Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
Today is the conclusion to our study on the Sermon on the Mount. Over the last several months (36 individual sermons), we have covered some of the most powerful words ever spoken. They are the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They are meant to inspire, challenge, and invite you to be a part of God’s eternal kingdom. Yet, words do not hold as much meaning if we do not understand the authority of the speaker. Such is the case of the original hearers of Jesus’ sermon.
Maybe you, too, have considered the question, or maybe you are already settled with the fact that what was spoken was of divine origin. However, I think it is necessary that we stop and ask the question, “By what authority does Jesus have to say these things in the first place?” Whether you have it settled in your mind and soul of the Lordship of Christ this morning, I want us to leave here completely resolved of his authority. That kind of understanding has the power to transform you. Especially in these days when we are witnessing incredible events, such as with the Middle East, I dare say it is imperative you have a clear understanding of the authority of our Lord. Before we do that, let me read the last two verses of Matthew 7:
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:28–29)
The word ‘authority’ is really a strong word, and it is filled with meaning that should bring strong emotion. There is a certain commanding force or weight behind the word that can even carry a level of intimidation with it. With the right circumstances, authority can be reassuring to us of command and protection. I remember several times as a State Trooper coming into a situation of lawlessness and chaos and taking authority over that situation to bring calm and peace. On the flip side, authority can have a connotation of abuse. For instance, a governing figure who abuses his authority with oppression. One day, the Antichrist will be given authority to rule over the world, but that authority will be used for tremendous evil.
There are two sides to authority. There is the command of power, but there is also the idea of permission and submission to those under the one in authority. It denotes privilege; it denotes power; it denotes rule, control, and influence. When someone has authority, that means they’re on top of other people. They have a responsibility beyond the norm. They can determine things, decide things, render judgments, and wield certain rights and privileges.
So when Jesus finishes his sermon to the crowds, they are astonished and marvel at what they have just heard. As Jesus concluded his message, I can imagine there was a hush over the area as people took in the truths poured upon them. Now, in reality, there should be no amazement. There should not be any sense of astonishment. None at all. Why? Because it is the Messiah who is speaking. This was no rabbi off the street or a scribe from the Temple, this was the Messiah. He already has the authority, it is the Jewish people who haven’t submitted to that authority. And really, this is my prayer for us and the church today: that we have an understanding of the authority we all can or do live under through Jesus Christ. Sadly, many still live apart from that authority. Yes, Jesus made it clear to the Church in the Great Commission:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)
Everywhere Jesus went, he went, already possessing the authority to say whatever he needed to say and do whatever he needed to do. It was already his to possess, but the Jewish leaders and people failed to recognize that so that they could put themselves under the headship of that authority. This should be the most astonishing and scandalous part of the Bible because God had made it clear and plain to them about the Messiah's first coming.
One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Luke 20:1–8)
Author, pastor, and commentator Dr. Warren Wiersbe makes an interesting observation: "The magi were seeking the King; Herod was opposing the King; and the Jewish priests were ignoring the King.” He makes further mention of the fact that the Jewish leaders were a mere five miles away from Jesus’ birthplace, yet they showed no interest or demonstrated any educated preparation for the evidence of Messiah. They knew the Scriptures and could cite by memory the words of the prophets, and as they pointed others to the Saviour, they completely ignored the message and evidence themselves.
But what is even more shocking is the number of people, especially Christians, who continue to doubt that authority today. It is not because he lacks the authority or that Scripture lacks that authority; it is because they refuse to submit to that authority. Because of that refusal to live under his authority today as Lord and Savior, they will miss his second coming, including the Rapture of the Church.
Jesus had and has the authority to teach the truth without making a footnote to anyone. He had and has the authority to heal the sick. He had and has the authority to forgive sin, cast our demons, break the spiritual bondages imposed on us, give life to the dead, and call everyone he chooses to be children of God. Jesus will one day exercise his authority over all sin and death, he will use that authority to once and for all defeat Satan and the curse of sin. He will take his authority to judge the living and the dead, separate the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the tares. His justice will be holy and completely righteous.
