I Belong to Church - Authority

Romans 13:1–7 ESV

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Hebrews 13:7–9 ESV

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

Hebrews 13:7–8 ESV

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Who is a famous person who, as a leader, you admire?

What is the difference between someone who is a leader and someone who is in authority?

Hebrews 13:7–8 ESV

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Heb 13:

Hebrews 13:13 ESV

Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

What is the difference between someone who is a leader and someone who is in authority?

Mindful of their life

Mindful of their life

How they have lived - what/what not to do. Wisdom and experience, good and bad. Not perfect, but Jesus is. So be mindful of His life through their leadership.

Mindful of your life

You’re not in authority…yet. Know your role and how you would want someone to listen once you become an authority. God gives us authoriy to keep watch over us while we grow in maturity and humility. And God gives us authorities over us to remind us that He is over us.

Mindful of their burden

Being in a position of authority is a great burden. Working a drive thru doesn’t have the pressures of owning the Chik-fil-a. Even more so in spiritual leadership where souls are in the balance.

Mindful of their joy

You are one step closer to being ready for humble leadership and a place of authority when you consider your leaders’ joy in your response to being led.

Mindful of God’s sovereignty

God works through good leaders and bad, good decisions and bad. When in the role of follower and your plans or demands are met with delay or denial, you reveal if the god you worship is really in control or not. Respond with anger or despair? Your god is your plan and your will and the delay reveals your god is powerless. Respond with faith, trust, and a peace that surpasses all understanding? Your God is all-powerful, in control, and in the delay/denial.

Youth church

Three modes

Forced to go to church

Love to go to church

Somewhere in-between

What are some ways you think you will parent your kids differently?

Do you think perfect parenting will raise a perfect child? Why/why not?

Sovereignty / surrender

We run from authority, can’t wait to be in authority and control of our lives and what we believe