Introduction

  • Authority – the right to exercise power

Jesus has authority

  • Matthew 1:1
  • Matthew 2:1-2
  • Matthew 3:1-3, 11-12 – The kingdom was coming! Jesus is described as coming with authority!
  • Matthew 4:3, 12-17, 23-25 – Even Satan addressed Jesus as having authority. Who has authority to heal like Jesus did?
  • Matthew 5:7, 21-22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44 - The Sermon on the Mount shows Jesus’ authority even more. Jesus said, “I say to you …” Even Old Testament prophets did not phrase it like this.
  • Matthew 7:26, 28 – “these words of mine”
  • Matthew 9:6 – Jesus had authority to heal and forgive sins.
  • Matthew 16:16 – They recognized He had authority
  • Matthew 21:23 – Leaders questioned His authority, but never bested Him.
  • Matthew 24:34

That authority was delegated to inspired men who wrote it down.

  • Matthew 28:16-20 – What gave the disciples the right to go out and teach? Jesus had authority to tell them to do so. Jesus delegated it to them.
  • John 14:26
  • John 16:13-15 – There was perfect harmony between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  • I Corinthians 1:1 – Paul had authority because Jesus called him.
  • I Corinthians 4:17
  • I Thessalonians 2:13
  • Acts 20:17, 32

We should submit to that authority.

  • Matthew 7:24-27 – Do I love and respect Jesus enough to do what He says?
  • Matthew 15:3 – Do we follow the traditions of the day or obey Jesus? We have no right to replace Jesus’ authority.
  • Colossians 2:20-23 – They were doing things that were a self-made religion.
  • II Thessalonians 3:6 – This tradition was passed down from the apostles. It was authoritative!

We should not be timid about using and declaring His authority.

  • II Thessalonians 2:15 – Why should they hold to those traditions? Because they were authoritative.
  • We should not be afraid to call something sinful based on God’s word.
  • I Timothy 4:1-6, 11, 16 – He was not telling Timothy to just get along if error comes along. Timothy was to point out error to the brethren.
  • Titus 1:9
  • What gives any man the right to tell another he is wrong? The word of God.
  • Titus 2:15 – This can also be translated as, “show that you have every right to command.”
  • I John 2:3-6