Astonishing Authority
What's wrong with you chapter 7 verses 23 and 24.
And then I will declare to them. I never knew you depart from me you who practice lawlessness there for everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Thank you, Nathan. Just two versus good morning worshipping declaring God's word to get God's truth in the morning. it looked at last week not all who say Lord Lord will inherit the turn into the
not all those who say Lord Lord will enter into a right relationship with God is heavy text and every been looking through the entire passage of The Sermon on the Mount and mount and all of its twists and it's turns and we've come to face the speaker. And the proclaimer Really the preacher. There's a response that one might have towards his teaching. And in light of that upon what he had read? Can you turn your eyes to verses 28 and 29 as well? When he was done. Saying such things is that. This is the response and it's a look at it myself. I want to ask myself what will ourselves for myself and not yourself. What is our response towards this individual? But Jesus had finished these words. The crowds were amazed at his teaching. For he was teaching them as one having Authority. And not as the scribes.
For there is much here to learn. And consider not directly related just 2 words on a page, but merely to learn about you.
Or we live in a society which would want us to learn about many things. That would take her eyes off you. So I worship this morning was purposeful. It was direct. Because you're worth every ounce of a breath my voice. and now we're hearing Have you heard? And more even as white as we've been just now coming to a close at The Sermon on the Mount Lord. There is a danger for each of us. To be merely a people who have heard it.
To what you have said to those who live like that not all who say Lord Lord.
But I pray that as we can we look at the response of the crowd and light of all your teaching and yes even some of it hard. But I pray that our responses that we would not only just hear it, but that we can act upon it.
And become a people that live within our families and our workplaces are schools in this. Riverview place just in this community the point to you. In Jesus name. Amen. Nathan. I must apologize. I wanted you to read verse 2829. That's my fault. I don't know why I got 2324 but I appreciate that you've read that even in light of that text. I found myself on Monday morning when I was reading the text this morning. I've asked myself the simple question when I looked at versus 2829. Is it possible? Is it possible that Jacob could preach unto versus will try
Look at these two versus I want to beat you to be aware of something. I skipped sections within this sermon to teach on these two verses. I don't mean I skip purposely. I skip at the mines a tad knowing that those of you who aren't our small groups get to interact this in the discussions that I didn't address here for the ball, but some of the reasons why are you why are you going to preach on that text? I said, what are you going to have in your smoker? And so I want me to talk on this one and I didn't even get a chance to teach on the Golden Rule and I purposely did that to teach on these two verses. When Jesus had finished these words the crowds were amazed at his teaching. Where he was teaching them as one having Authority for many of us when we read the gospel of Matthew for many of us who read these two versus we see it merely as a transitional word or phrase lead us to the next actions of Christ. This is not a transitional statement. There is incredible. I mean waiting to discuss and articulate these two versus because anyone who has heard Jesus teach their eyes land specifically on a particular piece. Individual mix why? when someone talks about the moon might be skilled and you might know all that is standings of the Moon as he articulates his understanding of the Moon his eyes are the heroes eyes transition to the moon when someone who is academically influenced with enough knowledge to talk about the Sun as you have them might have had the privilege to hear speed. We'll talk about the size and the power and the influence of the sun are oranges we listen and we hear our tune to look at the sun. It's as if the speaker has transition our affection our eyes of attention to the sun. We appreciate the understanding, but ultimately we find ourselves appreciating that what she's talking about. A teacher is specialized is social customs and cultures as they begin to articulate the peoples of which they are talking about. Our eyes are transition to focus on such individuals. What someone talks about social issues where there is racism whether it's Social Service, whether it be the rights of how we're supposed to Stewart our resources, no matter how skilled they are our eyes are often turn to that which they're talking about. There is only a one end and when she can talk about morality ethics social standards or even things to come and when he's done Eyes do not talk or no. I do not land on what he has been talking about their eyes land on him. You have to think about this the sermon amount has been used by many.
selective and so we dip in and we talked about some of these judge so you might be judged and they selectively the teaching. Above the preacher is preaching at as a result of doing so they have not and I would argue as many who have of trying to use The Sermon on the Mount for social purposes weather be at the cool or social.
for the purpose of looking at its teaching that was never the response at the end of his teaching When they see Jesus done talking this will shape the way you are to live your life these two verses. How do you want to understand how to walk?
Do you understand the sermon when Jesus had finished these words all them together or talk about social ethical even things to come? Their Eyes Were amazed at his teaching because he revealed in his teaching an astounding Authority Everlasting astounding Authority. So really in these two verses with the Riders doing as he's being moved by the spirit, he is articulating. The Man Behind the words And how often Mini have focused on the words.
