Matthew 21 - Human and Godly Authority.

Human and Godly Authority Matthew Chapter 21 HCC May 21st, 2023 Thinking about our baby… Fundamental Human Questions What is my purpose in life? What does it mean to be good? Whose authority should I accept? Authority Definition: the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience Fact of Life: there are rules, and the rules have to be set by somebody Key Question: How do you recognize true authority? Today’s Message • Key passages in Matthew 21 • The nature of authority • What it means for us Where We Are in Matthew Birth and significance of Jesus Start of Jesus’ ministry and gains followers Sermon on the Mount (5-7) Chapters 1-2 3-7 Miracles and More teachings expansion of and parables; ministry Escalation of tension with Pharisees 8-10 11-13 Jesus reveals himself as son of God People struggle with what is Jesus’ kingship 13-18 19-25 Climax: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, followed by victory and the great commission 26-28 The Key Characters Jesus The Religious Leaders The 12 Disciples of Jesus The “Crowd” Six Stories in Matthew 21… 1. Triumphal Entry 2. Jesus Cleanses the Temple 3. Jesus Curses the Fig Tree 4. The Authority of Jesus Challenged 5. The Parable of the Two Sons 6. The Parable of the Tenants …Speak About the Question of Authority Story Theme 1. Triumphal Entry Jesus is declared a King before the crowds 2. Jesus Cleanses the Temple Jesus judges the temple practices, redefines the paradigm 3. Jesus Curses the Fig Tree Jesus’ power over nature and fate of Israel 4. The Authority of Jesus Challenged Confrontation of two different authorities 5. The Parable of the Two Sons Criticism of the religious authorities 6. The Parable of the Tenants Very directly undermined the religious authorities The Authority of Jesus Challenged (21:23-27) And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 23 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” 24 And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do How to Know God is Real "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.“ Jeremiah 29:13 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 What Was Different About Jesus’ Authority? 1. Taught with authority “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22) 2. Judged with authority “Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22) 3. Given full authority “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18) The Parable of the Tenants (21:33-40) “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do 33 Today’s Message • Key passages in Matthew 21 • The nature of authority • What it means for us Why We Struggle with Submitting to Authority • Genesis: humans created with free will  a desire for autonomy • It’s what makes relationships have value • But God asked us to control this desire • Temptation: we think we can do a better job than God The Human View of Authority • Life is a power struggle (zero sum game) • To be great a person, must "will to power“ (Nietzsche) • The ends justifies the means (Machiavelli): e.g., ok to weaponize the “rules” to maintain your power Jesus Sets a Different Model for Authority Life is a power struggle The purpose is to love, serve and forgive. Focus on eternal rewards (Matthew 6) Great people must "will to power“ The first shall be last and the last shall be first (Matthew 20) The ends justifies the means God will judge us for all our actions, and give an account of our lives (2 Corinth. 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10 Today’s Message • Key passages in Matthew 21 • The nature of authority • What it means for us Three Situations Must Be Prepared to Deal With #1 Experiencing the Temptation of Power #2 Working for an Authority that is Abusing Their Power #3 Having Your Own Authority Challenged By Someone Else John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3 Discussion Questions 1. Have you ever had a really good boss or authority figure? What made them so good, how did they make you feel? 2. Have you ever had to challenge human authority at personal risk? How did you handle it? 3. Jesus came to establish his authority and to model himself as a servant leader who wanted to heal and encourage obedience to the true God (and not to man). What aspects of Jesus’ character inspire you to follow him? 4. How much have I surrendered my life to Jesus? What areas of my life do I find it difficult to trust in His plans rather than my own? APPENDIX Gospel According to Matthew Birth and significance of Jesus Start of Jesus’ ministry and gains followers Sermon on the Mount (5-7) Chapters 1-2 3-7 Miracles and More teachings expansion of and parables; ministry Escalation of tension with Pharisees 8-10 11-13 Jesus reveals himself as son of God People struggle with Jesus’ kingship; Teachings of judgment to come 13-18 19-25 Climax: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, followed by victory and the great commission 26-28 The Gospel says we are more sinful than we dared imagine, yet we are more loved than we dared to believe