During one of my lectures in my time of study at Fuller Seminary, I heard a man named Ed Silvoso share about the amazing revival that was taking place in Argentina. I was so stirred by his story that I felt an unusual prompting to speak to him and ask that if I could make my way to Argentina, would he arrange a tour for me to visit the regions where the revival was taking place. He willingly agreed.

My time in Argentina was a transforming experience, and my life was radically changed. One unforgettable defining moment occurred when I was invited to preach at the church at La Plata where the revival was birthed. God’s presence was very evident and at the end of the service I was informed that it was their practice that people who needed prayer were invited to line up and receive prayer from the person who had preached at the service.

I reluctantly agreed and with the help of my interpreter, Victor Lorenzo, I made my way to the line-up that was taking place. The first person in the line was a well-dressed senior person who stood there with a handkerchief in his outstretched hands. I inquired of Victor what this person was requesting, and he replied that he wanted me to bless his handkerchief. It seemed an unusual request to me, but I could recall that Paul did undertake such a task as was recorded in the book of Acts.

I proceeded to raise my hands and spoke out five words, “In the name of Jesus” and then it happened. The person in front of me was suddenly forced to the floor by a supernatural power and then proceeded to writhe around in an uncontrollable manner. I was shocked and found it difficult to understand what was happening. I asked Victor if he could explain what was taking place and he replied, “Rod, he wanted to curse you, he is possessed by demons.” Some nearby elders from the church came across and began to pray prayers of deliverance over this man, and gradually he regained his senses and stood up and hugged me.

That night as I returned to the hotel where I was staying, I remember laying on my bed and singing with some conviction, “In the name of Jesus we have the victory.” My life was forever impacted and I was to have a new perspective on the power and authority that was mine to use “in the name of Jesus,” the one who said, “As the Father has sent Me, so am I sending you” (to do what Jesus did). John 20:21

I have come to realise that it is one thing to talk and sing about the authority and power that has been given to us “in the name of Jesus”, but it is another thing to use it. Satan, in particular, desires that we will stay ignorant of all the resources that have been entrusted to us.

When Jesus sent out His disciples, “He gave them power and authority (the right to use power) to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”  Luke 9:1-2  “After this the Lord appointed 72 others and sent them out two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go……. And they came back and said, ‘Even the demons submit to us in Your name.’ Jesus replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. I have given you authority… to overcome the power of the enemy.’” Luke 10:1, 17-18
They received authority because they came under authority and took Jesus at His word.

And yet much of ministry of churches today relies on the latest marketing techniques and corporate models of doing ministry, rather than the power and authority God wants to make available to us. Paul said that “the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power” 1 Corinthians 4:20, and that “the gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with conviction.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5

When Jesus commissioned His disciples (which includes you and me), He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses In Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The New Testament knows nothing of powerless Christianity. Wherever we go we are to take the two indispensables that Jesus gave to His disciples so that we can do the same things He did. In fact, He said that “Whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask for anything in My name and I will do it.” John 14:12-14

So, I have learnt that wherever I go and whatever I do, not to forget to take the two indispensables that Jesus gave His disciples, for it is “In the name of Jesus that we have the victory.”
Can I encourage you to do the same? Why not when you wake up each morning, pray,
“Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh that I may experience Your power at work in me as I follow your prompts, in the name of Jesus.”