Category: Authority
Subject: Authority
The Patternists: Who Judges the Steward?
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:1-4).
In our text Paul reveals himself as a servant of Christ. Christ had given him a specific stewardship. As an apostle, it was his responsibility to reveal God’s mysteries. His efforts enraged some. For example, the Judaizers in the early church despised the great apostle’s ministry among the Gentiles. It didn’t bother him in the least. He didn’t care. It was a “very small thing.”
The Patternists: You “Ought” To
“These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14-15)
The English word “ought” is “used to indicate duty or correctness” (Oxford). The Greek word is dei, “it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper” (Thayer). It is important to key in on the word “necessary” in the definition, especially as it concerns the context of 1 Timothy 3.
Sermon: Teach Me, O Lord (Psalm 25)
The Psalmist asked God to “show me Your ways”, “teach me Your paths”, “lead me in Your truth.” Jesus has done all of these things for us!
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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The Patternists: Walk Worthy of the Lord
Beginning in Colossians 2, the apostle Paul labored to establish the primacy of Christ and His will. As men consider how we will live our lives, what our philosophies and actions will be, allegiance to Jesus as Lord is the best choice we can make.
In contrast, Paul stated, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (2:8). Human philosophy is persuasive, but ultimately flawed and impotent. But, we are “complete in Him [Christ], who is the head of all principality and power” (2:10).
The Patternists: Love One Another
When we advocate for authority for all our practices, invariably some will seek to contrast such a position with the counterpoint of loving one another. As if the two are contradictory. They are not.
Why would the two be perceived as counterintuitive to one another? There are a couple of possible reasons. First, some may not realize that convicting others of sin is an act of love. Since the condemnation of sin can be unpleasant, it is perceived as unloving. Consider Paul’s words, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). It is an act of love to bring someone back from sin to reconciliation.
The Patternists: Be Reconciled to God
In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul makes an impassioned plea for holiness on the part of God’s people, as the proper response to the gift of grace they have received from God. This plea was necessary because of the failures the Corinthians had already experienced in their walk. These failures were clearly enumerated in his first epistle to them.
In chapter 5 of his second epistle, he speaks of the assurance of the resurrection. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (1). He notes the reality of judgment. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (10). He affirms that Christ “died for all” (15). That God “has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (18-19).
The Patternists: Why is Discipline Lacking?
The New Testament is rather clear about the importance of discipline among God’s people. Consider the following passages:
(Titus 3:10-11), “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.”
(Romans 16:17), “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”
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The Patternists: Are Repeated Warnings Tedious?
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul clearly showed his respect for and confidence in this fine congregation. They were faithful, loving and active in the work of the Lord. There are few notes of admonition in his letter. His primary intent is to thank them for their fellowship and love.
However, he makes an interesting statement in the first verse of the third chapter. “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.” While there was no need for him to admonish them, there was a need for him to warn them again about things he had already addressed. In doing so, he contributed to their safety – “but for you it is safe.”
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The Patternists: Paul’s Lord’s Supper Admonitions
There are several texts we used to establish our practice of observing the Lord’s Supper. By looking at all relevant passages, we see the entirety of what God expects of us as we worship Him in this way.
The church at Corinth was abusing the Lord’s Supper, observing it in an unscriptural way. So, he admonished them. In these admonitions, we receive some important knowledge about how to worship God acceptably. The text we are considering in this article is 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.
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The Patternists: A Simple Demonstration of Authority
There are many who take issue with the idea that the New Testament is intended to be a pattern for the lives we live. Some consider only the words of Jesus to be authoritative (cf. John 16:5-15). Others deny the sufficiency of scripture to equip us to every good work (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Others simple view the New Testament as a love letter to men (cf. John 14:15).
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The Patternists: Hold the Traditions
The apostle Paul used an interesting turn of phrase in exhorting his readers, in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
His exhortation is to be a response to the calling of God. The elect of God are eligible to obtain “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (14). Because of what God has done for us as Christians, and the hope we enjoy, we have a responsibility to “stand fast.”
The Patternists: What Nature Teaches Us
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4).
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead…” (Romans 1:20).
These two passages, and others like them reveal that the physical universe testifies of both the existence of God, and of certain attributes He possesses. Consider the truths we can discern from them.
Sermon: The Samaritans
The lesson discusses the origin of the Samaritans (2 Kings 17), and a few applications we can make concerning authority (John 4).
Sermon: The Gospel is Sufficient
Speaker: Ian Tilley
A fundamental truth found in the inspired word is that the gospel is sufficient to bring instruction and salvation to mankind.
The Patternists: This Thing is from Me
Many are familiar with the rebellion of Jeroboam, leading to the division of Israel shortly after Rehoboam, son of Solomon took the throne. The events leading to the division of God’s people is recorded in 2 Chronicles 10. But, God alluded to these events in a conversation with Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11:31, when the prophet Ahijah delivered God’s message, “And he said to Jeroboam, ‘Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you.”’”
Though Rehoboam played his own part in losing the northern tribes to Jeroboam, he reacted in a predictable manner to the rebellion. 2 Chronicles 11 relates Rehoboam’s assembly of an army of 180,000 chosen warriors to go and fight against Jeroboam and the rebellious tribes, “that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam” (2 Chronicles 11:1).
