“Responding to Christ’s Authority”
Matthew 21:23-22:14
1/25/98
Intro: How do you respond to authority figures? Each of us has those who are over us. We are motivated by fear and respect to those who are in authority over us.
I heard a story once about the time the Pope visited the US. They had rented a large limousine to drive him around. The Pope saw the car, and told the chauffeur, Boy, that’s some car. He proceeded to look at the engine, then asked, Could I drive it? The chauffeur did not want to say no to the Pope, so he sat in the back while the Pope drove. Going down the road, the Pope decided to floor it to see what it could do. A police car happened to be checking speeds, and proceeded to stop the limo. One officer went forward to the limo to ask the driver for his license. He returned to his partner shaking. The partner said, what’s wrong. The first officer said, We’re in trouble, we’re in big trouble. Why, Why his buddy asked. Well, I don’t know who’s in that limo, but it’s got to be someone important--he’s got the pope for his chauffeur!
How do you respond to authority--whether it be parents, or teachers, or your boss, or your spouse? But above all, how do you respond to the authority of Christ upon your life?
Let’s look at Matthew 21 this morning.
READ MATT 21:23-27
I. Do we recognize the authority of Jesus? 23-27 - do we see him as Lord?
The chief priests refused to acknowledge the authority of Christ. They wanted to dismiss his power as simply self-induced, because to admit that he had been sent by God would mean that they would need to follow and obey.
This morning, how do we view Jesus?
Many would like to see Jesus as a historical teacher - a man of human birth who did good
Some would even admit that Jesus was an example for us to follow - to do good as he did
Some would see Jesus as God’s son--yet one who is not involved deeply in our lives
The only option open to us by Scripture is that Jesus is God, alive today, and requiring the obedience, service, and worship of our lives. If we honestly look at the demands of scripture, there is no way we can lead lives for our own pleasure: Christ never leaves us that option.
II. Do we receive Christ’s authority over our lives? 28-32 - do we accept him as Lord?
Read Text
Christ is not as concerned with profession as obedience. It does not matter if we call ourselves Christians--He wants to see us show it by our lifestyle. The Pharisees are condemned for they had a profession of obedience, but denied godliness by their lifestyle. The prostitutes, though having a sinful lifestyle, repented and obeyed God’s call.
Do we receive the call of God? Let’s not deceive ourselves into thinking that going to church is the same as obeying God. How is your lifestyle? How is the attitude of your heart?
The priests, even after seeing the repentance and changed lives of the prostitutes did not change their heart. Are you moved to repentance when you see God work in your life and in the lives of those around you?
III. Do we respond to the authority of Christ - 33-45 - do we obey him as Lord?
Read Text
This parable is a picture of God’s dealing with the nation of Israel. He planed for the nation to be specially devoted to himself. Yet they prostituted themselves with idols and killed the prophets of God.
How do we respond to the working of God in our lives?
Do we bear fruit? Each of us is designed to bring forth fruit. We are to be sharing with others the gospel message. We are to be faithful witnesses. We are to show the fruit of the spirit at work in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness...
How do we treat those whom God brings into our lives to bring rebuke and correction to us? Do we respond favorably when a brother or sister confronts us about a sin or area of weakness?
How do we treat God’s own son? Each believer is indwelt by the spirit of God. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we carry the presence of God with us. If you visually saw God right beside you, would you continue to do the same things you do every day. We would be much quicker to change our thoughts, actions, and hearts.
IV. Do we resist the invitation of Christ? 22:1-14 do we fellowship and rejoice with Him?
Read text
This is a second invitation. The first had been sent months before. This one says, come on, we’re ready for you. Christ said, I go to prepare a place for you. Are you ready to meet him?
Those who had received and responded to the first invitation had an obligation to come when the second notice was given. How do you feel when someone commits to doing something with you and they back out at the last miniute?
Do we live up to our obligation to Christ? Christ calls us to an obedient lifestyle. Have you obeyed? He calls us to be holy as he is holy. He calls us to be in the world but not of the world. Come out from among them and be separate. Have we come?
We see the wedding guests also had certain expectations: they were to come in formal attire. They were supposed to dress up. Christ sets certain expectations of how we should live our lives. Do we tell him, God, I don’t feel like dressing up. I don’t feel like doing right. I like the way I’m living.
Those who do not respond are given great punishment.
Conclusion: We’ve been talking about authority. How will you face up to the fact that God is in charge of your life? He has a claim on you because he ahs bought you with a price. Admit his authority, admit his expectations, and change your life to obey his word and his will.
The altar is open this morning for you to come and talk to your master. If you need to confess, he offers his forgiveness. If you need to accept, today is the day of salvation. If you need to increase your love, he is waiting to embrace you. If you need to worship, you will find him here. If you want to come this morning, you may come and pray silently, have another pray with you, or have someone talk with you about your issues. As we stand and sing, the altar is open.
Closing Hymn - “The greatest thing in all my life”