And he has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:27)
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:18)
Since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. (John 17:2)
The problem was not Jesus’ authority. The problem was that the Jewish system did not want to share that authority with Jesus. There are two words in the Greek that carry the idea of authority. The first is the word dunamis which the Bible translates as power. The second is the word exousía, which the Bible translates as power or authority.
Dunamis is the ability to do something. Exousía or authority is the right to do it. And so when I say Jesus had authority, I mean that God, the Almighty Father, had given Him the privilege of acting on His behalf in this world, with no regard for the authorities of men. He had the power, and He had the privilege. Now, the reality is that either you believe that or you do not. That is the first question that you must settle in your heart because if you do believe that, then the rest of what I am going to say is going to have significance in your life. Suppose you don’t believe that or don’t believe that fully, then what I am about to say will not have meaning and will leave you with more questions than answers. The difference is not in his authority but rather in your desire to be in control of your own destiny, and as we learn in my message in a couple of weeks, this is the deception of Satan.
In fact, if you go back to last week’s passage, Jesus closes his sermon with a powerful declaration, Matthew 7:24: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” How can he say that? Because of his authority. So the crowds were amazed by this. There was no parade of piety in his message and no flamboyant demonstration. His words were directed and to the point, with an air of, ‘I said it, and because I said it, it is settled.’
The last thing I want to look at from the text is the difference in Jesus’ authority. Matthew 7:29 “for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” As the Son of God, His authority is real because He is himself God.” They saw a difference in Jesus’ teaching. Why? Because it was the Word of God. It wasn’t Jesus speaking for the Word; Jesus is the Living Word.
The problem arises when the church fails to live under the authority of the Word of God or we change the meaning to suit our preferences. At that point, deceivers (like the scribes) or the deceived (like the people) arise, and we miss God’s blessings. The Bible stands on its own authority because it has proven itself over the of time of thousands of years.
The Bible declares with absolute clarity that created the heavens and the earth in 6 says. The Bible declares that sin entered man through the serpent’s deception of woman, questioning God’s authority and word. The Bible is clear that only God can forgive sins, and that happens through the atoning death of His son Jesus. The Bible is clear that God has made a way today for the salvation of Gentiles through Jesus. The Bible is clear that a time of great deception is coming, and that day is now here. There is coming a day when the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, will hide in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains, because of the wrath of God that is coming upon this world.
The Bible says that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins.
And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Matthew 9:2–8)
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The Bible says that Jesus has authority over Satan
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
Submit yourselves, therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he judges and makes war. (Revelation 19:11)
From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (Revelation 19:15)
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14)
The Bible says that Jesus has authority over the church.
The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. (John 12:48)
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22–23)
The Bible says that Jesus is the authority for your salvation.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1–2)
John MacArthur, whose book The Gospel According to Jesus lays out the case for lordship salvation, summarizes the teaching this way: “The gospel call to faith presupposes that sinners must repent of their sin and yield to Christ’s authority.” In other words, a sinner who refuses to repent is not saved, for he cannot cling to his sin and the Savior at the same time. And a sinner who rejects Christ’s authority in his life does not have saving faith, for true faith encompasses a surrender to God. (Got Questions)
And with that, we come to the end of our series. Like the two men in the closing Jesus sermon, you can listen to the preacher preach, and you can listen to the words of Jesus. You can walk away and decide that you will live under your own authority and be the king of your destiny. That will be your first indictment when you stand before the righteous Judge.
The second indictment will be your own sinful self. The filthy rags you are wearing of your own self-righteousness or attempts at righteousness will indict you as well. There is only one who has the authority to forgive your sins, clean your unrighteousness, and take you in by his authority, not your own. His command today is to put your faith in him. Will you come to him today?
While your head is bowed in just the closing moment, please, I want you to think about the things that you’ve heard. Jesus was His own authority. He didn’t need to be approved by men. And over and over again, He revealed Himself as He does now, through His Word, through His power. You’ve heard His message; You’ve seen His transforming power in the lives of others. Open your heart to him today, receive Him as Savior and Lord, for this is your day. May it not be said that you entered into judgment because you didn’t know the day of your visitation.
ABC’s of Salvation
