Building Spiritual Muscle

There is an expectation of Jesus that we walk in supernatural power and faith.  In Luke 8:22, He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith during the storm.  He called out Peter to walk on the water.  He rebuked them for their lack of faith in casting out a demon (Matthew 17:20).  He commissioned the disciples to "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons".  He was demonstrating the life we are to lead when we follow Him.

If there were no expectation of power, then why would He bother rebuking them?  Wouldn't He instead say "Listen guys, when you run into a demon, just call me over and I'll take care of it."  There is no hint that this was ever His attitude.  He regularly sent them out to perform miracles because He wanted them to have the spiritual  muscle necessary to continue it after He ascended and the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost.

Practice is at the essence of learning.  Hebrews 5:14 says it like this: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (NKJV)  We have to have room to fail.  Celebrate the things we are doing right.  We are going to get it wrong a lot of the time, but we will only develop our senses by practicing, failing and learning.  This is how spiritual muscles are developed.

Qualified and Expected

We all are qualified and expected to operate in the supernatural, just like Jesus.  Jesus' command is the same for everyone - "Follow me".  What exactly did Jesus do?  

"Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, TEACHING in the synagogues and ANNOUNCING the Good News about the Kingdom. And he HEALED every kind of disease and illness." - Matthew 4:23

Teaching renews minds.
Announcing imparts revelation.
Healing demonstrates His authority.

Jesus declared that whoever believes in Him will do the same works He did, and even greater, because He goes to the Father (John 14:12).  This is for everyone who believes, not just vocational ministers.  It's for you and me.

We are qualified because the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead resides in us (Romans 8:11).  We are expected because Jesus constantly demonstrated how to walk as a man in right relationship with God and then said we would do the same.

Jesus did His miracles not as God, but as a man in right relationship with God.  He showed us how to really live.