Category: Authority
Subject: Authority
Sermon: Dan – A History of Idolatry
(Judges 18) Our discussion of Judges 18 shows that the northern city of Dan was founded in idolatrous practices, and remained idolatrous throughout her history. The sins of Idolatry and Anarchy are discussed.
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Seven Sons of Sceva
There are many passages of scripture that tangentially teach principles of authority, even though the primary purpose of the text may concern something entirely different.
In Acts 19, we are told of the miracles that Paul did, powerful miracles that included healings and exorcisms. We are told that even pieces of clothing, aprons or handkerchiefs, that had touched Paul’s body, were brought to the sick and healed them (12). Such power was effective in proving Paul’s authority was from God, and caused many at Ephesus to believe in Jesus. We are told, “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (20). Continue reading “Seven Sons of Sceva”
Sermon: Live from the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14)
In 1 Corinthians 9:14 the apostle indicated God’s intent that the preacher of the gospel should be materially supported while doing his work. The principle is examined here.
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Sermon: Please Inquire for the Word of the Lord
We discuss Jehoshaphat’s inquiry of God’s will in 1 Kings 22 before going to war with his ally, king Ahab of Israel. Applications are made to today, with the proper appeal to God’s authority and will.
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Not Tedious, But Safe
How do you feel about gospel preaching? Admonition? Chastisement? The Bible is replete with passages condemning sin, warning about sin, detailing what sin is, and discussing ad naseum the consequences of sin. Do you get tired of it? Do you wish the emphasis was different than it seems to be? Continue reading “Not Tedious, But Safe”
Mining the Scriptures: Ephesians 1:22-23
A simple examination of the text. The pronouns regard God in the first instance, and His Son in the last three.
God gave Jesus a place of preeminence in the world. This is best demonstrated in the church, which is figuratively described as His body. As the head is to the body, so is Christ to the church. He is the authority, He is the guide, He is the director.
As the church (His body) does His will on earth, it accomplishes everything God intends. This is our purpose as we live here — do Christ’s will, and accomplish His purpose.
Another truth in the metaphor of the head and the body is that there is one of each. One head and multiple bodies is a monster. There is only one body, on church (cf. Ephesians 4:4).
One body with multiple heads is a monstrosity as well. For any to exalt themselves by taking authority that belongs to Christ is wrong. He has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
Christ fulfills us completely. His power, goodness, might, love & preeminence empower us in all things (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Sermon: Emotion VS Emotionalism
There is a difference between having an emotion connection with the Lord due to your faith and relationship with Him, and being subjective in your assessment of your obedience, which is prevalent, and an example of Emotionalism.
The Help of God’s Holy Word
Paul told Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
This passage succinctly establishes the purpose and holiness of the Old Testament scriptures. Timothy was half Jewish (cf. 2 Timothy 1:5), and had been taught by his grandmother and mother from the Old Testament scriptures. These verses paved the way for the coming of the Christ. They prophesied His coming, described His kingdom, and established what constitutes righteousness before the Father. They were able to make Timothy “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
The Old and New Testaments are both God’s word, coming through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Together they make the whole of God’s revelation to man. While we are under the authority of the new covenant, we must learn and familiarize ourselves with the entirety of the Bible.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Setting Things in Order
The apostle Paul directed the young evangelist Titus in his letter to him, preserved for us through God’s providence. It is apparent from the text that the church was not all it could be on the island of Crete, and so admonition and instruction was needed from Titus.
After his greeting, Paul wrote Titus, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set it in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you” (1:5). The rest of the epistle is a discourse on the lacking things, and the efforts Titus needed to make. By noting them, we can know what kind of congregation and individual Christians we need to be! Consider broadly the text. Continue reading “Setting Things in Order”
Sermon: Pilate’s Limited Authority
(John 19:1-16) It is evident by Jesus’ statement in verse 11 of our text, that Pilate greatly exaggerated his own authority. All men only have authority granted to them by the Almighty Himself.
Divine Implication
Another lesson in our series on Principles of Authority. God authorizes and establishes truth through implication. The principle is explained.
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Sound Doctrine
Doctrine is not important to many religious people today. A common belief distinguishes between the gospel of Christ and Christian doctrine. One is necessary to hold to and be in agreement about, the other is not. Others emphasize the “Man” rather than the “Plan,” and call those who advocate for unity in doctrine to be “legalists.” They emphasize a relationship and deemphasize the necessity of adhering to scriptural precepts. In their words, they serve “the Living Word [Christ}, and not a bunch of dead words on paper.”
The apostle Paul felt differently. In his words to Timothy, he denounced some in his time that were causing disputes, straying from the “purpose of the commandment.” He noted the “ungodly and sinners” the “unholy and profane” who were guilty of various listed sins like murder, fornication, homosexuality and lying. He ended the list with “any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust” (1 Timothy 1:3-11). Continue reading “Sound Doctrine”
Sermon: Does the End Justify the Means?
Many have the idea that as long as you attain a goal, the means of obtaining it is unimportant. This is not true with God. Both the method as well as the result must be sanctioned by the Lord.
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