “Pray for.”
• God’s Word says He is willing that ALL men be saved.
• Jesus followers don’t pray against people, we pray for them.
• Remember that we honor the sacrifice of Jesus when we use the dominion He died to provide.
• To the degree that you reverence the things of God, to that degree they will work in your life.

God’s Authority Unveiled in First John

• As you read the letter of First Epistle of John, you will notice a repeating pattern.
• John keeps returning again and again to the same set of themes: knowing God, refusing to sin, and recognizing deception.
• These themes weave together and lead us to the powerful conclusion that believers overcome or exercise authority over the world through faith.
• So first, we come to know God through faith and fellowship.

1 John 1:2–3 (NASB 2020) — 2 and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us—3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

• Fellowship with God, partnership with God, walking with God spirals into doing the things that please God.
• This spirals into:

1 John 2:3 (NASB 2020) — 3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.

• Commandments are direct orders from our commander in chief, Jesus, who is Lord.
• What are His commandments?

1 John 3:23 (NASB 2020) — 23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.

• Every step out of love is a step into sin.
• As you come to know God, you begin to understand what He loves and what He doesn’t love.
• You will begin to understand His taste.

1 John 2:15–16 (NASB 2020) — 15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

• Walking in love means loving what God loves and despising what He despises.
• We are to love people not things.
• Loving things diminishes your sense of authority.
• We are to be dominion minded not worldly minded.
• So loving God means separation from the world system.
• Because two dominions cannot rule the same heart.
• Did you pick up the authority piece in these four passages in First John?
• Here it is.

1 John 3:23 (NASB 2020) — 23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ…

• The commandment is to believe in the Name.
• It didn’t say ‘believe On the Name.’
• Believing on the Name is for salvation.
• Believing in the Name is for power.
• Concerning the healing of the man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple.

Acts 4:7–10 (NASB 2020) — 7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health.

• Knowing God does not produce authority — Jesus already delegated that authority to His Church via His Name.
• As you grow in fellowship with Him, you recognize the authority of His Name and learn to walk in it.

1 John 2:18–20 (NASB 2020) — 18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

• You have an anointing within that teaches you that you have authority.
• This same Holy Spirit shows you where to exercise this authority and overcoming the antichrist spirit when it rears its ugly head.
• You move in authority through the anointing.
• Then we have our opening passage in 1 John 4:1, test the spirits to see whether they are from God.
• And if not do something about them because you are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
• This entire spiral bottoms out in chapter five.

1 John 5:4 (NASB 2020) — 4 For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.

• Game, set and match.
• You are the winner.
• The apostle John shows us something powerful.
• Knowing God is not just a devotional experience.
• Knowing God allows us to discover and walk in the authority He has given us.

Putting This Word Into Action

• This week, do not just think about authority—walk in it.
• First, spend time with God each day in real fellowship, because authority flows best out of constant contact with Him.
• Make authority a part of your daily diet.
• Second, begin to pray intentionally for your city, your leaders, and the people influencing your culture, using the Name of Jesus and taking your place in prayer so doors can open for peace, righteousness, and salvation.
• Third, remind yourself daily that Jesus did not leave His Church powerless: His authority has been delegated to you, so refuse passivity, rise up in faith, and take your place in pushing back darkness through the power of His Word and prayer.
• If today’s teaching encouraged you, take a moment to share it with someone who needs to be reminded that the Church is not powerless in this world.
• Jesus has delegated His authority to His people, and when believers take their place in prayer, heaven moves and doors open for salvation.
• And if the Light on Life podcast is helping you grow in your walk with God, be sure to subscribe and share the message so more people can discover the truth of God’s Word and learn to walk in the authority Jesus has given them.

Now Father God, thank You for the opprotunity to feed upon Yoor Word in the area of dominion. We thank You for the delegated authority that the Son of God gave us. We praise You for what’s going to come of this as your children rise up and pray for kings and all who are in authority. We thank You for these things in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

• The Truth About God’s Authority and How It Propels Salvation.
• You guys have a great God week and we will see you next time for another edition of Light on Life.

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