Sermon Notes

The Authority of Jesus

Christopher Stephens / General

Intro

What is Authority?

The captain on the bridge of a large naval vessel saw a light ahead on a collision course. He signaled, “Alter your course ten degrees south.” The reply came back, “Alter your course ten degrees north.”

The captain then signaled, “Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a captain.” The reply: “Alter your course 10 degrees north. I am a seaman third-class.”

The furious captain signaled, “Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a battleship.” The reply: “Alter your course ten degrees north. I am a lighthouse.” ~Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Over 1500 sermon illustrations~ 

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

›     This great responsibility and charge has been given to God’s people from Jesus himself!  He has called us to do many things and this month we will examine all that he has called us to do within the great commission, today beginning with the authority of Jesus.

Authority Defined

›     In the Greek the word is defined as the right to control or command, authority, absolute power, warrant (ἐξουσία) (ex-soo-siah)  Another definition states...

Authority refers to the prerogative to _______ or ________ others. It has to do with the __________ to regulate and ________________ the activities of one or more individuals.  ~Lexham Theological Wordbook.~

Romans 13:1 NKJV

1 Let every soul be ____________ to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except ___________ God, and the authorities that exist are ________________ by God.

Romans 9:21 NKJV

21 Does not the potter have _________ over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

Can we halfway submit to authority?

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Authority, Submission to

A little boy finally sat down after first resisting his parents’ command to do so. He said to his parents, “I’m sitting down on the outside, but I’m standing up on the inside.”

3 Spheres of Authority

1.     ______________- 1 Peter 2:13-14

2.     ______________- Eph. 5:21-6:4

3.     ______________- sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

Acts 5:29 NKJV

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey _________ rather than ___________.

Authority gives one the __________ to rule over an individual or group, it is given by ________, and should be respected as long as it does not go against the will of God.  We would do well to understand that as Christians we must ________ authority as long as it falls in line with God’s authority.

God Gave Jesus Authority

Jesus would work many signs showing authority on this earth before His death.

1.  Authority over _____________. Mt. 8:26 (rebuking the wind)

2.  Authority over _____________. Mt. 9:6 (forgiving the sins of the paralytic.)

3.  Authority over _____________. Mt. 8:14-15 (healing Peter’s Mother in law)

4.  Authority over _____________. Lk. 10:17 (Even the demons are subject to His name)

5.  Authority over _________. Lk. 7:14-15 (raised up the widow’s son from his coffin.)

Ephesians 1:19–23 NKJV

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And He put ______ things under His feet, and gave Him to be ________ over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Matthew 28:18 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All _____________ has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Authority In Heaven

1.  Intercession for His people

a.   ____________ (sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us.)

b.  _____________ (He is able to save. Makes intercession for us.)

c.   _____________ (He is our advocate)

2.  Bringing his Church home forever

a.   ______________ (We are His sheep. He will lead us to eternal life)

b.  _________ (Jesus will give eternal life based on the authority given to Him)

Authority Upon The Earth

1.  The Church

a.   ____________ (The group of called out believers will overcome death)

b.  _______________ (Christ is the head and the firstborn from the dead.)

c.   ____________ (Christ, who reigns, will one day hand over the kingdom to God.)

i.    Remember that the kingdom is the ________ of God. Those who are in the kingdom are _____________ to the will of God. His upside-down kingdom will live forever.

2.  Holy Spirit

a.   ____________ (Jesus Christ did not leave us alone on this earth. He sent the helper, the consoler, the one who encourages, the mediator, the Holy Spirit.

b.  _____________ (We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism)

How Christians Should Respond To Authority

ruling authority n. — authority over a domain or sphere of influence; often pertaining to the political or religious sphere.

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.