Respect for Authority
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STORY :UNDER AUTHORITY
I used to be a substitute teacher. Most of the time, I had good classes. Sometimes I had bad classes. But one day, I had a horrible class. Kids were running around the room, throwing paper wads, screaming and yelling. One kid ran out the side door into the courtyard and came back in tracking mud all over the classroom. I think that was the day I started losing my hair!
But all of a sudden, the principal shows up! It gets really quiet. He said to me "Who are the five biggest troublemakers?" I could have easily picked out ten troublemakers. But I picked out five. The principal points a thick finger at the five kids and says "Come with me!" And I never saw them again. And I never had another problem with that class.
I was amazed at the authority of that principal. That’s how the disciples feel about Jesus! They see him carry out the judgment of God in the temple courts. They see him symbolically carry out the judgment of God on the fruitless fig tree. They say "Wow! Jesus is AMAZING! We wish WE could do that!"
But before we can minister WITH the authority of Christ, we need to make sure we are living UNDER the authority of Christ.
(From a sermon by Marc Axelrod, Judging the Fruitless and Encouraging the Fruitful, 5/25/2011)
Think of Authority - True Authority this way: the capacity for meaningful action. When you have authority, what you do, or do not do, makes a meaningful difference in the world around you…
Such authority as men have is delegated to them by God, to whom they must answer for the way they use it. Because all authority is ultimately God’s, submission to authority in all realms of life is a religious duty, part of God’s service.
Authority If power is the ability to act, authority stands for the right to act.
Authority is “the right and power to command and be obeyed, or to do something,” or “someone whose knowledge and opinions command respect and belief.”
Authority can be vested in persons or in an office.
Authority can stand for institutionalized or formalized power…
Biblical teaching on authority emphasizes both submission and its theological purpose. Christians are called to defer to governmental institutions—whether kings, governors, or magistrates—as part of their faith commitment
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
1.) Submitting to Authority :
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers,
and for the praise of them that do well.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
This isn’t blind obedience; rather, the underlying principle involves using one’s freedom responsibly, demonstrating through ethical conduct that Christian faith produces integrity and virtue
The scope of this respect extends across social relationships. The New Testament calls believers to honor all people, maintain community bonds, revere God, and show particular respect to rulers
Even in hierarchical relationships like servitude, submission applies not only to kind masters but also to difficult ones —suggesting that respect for authority isn’t contingent on the character of those in power.
Yet authority itself carries accountability. Those who lead bear responsibility before God for the spiritual welfare of those under their care and must ultimately give account for their stewardship This mutual accountability framework prevents authority from becoming tyrannical.
Luke 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
2.) Respect for Authority :
1.) Obey them that have the rule over you, and 2.) submit yourselves:3.) for they watch for your souls, 4.) as they that must give account, 5.) that they may do it with joy, 6.) and not with grief: 7.) for that is unprofitable for you.
The famous teaching on rendering to Caesar illustrates the boundaries of this respect. Jesus distinguishes between what belongs to earthly rulers and what belongs to God —implying that civic obligation has limits.
And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth:
Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?
But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
And they said unto him, Caesar’s. And Jesus answering said unto them, (Render) provide or give, a service , help ) to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
Believers maintain dual citizenship, with ultimate allegiance reserved for God.
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk
. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying,
Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man:
for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou?
Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Shew me the tribute money.
And they brought unto `him a penny.
And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
They say unto him, Caesar’s.
Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s;
and unto God the things that are God’s.
3.) Praying for Authority :
Practically, Christians are encouraged to pray for those in authority, recognizing that stable governance enables peaceful, godly living
This transforms respect from mere compliance into intercessory concern.
The emphasis throughout is that respecting authority serves a larger purpose: demonstrating Christian virtue, maintaining social order, and ultimately glorifying God through responsible citizenship.
1.) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, 2.)supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 3.) For kings, and for all that are in authority;4.) that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty
CLOSING :
Obey them that have the rule over you,
and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls,
as they that must give account,
that they may do it with joy,
and not with grief:
for that is( unprofitable)( provide or give , a service or help ) for you.
1.) are you submitting to authority ?
2.) “ “ respecting authority ?
3.) “ “ praying for authority ?
