“AUTHORITY – WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY”

1. The text that was read tells us that Jesus wanted His disciples to meet this was done.

2. The disciples came to the right spot, through this meeting occurred there was some doubts of men.

A. Jesus’ friends knew that the Lord had been put to death.

B. At least some of them were unsure about the resurrection.

C. At this meeting, there was a mixture of relief, joy, and skepticism.

3. What should Jesus say to help his friends sort out the facts? Let’s look at verse 18 once again READ

I. JESUS SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN GIVEN “ALL AUTHOIRTY.” HIS AUTHORITY EXTENDED ALL THE WAY FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH; I.E. HE HAS ALL AUTHORITY.

A. Matthew 28, indicates that Jesus considered authority to be an important matter.

B. When Jesus considers something to be important we need to pay attention.

C. Thus, this morning, we turn our attention to the word authority. We begin with a definition.

D. What does the word “authority: mean? In general terms, authority means permission.

E. Authority means that someone has the right to exercise power.

F. A policeman has the authority to issue speeding tickets.

G. This power has been given to officers.

H. If a city is providing water to our home and we do not pay the bill.

I. Designated people have the authority to turn off our water supply.

J. The broad meaning for authority is power; right; jurisdiction.

K. What does the word “authority” mean in Matt: 28:18?

(1) The idea was somewhat related to the general definition I just gave.

(2) Thayer says, “The power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obey.”

N. If Thayer is right, Jesus is not like a policeman.

(1) If an officer turns on the lights & uses the speaker to say

(2) We have the potential to resist the officer’s authority.

(3) We might decide to get out of the car & make a run for it.

(4) We might choose to make an escape in the automobile.

(5) If we make these choices, is there a chance that we will escape.

(6) The chance is small, but it does exist.

O. Thayer says that this is not true of Jesus. His commands and will “Must be submitted to.”

P. All will obey Jesus, Either we will obey in this life, Or when He says, “Depart from me”,

Q. We will obey then. We sometimes hear people ask, “Who is in charge here?”

R. Matthew says that Jesus is the head of all things. His authority ranges from heaven to earth

S. Because of this authority, all will at some time obey Him. (All inclusive).

II WE KNOW THAT NOT EVERYONE IS CURRENTLY SUBMITTING TO THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS. WHAT CAN BE SAID OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY LIVING IN THE WAY HE HAS PRESCRIBED?

A. I want to present something that will be new to at least some here.

B. If each of us will commit this information to memory, it will help us through out our entire C. life.

C. For those who are turning to the references, find Matt. 21. Matthew tells us.

D. That Jesus came into the temple where some people who were waiting for him

E. The text says that these people were not friends of the Lord. The Chief Priests and the elders, F. Were the ones who greeted the Lord. These men had some questions – V. 23-READ.

G. These men understood the importance of authority. They knew that people needed the right.

H. Power/jurisdiction to do, thus they asked Jesus where His authority was from.

I. The Lord responded with the word in v. 24 READ

(1) Jesus was willing to answer these men. However, He first wanted his examiners to answer a question for Him. Jesus’ question is in 25A READ.

J. Here are the points you need to see and commit to memory:

(1) The topic in this part of Matt. 21 is authority.

(2) Jesus spoke about a religious act – John’s baptism.

(3) He said, “Is this from heaven or men? Who authorized this activity?

(4) Did humans come up with the idea of baptizing people?

(5) Or was this practice one that came from heaven?

K. In this passage we find Jesus recognized two types of authority:

(1) One is from God; the other is from man. Religious acts have authority.

(2) Some power is behind every religious activity. Either the power is heaven or man.

(3) Would you like to guess which authority we are to follow?

(4) If authority from man is fine, why do we need Gods authority?

L. John was to be obeyed because His authority was from Heaven.

M. Jesus needs to be obeyed because His authority is from heaven.

N. Not only is His authority from Heaven, He IS the authority.

(1) If we are going to do things correctly. If we are going to be proper in the area of religion;

(2) If we have any interest at all in pleasing God. If we are going to be saved;

(3) We must go to Jesus because He has the answers.

(4) We are dependent upon His authority to please God.

O. Many religious groups look to a religious headquarters. Conferences and synods are used.

P. Some denominations vote. Christ is the authority for the church; no one else.

Q. We can make this material practical.

(1) A religious group says, “We are going to hire a woman preacher.

(2) The authority for this decision comes from one of 2 places;

(3) Women preachers are from heaven or men. Which is it?

(4) Since the Bible specifies male preachers, this decision is not mans

(5) Can we not see how serious it is to reject God’s authority? What, about having and organ (6) rolled in to help with worship, are they instruments from heaven or men?

R. We could easily list 20 or more similar things, in each case the question is the same?

S. Someone may ask, “Is human authority really that bad”.

T. Do we need to always stay with Jesus’ authority? Let’s turn back a few pages

U. In the book of Matthew 15:1 says that scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to see J.

V. These men had a question. This question is stated in v. 2 READ.

(1) This question also ties in with the subject of authority.

(2) Jesus applied a prophecy to these people – vs.7-9 READ.

W. The Jews relied upon human authority for some of their practices.

X. Verse 9 shows the consequence of this choice.

(1) Worship becomes vain; worthless; profitless; useless.

(2) Using human authority is sinful, and it breaks out relation.

(3) It is for this reason that John could say in 2 Jn. 9 QUOTE.

III HAVING SAID ALL THIS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I DO NOT LEAVE A WRONG IMPRESSION.

A. Our authority for religious practices must always be from heaven. Col. 3:17 says, READ.

B. The verse before this says, READ. Authority comes from God’s word.

C. Hence we are to have that word. Suppose that some one comes along and asks the following:

(1) If we are to have authority for all that we do, how many song should we sing kin worship?

(2) At what time should we meet? What kind of structure should we use for our meeting?

(3) How long should the service last? The Bible does not provide times and details.

(4) How can we get authority for these things from Christ? These questions are important.

(5) They need to be asked, and we can answer them.

D. Authority is power which comes in different forms.

(1) Tomorrow many here will be at work. If your boss says, “Leave work sometime this morning.

(2) You have authority, but it is a general kind of authority. Leave no later than 10:00

(3) You might leave at 8, 9, 10, 10:30 or some other time. If your boss says,

(3) “Leave no later than 10:00. You have authority to leave but the authority has been narrowed

(4) You have authority to leave, but the authority has been narrowed down.

E. If God’s word this same principle is in operation.

(1) There are some matters wherein we have general authority.

(2) We are commanded to meet on Sunday. Authority & obligation.

(3) God has not specified a time; place; length of services.

(4) When it comes to our worship we have authority.

a. There is authority to pray, sing, listen to teaching L.S.

b. The authority in these areas is somewhat general.

c. God has not specified the number or length of prayers.

d. With our singing, the kinds of songs have been specified. Ephesians 5:19 says,

e. Country and rock and roll would be wrong has no authority.

f. On the other hand, God has not specified number of songs;

F. I have heard again and again, “This is complicated.” Its not.

H. We use authority nearly every waking day of our adult life.

I. Many, however, are not accustomed to doing the same thing w/Christ.

J. The principles of authority that are used with out thinking in the world need attention.

CONCLUSION:

1. When this is done, we will please God. When we do things in the church we need to have authority

2. Permission, if we do not have permission, we sin. If we fail to abide in Christ’s doctrine;

3. Our worship will become vain, if you are not yet familiar with the importance of authority.