LET’S TALK ABOUT #2: AUTHORITY
LET’S TALK ABOUT! Last week we started a series called, “Let’s Talk About!” We’re going to consider different hot-topic questions and issues that you face in your life, including everything from sex and dating to life, the universe, and everything!
KEY TEXT: “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3).
INTRO TO TOPIC: We are living in a rebellious generation that has no respect for authority.
Authority is a word that strikes fear 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 someone else.
LET’S TALK ABOUT QUESTION:
Why do you think young people today are so rebellious and anti-authority? Is this a big problem?
DAVID’S STORY:
“1 Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, "Take note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi." 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3 So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.) 4 Then the men of David said to him, "This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ’Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’ " And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. 6 And he said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord." 7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way. 8 David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down.
9 And David said to Saul: "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ’Indeed David seeks your harm’? 10 Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ’I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it. 12 Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you…
16 So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 Then he said to David: "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.” (1 Samuel 24:1-17).
WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT AUTHORITY FROM DAVID?
- David never spoke against the king, because even though Saul was a wicked king, David still recognized that he was the Lord’s anointed.
- David knew what it meant to be under authority.
APPLICATION:
Honour: 1) to regard or treat with respect, 2) of the honour one has due to their position held
BIBLE TEXTS ON AUTHORITY:
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2).
- At school, you are to respect and honour Teachers.
- In the world, we are to respect and honour political leaders and law enforcement officers.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
- At home, you are to respect and honour Parents
“Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” (Hebrews 13:17).
- At church, you are to respect and honour Pastors
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:5-6).
- What does submission mean? To come under (sub) the authority of the mission of someone over you. God is looking for humble servant leaders who know how to be under authority.
CHALLENGE:
As Christians, we must radically reject our culture’s attitude of disrespect towards leadership! When we submit to those in authority, we are submitting to the Lord!
“So Samuel said: "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” (1 Sam. 15:22-23).
Why is rebellion as the sin of witchcraft? Rebellion – the reason that Satan fell from Heaven – rebellion against the power and authority of the Lord brought about by pride and self-will.
If we want God’s blessing in our lives, we must honour all God-given authority, from parents and teachers to pastors. Let me challenge you to reject the demonically inspired disrespectful and rebellious attitude of our culture, and respect authority!
