What is your Source of Authority?

Matt. 21:23-24

What is Authority?

• Permission to do something!

• We appeal to this every day. Consider the example of driving a car.A police officer.

What is Authority?• In religion, authority is also

needed • Whatever God tells us to do we

need to do it – according to His instructions.

•Col. 3:17•Matt. 7:21-23•1 Cor. 4:6

False sources of Authority

• Your conscience

• While important, your conscience only good if you know the truth•Prov. 14:12•Acts 23:1, 26:9 - Paul

False sources of Authority• The Wisdom of men• Too much confidence placed in

men today. Too many seek to explain away the truth

•1 Cor. 2:4-5•Jer. 10:23•Acts 17:11

False sources of Authority

• Friends and family

• Will your family keep you from obeying God?•Cf. Luke 16:27-31•Matt. 10:37

False sources of Authority• The majority• Is often wrong!• Noah – only saved 8 – 1 Pet. 3:20

• The “remnant” Isa. 1:9, 10:20, Jer. 31:7

• The “majority” refused to enter Canaan (Num. 13-14)

•Matt. 7:13-14

False sources of Authority

• Tradition

• While we must respect God’s pattern, we cannot bind our traditions, etc. •Gal. 1:13•Matt. 15:3, 6-9

False sources of Authority• The Old Law• Many appeal to the Old Law as

a standard – is it?•Gal. 3:19•Colossians 2:14• This is why we do not use

instrumental music, offer animal sacrifices, etc.

Our true source of Authority

• Christ has all authority•Matt. 28:18-20•Matt. 7:5•Heb. 1:1-2

Our true source of Authority

• Christ has all authority•Matt. 28:18-20•Matt. 7:5•Heb. 1:1-2

Our true source of Authority• The Bible His standard• While Jesus did not write the

books, it IS His message•John 14:25-26, 16:13•John 17:6-7, 14, 17-18•2 Pet. 1:20-21 (vs. 16-18)•Gal. 1:11-12, 1 Cor. 14:37

– Paul’s message!

Our true source of Authority

• It is complete!

• In NT, we have everything we need•2 Tim. 3:16-17•Jude 3•2 Pet. 1:3

Our true source of Authority

• It must be strictly followed

• God means what He says and says what He means!•Deut. 4:2•Rev. 22:18-19•2 John 9

Our true source of Authority• It must be strictly followed• Adam & Eve – Gen. 2:16-17, Ch. 3

• Nadab and Abihu – Lev. 10:1-2

• Moses – Num. 20:7-12• Uzzah touched the Ark – 2 Sam. 6:6-7

Our true source of Authority• It CAN be understood•Eph. 3:3-4, Paul explained,

“the mystery” •Eph. 5:17, “Therefore do not

be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

•2 Tim. 2:15 – you have to STUDY!

When you stand before God, what

will your standard of

authority be?John 12:48, Rom. 2:16