Authority

SERMON TOPIC: Authority

Speaker: Ken Paynter

Language: ENGLISH

Date: 15 February 2015

Topic Groups: AUTHORITY, HERESY

Sermon synopsis: Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?

Without wanting to take away from the importance of God given Biblical authority I want to highlight that there are those who rule with their own authority and not God’s, they have no Biblical mandate for the positions they hold or for the teachings and doctrines they propagate.
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Authority.

2 Timothy 3:16.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

Authority.

Jeremiah 5:19-31.

And when the people ask, Why has the Lord our God done all this to us? you will tell them, As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own. Announce this to the descendants of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah: Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:

Should you not fear me? declares the Lord. Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest. Your wrong doings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good.

Authority.

Jeremiah 5:19-31 (continued)

Among my people are the wicked who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch people. Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor.

Should I not punish them for this? declares the Lord. Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this? A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?

Biblical Authority.

Jeremiah 5:31.

The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?

Without wanting to take away from the importance of God given Biblical authority I want to highlight that there are those who rule with their own authority and not God’s, they have no Biblical mandate for the positions they hold or for the teachings and doctrines they propagate.

If you are not under authority, you do not have authority.

Matthew 8:7-9.

Jesus said to him, Shall I come and heal him? The centurion replied, Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, Go, and he goes; and that one, Come, and he comes. I say to my servant, Do this, and he does it.

There are many independent Churches today where the Minister is not accountable to anyone and the leadership in the Church is under his dictatorship and he is not accountable to them.

There are also Churches that have no covering body that they are accountable to. Some of those that do have a covering of sort, only use it to get recognition from the Government to get licences to perform marriages etc, when anything is suggested or enforced on them by the covering body they just move to another one that leaves them to do as they please.

Different levels of authority.

It is of vital importance to remember that there are different levels of authority.

The Bible (God’s Word) is a higher authority than the Pastor or Eldership or Parents or the Husband in the home and that you can challenge false doctrine and wrong behaviour and attitudes with God’s Word in a submissive way.Pastors and Teachers are not to be put on pedestals, but you must guard your attitude when challenging them on the basis of God’s Word.

Different levels of authority.

Acts 4:18-21. Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. After further threats they let them go.

They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.

Different levels of authority.

Submission is unconditional but obedience is conditional.

However obeying God rather than man has consequences.

Acts 5:40-42.

His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Authority.

In this last generation that we live in.

Men have rebelled against God and Governments.

Wives have rebelled against husbands.

Children have rebelled against parents.

Pupils have rebelled against teachers.

Workers have rebelled against employers.

Church members have rebelled against the leadership.

People leave jobs, marriages, and Churches and behind the excuses that are given lies a rebellious spirit.

Authority over Satan.

If you are not under authority you are vulnerable to Satan.

A perfect example of this is the seven son’s of Sceva who tried to exorcise demons from a man.

James 4:7.

Submit to God, resist the Devil and he will flee from you.

Acts 19:13-16.

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.

Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

One day the evil spirit answered them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you? Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

10 Authorities to respect.

The sovereignty of God the Father.

The Lordship of Christ.

The control of the Spirit.

The Authority of God’s Word.

The function of Government.

The place of parents.

The position of Elders.

The laws of Nature.

The rights of an Employer.

The authority of the husband in the marriage relationship.

The sovereignty of God the Father.

As Christians we are called to acknowledge that God is in control of every circumstance.

When we rebel, mistrust or grumble and complain about our situation, we are refusing to recognise God’s sovereign purpose in our lives.

Romans 8:28.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God is not the author of evil, but allows us to be tested and feel Satan’s pressure,

however there are times when the Lord will discipline us by using adverse circumstances.

The sovereignty of God the Father.

Jonah 1:3-4 & 17. 2:1-4.

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah….

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said:

In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the depths,

into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves

and breakers swept over me. I said, I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.

The sovereignty of God the Father.

Jonah 2:5-10.

The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you.

What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, Salvation comes from the Lord.

And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

The Lordship of Christ.

If Jesus is not Lord of all, then he is not Lord at all.

Matthew 7:21.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Ephesians 1:20-23.

He raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head

over everything for the church,which is his body, the fullness of him

who fills everything in every way

The control of the Spirit.

Romans 8:14.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God

are the children of God.

