Which Authority, God Or Man?

I. EXORDIUM:

Which authority do you have? man or GOD?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that as CHRISTian believers we have delegated authority from the LORD JESUS Himself, that's why the LORD JESUS makes sure His WORDS are fulfilled in us.

IV. TEXT:

Mark 11:30-33 (Amplified Bible)

11:30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me.

11:31 And they reasoned and argued with one another, If we say, From heaven, He will say, Why then did you not believe him?

11:32 But [on the other hand] can we say, From men? For they were afraid of the people, because everybody considered and held John actually to be a prophet.

11:33 So they replied to Jesus, We do not know. And Jesus said to them, Neither am I going to tell you what [sort of] authority I have for doing these things.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for I have delegated authority from You here on earth, as You are so am I here on earth and I will do greater things for Your Glory and Honor because You are with the FATHER.

1 John 4:17 (Amplified Bible)

4:17 In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.

John 14:12 (Amplified Bible)

14:12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.

VI. TITLE:

Which authority, GOD or man?

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Mark, son of Mary of Jerusalem. Referred to as "John Mark" First name: John, Surname: Mark

B. Date written: 58 B.C. earliest of the Gospels

C. Purpose: To present Jesus of Nazareth as God's Suffering Servant, the Redeemer of the world.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

D. Main Theme: Christ is the tireless servant of God and humanity.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Authority from GOD or Heaven - Belief in JESUS

"11:30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me.

11:31 And they reasoned and argued with one another, If we say, From heaven, He will say, Why then did you not believe him?"

Mark 11:29 (Amplified Bible)

11:29 Jesus told them, I will ask you a question. Answer Me, and then I will tell you by what [sort of] authority I do these things.

The issue here is authority of JESUS. Remember the devil has only power but no authority at all, but we, as child of GOD, we have both power and authority given to us by JESUS in the form of discipleship. As men, we can't question GOD's authority for it overrides all authority, we can only obey it.

Authority or "exousia" in Greek meaning:

1. in the sense of ability

2. privelege, force, capacity

3. competency, freedom, mastery

4. magistrate, superhuman, token of control

5. delegated influence

6. jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength

Matthew 28:18-19 (Amplified Bible)

28:18 Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

28:19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Absolute power corrupts absolutely as they say in men's life, but JESUS CHRIST is not only man, He's both GOD and Man, that's why He can handle absolute and even infinite power and authority. Real authority is not questioned but it is demonstrated.

Some Authorities of JESUS while here on earth:

1. Authority to teach

Matthew 7:29 (Amplified Bible)

7:29 For He was teaching as One Who had [and was] authority, and not as [did] the scribes.

2. Authority to forgive sins

Matthew 9:6 (Amplified Bible)

9:6 But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins and remit the penalty, He then said to the paralyzed man, Get up! Pick up your sleeping pad and go to your own house.

3. Authority to heal and do miracles

Matthew 9:8 (Amplified Bible)

9:8 When the crowds saw it, they were struck with fear and awe; and they recognized God and praised and thanked Him, Who had given such power and authority to men.

4. Authority to drive away evil and demonic spirits

Matthew 10:1 (Amplified Bible)

10:1 AND JESUS summoned to Him His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity.