Authority Relationships

Authority

What do you think the opposite of Christianity is? If Christianity is not just a belief in God, but serving and obeying God?

God is our ultimate authority

Command: Destroy the Amalekites

Disobedience: He saved the best of the sheep and oxen

Excuse: To sacrifice to the Lord our God

Conclusion

Listen to what the prophet Samuel says:

1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

Why is rebellion as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness similar to idolatry and witchcraft? The answer is that all conscious disobedience to God’s will is actually idolatry, because it makes self-will a human god. All evident opposition to God’s commandments is similar to idolatry — thus a rejection of the one true God. God will not tolerate the worship of any other god

Why is rebellion as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness similar to idolatry and witchcraft? The answer is that all conscious disobedience to God’s will is actually idolatry, because it makes self-will a human god. All evident opposition to God’s commandments is similar to idolatry — thus a rejection of the one true God. God will not tolerate the worship of any other god

witchcraft (soothsaying) and idolatry both depict an allegiance to a power other than God.

Why is rebellion as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness similar to idolatry and witchcraft? The answer is that all conscious disobedience to God’s will is actually idolatry, because it makes self-will a human god.

Reflection Questions

GETTING STARTED (10 minutes)

• How many of you like being told what to do or someone having authority over you? • Why is it that we don’t like authority figures? • Who are some examples of authority figures with whom you have difficulty getting along?

Parental Authority

We see the importance of respecting and honoring God as our ultimate authority, but did you know that God has placed other authority figures in our lives besides Himself?

I could talk about teachers, pastors, leaders, presidents, etc… but there is one specific authority I want to cover with you guys.

B. RESPECT PARENTS That’s right, we’re supposed to respect our parents.

Ephesians 6:1–2 ESV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

Obey: to follow the commands of

Honor: : to regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect : to place value on

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Discussion Questions: 1. What do these passages say about respecting/honoring your parents? 2. Why is it hard sometimes to respect them? 3. Do you think you should respect your parents if they ask you to disobey God? Should you obey them?

Discussion Questions: 1. What do these passages say about respecting/honoring your parents? 2. Why is hard sometimes to respect them? 3. Do you think you should respect your parents if they ask you to disobey God? Should you obey them?

1 Samuel 15:23 ESV

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”