How To Teach With Authority As Jesus Did - Matt. 7:28,29

How to Teach With Authority as Jesus Did - Matt. 7:28,29

"When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching. Because he taught as one who had authority and not as their teachers of the law." (Matt. 7:28,29)

Quote:Behavioral studies show that if 2% of a homogeneous group are strongly dedicated to a given cause, and that small minority can eventually move the whole. Jesus said to twelve men, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." (Matt 28:18-20)

Association of Church Missions Commissions Newsletter, Autumn, 1989, p. 1.

Illustration:One New Year’s Day, in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. It was out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas. The amusing thing was this float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck was out of gas.

Often, Christians neglect their spiritual maintenance, and though they are "clothed with power" (Luke 24:49) find themselves out of gas.

Steve Blankenship in God Came Near by Max Lucado, Multnomah Press, 1987, p. 95.

In contrast, many parents, teachers and leaders feel that people do not respect their authority. By definition, authority is the power or right to enforce obedience; this power has been delegated to one who is in a position of authority or who has a message of authority.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus. He authorizes us, empowers us and bestows us with the abilities to teach people all that He has commanded. (Matt 28:18-20) Why is it that many people do not properly exercise the authority that they have been given by God?

The following are some of the possible reasons why people do not utilize the power given to them by Jesus Christ.

1. FAILURE TO TAP IN TO THE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD. Paul wrote, "All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. So that the man of God could be equipped, thoroughly furnished for all good works." (2 Tim. 3:16,17) God propels, upholds, maintains and guides the universe by His might word of power. (Heb. 1:3) We are only as authoritative as we know and employ God’s word to every situation.

2. FAILURE TO INTIMATELY COMMUNE WITH THE VINE. Jesus said, "Dwell in Me and I will dwell in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself withoout abiding (being united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me." (John 15:3) Praise God for His greatness, power, and authority in your life. He wants His authority to resonate from every aspect of your personal life, relationships and ministry activities.

3. FAILURE TO DEMONSTRATE POWER. Paul wrote, "My language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausibel) words of wisdom, but they wer in demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power (a proof by the Spirit and power of God) operating on me and stirrgin in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them. So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy) but in the power of God." (2 Cor. 2:4,5)

Ask the Lord to help you demonstrate His mighty power in all aspects of your verbal and non-verbal communications. Only 7% of what we communicate is with the words we speak, 35% is with the tone of voice and 57% is conveyed in non-verbal means.

People of godly character have a way of communicating the greatest authority.

4. FAILURE TO SHOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST. Paul wrote, "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fulness of God." We become filled with God’s fullness when we fill our minds and hearts with praise of all of God’s attributes of His omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. When we praise God we recognize that everything pertaining to life and godliness is given to us through a true knowledge of Jesus Christ.

People who spend time in worship, praise and communion with the Lord through the scriptures and prayer fill themselves with His the mind of Christ.

Quote: Let us make the famous song our prayer, "May the mind of Christ my Savior, live in me from day to day. By His love and POWER controlling. All I do and say."

There may be times when we need to fast in order to concentrate filling up our whole body, soul and mind and spirit with His love, truth and power.

5. FAILURE TO LEARN WHAT AUTHORITY IS AVAILABLE TO A BELIEVER. Too many Christians are suffering from a power shortage in their lives, relationships and ministries because they are unaware of what is available to them in the Spirit and through the Word.