David [00:00:00]:
Good morning, everyone. You know, last week we talked about what it meant to be crowned with grace And the fact that God has crowned us, one of the things He’s crowned us with is His identity. He’s, He’s let everyone know that you are a child of God. You are crowned by His grace.
David [00:00:45]:
You are a son or a daughter of God. And we talked about you’ve been given by exousia, that word in the Greek there, the legal authority, the right, the privilege, the power to belong to the family of God. It also speaks of favor and dignity and honor. But today I want us to focus on this next little part of this that we find as we study this out. We’re going to move from identity to purpose. Not only have we been crowned with his identity, we’ve been crowned with purpose. You see, a crown is not just a decoration. It represents dominion.
David [00:01:35]:
It represents jurisdiction. It represents responsibility. You are crowned to reign in life. Your Father God has a purpose for you. Romans 5:17 says this: those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Notice that it doesn’t say one day when you get to heaven, you’ll get to reign. What it says is, you shall reign in life. And when you study that, that means right here and right now.
David [00:02:31]:
Hallelujah. When God created Adam and Eve, he crowned them. He spoke over them and he crowned them. And he said in Genesis 1:26— in fact, let me just go ahead and read that. So let’s go back to the beginning here. Genesis 1:26-28. Then God said, let us— the Father, Son, the Holy Spirit— let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female.
David [00:03:27]:
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it, have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. So we were crowned. One of the things we were crowned with was dominion. Hallelujah, hallelujah! Dominion means to rule and reign. We were crowned from the beginning of time, from the beginning We were crowned to rule and reign. We were crowned to steward all the resources of the earth. We were crowned to prevail, to overcome, to take possession. To be crowned with dominion also means to have sovereignty or control.
David [00:04:38]:
Which means supreme power of authority to govern. We were crowned with dominion, so we had the sovereignty, the supreme power of authority to govern on the earth. To be a sovereign means to be a supreme ruler, especially a monarch. Possessing royal power, the right to govern or rule or determine what comes. Wow, wow, there’s so much there in that definition, but that’s what God gave us. That’s what God blessed Adam and Eve with. That’s what He crowned them with, and He hasn’t taken that back. That’s for all mankind.
David [00:05:31]:
Another thing that dominion means, it means your jurisdiction. A jurisdiction is the official power and authority exercised within prescribed limits. And so like here in where I live in Franklin, Tennessee, the local police force has a jurisdiction here in Franklin. The sheriff has a jurisdiction throughout the county. The state highway patrols have a jurisdiction throughout the state. They have power and authority they can exercise to enforce the law in their jurisdiction. We have that today still. We’ll get more into that as we move on.
David [00:06:31]:
Dominion was not a reward that God gave. It was part of God’s design for mankind from the beginning, to be crowned with dominion. To be given this right was a part of God’s design for us. Taking dominion is still a part of our godly purpose today. Humanity was created to reflect God’s image, to steward the earth, to govern the earth under God’s authority, and to bring His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Adam was, was crowned with responsibility. He did not create the garden, but he was assigned to cultivate it and tend it. He did not invent life, but he was given the authority to steward it.
David [00:07:44]:
Dominion has never been about control. It’s about partnering with God. It’s about partnering with God and His plan and His purpose. It’s about being empowered to create heaven here on earth, and that’s been His plan all along. Here’s a truth to know: you were never designed to live powerless. You were never designed to live without power and authority, rights, privileges. We were designed and crowned with the responsibility as children of God’s kingdom. Hmm.
David [00:08:43]:
We were designed to rule and reign as kings here on the earth. You were designed to exercise supreme power and authority, the right to govern your jurisdiction here on earth. You were designed to subdue the earth using all of its vast resources in the service of God and man. And when Jesus said, all authority has been given to me, therefore go, go and declare the good news to the world, heal the sick, cast out demons— when we’re praying prayers of healing and when we’re casting out the devil, running him off, We’re praying for deliverance and freedom. We’re ruling and reigning. We’re walking in the power and the authority that we’ve been crowned with as children of God. Wow, that’s not all, but that’s a good start. That’s who God designed us to be.
David [00:10:03]:
You have within you the power, the capacity, the potential to be all God designed you to be. But why have we lost it? Why do we not walk in it? Well, one reason is just like Adam and Eve, We let the enemy speak things to us and distort the truth of God. When sin entered the garden, Adam and Eve’s authority was distorted by the enemy. It was twisted. So instead of them ruling under God, from a heart of love, they began striving apart from God, striving for what had already been given to them all along. Their authority turned into domination, manipulation, self-exaltation, fear-based control. All these things the enemy began to introduce into the earth and everyone who was born. But here’s the good news: Jesus.
