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BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 1
I. Introduction
A. Ourgoalfortonightisto:
1. UnderstandBiblicalAuthority&theSpiritualAuthority
2. Wearegoingtolookathowyoufunctionwithinit(underit)…
3. WearegoingtolookathowyouuseitinyourlifetofulfilltheGreatCommission(orliveinittofulfilltheGreatCommission).
B. TheideaofspiritualauthorityscaresusbecauseofwackoslikeJimJones,thecultleaderwhokilledover900followersbackinthe1970’s.
C. BranchDavidianCultin1993
D. Or,wethinkofcultleaderswhoarrangemarriagesanddemandthatfollowersturnoveralltheirassetstothecultandblindlyfolloworders.
E. Eveninlessextremesituations,manyChristianshavehadbadexperienceswithauthoritarianpastorswhowronglylorditovertheflock.Oftenthesemenmistakenlyclaimthatyoucan’t“touchtheLord’sanointed,”meaningthatthepastorisbeyondcriticismorcorrection,evenifheisengaginginsinfulorunbiblicalpractices.
F. Theylabelanyonewhospeaksoutasdivisiveorcontentious.Buttheymisunderstandtruebiblicalauthority.
UnderstandBiblicalAuthority&theSpiritualAuthority(OutlinePoint1)
WHEREDOESAUTHOIRYCOMEFROM????
II. AllauthorityonearthcomesfromGod,theSovereignoftheuniverse.
A. OT.VersesontheAuthorityofGod
1. Isaiah14:27
a) "FortheLORDofhostshasplanned,andwhocanfrustrateit?AndasforHisstretched-outhand,whocanturnitback?"
2. Isaiah43:13
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 2
a) "EvenfrometernityIamHe,AndthereisnonewhocandeliveroutofMyhand;Iactandwhocanreverseit?"
3. Psalms115:3
a) ButourGodisintheheavens;HedoeswhateverHepleases.
B. Godisunhinderedandunmatchedinhisauthorityandpowertodoashisgoodpleasuredesires.
C. NTVersesandExamples:
1. Godhastherighttomoldtheclayashewishes(Rom.9:21)
2. Andhehastherighttosettimesanddates(Acts1:7)
3. Romans13:1-2:
a) “Everypersonistobeinsubjectiontothegoverningauthorities.ForthereisnoauthorityexceptfromGod,andthosewhichexistareestablishedbyGod.ThereforewhoeverresistsauthorityhasopposedtheordinanceofGod;andtheywhohaveopposedwillreceivecondemnationuponthemselves.”
D. Paulgoesontotalkaboutgovernmentauthorities,buthisstatementconfirmationthatallauthoritycomesfromGod.
E. Wemaydeducefromthisversetheprinciplethateverykindofauthority,otherthanGodHimself,isderivedordelegatedauthority,andthereforesecondarytoGod.
F. ItalsomeansthatthosewhohavethisdelegatedauthorityfromGodareaccountabletoGod.
G. Thismeansthatnoperson,nomatterwhatofficeheholds,positiontheyhaveorpowertheymightpossess,isaboverebukeifhestraysfromtheultimateauthority,whichisGod’shimself.
III. Thereisanotherkindofauthority–thatisonparwithGOD’s
A. TheBible
B. Ittakessupremacyoverallhumanauthority.
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 3
C. Why?Becauseitisinspired=GODBreathed!byGod(2Timothy3:16,2Peter1:20-21),
D. AndbecauseitisinspiredbyGod,ithasdivineauthority.
E. TheBiblewasgivenbyGodwiththeintentionthatwesubmittoitandobeyit,notlooktoitasjustonemoreinfluence/orauthorityinourlives.
IV. HowdoesGod’sAuthorityWorkitselfoutinHumanHistory
A. A.Godgavethedominionoftheearthtopeople–throughAdamandEve.
1. Gen.1:26-28-26LetUsmakemaninOurimage,accordingtoOurlikeness;letthemhavedominion…overalltheearth…28Godsaidtothem,“Befruitfulandmultiply;filltheearthandsubdueit;havedominionover…everylivingthingthatmovesontheearth.”(Gen.1:26-28)
2. Ps.115:16-16TheheavensaretheLORD's;buttheearthHehasgiventothechildrenofmen.(Ps.115:16)
3. Ps.8:4-6-4WhatismanthatYouaremindfulofhim…6YouhavemadehimtohavedominionovertheworksofYourhands;Youhaveputallthingsunderhisfeet…(Ps.8:4-6)
4. ShowPicture1Illustration
B. WhenGodgavethegoverningauthorityoftheearthtoAdam,hehadtherighttousethatauthoritytoaccomplishtheplanandpurposeofGod.
1. BUTHedidtheunthinkableandfellintosin.AndwhenhedisobeyedGod,andlistenedtotheSerpenthecameunderSatan’sAuthorityandbydoingsogavehisdelegatedAuthoritytoSatan.
