Disclaimer:
Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, any similarities and wording including sermon title, that may appear to be the same as any other sermon are purely coincidental. In instances where other minister’s wording is used, due recognition will be given. These sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these words. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copied and quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Pastor James May
COVERED BY THE AUTHORITY OF GOD
Sermon #1 in a series based upon the teaching of John Bevere’s book titled “Under Cover, The Promise of Protection Under His Authority.”
When we use the phrase “under cover”, what thoughts come into your mind? It could range anywhere from a child being covered with a blanket to police detective work to a spy operating covertly in a foreign land. In every instance that we could think of, the phrase “under cover” always carries with it the thought of Protection and Freedom,
What can this mean to a Christian? Psalms 91:1-2, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."
Simply put, it means that the one dwells in the place of safety under the shadow of the cross will place his faith and confidence in Jesus and under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Authority is one of those words that strikes fear and dread into the heart of man. No one will rule over me! I have my rights! I make my own decisions. No one likes to be under the authority of another man, but we all must realize that any authority is ordained of God. It is the Father who establishes those who have the rule over us and if we reject that authority then we reject the plan of God for our lives and the protection and benefits that His protection will bring.
Why do men reject authority over them? There may be any number of reasons.
1)You had previous leadership that was harsh and uncaring
2)Your view of authority is one that limits you in any way. They keep you from enjoying the things you want to enjoy doing. They limit you from doing what you think is best for yourself.
3)You don’t have faith in those in authority over them because you haven’t learned to trust their motives. You are fearful that they will do more harm than good.
So What Attitude do we take concerning any unknown authority that exerts power over us? I’m not going trust any authority over me or submit to any authority over me until I first agree with them.
What do you think God thinks about when it comes to us submitting to authority in our lives? What about submission to unfair authority? What about submitting to corrupt leadership? What about submitting to authority that gives us advice that we know is wrong? What if that authority over us is leading us into sin?
Where do we draw the line? Where does obedience stop and where do personal conviction, and the right to rebel against authority begin?
Illustration:
Being a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, this point was driven home so often by the authority that was placed over the military forces of our nation at that time. So many times, orders were given that made little or no sense. There were a number of times when those orders were given only so that the leaders could receive glory for their accomplishments regardless of the cost in life and limb of the soldiers in the field under their command.
Numerous occasions were noted where the soldiers in the field would actually rebel against their leaders who were in authority, because those leaders would command them to do things that meant suicide or that would accomplish no useful goal.
There were times when the leadership was murdered to prevent such orders from being issued.
It is not the purpose of this teaching to expound or determine the rights of soldiers or the failures of military authority in our armed forces.
My point here is only to state that there are times when we feel compelled, for whatever the reason, to question those who have been placed in authority over us.
Another question that would arise is, “Why do we have to submit to any authority at all?”
Many Christians take the attitude that they don’t need to be under submission to anyone because they can go straight to God for their leadership and answers.
I can take you to ministries and individual Christians who I have known over the years who failed to submit to any authority other than what they perceived to be the authority of God to them directly. These same people have found their lives shipwrecked and their ministries ruined because they refused to recognize the fact that they, too, must submit to authority in their lives. Some have confessed that they thought that they thought that they were above the need of answering to any authority within the church. Some have never come to the realization that there failure to submit to authority has led to their downfall and they are destined to continue downward until that lesson is learned and repentance comes.
None of us are above God’s laws of authority. God has placed within our lives those who are in authority over us for His purpose. No matter how bad it may seem for the moment there is no authority unless God has foreordained it.
Hebrews 13:17, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
1 Peter 2:13-16, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."
1 Peter 5:5-7, "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
What do you think is the root cause of so many of the battles and difficulties that we face in the modern day church?
That root cause is nothing more, and nothing less than rebellion against the authority that God has placed over us because we don’t like or agree with those in that position of authority.
Rebellion – the reason that Lucifer fell from Heaven – rebellion against the power and authority of Almighty God brought about by self-pride and jealousy;
Rebellion – the reason that Adam fell in the Garden of Eden – rebellion against the controlling and restricting Word of God that was meant to protect him, because Adam, like Lucifer, wanted man to be his own god and equal with God.
Rebellion – the reason that many people still lose out with God – because they refuse to allow the authority of God to control their lives and retain their right to do as they please.
Sometimes that rebellion is not easy to recognize because Satan is such a great deceiver that we don’t realize that we have disobeyed God until much time has past and we are trapped in our sinful condition.
In this series of messages you will come face to face with the truth of how much rebellion there is in your life. You will see where you have questioned authority and failed to obey God. When you are faced with that truth, what will your reaction be?
Will you become angry and get defensive as Cain did when he was confronted with the death of his brother, Abel, whom he had murdered and then run from God who has the only answers?
Genesis 4:8-9, "And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?"
Genesis 4:16, "And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden."
Cain became angry with Abel because of God’s actions. It wasn’t so much that Cain hated Abel, even though that definitely played a part in the murder. I believe the major reason that Cain killed Abel was that Cain was in rebellion against the authority of God who refused to accept his offering. He could not get revenge on God so Cain took out his anger, frustration and rebellion on Abel.
Just like anyone who rebels against God’s authority, Cain was driven from the very presence of God and lived as a nomad and vagabond all of his days and, to this day, his descendants still, by and large, live in same fashion for they are still in rebellion against the God of Heaven.
The other choice we have when faced with the truth of our rebellion against God’s authority is to be like David.
2 Samuel 12:1-4, "And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, there were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him."
2 Samuel 12:7-9, "And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon."
This was the moment of truth for David. Nathan, the Prophet, revealed David’s scheme and plans for the murder of Uriah so that David could have Bath-Sheba for his wife. David’s outright rebellion against God was open for the entire world to see and he was confronted with the truth.
David suffered for his sin. He was found out; his son died; his whole life was in turmoil and God’s judgment came against David’s whole household. In time, even David’s son Absalom, rebelled against David. But what did David do next?
2 Samuel 12:20, "Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat."
David repented and turned back to God! That’s why David was called “a man after God’s own heart!” It wasn’t because David was innocent and holy but because he would always go back to God in repentance and seek the forgiveness that God could give. He knew that God was his only source of help and answers.
As David learned, and as we will learn, it isn’t the comforting and soothing words that will bring the greatest freedom, protection and deliverance from our rebellion. It is those hard words: those words that cut to the heart and separate truth from deception that will be necessary to bring us to the realization of the truth.
Illustration:
Whenever the doctor must give a shot to immunize us from a deadly disease or perform surgery to remove diseased organs or repair broken bones, those shots and that surgery is not very enjoyable. They are painful and frightening and we dread their administration, but we must submit to the authority of the doctor if we are to be well or maintain our health.
Whenever God begins to reveal our faults and failures, it will be much like that shot or that surgery. We will not like it. It may be uncomfortable, even painful to face, but it must come if we are to be spiritually healthy.
Place your faith in God for He is an all-knowing and all-wise physician. His Word is sharper than a two-edged sword and He is loving and kind in His methods. God is always moving on our behalf to bring us into a place of greater joy and blessings in Him.
God’s authority brings us into right relationship with Him. His authority is based upon pure love and our best interests. His authority is designed to prepare us to receive our great eternal reward. God’s authority is also designed to give us the best in this life!
That’s why we must be willing and ready to submit to His great authority in our lives!