David [00:11:38]:
Jesus came to give his life that we may have life and fellowship and intimacy with the Father eternally. Jesus bought it all back. Jesus restored everything the enemy took. Jesus gave us our dominion back. He came to restore our rightful position. He came to give back to us everything that the enemy had stolen and twisted. In Ephesians 2:10 in the Amplified Classic, Paul said this: For we are God’s own handiwork, His workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew, that we may do those good works— born anew, that we may do those good works— which God predestined, planned beforehand for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time. God has paths for you to walk in today.
David [00:12:47]:
He’s already prepared them, paths that we should walk in, living the good life which he pre-arranged and made ready for us to live. God wants you to live a good life with him. Hallelujah! He’s already made it possible and prepared for it. That phrase right there, recreated in Christ Jesus, in the Greek that means we were born anew and put back into our rightful place and position with all the benefits, the rights, the privileges, the power and authority that had been taken from us. It was all restored to us when we were recreated in Christ Jesus. The place with all supreme power and dominion that God created for us in the beginning, that crown of dominion was given back to us when we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Let’s read John 1:12 in the Amplified Classic. But to as many as did receive and welcome him, He gave the authority, the power, the privilege, the right to become the children of God.
David [00:14:13]:
That is, to those who believe in, adhere to, trust in, and rely on his name. Praise God! There it is, guys. There it is. Just what Paul was saying right there in Ephesians 2, John is saying here. All that Adam lost, Christ restored to us. And in us. We are crowned as children of God with all of the power, the authority, the privilege, the rights that go with that. God’s purpose for us has been restored to us.
David [00:14:48]:
Not only do we have His identity, as we talked about last week, we have His purpose within us now. Remember Romans 5:17 that I read earlier? Let’s read it here in the Amplified. For if because of one man’s trespass, one man’s lapse or offense, death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive God’s overflowing grace, his unmerited favor, and the free gift of righteousness putting them into right standing with himself, reign as kings in life through the one man, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. There’s God’s purpose for you guys, to reign as kings in life through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Those who receive that crown of grace will reign in life. So there’s an order here we see as we read this. We receive the abundance of grace as God’s child. We receive the gift of righteousness, crowned by God as his child.
David [00:16:18]:
We reign in life. You are a king and a priest, a member of God’s royal family. You reign in this life. You don’t reign by earning it, by effort, by approval, by achievement. You reign by receiving. And you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You became a child of God. Now, I said this last week, want to say it again: a gift is not a gift if it’s not received.
David [00:16:57]:
So every gift God has for us, we just simply have to believe it and receive it. We walk in all God has for us by simply believing and receiving. It’s not rocket science, guys. Grace establishes your position, that crown of grace. Righteousness secures your standing. You are a child of God, and because you’re in your position, standing as a child of God, walking in your Purpose, authority flows through all of that. You’re not trying to get authority over sin. You already have it.
David [00:17:53]:
You are reigning because Christ has already defeated the enemy. Sin has no hold on you anymore. You are more than a conqueror. In Christ Jesus. So you are empowered. You’re already ready to reign in Christ, to reign in life. Now, let me say this: reigning in Christ does not mean you never face opposition, you never feel pressure, that you get to control the circumstances all the time, because that’s, that’s not what happens. In fact, Jesus said this to his disciples in John 16:33: These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace.
David [00:18:50]:
Where did we get peace? From him, from his word. He is his word. His word is him. And peace flows from Him. Then He goes on to say, “In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer.” Now, wait a minute, Jesus. You’re telling me I’m gonna have tribulation, but I should rejoice in my tribulation? And He goes, “Yeah, sure.” Well, why? Why would I do that? He goes, because I have overcome the world. And if you’re in me and I’m in you and you have my peace and my power, guess what? You’re more than an overcomer because you get to stand in my victory. Hallelujah.
David [00:19:45]:
Praise God. Reigning means circumstances do not control you. Sin does not master you. Fear does not dominate you. Shame does not define you. Authority is not loud. Authority is settled. It is done.
David [00:20:14]:
It is finished. A kingly child of God does not panic in his own palace, the place God has for you. He knows who he is and who he is with and who’s with him. He stands confidently in faith knowing that Jesus has overcome and already won the battle. Some believers are saved, A lot of us are saved, but still ruled by anxiety, addictions, and bitterness, and insecurity, defeat. But let me remind you, Romans 5:17 declares, you reign in life through Jesus Christ. You have power and dominion over all the power of the enemy. So here’s a good question: are you ruling over your thought life, or is your thought life ruling over you? 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 in the Amplified Classic: For the weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, inasmuch as we refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God, and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ the Messiah, the Anointed One.