If you read the sermon and its entirety. Lane simplistically that's a challenge we find is we've gone over for the last month. We have gone through the sermon piece by piece by piece and there is a danger to the whole process to get fixated on the topics that we had somehow find ourselves disconnected from the breach is proclaiming such. Thanks. Do I have to remind ourselves he opens up the CERN and Matthew 5 chapter 17 after the Beatitudes. He articulates himself in this way. I felt I'm going to talk about two more than 2 versus we're okay, but I just want to hear sitting before the table today and as a result of during the sermon sermon his sermon what we want to recognize he is calling his disciples to be an other type of people. Industry understand what he is doing of or his disciples. It should shape the way that we respond and that in the very beginning in the sermon. He declared this and verse the 17 do not think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill them he has this anticipate as he's not like the scribes is not like the Pharisees to look at the standards, which says do not murder know. He doesn't a whole different category. It looks at the standard of the law and he he articulated in such a profound simplistic way that when he's done talking about murder. They're looking at not murder there looking at him. Who has such a 32 defines the boundaries of murder that it is rooted in anger. It hasn't stopped there because verse 17 and that is profound Verse 18 shows you the attitude that he has behind this expectation. Truly I say to you I love but it is a lot of what it is. I do not want to listen to post for truly. He he is the one with absolute Authority. It's the word almond. The one who possesses Apple the Everlasting astonishing authority of all the things I say to you.
Until Heaven and Earth pass away not the smallest letter or the stroke shall pass from the law until it is all accomplished. The crowds are amazed by I see articulates and proclaims in his sermon. He is sitting himself in a position. He says that I hold all things in in in in existence. I'm the one who brought it into existence. And yes, I am the one who will cause it to fall away and yet even in the midst of his entire sermon they are watching the observing one who is speaking not like the scribes. He has put himself in a position which is calling the audience to be fixing not Allah, but on him.
and if you understand it's read it simply and playing this is what he is calling. Not just his disciples that all Humanity. Who is come before his words and reading The Sermon on the Mount? He is all and all and yes, he articulates much. He talks about discussions much. But he is calling. People to be fixated on him. And as you read it in its entirety, you will realize that the crowd is found themselves in a position to ask a question. Is it true? because at the end of it he is the one who now gets to determine who gets eternal life and who doesn't
Let me stop for a month.
The people in the background during this whole sermon that Jesus is preaching that he is trying to call people to respond contrary to is the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
And the Pharisees and the Sadducees became a people who were skilled in this. And so they were there is a dangerous aspect that we can become even or so skilled at knowing God's word. And if Jesus Is Right by his authority he when he is articular there is a danger or even us to know all of this and yet be found outside of his relationship. What she says this and verse 24 I say to you then unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisees you will not ever enter. You will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Which is fascinating the deceased the Pharisees and the Sadducees actually believed that if you study the civil law if you studied God's word with such passion that you would find life. and it that's what John Wiley Jesus declares and Jeffrey John chapter 5 verse 39 and 40 you sending this to the this is the problem. They has you search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. It is possible to become as some might say a professional Christian.
To be an individual that is professional in their attendance on Sunday and they are professional in their service within the community this people to become a professional in this stinking step by doing such things you find life. And when he's articulating the people have never heard that this is pointing to something else is John chapter 5 verse 39 and 40. He continues you you search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. It is Visa testified on me. He's going to actually have the audacity to say that every ounce. This is what he's going to say in Matthew chapter 5 verse 17 every ounce of scripture that will have its ultimate fulfillment in him because it's this acts as the arrow to reveal Christ.
And you are on willing to come to me. So that you may have life.
Internet chess like the preacher is proclaiming Justice scripture is articulating. Anyone who sits before Christ or his words must find their eyes or ask them self? Where are their eyes Landing?
He's done. He had finished saying these things they were amassed why because of Youth Authority that he spoke such things.
This is why. If it is true. verse 1718 of Matthew chapter 5 set of all scripture is the arrow which reveals and find its fulfillment in Christ. Finds Its ultimate purpose in Revelation in Christ This is why it is a joy to read this.