2. HOWDOWEKNOWTHIS?
a) Luke4:6-6And(Satan)saidto(Jesus),“I(Satan)willgiveyou(Jesus)alltheirauthority(alltheKingdomsoftheworld)andsplendor;ithasbeengiventome,andIcangiveittoanyoneIwantto.7Ifyouworshipme,itwillallbeyours.”Luke4:6
3. ShowPicture2Illustration
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 4
4. AndAtthattimeoftheFall,Satanalsobecame“thegodofthisworld.”
a) 2Cor.4:4-4Whosemindsthegodofthisagehasblinded…lestthelightofthegospel…shineonthem.(2Cor.4:4)
C. ThisisthewaythingswereuntilJesuscame.Atthecross,JesusastheGod-MandefeatedSatanandalldemonicpowersandmadeapublicspectacleofthembeforeallinheavenandhell.Hehaswonthevictory,butitmustnowbeworkedoutandwalkedoutinthistime.
1. 15Havingdisarmedprincipalitiesandpowers,Hemadeapublicspectacleofthem,triumphingovertheminit[Hisdeathandresurrection].(Col.2:15)
2. Matt28:18–AuthorityisHIS
3. ShowPicture3Illustration
4. ShowPicture4Illustration
V. Authorityhas,withinit,theideaofdelegatedpower.
A. ApoliceofficerstopsaTRUCKbyhisauthorityinraisinghishand…whydoesthetruckstop…thetruckhastherawpowertojustgorightthroughhim…hedoesn’thavetostopatjustanypersonraisingahand…SoWhydoeshestop?
1. Becauseitisnotjustanypersonitisapoliceman–dressedintheuniformdesignationhisroleandauthority.Andbecausethisistrue…Hehastheauthorityofthegovernment–thelegalright,andbehindhimisthePOWERoftheGovernmenttoenforcehissimplegesture.
2. ThepolicemanisNOMATCHforthetruckphysically,butthatdoesnotmatter…becauseofAUTHORITYthetruckstops.
3. Likethepoliceman,wehavebeengivenauthorityinthenameofJesus–meaninginourrelationshipandconnectiontoJesus…itisnotanincantation,ormagicwords…itisrelyingonandactingunderChristinhiswillandways…HisAuthority.
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 5
VI. THENATUREOFSPIRITUALAUTHORITY
A. Toexplainthismore,andthenatureofspiritualauthority,let’sexaminethedifferencebetweenthewords‘authority’and‘power,’astheyareusedinintheBible.
B. JesusmadethefollowingstatementthatKrishnaquoted2weeksago…
1. “Behold,Igiveyoutheauthoritytotrampleonserpentsandscorpions,andoverallthepoweroftheenemy,andnothingshallbyanymeanshurtyou.”(Luke10:19).
C. TheGreekwordtranslatedas‘authority’hereisthenoun‘exousia,’.Itisderivedfromtheverbexesti,whichmeans,"itislawful."anditsbasicmeaningistohavetherighttoruleorgovern,asonewhosewillandcommandsoughttobesubmittedtoandobeyed.
D. IncontrasttheGreekwordtranslated‘power’inthisreadingis‘dunamis,’whichmeanstohavetheinherentstrengthoractualabilitytobringaboutadesiredpurpose.
E. Let’sgobackandlookatthepolicemanillustrationagainandseethesetwodifferentmeaningsplayedoutintherolesofatruckdriverandapoliceofficer.
1. Aneighteenwheelerhasinherentstrengthandsoitsdriverhasdirectpoweror‘dunamis’.Itisathisdisposaltoperformhistask.
2. Whileapoliceofficerhasinsufficientphysicalpowertostopatruck,hedoeshavedelegatedor‘exousia’authorityathisdisposal.Whenthepoliceofficerputsuphishandthetruckdriverstopshisvehicle,becausebehindthatgestureliesthewholeweightofthePoliceDepartment,thestategovernmentandfinallythefederalgovernment.
F. ThisdistinctionbetweenthetwoGreekwordsisnotalwaysmadeclearinEnglishtranslations.Forexampleinonetranslation(KingJamesVersion)itreads,“Behold,Igiveuntoyoupowertotreadonserpentsandscorpions,andoverallthepoweroftheenemy:andnothingshallbyanymeanshurtyou.”
1. Inordertodiscernthetruemeaningofthewordtranslatedas‘power’intheKJV,itisnecessarytoknowwhichGreekwordisactuallybeingtranslated-whether‘exousia’or‘dunamis.’
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 6
G. ExamplesofthewordauthorityintheBible.
1. Matthew7:29Forhetaughtthemasonehavingauthority,andnotasthescribes.
2. Matthew21:23Andwhenhewascomeintothetemple,thechiefpriestsandtheeldersofthepeoplecametohimashewasteaching,andsaid,Bywhatauthoritydoyoudothesethings?andwhogaveyouthisauthority?
3. Mark10:42ButJesuscalledthemtohim,andsaidtothem,YouknowthattheywhichareaccountedtoruleovertheGentilesexerciselordshipoverthem;andtheirgreatonesexerciseauthorityuponthem.
