Our Need for Authority Introduction When one acts with “authority” they have the rightful power to command or act. The concept of authority is essential in all aspects of our lives: Civil government : e.g., criminal laws Traffic laws : imagine if no traffic laws?! Licensing laws : e.g., pilots, doctors, FDA School : e.g., graduation requirements Bible Authority

Our Need for Authority Introduction The Bible addresses authority in religion: e.g., Matt. 21:23-27 Need for authority : “By what authority are You doing these things?” v. 23 Source of authority : “And who gave you this authority?” v. 23 Jesus answers their questions by posing His own question: vv. 24-25 Bible Authority

Our Need for Authority Introduction The very fact Jesus answers their questions shows He recognizes the need for authority. His answer shows there are only two sources of authority in religion: vv. 24-25 “From heaven” : i.e., Divine authority “from men” : i.e., human authority Their response showed they agreed with this important principle about religious authority: vv. 25-26 Bible Authority

Our Need for Authority Introduction The Bible plainly teaches the fallacy of human religious authority: Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23; 2 Kgs. 5:11; Col. 2:20-22; Matt. 15:9 These matters must not be ignored or minimized, they are critically important! 2 Jn. 9-11 The “slippery slope” of apostacy: 2 Pet. 2:1 Missionary Society Instrumental music Institutionalism Social gospel Food/fun/frolic Women preachers & elders Theistic evolution Deny virgin birth & miracles Deny inspiration Deny the resurrection Bible Authority

Our Need for Authority Introduction Recall my sermon Three Things Sin Will Do ? It will take you farther than you wanted, or intended, to go: 2 Tim. 3:13 It will keep you longer than you wanted to stay: 1 Tim. 1:19 It will cost you more than you wanted to pay: 2 Jn. 9 Bible Authority

Our Need for Authority Introduction Old Testament examples: Adam & Eve: Gen. 2:15-17; 3:16-19 Cain & Abel: Gen. 4:3-5; Heb. 11:4; Rom. 10:17 Nadab & Abihu: Lev. 10:1-2 Uzzah: 2 Sam. 6; 1 Chron. 15:12-15; Num. 4:15 Uzziah: 2 Kgs. 15:3-4; 2 Chron. 26:5, 18-21 Moses: Ex. 17:6; Num. 20:8 Bible Authority

Our Need for Authority Introduction When we trifle with God’s authority we disrespect God! “And Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the Lord spoke, saying:   ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’ So Aaron held his peace.” Leviticus 10:3 “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9 Bible Authority

Bible Authority: Lesson 2 Our Need for Authority: Matthew 7:21-27 as seen in the New Testament Matthew 7:21-27

Matthew 7:21-23 1. Jesus recognized the need for authority Workers of “iniquity” will be rejected by God! Greek word “iniquity” is a compound word: anomia : a (negative) and nomia (law); “lawlessness.” To work “iniquity” (lawlessness) includes to act, work, or teach without divine authority: Matt. 13:41-42 “We’ve done it this way for 40 years!” “Look at all the good we are doing!” “Elders all over Michigan approve of this!” “We do many things we don’t have authority for!” Bible Authority

Matthew 7:21-23 1. Jesus recognized the need for authority Such statements are words of apostacy! Paul addresses such: 2 Thess. 2:7; 1 Tim. 1:4 When one rejects divine authority he inevitably will substitute the authority of men or self, or abandon “the faith” altogether: cf. Gal. 1:6-9 It is a departure from “the faith” ! It is to “follow deceiving spirits” ! It is to follow “things taught by demons” ! It is “anathema” ! Bible Authority

Matthew 7:24-27 1. Jesus recognized the need for authority Who is the “wise man” ? “whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them” : Matt. 28:18-20 The “man who built his house on the rock” of hearing and doing God’s will acts as the Lord authorizes. Who is the “foolish man” ? “everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them.” May claim “Lord, Lord” and make claims of ‘doing good’; but in reality refuses to do what Jesus authorizes: Matt. 7:21-23; Lk. 6:46; Matt. 28:20; 1 Cor. 2:9-10; 2 Jn. 2:3-5 Bible Authority

Matthew 21:23-27 1. Jesus recognized the need for authority Jews recognized need for religious authority. Jesus recognized need for religious authority. There are only two sources of religious authority: Divine : “From heaven” Human : “from men” Bible Authority

Matthew 21:23-27 2. Apostles recognized the need for authority Paul’s appeal for unity: 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 4:17; 2 Tim. 3:10; 1 Cor. 1:17 True unity is only achieved by abiding by the same rules, speaking the same things, recognizing an agreed upon standard of authority. There is only one source of authority that will allow Christians to “speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” : Col. 3:17; Matt. 28:19; 1 Pet. 4:11; Jn. 12:48 Bible Authority

Matthew 21:23-27 2. Apostles recognized the need for authority We must not look to men as the source of religious authority: Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; 1 Cor. 4:6; Prov. 3:5; 16:9 We must “abide in the doctrine of Christ” : 2 Jn. 9 To abide in His Word means to do exactly as He says: Jn. 8:31-32; 12:48 To “transgress…the doctrine of Christ” shows disrespect for His authority: 2 Jn. 9; Lev. 10:3 We must not add or subtract anything from God’s Word: Rev. 22:18-19; Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6; Heb. 11:3; 1:2; Matt. 28:18 Bible Authority

What will you do? Conclusion We all need to be vitally interested in understanding the principles, application and consequences of Bible authority. Our young people need to learn these important principles! I guarantee that you will have to face these issues once (or more) times in your life! Will you cave or stand for the truth?! Matt. 15:9; 2 Jn. 9 Bible Authority