This is why it's a joy to people I want to know Jesus. That is your eye. That is your purpose. Is that as your love and that is your joy. This is the arrow that points and I know I know there are sections within this that are challenging times and found myself. He's very careful. The Leviticus can be challenge but it has no meaning. And it will be simply challenging if it doesn't find its ultimate fulfillment in someone. When you realize I'm a crisis declaring the living is Finds Its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Leviticus pass purpose now. The songs have purpose now. I have heard that some of this is a boring part of section of scripture. We don't talk like that. Because it Finds Its fulfillment in Christ. If it really is just recounting his three sure that it's boring students your right history can be boring houses for filament and found in someone who's internally astonishing nonetheless Christ. So many people have missed. That when Jesus preaches and he articulates with your destiny. What is showing is the joy of fighting who is behind?
Scripture testifies about anything like I can we can talk about next week who's going to win the Super Bowl at all of our eyes will turn to that. When should I replace it?
We're looking at that what he talked about, but who that's a standing rib never come to see someone like that because he is talking with such Elegance that it would have been there with what Clarity Authority was declaring such things. Find it fascinating to the holster. Who the audience of which he's proclaiming at 2 and I've said this before I know it when Jesus came he came and chat Matthew chapter one and says pay for the sins of his people to move the to cleanse them from their sin and he doesn't come and he begins to declare these truths to trace right trees know why they exist dogs know why it exists sunsets know why they exist it's the heavens. They know that why they exist in declare regularly and Psalms 9:1 the heavens are telling the glory of God's their hair expression is declaring the work of his hands. And yet it's through this sermon with Everlasting astounding Authority. He tells people With we're all about and think about it. He has to teach us contrary to the rest of creation how to pray.
Why? Because when we pray we say Lord. Let it be about me. Let your power be used for me. Are very first line he has to teach that's not that's not how you pray because I'm the center. I'm the one and all of the center of all things. You must pray Our Father in heaven Hallowed workout your name with power and authority for your namesake work in such a way. My life is teaching the one learning to pray work out in such a way in my life that you will be glorified. What is that mine mean suffering or prosperity? Be glorified the rest of creation. He has not that the articulate that to its Humanity you and us he has to articulate why you're even here. They're stoned. We have never learned or never even heard it from somebody that says that starts with such Authority that by the end of it we found ourselves. Looking at the speaker and not what he's talking about. What am I trying to say? He's not big. Christ is that big? I have found myself. over the years realizing this this will change the way that you raised your family's this will change the way that you work in your workplace. This will be the way that should to change it. You see how you interact in school and in this very community. Yes, God is giving us experiences. And our experiences we use sometimes to help people come see Jesus.
There is only one thing in which people when you talk about it turn their eyes to him. Our experiences are merely tools to support that which he has proclaimed.
And so when we go to our kids and talk about God. We don't talk like well, yes when I was kid. I dealt with that, too. We say Jesus Christ knows exactly what you're going through because he went through it himself. And he knows the better and Greta way to live and that he finds joy there is life and obeying parents and respecting parents and teachers. One day I was just a bit with this made me or did this will be with my teacher and I did talk a lot in class. How far is what a parent would say that it is better to crisis cross Christ has taught to speak last in to listen more. And often we place ourselves into the experience rather than putting Christ before the experience of the they might go to him. I hope that makes sense. My name is is that we must realize is that if we put Christ at the center than all eyes when they're not on me. My experience is only made about use my experiences in such a way to point them to Christ. people who suffer often try to identify with their suffering by our suffering are great and more rewarding it is to point the one who has suffered. to their eyes length are it's only then when they hear those words. They're amazed and find one who actually has Authority.
Fairyseason the scribes is wise as they were. Jesus positions himself against them and he says the Pharisees and scribes told you you should not murder and as he articulate he's despines the standard of which you are accountable before God. It was the Pharisees whose Define purity as simply don't find yourself with them in the morning. But Jesus is going to declare even far superior. Don't lost within your heart at the end of this sir. The crowd is faced with this alternate question. Who is this? Who is this one who is the only individual who can place themselves as Superior to that of the scriptures? He is placing himself above the scriptures in articulating to the audience and how they have to respond to who is this? There's only one individual they can put themselves in that position and it has to be the one who produced it. He's the only one that can articulate it actually, who is this one? Who is this? One who declares blessed are you who when people insult you and persecute and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me, but he says this in Matthew 5:11. He doesn't say blessed are those of you who insult you and persecute and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of my teaching It doesn't talk like that. He's speaking with astonishing Authority when they persecute you because of me. It's not about ethics. It's not about that is about ethics and social is where you found it in rice. Who is this who has declared I have come.
The meaning I have come with a full whereness a wife come. Who is this? Like a children don't even know I've become the first 2 years old for 16 years of Our Lives. They have no reason why they have come.
He got us fully aware and articulated why he is, he knows of a predetermined plan Hawaii game. Who is this one? Who is this one who can declare I am your man and I say in fattic Lee to you. Who is this one? Who says he knows the father.