4. John5:27Andhasgivenhimauthoritytoexecutejudgmentalso,becauseheistheSonofman.
5. Titus2:15Thesethingsspeak,andexhort,andrebukewithallauthority.Letnomandespisethee.
6. John1:12Butasmanyasreceivedhim,tothemgavehepowertobecomethesonsofGod,eventothemthatbelieveonhisname:
H. ExamplesofthewordpowerintheBible.
1. Mt22:29ButJesusansweredandsaidtothem,“Youaremistaken,becauseyoudonotknowthescripturesorthepowerofGod!
2. Acts1:8Butyeshallreceivepower,afterthattheHolyGhostiscomeuponyou:andyeshallbewitnessesuntomebothinJerusalem,andinallJudaea,andinSamaria,anduntotheuttermostpartoftheearth.
3. Mk5:30AtonceJesusrealizedthatpowerhadgoneoutfromhim.
4. Luke5:17b…TheyhadcomefromeveryvillageofGalileeandfromJudeaandJerusalem.AndthepoweroftheLordwaswithJesustohealthesick.
I. WEHAVEBEENGIVENTHEAUTHORITYTOUSEJESUS’NAME
1. WhenthestatementinLuke’sgospeliscorrectlytranslated,it
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 7
becomesclearthatChristhasnotgivenusdirectorpower‘dunamis’toovercomethepowerofSatan.ThisisNOTapowerencounter!
2. InsteadHehasentrustedustowieldtheauthoritythatisattachedtoHisname,hischaracter,hiswill-thenamewhichisthegreatestinallcreation
3. Phil2:9-11“ThereforeGodalsohashighlyexaltedHimandgivenHimthenamewhichisaboveeveryname,thatatthenameofJesuseverykneeshouldbow,ofthoseinheaven,andofthoseonearth,andofthoseundertheearth,andthateverytongueshouldconfessthatJesusChristisLord,tothegloryofGodtheFather.”
4. Jesushaswon,wedeclarehisvictoryandasktheseforcestocomplywithHISlegalrighttoruleintheseaffairs.Wearehisambassadors.
J. WeareentitledtoexercisetheauthorityinourunionwithChristoverthepowerofSatanaspeoplethatmustbeobeyed–justlikethepoliceman.
1. Forinstancewemay,inthenameofJesus,telldemonstoleave,toshutupandbequiet–thatwouldbetheideaofbindingthepowersofdarknessawayfromourcircumstances.WecanusethisauthoritytohelpothersgetfreefromSatan’sgriptoo.
2. I’mgoingtoreadapassageandeventhoughithastodowithfruitbearing,IthinkthereisaprincipleofAuthoritywithinthistoo.
3. Jesussaid,“AbideinMe,andIinyou.Asthebranchcannotbearfruitofitself,unlessitabidesinthevine,neithercanyou,unlessyouabideinMe.Iamthevine,youarethebranches.HewhoabidesinMe,andIinhim,bearsmuchfruit;forwithoutMeyoucandonothing.”(John15:4-5).
4. Whenusingourspiritualauthority,itisimportanttobesobermindedandrealizethatitcomesonlybecauseofourunionwithJesus–itisNOTforus–forourprivateuse!
5. ITisnottobeusedoutsideofJesus’will.Weneedtobesoconnectedtohim,soboundandyokedtoHimthatweareofonemindandoneheartwithHim.Wetrulyknowwhathewants…
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 8
6. Heshouldinitiate,andweshouldrespondinobedienceinusinghisauthority.WhenusedrightlyIbelievethatitisconfirmedbytheWordofGodandbythepromiseoftheHolySpirit’sworkinusandinthisworld.
K. OurunionwithChrististhekeytohowallthisfunctionswithinthespiritualrealm.Justasthepoliceofficer,forexample,mightwanttogoandbeapartofamurderinvestigationandshowupatacrimescene…Thedetectivewouldask–whyareyouhere…youdon’thavetheauthoritytobehere.
1. Itisimportanttounderstandwherewehaveauthorityandwherewedon’t.Ifwestepoutsideofoursphereofauthoritywhichweusuallycallajurisdiction,wehavepresumptuousauthority.
L. Satanandhisassistantsunderstandtherealbasisofourauthority.HeknowsthathedoesnothavetosubmittoanylawlessorpresumptuoususeofthenameofJesusandhisauthority.
1. HereisacaseandexampleofonewhomightseethenameofJesusorhisauthorityasamagicformulathathasnothingtodowitharelationshipwithJesus.
2. ThereweresomeitinerantJewishexorcists”reportedinthebookofActs19:13.
a) They“tookituponthemselvestocallthenameoftheLordJesusoverthosewhohadevilspirits,saying,‘WeexorciseyoubytheJesuswhomPaulpreaches.’”
