Knowing Our Authority Series

"Knowing Our Authority!"

"Knowing" series part 3 of 4

Text: Eph. 1:17-23 & Selected

Cross Creek Community Church

Pastor Dave Martin - July 22, 2001

www.crosscreekcc.org

God’s Word is Powerful, Relevant, and Life Changing!

When we speak of authority, what do we mean? It could mean flashing lights coming up fast from behind you. Authority is the power or right to perform certain acts. In our society today the use of this word implies control, restrictions or coercion. Authority is a very hard word to accurately describe, because it can be used in so many different ways. The Greek word for authority is "exousia" (power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases). "Exousia" is used over 100 times and is translated power 69 times in the KJV.

A farmer who had authority made six holes in his door as exits for his six cats.

A friend asked, "Why do you make six holes in the door? One hole would have been enough"

The farmer replied with emphasis, "When I say scat I mean scat!"

If you draw up your own blueprints for your house. Then you buy the material to do the construction, then you build it all by yourself. You install the plumbing system, the electrical, the heating system - everything. It takes you many months to do the complete project. Do you think you know anything about your house? You sure do - you know where every nail is, the flaws, the good points and the weak points - you would be considered the sole authority on your house. As the authority you know everything about your house. It’s the same way with God. He is the "Author and Finisher of our faith" Heb 12:2. The Creator of everything that exists - He is the authority on His Creation! His authority is unconditional and absolute. Because He is Sovereign, He decides who gets authority!

Foundational Truth -

All Authority ORIGINATES with God.

Romans 13:1 "...for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Our Creator God decides who gets authority! Gen. 1:1; John 1:1-3 The written Word & the Living Word

To help us understand, let’s look at three areas of authority (Scriptures, Christ, Christians)...

1. The Authority of Scriptures

2 Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed (given by inspiration of God - KJV) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (2Peter 1:20-21)

* God’s Word is foundational to our faith. It’s inspired, God-breathed, God filled. It’s alive. It’s written by God Himself. His love letter to mankind. His road map for salvation and life eternal.

2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

* The Bible is our authority. We believe it’s inerrant, infallible, verbally and plenarily inspired - the authoritative Word of God. Our source book for all doctrine and practice.

* Completely true in all matters it addresses, free from falsehood or deceit. We can trust it fully.

* 66 books, 40 authors (kings & farmers), over 8800 promises, over 1600 years - all in unity!

* The authority of Scriptures - God’s very Words. Mt. 5:18, 24:35; Ps 12:6; 119:9-16, 97-106; John 17:17; Col. 3:16:Heb. 4:12-13; Rev 22:18-19

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

* We have to be under the Scriptures authority - we will someday give an account for our disobedience to them.

2. The Authority of Christ:

The very beginning of Christ’s ministry we see this authority in Mark 1:22.

Mark 1:22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

Jesus had authority over...

Confronting the devil! Luke 4:6-8

Religious people & money changers! John 2:15

Forgiveness of sin! Mark 2:10

Calming the storm (nature)! Luke 8:24

Being transfigured on the mountain! Mt. 17:2

Raising Lazarus from the dead! John 11:43

Going to the cross / His resurrection & Ascension to heaven! Acts 1:11

Jesus’ authority knows no limitations! - Mt. 28:18

Over the forces of nature, demonic hosts, disease, sin, death!

He had complete authority of everything and every situation, even His death on the cross.

Conversation between Jesus and Pilate

John 19:10-11 "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."