And he knows that he is able to see that what you do in secret. Who is this one who can claim a promise and provided to all who obey it and says seek first his is Kingdom his kingdom speak. Show me the coming United States and say forget this seek my kingdom. He is positioning himself against not just backing to The Gangs of the world and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Who is this that can declare to his do not judge, but then he himself later say I will judge all And it's only through me you will find eternal life. Who is this while articulating the attention of law then say be perfect and find himself feeling perfectly. talks about her at the end of it all rise or resting on who is this guy?
Is there starch? maced these are not just too Simple vs. It's carrying weight of reality of looking at who in the world. Is this that can say I never knew you depart from me you who practice lawlessness?
Who is this witch came to Claire everyone who hears these words of mine looking for 24 Matthew chapter 7 there for everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them.
May be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock who gets to talk like that.
Who is this which then goes on to declare an expectation and requirement to act upon it? The preacher without a doubt throughout the entire message.
Talking about law morality ethics social aspects of things to come calls all to witness and testify him and hear of him.
I wonder if that's how we read our Bibles.
If you found yourself reading God's word in a way that is to try to find how you want to live your life. It should always find its conclusion and finding out who Jesus is. And then submitting to his authority. Pharisees scratch professional religious men Todd by just reading this as a personal help but give them life missing the trajectory of what it was pointing to.
Fascinating thing about all this teaching of Christ is that its conclusion is that he anticipates and it expects genuine disciples to orient their life around him.
the expectation From chronic yeast is that he who hears his words will Orient that our lives completely around him? Say it again is point. They're all this so that when you hear it that you Orient everything around him. Why because he's everything. He's everything. his life He's the one who provides joy and Assurance blessing.
The scribes and the Pharisees develop their own interpretation. I don't care what they said. I don't know what he says.
Which reminds me I want to consider the words that were mentioned in the very beginning of the sermon Matthew chapter 1 words of the father to Joseph. The son has come to pay for sends the very first words of John the Baptist the very first words repent. Which means that there is a purposeful and deliver deliberate response to hearing your position before God. You must Orient yourself to position that is pleasing to God repent and forsake the way that which you've lived which is better Rebellion towards God acknowledging and reorienting yourself to be living towards the standard with Christ as a Claritin this words Jesus Christ. The very first words that he declares are repent are missing. From our culture's perspective of Christ. He came to save which implies we need to recognize our something wrong with us. And we reach we repent means John the Baptist. She says this to the Pharisees. He sees them coming down the road to come and witness is baptism yells at age 76 you brood of vipers who warned you to flee from the wrath of gum. Which I don't use that as a verse to call all the peoples names John is in rare expected position of the park or you just don't get to be professionally religious not acknowledging your sin before God and which then he says in verse 8 therefore bear fruit. Are we bare fruit in Christ and with keeping with repentance same manner by which you get in the means by which you demonstrate the authenticity that you have Reef oriented yourself before God is through bearing good fruit the idea. Did all you need is Jesus and you can do whatever you want is not know what he's proclaiming in the sermon. Absolutely not. He would put that of the category of the apocracy of the Pharisees and the Sadducees if you know who he is if you recognized his astonishing Authority you are moved to a position to respond.
Find and enjoy life in him. He expects fruit. Which is what Nathan Wright? He expects a real ranting of your life to be pleasing and glorify Christ.
Why would they do it? Because he's everything?
What I find fascinating. I really want to emphasize before we go to the table is this.
Heist even in the midst of his sermon to those who have repented and acknowledge Christ is Lord of their life. He calls them to do something. He expects them to do something and we talked about that in the sense of just here about bearing fruit. It's very specific. He says in his beginning of his sermon. You find it in versed chapters box. You beat chapter 5.
versus V 13 through 16 I want you to listen. This is how we ought to know what it means to be glorifying here and act upon God's word. You are the salt of the earth. Does the salt has become tasteless? How can it be made salty again? There's no long no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and Trampled Under Foot by men. You are the light of the world letting City Lego City set on a hill cannot be hidden or does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket but on the lamps and gets lights all who are in the house let your light shine before men and such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven with an everlasting astonishing Authority Christ is declaring to his disciples. You are just like the tree just like the universe just like scripture meant to point to one individual. Enter glorify one individual which is none of the Jesus Christ and you'll work places within your families within your school within this very Community. People should see us live in a way that they may recognize our good works not to be boring to ourselves but to Christ which glorifies the father Why because the father is said to his son. This is my this is my my son who I am. Well pleased.
