Sermon Tone Analysis

APPLYING BIBLICAL AUTHORITY, #2

*2 John 9-11*

 

*     Introduction*: In our study of Biblical authority, we have examined the *need* for it (/Judges 21:25/); the *principle directing it* (/Colossians 3:17/); and one way the Bible authorizes our life and practice, through *direct statements*.

Today, we shall examine two kinds of authority presented in the Bible.

*I.

SPECIFIC AUTHORITY*

 

A.

Specific authority refers to actions that are */authorized/* by God, and the details are spelled out for us, telling us */how/* to accomplish His will.

B. Examples of specific authority:

 

1.

In God's command to Noah to build the ark (/Genesis 6:14-16/), God specified the */dimensions/* of the ark; the */material/* of which it was to be constructed; the */number/* of doors and windows; the number of "*/decks/*" it would have; and that it be */pitched/* within and without.

2. In the */Great Commission/* (/Matthew 28:18-20/), Jesus gave specific instructions to the disciples to */go/*; to */preach/* the gospel; to */baptize/*; and to */teach/* those who were baptized.

\\ *II.

GENERIC AUTHORITY*

 

A.

Generic authority refers to those actions that are authorized by God, but the details are not spelled out for us, and God allows judgment or expediency to be used to accomplish His will.

B. Examples of generic authority:

 

1.

In God's commands to Noah regarding the ark, God did not specify what */tools/* Noah should use; */where/* to get the gopher wood; or what */side/* of the ark to place the door and window.

2. In the Great Commission, Jesus did not specify how to */go/* (walk, */ride/*, sail, etc.); */where/* to go ("*/all/* the world"); how to preach (*/publicly/*, privately, */orally/*, in writing, etc.); whether to preach inside or */outside/*, etc.

 

C.

Many of the actions authorized in Scripture include both */specific/* and */generic/* authority!

* *

*III.

Application To A Practical Question*

 

A.

What about the use of mechanical instruments in worship?

B.  The authority from the New Testament is to */sing/*; the type of songs are to be */psalms/*, hymns, and */spiritual/* songs; they are to be sung with */grace/* in the */heart/*; and for the purpose of */teaching/* and */admonishing/* one another (/Ephesians 5:19,20; Colossians 3:16/).

Singing includes */words/* and */pitch/*.

C. Generic authority would be "*/make music/*," and any kind of */music/*; with any kind of */instrument/*; and any kind of */song/* could be offered unto God.

 

\\ *     Conclusion*: Our response to God's authority should be to obey it!

Determine what is specific and what is generic, and then offer unto God the worship and praise due to Him!