3. ButbecausetheywerenotunitedandonewiththeLordJesus,theywerenotbelievers,theirlackofrealauthoritywasobvioustothedemonstheywereattemptingtocastout.
a) “Andtheevilspiritansweredandsaid,‘JesusIknow,andPaulIknow;butwhoareyou?’Thenthemaninwhomtheevilspiritwasleapedonthem,overpoweredthem,andprevailedagainstthem,sothattheyfledoutofthathousenakedandwounded.”(Acts19:15-16).
M. SodoyouallseethedifferencebetweenAuthorityandRAWpower.
1. Dunamis–israwpower.
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 9
2. Exousiaisauthoritywhichisthederivedordelegatedlegalrighttoactordoingsomething+thepowertobackitupsothatonecomplies.
VII. AuthorityDefined-TheMeaningoftheGreekWordsForAuthorityasUsedintheNewTestament
A. ButthereareotherMeaningsaswell:
1. Hereisapicture(slide)oftheuseintheNTanditsvariousmeanings.
2. Itisused4differentwayintheNT,dependingonthecontext:
a) Thefreedomtoact–likeliberty-Therighttoexercisepower
b) Theabilityonehastoperformoraccomplishsomething,
c) Thepermissiontodosomething
d) Thesphereofauthority-realmofauthority
B. We’vebeentalkingabouttheFirstone,authorityisthefreedomtodecideorarighttoactwithouthindrance.
1. AswetalkedaboutinthebeginningthisauthoritybeginswithGod,forthereisnoauthorityexceptfromGod(Rom.13:1)
2. Wealsohavelearnedthatauthorityisvaluelesswithoutthepowertomakeiteffective,andthatwecanmakeadistinctionbetweenthetwoconcepts.
3. SOThismeaningofauthority,then,isdistinctfrompowerandrefersprimarilytoaprerogativeorrighttoact.
C. Second,theconceptofauthorityreferstothepower,ability,orcapabilitytocompleteanaction.Thisiswhereitoverlapswiththeword“DUNAMIS”thewordforpowerwejustlookedat.
1. Jesuswasgiventheauthoritytoforgivesins(Matt.9:6–8)andtodriveoutspirits(Mark6:7).
2. Jesusgaveseventy-twodisciplestheauthoritytotrampleon
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 10
snakesandscorpions(Luke10:19).
3. Simonsoughtpower(authorityinGreek)togranttheHolySpirit(Acts8:19).
4. SatanhasauthoritytofunctionwithintheparametersestablishedbyGod(Acts26:18).
D. Third,theword“authority”isusedwithreferencetodelegatedauthorityintheformofawarrant,license,orauthorizationtoperform.
1. Jesuswasaskedbywhoseauthorizationhetaught(Matt.21:23).
2. HewasgrantedauthorityforhisministryfromGodtheFather(John10:18).
3. SaulwassenttoDamascustopersecuteChristiansbywarrantofthepriests(Acts26:12).
4. Godgavetheapostleslicensetobuildupthechurch(2Cor.10:8).
E. Fourth,byanaturalextensionofmeaning,exousiasometimesdenotesthesphereinwhichauthorityisexercised.
1. Godhasestablishedspheresofauthorityintheworld.
2. The1stweareunderanditisthegovernmentalauthority…aslongasitdoesnotviolatetheWORDofGOD.AndifitdoesviolatetheWORDwecanstandagainstitunderstandingthatifwedo,weprobablywillsufferconsequences–wecallthiscivildisobedience.
3. 1–Godhasputinplacecivilgovernmentforareason-whichissupposedtopunishlawbreakersandprotectthosewhoobeythelaws.
a) Jesuswashandedovertotheofficialpowerandauthorityofthegovernor(Luke20:20).
b) WhenPilatelearnedthatJesuswasunderHerod’sauthority(orjurisdiction),thegovernorsenthimtoHerod(Luke23:7).
c) Rulersandkingshavetheirspheresofinfluence(Rom.13:1)
d) Moreoftenexousiareferstothepoweremployedby
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 11
rulersorothersinhighpositionsbyvirtueoftheiroffice,suchascivilmagistrates(Titus3:1)Remindthepeopletobesubjecttorulersandauthorities,tobeobedient,tobereadytodowhateverisgood…
4. Thisuseofauthorityinthisareaindicatesasocialrelationbetweenatleasttwoindividualswhereoneistheruler.Thesubordinateintherelationshipshouldaccepttheruler’sorders,notbyexternalconstraintbutoutoftheconvictionthattherulerisentitledtogiveordersandthatitisthedutyofthesubjecttoobeyandrecognizetheauthenticityoftheruler’spositionandorders.
5. TheSameIdeaappliedtotheSpiritualRealm…
a) AlsoSpiritually-Satanhasasphere–realm(Col.1:13),13Forhehasrescuedusfromthedominion(authority)ofdarkness
b) ButChristhasbeenplacedaboveallrealmsofauthority(Eph.1:20-21).And(TheFatherhas)seatedhimathisrighthandintheheavenlyrealms,21faraboveallrule(principality)andauthority(exousia),power(dunamis)anddominion(lordship),andeverynamethatisinvoked
F. WhatotherSpheresarethere?
1. AndasChristianswefindourselvesinvariousspheresofauthority.
2. 2-Anothersphereofauthorityisthefamily.
a) Husbandsaretolovetheirwivesandchildren,leadingthemintogodlinessbyexampleandinstruction.
b) WivesaretosubmittotheirhusbandsastotheLord(Eph.5:22)
c) Andchildrenaretoobeytheirparents,whoaretobringthemupinthedisciplineandinstructionoftheLord(Eph.6:1,4).