David [00:22:12]:
Hallelujah! That’s why Paul said in Romans 12:2, renew your mind daily. Stay in the Word. Keep being filled up with the Word. So we think right. We come against all that stuff that the world system or the enemy’s bringing against us. We rule and reign over our mindset. Are you governing your emotions, or are your emotions governing you? Remember James? The Apostle James said in chapter 1, verse 19 and 20, so then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, or anger. For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
David [00:23:15]:
What he’s saying here, don’t let your emotions get you out of control. Don’t just react emotionally. Listen. Take it to God. Seek him. Get his perspective. Are you stewarding your atmosphere, or is your atmosphere dictating your peace? And your atmosphere is everything that’s around you, all the people, all the noise you hear, everything you’re watching and listening to, everything you’re reading. Colossians 3:15-17 says this: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.
David [00:24:04]:
Let that rule in your heart. To which also you were called in one body. So we’re all called to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. And be thankful Be grateful. I’m going to stop right there. You’ve heard me talk about this. You’ve heard our friend, Jackie Liston, talk about it. Gratefulness is one of the healthiest attitudes you can choose to have.
David [00:24:32]:
It impacts your health physically positively. It impacts your mindset and your thinking positively. It impacts your choices. Your results and your outcomes. Be grateful. Be thankful for life. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
David [00:25:18]:
See, as we get into the Word and the Word flows through us, it changes our atmosphere and the atmosphere around us. To reign in life means I live from the throne of grace. Crowned with all the power, the authority, the privileges and rights of a child of God. I have been set free and redeemed from the tyranny of fear. The enemy has no power over me. I have a crown of, of dominion, and I rule and reign in this earth. Know this: And remember this, as a part of our ruling and reigning here in the earth, we are crowned to know that we have power over sin. Sin no longer has legal authority over us.
David [00:26:26]:
Temptation may speak to you, but it does not own you. Cast it down. You have power and authority over fear. Fear may knock, but it does not sit on your throne. You have the throne of dominion. Fear has no place in your kingdom. You have power and authority over your mind, as we just talked about. You have the authority to reject the lies of the enemy no matter how they come.
David [00:27:06]:
You have the authority to renew your mind with the Word of God every day. And then we also just talked about this. You have authority over your spiritual atmosphere. You create your spiritual atmosphere. When you walk into a room, peace should increase because you’re walking in the peace of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Hope should rise. Faith should shift the environment around you, not because of your personality, Not that we don’t like you, but because of your position in Christ, you are crowned with grace, and you’ve been given dominion. As a child of God, your influence, your power, your authority impacts the atmosphere around you wherever you are.
David [00:28:20]:
God’s heart to you today is he wants to see you walk in all that he’s created you to be and to receive all that he has given to us. He doesn’t want us living beneath our crown. He wants us living wearing our crown. So make a decision that I will not tolerate things Christ has already defeated. Don’t make peace with habits and things in your life that God has called you to overcome and to break. Confront the fear the enemy tries to bring. Against you. Cast it down, as we talked about earlier.
David [00:29:15]:
Today, as children of God, we draw a line. We are not striving for victory. We are enforcing the victory Christ has won for us. As Paul said in Ephesians, having done all to stand, we stand in victory. You were crowned with dominion. You were positioned with God’s power and authority, his privileges, his rights, his honor, his dignity, his favor. You are a child of God, a member of the royal family. You reign in life through Jesus Christ.
David [00:30:02]:
When Jesus died for us on the cross and was resurrected, it was done. Our dominion was restored, and grace has positioned us in his family. You reign in life. Hallelujah! Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God. You get up every morning and look in the mirror and go, I’m gonna reign in life today. I’m crowned with his goodness. I’m crowned with his grace. I’ve been given dominion here on the earth.
David [00:30:44]:
Praise God, hallelujah. Let’s pray together. Father, we thank you for all that you’ve done for us. Through Jesus Christ. Jesus, thank you for being willing to come and sacrifice yourself on the cross that we could be saved and sanctified, filled with your Spirit, and brought back into a close and intimate relationship with you and the Father and the Holy Spirit. Thank you for restoring to us all the enemy took. Thank you for restoring to us our dominion here in the earth, our power, our authority, our rights, our privileges, our honor, our dignity, our favor. Thank you for bringing it all back to us.
David [00:31:27]:
And Father God, we want to go forth and stand in the victory Jesus has won for us and represent you and see your kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven. We are more than conquerors. We are overcomers. Praise God, we are victorious in Christ Jesus. Our Lord and Savior. And in the name of Jesus, we go forth and conquer for you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen. So be it.
David [00:31:58]:
Hallelujah! I can’t even talk now. Hallelujah! Get out there this week and go be a blessing. Amen. Pastor Connie is coming now with a closing thought.
