“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” Hebrews 5:12

Back to the Basics 2014 Why we need authority!

What is authority? “The right to command or direct and enforce obedience or administer punishment” (Roy E. Cogdill, Walking by Faith)

What is authority? Permission! We appeal to authority every day! In our jobs, our homes, community, government, etc.

What is authority? In religion – the right to act, or denial of permission to act based upon rightly dividing the word of truth.

What is authority? WE need authority for everything we do! If God tells us to do something (or how) we need to obey Him. If He gives us principles we need to apply them!

What is authority? Authority for everything we do! Colossians 3:17 Matt. 7: Corinthians 4:6 James 2:10-11

Why we need authority Properly establishing authority is the ONLY safe course to with certainty know that we are pleasing God Yet how many while respecting authority in society dismiss it in their faith?

Why we need authority It prevents chaos and confusion Judges 21:25 1 Corinthians 14:33

Why we need authority To prevent division John 17: Corinthians 1:10

Why we need authority To bring accountability 1 Timothy 1:8-11 Cf. 1 Peter 2:13-14

Why we need authority One day we will be judged by His standard! Revelation 20:12-15 John 12:48 Romans 2:2

False sources of authority! Colossians 3:17, “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.”

False sources of authority! NOT in the name of your conscience Romans 14:22-23 Proverbs 14:12 Acts 23:1, 26:9

False sources of authority! NOT in the wisdom of man 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 Jeremiah 10:23 Acts 17:11

False sources of authority! NOT in what family says Matthew 10:34-37 Cf. Luke 16:27-31

False sources of authority! NOT the majority 1 Peter 3:20 Isaiah 1:9 – the remnant Matthew 7:21-23 God doesn’t stand with the majority! He stands with truth!

False sources of authority! NOT traditions Galatians 1:13-14 Matthew 15:3, 6-9

False sources of authority! NOT through the Old Law Galatians 3:19, 24 Colossians 2:14

When we reject God’s authority We are saying God’s way is not sufficient Jer. 10:23, Prov. 16:25

When we reject God’s authority We are saying God’s ways are flawed Isaiah 55:8-9 1 Corinthians 1:25 Cf. Ephesians 3:10

When we reject God’s authority We reject divine instructions Mark 7:6-9

When we reject God’s authority We are saying we don’t need to follow Jesus as our head and guide Matt. 28:18-20 Acts 4:12

When we reject God’s authority We are putting the desires of men above the desires of God Romans 1: Timothy 4:2-4

Is God’s authority important enough to you to completely follow it?