(1) (Eph.6:1,1Tim.3:4),
3. 3-Anothersphereofauthorityisinworkrelationships(slavesandmasters)
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 12
a) Masterpointofview:
(1) Eph6:99Andmasters,treatyourslavesinthesameway.Donotthreatenthem,sinceyouknowthathewhoisboththeirMasterandyoursisinheaven,andthereisnofavoritismwithhim.1
b) SlavePointofView
(1) Titus2:9–109Teachslavestobesubjecttotheirmastersineverything,totrytopleasethem,nottotalkbacktothem,10andnottostealfromthem,buttoshowthattheycanbefullytrusted,sothatineverywaytheywillmaketheteachingaboutGodourSaviorattractive.
4. 4-Anothersphereofauthorityisthelocalchurch.
a) Inthatsphere,apluralityofeldersaretoupholdGod’sstandardsofholinessandsounddoctrine,tocorrectthosewhostrayfromthetruth,toremovefromtheflockthosewhorefusetorepentsoastoprotecttherest,andtoblessGod’speoplebyinstructingtheminHisways.Paul’swords(Titus2:15)
5. Eachkindofderivedordelegatedauthorityhascertainconditionsandqualificationsinorderforittobeexercisedproperly.
a) TheScripturesarecarefultodistinguishbetweenspiritualauthorityandtheauthorityofmagistrates.TheauthoritythatPaulspeaksaboutinRomans13istherightandpowertoenforceobediencecivially,buttheauthorityPeterspeaksaboutin1Peter5istheresponsibilitytoserveGod'speopleforGod'spurposesinGod'sways.
6. 5–AnothersphereofAuthorityisYOURSELF!
VIII. 5–AnothersphereofAuthorityisYOURSELF!A. Introductions:
1. ItiseasytogetallcaughtupandinquisitiveaboutourownSpiritualAuthorityinthespiritualrealm,andhowthatworksitselfout
1TheNewInternationalVersion.(2011).(Eph6:9).GrandRapids,MI:Zondervan.
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 13
inourlife…andthatwillcome.
2. ButthereisaplacewhereJesusmustrulefirst,beforewecaneverexpecttowalkinandwalkouthisauthorityintermsofourgifting,callingandfocusofministry…ANDTHATPLACEISOVEROURSELVES!
3. TheworkofChrist,hisauthorityandpowerfirstneedstobeappliedruthlesslytoourselves.ThetrueuseandeffectivenessofHisdelegatedAuthority“OUTTHERE”isaresultofitstrueuseandeffectivenessINHERE!---Ourheart!–OverourFLESH–Overouroldman.
4. OurinnerworldisaKingdom…whereweweretheKing,andSatanhasruledbecausewe’veactedandthoughtjustlikehim---thatweknowbetter…andouroldmanagreedwiththat,andsinjustleadusawaytowhereeverwewantedtogo,andtheworldonlycondonedandencouragedusinthosedirections.
5. BUTwhenyoucametoCHRIST…YOUweretransferredfromtheKingdomofdarknesstotheKingdomofHisSon…(Col2).
IX. BelieversAuthority–AreasandResponsibilities
A. Let’sreadthispassageintheLIGHToftheAUTHORITYJesushasgivenuswithourunionwithHIM
B. …LONGSCRIPTURECol2:13—3:14
1. 13Whenyouweredeadinyoursinsandintheuncircumcisionofyourflesh,GodmadeyoualivewithChrist.Heforgaveusalloursins,14havingcanceledthechargeofourlegalindebtedness,whichstoodagainstusandcondemnedus;hehastakenitaway,nailingittothecross.15Andhavingdisarmedthepowersandauthorities,hemadeapublicspectacleofthem,triumphingoverthembythecross.
2. FreedomFromHumanRules
3. 16Thereforedonotletanyonejudgeyoubywhatyoueatordrink,orwithregardtoareligiousfestival,aNewMooncelebrationoraSabbathday.17Theseareashadowofthethingsthatweretocome;thereality,however,isfoundinChrist.18Donotletanyonewho
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 14
delightsinfalsehumilityandtheworshipofangelsdisqualifyyou.Suchapersonalsogoesintogreatdetailaboutwhattheyhaveseen;theyarepuffedupwithidlenotionsbytheirunspiritualmind.19Theyhavelostconnectionwiththehead,fromwhomthewholebody,supportedandheldtogetherbyitsligamentsandsinews,growsasGodcausesittogrow.