As Christians, Christ followers we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s control.

Acts 16:6-10.

Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, Come over to Macedonia and help us. After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

The control of the Spirit.

We can grieve and quench the Holy Spirit by ignoring His directions and instructions.

The Word of God gives broad principles of Christian living, but the Holy Spirit checks or encourages us in practical issues.

Acts 11:11-12.

Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them.

Anyone wishing to honour the Spirit would do well to honour the Scriptures he inspired and means to illuminate, and not use the phrase that they are not under law but led by the Spirit, to excuse doing as they please.

Ephesians 4:30.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 5:19.

Do not quench the Spirit.

The control of the Spirit.

We need to create the environment in which the Holy Spirit can give direction.

Acts 11:4-7.

Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story:

I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. Then I heard a voice telling me, Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.

Acts 13:2-4.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

The authority of the Word.

2 Timothy 4:1-4.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

The authority of the Word.

The authority of the Word.

In a nutshell, our source of direction in life has to be one of the following.

Humanism: Man’s ability to reason and evaluate.

Tradition: Either of society (Culture) or the Church (What the denomination or Pastor and Elders say)

The will of God: Revealed in the Scriptures which he inspired.

We are not to ignore the value of reason or the guidance of Elders or be insensitive to our cultural setting, but Scripture stands supreme.

The function of Government.

Romans 13:1-7.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves….

They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.

The function of Government.

1 Peter 2:13-17.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.

Titus 3:1-5.

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures…. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

The place of parents.

The Old Testament teaching of children obeying their parents is confirmed in the New Testament.

Ephesians 6:1-3.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

Colossians 3:20.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

The position of Elders.

Elders are appointed for their spiritual maturity and wisdom.

The oversight is God’s provision to guide the Church in the things of the Lord and the affairs of the local Church.

Hebrews 13:7.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:17.

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Those who best qualify to exercise authority over others are those who have first learned to submit. Rebellion is a terrible sin in God’s eyes, it is as witchcraft and is the sin of Satan.

The laws of Nature.

God has placed man within the bounds of his universe and has established physical laws with which he is meant to comply.

Requirement of rest and sleep: To restrict this for any reason reduces our abilities and efficiencies.

Man is created a heterosexual being: Homosexuality is a deviation, Romans 1 catalogues the error and consequences of departing from God’s norms.

Romans 1:24-26.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.

The laws of Nature.

Romans 1:27-31.

In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done…..

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

The rights of an Employer.

Scriptures teach the obligations of the employee to the employer.

A Christian’s witness at work through their attitude to those in authority is a powerful tool that God can use to work in their lives.

A Christian is required by Scripture to serve their employer with the same attitude that they would serve Christ.

Ephesians 6:5-9.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

The rights of an Employer.

Colossians 3:22-24.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Unfortunately many professing Christians are a liability to the companies they work for and are the first to complain and take advantage.

The rights of an Employer.

Even if the authority God has placed over you does not operate in love, it does not give you the right to ignore it or rebel against it.

1 Peter 2:18-19.

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.

We can see clearly in the life of Daniel and his 3 friends that living a life of integrity before unbelievers led to increased responsibility and promotion.

Daniel 2:47-49.

Then the king gave Daniel high honours and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon.

The rights of an Employer.

Genesis 39:2-4 7 20-23. (Many want the Palace but not the Prison)

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favour in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned….. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison,

the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden.So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.

The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

The authority of the husband in the marriage relationship.

Christian wives can disobey their unbelieving husbands only on the basis of a higher authority and be a testimony elsewhere.

1 Peter 3:1-2. Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

The authority of the husband in the marriage relationship.

The authority of husbands in the home does not need to be enforced if it is God given.

Just because the Pharisees did not recognize the authority of Jesus, did not mean that he did not have authority.

Ephesians 5:22-24.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Colossians 3:18.

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Respect for Celestial beings including Satan.

Jude 8-10.

In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, The Lord rebuke you! Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand.

2 Peter 2:10-12.

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand.

Submitting to fellow believers.

Scripture instructs Christians to submit to each other.

1 Corinthians 16:15-16.

You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labours at it.

This has particularly relevant to younger Christians submitting to those over them in the Lord.

1 Peter 5:5.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble. Romans 12:10.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.

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