Name of us by those who know Christ is that we point to Christ and all. Thanks. And he has the nerve and his sermon to say this. That you are to reorient everything around me. So that people and as they watch the way that you live in parrot and work. Use your free time. They will see Christ. Why is like we said in the very beginning when someone articulate to the sun? We look at the Sun. Whoever wins we articulate the man we look at the Moon Christians articulate Christ by their life and those who watch see what we are trying to describe which is Christ and that's what I need to see. May we not be playing?
No room for anything else. We can have secondary things it suppose. primaries Christ which we have said inward sun-worship. That is why we exist. Which leads me then to what is our response?
Reason why we use this every Sunday. The reason why we asked you to bring a Bible or invest in a Bible phones are fine. Those are just tools. I want you to study this. The underlined what you highlighted I want you to use make it all. Don't become a professional Christian. That's not the point the point. Is she reading Isaiah. You'll find that there is one who that prophesied long ago of one will come down for our sense. The he will be forsaken by men. But then he will find his hope and trusting the father who was pleased. kill set them aside as the payment process and realizing that all that points to him.
This is the way that we worship in so this will be primary and always in our ministry find it. We are any we are in a season of challenge. I would say we have set out to when we believe I'm walking by faith that Lord of you open the doors to buy this building and I don't want any of our eyes leave it in this community be resting there. Name of this always been I don't even want people to me know what no, it's for our ministry. How We love kids and love people in our community know that. That's professional Christianity at the end of it. We haven't done anything until their eyes have been landed upon Christ. If having a building is going to disable us to do that, then it does not do it. Zendaya name is two people rest and know Christ Jesus. Don't worry Community meets our children's ministry. Our aim there is not just to entertain them for an hour. It's to teach them about Christ. Our worship we have been very purposeful. There are songs that you get to sing in the car there songs that we get to sing together. Why because they're not about me there about Christ. very selective a fellowship playing games is good the unity that we have together and then we got it Friday night and I missed it going to be there. What if I would have one? Let us know that our fellowship is the center which Why We Gather is because of what Christ has done in our lives.
That has to be the name of our fellowship last that were naira. That's where we are. The challenges is the Jesus is proclaiming through all this is that sin has the ability to damage. And misrepresent home. You're supposed to be pointing to It attracts the eyes when leadership fails. spouses coworkers walking and morality why we are in Arrow. I have finished these words when he had finished these words Growlers were amazed. they came to realize he's at where do I go on? I can't wait. The next three chapters is about healing crisis looking to cast them out. And how many minutes do I tried to make their Ministries about healing?
Everything that Christ does is meant to mean that you're supposed to find the one who has the authority. It is teaching his power and in his humility.
so I'm going to ask you tonight today or this morning. We're going to take the Lord's Supper.
As you take it we're not going to say we're seeing after we take it. This is what I want you to ask yourselves. Lord where am I not pointing to you?
Where am I coming to position where I have practice professional Christianity and I have heard your teaching and I've treated as just words and not submitted to your astonishing Everlasting Authority.
That's why I want you to think about and we'll take the bread in the communion together remembering that even this. Old is this is still meant to point to him? Remind ourselves of who we are to exist for 2.2. I think there be a helpful measure to take as a community considering where we have not let spray.
But we acknowledge that you have expectations for those who have decided to Oriental.
spouses future spouses with points so many other places Baby Lord, as we ask by your spirit lead us to become a people that point. To you for bringing us a spouse. point to you for bringing us a job point to you who helps us to endure suffering when we do not have health. Let's be a people that Live in such a way that they see our good works and glorify Our Father. Let us be faithful to that and if we take considered allies before the table Lord, I pray that we would be people that hear your spirit speaking up on us convicting us and respond Jesus name. Amen.
I'm service come out.
Our Father knew exactly what we needed Army times pray for other things that he knew At the end we needed saving from death.
wrath satisfied on the cross for our sake
so the night before his crucifixion He said that for him the disciples to teach remind the church exactly why he came? Taking the bread. He said this represents my body which is being given for you. They can't remember to me.
Taking the cob. Said this represents my blood what should be poured out for the Forgiveness of sins. The relationship was costly and he was willing to accomplish it for us saying take this remembrance of me.
Would you stand with me?
Lord we have spent this morning worshipping hearing your word reminding ourselves that all this we are meant to point to you. You're the purpose of our life and Lord as we conclude now with one more saw you are a Cornerstone you are the reason for why we exist and let us be the people who can hear that and act upon that to whatever Community you placed in Jesus name. Amen.