4. 20SinceyoudiedwithChristtotheelementalspiritualforcesofthisworld,why,asthoughyoustillbelongedtotheworld,doyousubmittoitsrules:21“Donothandle!Donottaste!Donottouch!”?22Theserules,whichhavetodowiththingsthatarealldestinedtoperishwithuse,arebasedonmerelyhumancommandsandteachings.23Suchregulationsindeedhaveanappearanceofwisdom,withtheirself-imposedworship,theirfalsehumilityandtheirharshtreatmentofthebody,buttheylackanyvalueinrestrainingsensualindulgence.
5. LivingasThoseMadeAliveinChrist
6. 3Since,then,youhavebeenraisedwithChrist,setyourheartsonthingsabove,whereChristis,seatedattherighthandofGod.2Setyourmindsonthingsabove,notonearthlythings.3Foryoudied,andyourlifeisnowhiddenwithChristinGod…
7. 5Puttodeath,therefore,whateverbelongstoyourearthlynature:sexualimmorality,impurity,lust,evildesiresandgreed,whichisidolatry.6Becauseofthese,thewrathofGodiscoming.7Youusedtowalkintheseways,inthelifeyouoncelived.8Butnowyoumustalsoridyourselvesofallsuchthingsasthese:anger,rage,malice,slander,andfilthylanguagefromyourlips.9Donotlietoeachother,sinceyouhavetakenoffyouroldselfwithitspractices10andhaveputonthenewself,whichisbeingrenewedinknowledgeintheimageofitsCreator…
8. 12Therefore,asGod’schosenpeople,holyanddearlyloved,clotheyourselveswithcompassion,kindness,humility,gentlenessandpatience.13Bearwitheachotherandforgiveoneanotherifanyofyouhasagrievanceagainstsomeone.ForgiveastheLordforgaveyou.14Andoverallthesevirtuesputonlove,whichbindsthemalltogetherinperfectunity.
C. GodhastoldustoexercisefirstandforemostthedelegatedauthorityofChristovertheKingdomwithinus.Weneedtosubdueeverythinginour
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lifethatisinoppositiontoournewidentityasonewhoismadeintheveryimageandnatureofChrist.
1. Wehavetherighttodothis,becausewehavebeengiventherighttobechildrenofGod.
a) Yettoallwhodidreceivehim,tothosewhobelievedinhisname,hegavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod(John1:12)(SLIDE)
2. Slide1:
3. Freedomwithrespecttothelaw(Rm7:4)
4. Tobeatourbodiesintosubjection(1Cor9:24-35
5. Trampleallthepoweroftheevilone(Lk10:19)
a) Howmuchofthepoweroftheenemy?Whatdoesallmean?Itmeansall!"I'vegivenyouauthorityoverallthepoweroftheenemy."It'sbeengiventousinandthroughJesusChrist.
6. Putofftheoldmanandputonthenew(Eph4:22)
7. AuthoritytoPRAYdirectlytotheFather(Jn16:25)
D. Slide2
1. Toputtodeaththeevildeedsofthebody(Rm6-8)
2. Tostopsinfromreigninginyou(Rm6:12)
3. TobefilledwiththeHolySpirit(Eph5:18
4. TotaketheGospeltothenations(Mat28:18-20)–
a) Consequences–jail?Greece
b) GodgavePaultherighttopreachthegospel(1Cor.9:18).
E. Slide3
1. TomakeDisciples(Mat28)
2. ToteachwhatChristtaught(Mat28)
3. BoldlycomeintoGodliteralpresence(Heb4:16
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4. BringeverythoughtcaptivetoChrist(2Cor10:5
F. Slide4
1. ToResisttemptation(1Cor10:13)
2. Resistthedevilandhewillflee(Ja4:7)
3. ToconfessoursinsdirectlytoGod(1Jn1:9)
4. Authoritytoproclaimforgivenessofsin(Jn20:23)
G. Sometimes---evenunderGod’sauthorityandhavingauthoritythingshappen.
1. IntheInsanityofGodtheauthor’ssondiesonthemissionfieldastheyareseekingtospreadthegospel.JimElliottwasmurdered.
2. ThewillofGodwillnevertakeyouwherethegraceofGodwillnotsustainyou–nomatterwhatyouface…orcomfortyouinthemidstofdeepheart-acheasaresultofservingGod.
X. SpiritualAuthorityintheRealmofChurchandChurchLeadership
A. Asweuseittofulfillthegreatcommissionweneedtomovewithcaution…
B. SometeachersandleadersintheBodyofChristsogravelymisunderstandandmisrepresenttheissuesofauthorityandobediencethatweneedtothinkverycarefullyabouttheBiblicalissuesandprinciplesinvolved.
C. Inthefleshpeopleseektoavoidpersonalresponsibility,pushingtheresponsibilityfordecisionsuptoaleader.Theleader,alsointheflesh,isalltooeagertotakeresponsibilitythatisnothisorherstotake.
