OUR NEED FOR AUTHORITY

Thesis: To show our need for authority from God in all that we say and do in religion and to illustrate this with examples from the OT and teachings from the NT. Intro: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, defines authority as the power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge; one that is invested with this power. In our daily lives we all recognize the need for authority. We see this need in our homes, jobs, schools and nation. This need for authority does not escape religion or our Christian lives. God is our source for authority in religion and our daily Christian lives. In the same way that we recognize the need to respect authority in our homes, jobs, schools and nation, we need to respect Gods authority. The first part of 1 Peter 4.11 states, Whoever speaks, [is to do so] as one who is speaking the utterances of God. This passage simply means that the things we say are to come from Gods sayings or, in other words, by His authority. The first part of Colossians 3.17 states, Whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus. In the name of the Lord Jesus means in accordance with His will or by His authority. In the words of commentator R.C.H. Lenksi, absolutely everything is to be done in the light of the revelation of our Lord and harmonize with that revelation. Body:

I. AUTHORITY IS NECESSARY IN RELIGION.

A. From Heaven or from men? Matt. 21.23-27. 1. Jesus began teaching in the temple. a) No doubt teaching the gospel of the Kingdom Matt. 4.23. b) The chief priests and elders heard him teaching. 2. They questioned His authority. a) By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority? Matt. 21.23. b) They recognized two very important principles in religion. (1) We must have authority for the things we do and teach. (2) That authority must come from one who has the right or power to give such authority! 3. Jesus answered their question with a question. a) The baptism of John was from what [source], from heaven or from men? Matt. 21.25. b) Jesus gives us the only two sources for authority in religionGod or Man. B. God is to be our only source for authority in religion. 1. The Bible clearly condemns going to man as the source for authority. a) Either by trusting in ones self Jer. 10.23; Prov. 14.12. b) Or by trusting in other men Col. 2.20-23; Matt. 15.9. 2. Trusting in men damages our relationship with God. a) We are not abiding in Him 1 John 2.24, 28-29; 2 John 9. b) We have no fellowship with Him 1 John 1.5-6.

www.HaveBibleWillPreach.com

Page | 1

Our Need For Authority

II. ILLUSTRATIONS FROM OT SHOWING THE NEED FOR GODS AUTHORITY.

A. Cain and Abel Gen. 4.3-5. 1. Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice. a) The Lord had regard for his sacrifice Gen. 4.4b. b) He offered a sacrifice with faith in what God told him, in other words he had authority from God for his sacrifice Heb. 11.4; cf. Rom. 10.17. 2. Cain offered an unacceptable sacrifice. a) Cains sacrifice did not please the Lord. b) Because he did not have authority from God for his sacrifice. 3. Just because it is brings about good or is religious does not mean that it comes from God. a) Cain offered a sacrifice. b) But his sacrifice, although religious in nature, was not authorized by God! B. Nadab and Abihu Lev. 10.1-3. 1. They offered up strange fire before the Lord. a) The Lord had not commanded this fire (cf. Lev. 16.12). b) Therefore the Lord consumed them with fire. 2. Where did they go wrong? a) They were priests and had a right to offer sacrifices to the Lord. b) But, they did not offer this sacrifice in the exact way God wanted them to, they offered it in a way that was not authorized by God! 3. People today have the same misconception. a) They feel that as long as something is religious or seems to be good then they have authority to do so. b) This could not be farther from the truth! God requires us to have authorization by Him for everything we say and do (cf. Col. 3.17). C. Uzzah and the ark 2 Sam. 6.5-7. 1. Uzzah tried to save the ark. a) The ark was going to fall off the cart. b) Uzzah reached up and steadied the ark to prevent it from falling. 2. And the Lord killed him for it! a) Uzzah did not have authority from God to touch the ark. b) Gods authority for moving the ark involved carrying it on the shoulders of the priests using two poles Exod. 25.14-15; Num. 4.15. 3. Uzzah had noble and good intentions. a) Uzzah was attempting to do good by saving the sacred, holy Ark of the Covenant. The world would say this was a noble action. b) But he had no authority from God and therefore God was not pleased! D. Uzziah burning incense 2 Chron. 26.16-20. 1. Uzziah wanted to participate in the good work of burning incense before God. a) He went into the temple and started to burn incense before the Lord. b) Eighty-one priests came in to stop him. 2. The Lord struck him with leprosy.

www.HaveBibleWillPreach.com

Page | 2

Our Need For Authority

a) Uzzah became enraged at the priests and continued to try to offer incense before the Lord. b) The Lord struck him with leprosy for being disobedient! 3. Again, burning incense was a good a work. a) The world would want us to think that Uzzah was just as good as the priest and had every right to participate in this good work. b) Only it was not one that Uzzah was authorized by God to participate in (cf. Exo. 30.1-10)!

III.

PRINCIPLES FROM THE NT SHOWING THE NEED FOR GODS AUTHORITY.

1. Concerning workers of lawlessness Matt. 7.21-23. a) One can be religious in nature and seem to do those things that are good and further the cause of God. (1) Lord, Lord. (2) Prophesy, cast out demons and perform miracles. b) But God will reject them if they do not have His authority in all that they say and do! (1) I never knew you; depart from Me, (2) You who practice lawlessness. 2. See also Matt. 15.20; Luke 11.28; John 14.21; 15.14.

A. The teaching of Jesus.

B. The teachings of the apostles. 1. Concerning doing all things in the name of the Lord. a) Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Col. 3.17. b) Speak as the utterances of God 1 Pet. 4.11. 2. Concerning not elevating men and their teachings above God. a) Not to think [of men] above that which is written 1 Cor. 4.6. b) The commandments and teachings of men Col. 2.20-22. 3. Concerning abide in the doctrine of Christ. a) We are not to preach a different gospel Gal. 1.6-9. b) We are not to add to or take away from the things written Rev. 22.18-19. Conclusion: Authority is not just something that is useful in religion; it is vital to our souls. Matt. 7.21-23. Let us make certain that we have authority from God for all that we say and do (cf. Col. 3.17).

John R. Gentry, www.HaveBibleWillPreach.com For audio and other study helps visit http://sierraleone.havebiblewillpreach.com Originally aired on BBN in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 2008.12.14

www.HaveBibleWillPreach.com

Page | 3