MIND YOUR KING If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ~ Luke 9:23

Authority is fundamental! Matt 7:28-29 ~ And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matt 21:23 ~ Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?"

Authority is fundamental! Rebellion against the concept of authority is an old problem. People rebel because they think there is a better path to follow.

Authority is fundamental! “The problem of authority is the most fundamental problem that the Christian church ever faces. This is because Christianity is built on truth: that is to say, on the content of a divine revelation… The deepest rifts in Christendom are doctrinal; the deepest doctrinal rifts are those which result from disagreement about authority… Radical divergences are only to be expected when there is no agreement as to the proper grounds for believing anything.” ~ J.I. Packer, Fundamentalism and the Word of God

Authority is fundamental! Authority lies at the heart of the most basic questions of doctrine and practice. It is at the core of recognizing truth from error. It is a point of continual contention, as many divisions occur due to issues over authority. We must therefore reaffirm our faith and trust in God and His authority, seeking to teach future generations who will, in turn, face further issues relating to authority.

Authority is fundamental! There is no getting around the fact that everyone follows someone’s authority. In the absence of God’s authority, we will make our own or follow another’s. Luke 22:42 ~ "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." We can no more establish our own authority than we can establish our own righteousness.

Authority is fundamental! Isa 52:7 ~ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" This is why authority matters!

Authority / 4 pillars God is Creator, Gen. 1:1 Jesus Christ is King, Acts 2:29-36 Mt. 28:18; Col. 1:18 The Holy Spirit is the Revealer of the mind of God, 1 Cor. 2:9-13 Mankind is God’s creation, but is not in the position to be the authority, Jer. 10:23 Isa. 55:8,9

Authority / two basics Authority: It is power to make and enforce law to command, determine, judge, or exact obedience. 1st – based on a held position 2nd – delegated authority or permission given to another who has the power to grant it. When we say we have God’s authority, we are claiming that we have the permission from God to act.

Authority / two basics 1st – based on a held position Because of who God is, any understanding of authority must flow from Him and His nature. Only God has the absolute right to rule, govern, command, and expect obedience. The position He occupies needs no further foundation.

Authority / two basics 2nd – delegated authority Government, Rom. 13 Home, Eph. 5 Church, Col. 1:18; Heb. 13:17 They only have authority in the sense they have been given permission by God to act in whatever capacity they work.

Authority /Challenged Jude 11 ~ Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. At the heart of all three is an attitude that allows people to think that their way is better than God’s, that their thoughts are higher than His, that their needs outweigh what God knows and plans for. These all paid the price for a spirit of rebellion against God’s authority.

Authority / theme Luke 9:23 ~ Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. All sin is a rebellion against the nature and authority of God. 1 John 3:4; Rom. 3:23 Gen 3:5 ~ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

MIND YOUR KING We need to respect God’s authority. God Reigns!