D. TheBiblemakesitclearthatobediencemerelyforthesakeobedienceisnotnecessarilygoodanditisNOTwhatGodwantsorexpects.
1. Wecanobeyevilaswellasgood;wecanobeymanwhenweoughttoobeyGod.Obediencethatproducesconformityisnothealthy.Obediencetogainacceptancefeedstheflesh.Itisthereforeofgreatimportancethatwedistinguishbetweentruespiritualauthorityandtheabuseofauthority.
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E. ThreeCategories
1. Taskauthority
2. Teachingauthority
3. Spiritualauthority
XI. Authorityistobeexerciseddifferentlyineachofthesecategories.
A. Manyoftheproblemsinthechurcharisefromusingatypeofauthorityandexpectingakindofresponsethatisinappropriatetothesituation.
B. Taskauthorityisthesimplestandeasiesttounderstand.
1. Thiskindofauthorityconcernsajobthatistobedone.Apersonisputinchargethatgivesassignmentsanddirection;underhimorherisateamwhoseresponsibilityitistocomplyaspromptlyandefficientlyastheycanwiththeleader’sinstructions.Itmayormaynotbeappropriatetobe"creative,"takeindividualownership,ordiscusstheprosandconsofcertainapproachestothetaskstobedone.
2. Incertaincircumstancestaskauthorityisalegitimateandeffectiveformofleadership.Itturnsagroupofindividualsintoasingleoperatingunitandallowsworktobedoneefficiently.
3. TheNewTestamentusestheGreekwordpeitharcheo(toobeyachieforruler)todescribetheobediencethatisappropriateinresponsetoleadersinsuchsituations(Titus3:1).ThiswordisalsousedtodescribethekindofobediencewearetogivetomagistratesandtheobediencetoGodratherthanman(Acts5:29).
C. ThenthereisTeachingAuthority
1. Whenweturntoteachingauthority,thepurposeismuchmorethansimplyaccomplishingatask.
2. Itisnotsomuchsomethingthatistobedone,buttruthtobelearned.Whatisofgreatestimportanceisthattheonelearninghastheopportunitytodiscoverhowtolearnforhimself,sothatafterhehaslearnedhewillnolongerneeddetailedinstructions.
3. Inthesesituations,unlikethetasksituation,questionsand
BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 18
answers,reasons,explanationsanddealingwithobjectionsandmisunderstandingsareallpartofthelearningprocess.
4. THUSthegoalisdifferent(than“Task”authority),sotheBibleusestheGreekwordpeitho(tobepersuaded)todescribethekindofobedienceGodislookingfor.Hewantsobediencewithunderstanding,fromtheheart.WhenthewritertotheHebrewssays,"obeyyourleaders"(Hebrews13:17),peithoisthewordheuses.
5. Teachingauthorityispersuasionauthority.
a) WearetoconvinceothersbyappealingtotheWord,withtheaimthatthepersonbeingtaughthasrevelationforhimorherselfofthetruthbeingexpounded.
b) Paulsaidin2Cor.5:11"Therefore,knowingthefearoftheLord,wetrytopersuadeothers;butweourselvesarewellknowntoGod,andIhopethatwearealsowellknowntoyourconsciences."
6. Teachingauthorityinthechurchisoftenconfusedwithtaskauthority.Thepastororleaderwhobalksatbeingaskedsuchlegitimatequestionsas"Why?"or"Whatfor?"needstounderstandthedifferencebetweenthetwotypesofauthorityandtheobedienceGodexpectstoeach.
a) Applyingtaskauthoritytoteachingsituationswillnotproducetruelearning;thebelieverswillnotreallyunderstandbutjustrepeatalessonortruthlikeaparrot.
7. Agoodteacherwillneverbecontentwithrotelearning;heunderstandstheseverelimitationsonthosewhodonottrulyunderstandthetruthsbeingpresented.
8. SomeofthosebeingtaughtmaynotwanttograpplewiththetruthsofGod'sWord;othersmaynotwanttomakethechangesitdemandsintheirlives,butwemustnotlapseintoataskauthorityapproachwhenteachingtheWordofGod.
9. Itmayseemeasier,butintheenditdoesnotsolveproblems,itcreatesthem.
D. Then,thereisSpiritualAuthorityOVERpeople.
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1. Whenitcomestotheexerciseofspiritualauthority,theaimagainisdifferent.
2. Theaimisnotcomplianceorblindobedience,buttoinfluenceapersonandleadthemtobemotivatedfromtheirhearttotakeownershipofwhatGodisdoingorsayinginaparticularsituation.
3. HEREISTHEKEY:Thepurposeofspiritualauthorityistoservepeople,equipthem,andinfluencethemtobecomewhoGodwantsthemtobe.
a) WeuseourSpiritualAuthoritytoelicitafreeresponseofthewilltothetruthofGodandHiswillasoneseeksforandreceivesrevelationtohisorherownheart.
b) Elicit-evokeordrawout(aresponse,answer,orfact)fromsomeoneinreactiontoone'sownactionsorquestions
4. ThewitnessoftheHSaboutthetruthtoaperson’sheartiscritical.
5. IfIaltermybehaviorortrytodevelopmycharacterforanyotherreasonthanalovingresponsetotheconvictionoftheHolySpiritinmyheart,itisnotanobediencethatispleasingtoGod.
