1. The Authority of the Scriptures
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13

2. How the Lord’s Authority is Communicated to Us
Three basic avenues:
Direct command
Luke 22:19-20
Apostolic example
Acts 20:7
Necessary Inference
1 Corinthians 11:20-29; 16:1-2
Exodus 20:8-11

3. How the Lord’s Authority is Communicated to Us
Bible is our ONLY authority
John 12:48
Colossians 3:17
Can’t altar God’s Word
Deuteronomy 4:1-2
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 John 9
Revelation 22:18-19

4. Two Attitudes Toward Scriptural Authority
God’s silence is permissive
God’s silence is prohibitive
Hebrews 7:14
Hebrews 11:4
Mechanical instruments – the test case
Ephesians 5:19
Colossians 3:16-17

5. Bible Examples: The Prohibitive Nature of God’s Silence
Noah
Genesis 6:14
Nadab and Abihu
Leviticus 10:1-3
Jeroboam
1 Kings 12:32-33
Naaman
2 Kings 5:10-14
Bible warns against presumptuous sin
Psalms 19:13
2 Peter 2:10

6. The Danger of Substituting Man’s Way for God’s Way
Dangerous substitutions:
Human wisdom for divine wisdom
Own preference for God’s preference
Others are doing for God’s command
Things successful for things faithful
The end does not justify the means!

7. The Danger of Substituting Man’s Way for God’s Way
Uzzah experienced this danger!
1 Chronicles 13:7-10; 15:1-2,12-15,25-26
Must be content to follow “sound doctrine”
2 Timothy 4:2-4
Must worship God in “spirit” and “truth”
John 4:23-24

8. Conclusion
We allow Jesus to rule our lives WHEN we respect and obey His word
Colossians 3:16-17