6. InscripturethewordusedforthetypeofobedienceGodwantsisdifferentagain;itishupakouo,meaning"tolistenunder."
7. Thehearingandobeyingbothcomefromunderthesurface,fromdeepwithintheheart.Thehearing(under)intheheartisthentranslatedintorightactionfromtheheart.
Reference Text
1Pe1:14 Asobedientchildren,donotconformtotheevildesiresyouhadwhenyoulivedinignorance.
Heb5:8 Sonthoughhewas,helearnedobediencefromwhathesuffered
1Pe1:2whohavebeenchosenaccordingtotheforeknowledgeofGodtheFather,throughthesanctifyingworkoftheSpirit,tobeobedienttoJesusChristandsprinkledwithhisblood:Graceandpeacebeyoursinabundance.
Phm21 Confidentofyourobedience,Iwritetoyou,knowingthatyouwilldoevenmorethanIask.
2Co7:15 Andhisaffectionforyouisallthegreaterwhenheremembersthatyouwereallobedient,receivinghimwithfearandtrembling.
Ro16:19 Everyonehasheardaboutyourobedience,soIrejoicebecauseofyou;butIwantyoutobewiseaboutwhatisgood,andinnocentaboutwhatisevil.
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Rom6:1717ButthanksbetoGodthat,thoughyouusedtobeslavestosin,youhavecometoobeyfromyourheartthepatternofteachingthathasnowclaimedyourallegiance.
8. ThespiritualleadermaybeachannelofGod'sSpirittomotivateaperson,buttheyarenottheonlychannel,andtheyarenotassignedbyGodtocontrolwhatchannelsHeusesinpeople’slives.
E. Sowrappingitupletsbeclear…TaskauthorityandteachingauthoritycanbothbedeadlyifappliedtoasituationthatcallsforapersontoseekforandfindwhatGodwantsforthemselves.
1. Theexerciseofspiritualauthorityinrelationtohupakouoobedienceshouldbeaimedatleadingapersontoself-discoveryofthewillofGod.
2. Weshouldnotorderthemasifitwereatasktheyshoulddo,norshouldwespoonfeedthemasiftheycannotstudytheWordorlistentotheSpiritforthemselves.
F. So,ourrightexerciseofourspiritualauthoritycallsuponusasleadersinthechurchtotrustthepreciousHolySpirittoworkinpeople'shearts.HeistheirGodandHeismorecommittedtotheirobedienceandgrowththanwe,asleaderscouldeverbe.
XII. III.SomeCommentsontheNatureofSpiritualAuthority
A. ItisclearfromthesepassagesandfromothersthatthereisadelegatedauthoritytothosewhoarecalledandgiftedbyGodtoleadthechurch,butthatauthoritycanonlybeexercisedproperlytothedegreethereisderivedauthoritytocarryitoutinaChristlikemanner.
B. Inotherwords,spiritualauthorityisdelegatedbyGod,butderivedthroughgodliness.OnewaytoseethatistolookatHOWitworksoutinaperson’slife.
C. JesusmadeitabundantlyclearthatwhatHemeantbyauthoritywasinfluencingtheflockthroughservingit.
1. "Let...hewhogovernsbeasonewhoserves"(Luke22:26-27).
2. Theonlyrightuseofspiritualauthorityistoserveothers:
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D. Andinthissense,Jesus’useofthewordauthoritywastherightwehaveasbelieversinChristtoinfluenceothersfortheirgood.
1. JesuswenttogreatlengthstoredefinethemeaningofauthoritythatwasprevalentinhisdayandISprevalentinourdaybothintheworldandinthechurch-bothinthemeaningofthewordandinworkingitoutinpractice.
E. Solet’swrapthisupwithlookingatHOWweexercisespiritualauthorityinaChrist-likewaytoachievetheMISSIONthatGodhasgivenusintheworldconcerningdisciplingthenations
F. Thereare7KEYlensesthatcanhelp:
1. Icallthemlensesbecausealensmodifiesthedirectionofmovementoflight.AndIhopethesewillmodifythedirectionanduseoftheauthorityChristgaveussothatwhenweuseit,itisalwaysontrackandinlinewithJesus’heart:
a) Doesitrestrictordoesitliberate?
b) Doesitleadtoconformityordoesitpromotecreativity?
(1) Conformityinthissphereisalmostalwaysexternalnotinternal…Godwantsaheartresponse,notafearresponse.
c) DoesitbringdependenceonmanoronGod?
d) Doesitproduceman-pleasingresponseorservanthoodfromtheheart?
e) Doesitdependonlaworgrace?
f) Doesitdestroyorbuildaperson'sconfidence?
g) DoesitproducefearoftouchingGod'sanointed,ordoesitequippeopletofunctionwithconfidenceintheirgiftsaspriestsandholyservantsbeforeGod?