AUTHORITY TO RECOGNIZE

INTRODUCTION

I think the saying is basically true: we are either going forward, standing still, or falling behind.

Sadly, this is also true in the Lord's church

The problem is that many congregations have become complacent and comfortable (the prelude to standing still)

And once we are standing still, everyone passes us by and we begin to fall behind

To introduce our theme...

Philippians 3:12–14 ASV 1901

12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. 14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul believed in moving ahead

We can’t rely on our past laurels or on our past reputation

Moving forward is the only way to avoid decline and failure

As a church, we need to think about what it takes to move ahead

We must never be satisfied with the past or believe that what we are doing in the present is all that we can do or should do.

2 Peter 3:18 ASV 1901

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.

To achieve all that God will give us opportunity to do, we must move forward to meet the challenges of the future

In this lesson, we are going to be noticing that there is AUTHORITY TO RECOGNIZE if the church is going to move forward in a positive fashion.

We are living in a time when a great many people have little or no respect for authority.

Our jails are full of those who do not respect the authority of our government.

We have many children in our world today who do not respect the authority of their parents

And there is a host of people who do not respect the authority of the Bible

We today need to recognize authority ....

The captain on the bridge of a large naval vessel saw a light ahead on a collision course. He signaled, "Alter your course ten degrees south."

The reply came back, "Alter your course ten degrees north." The captain then signaled, "Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a captain."

The reply: "Alter your course ten degrees north. I am a seaman third-class." The furious captain signaled, "Alter your course ten degrees south. I am a battleship."

The reply: "Alter your course ten degrees north. I am a lighthouse."

If we do not recognize where true authority lies...

Then we will be making many wrong decisions in this life

And especially spiritually speaking...

EVERYTHING HINGES ON THIS

DISCUSSION

THE BIBLE IS COMPLETE, UNIFIED, AND INDESTRUCTIBLE, and as such it is:

All-sufficient

2 Peter 1:3 ASV 1901

3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;

Life...

Godliness...

Completely furnishes us

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ASV 1901

16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

The Bible is God-breathed

We need nothing else - creed books, etc.

Blesses

James 1:25 ASV 1901

25 But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.

Those that obey are blessed

Obedience is vital

Written by inspired men

2 Peter 1:20–21 ASV 1901

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. 21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

Sixty-six books ... written over a period of 1600 years, by forty different men (with varying backgrounds), in three languages

Yet the Bible is perfect in harmony…

Thus, we agree with the words of the Psalmist

Psalm 119:89 ASV 1901

89 For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven.

God’s word shall stand forever

1 Peter 1:23–25 ASV 1901

23 having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. 24 For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth: 25 But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you.

So the Bible is complete, unified, and indestructible, and as such must be our authority in religious matters

Consider these truths about the word of God...

THE WORD OF GOD IS…

Powerful

Hebrews 4:12 ASV 1901

12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Romans 1:16 ASV 1901

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Power = Dynamite

Able to cleanse

Psalm 119:9 ASV 1901

9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Taking heed is the key

Viewing God’s word as our authority

Capable of purifying the soul

1 Peter 1:22 ASV 1901

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:

Obedience is the prerequisite

Only through obedience to God’s authority can the soul be purified

Able to build one up

Acts 20:32 ASV 1901

32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

We need encouragement and strength

God’s authority provides this

Perfect

James 1:25 ASV 1901

25 But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.

Continue therein

Looking and obeying

Complete

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ASV 1901

16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

God breathed

Gives all we need - all-sufficient

Enduring

Matthew 24:35 ASV 1901

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Books come and go - but not the Bible

CHRIST HAS ALL AUTHORITY AND HAS GIVEN US INSTRUCTIONS

Authority was given to Jesus by the Father…

Matthew 28:18 ASV 1901

18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

Today Christ speaks through the Bible…

Hebrews 1:1–2 ASV 1901

1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

Christ's words are truth…

John 17:17 ASV 1901

17 Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.

The way of salvation is not found in man's words…

Jeremiah 10:23 ASV 1901

23 O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

We must do all by the authority of Christ…

Colossians 3:17 ASV 1901

17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christ's words can be understood…

Ephesians 3:3–4 ASV 1901

3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, 4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;

WE MUST FOLLOW AND KEEP THE WORD OF GOD

If we love Christ we will obey Him…

John 14:15 ASV 1901

15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.

We must study to be approved of God…

2 Timothy 2:15 ASV 1901

15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

We must remember God's word…

2 Peter 3:2 ASV 1901

2 that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:

Hold forth the word of life…

Philippians 2:16 ASV 1901

16 holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.

Hold to sound words…

2 Timothy 1:13 ASV 1901

13 Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Continue in God's word…

2 Timothy 3:14 ASV 1901

14 But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Preach the word…

2 Timothy 4:2 ASV 1901

2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Stand fast for God's word…

2 Thessalonians 2:15 ASV 1901

15 So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours.

Be an example in the word…

1 Timothy 4:12 ASV 1901

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.

Contend earnestly for the faith…

Jude 3 ASV 1901

3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.

WE MUST HANDLE GOD'S WORD CORRECTLY

Do not be deceitful…

2 Corinthians 4:2 ASV 1901

2 but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Study to be able to handle God word in the right way…

2 Timothy 2:15 ASV 1901

15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

Do not hear only…

James 1:22 ASV 1901

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.

Do not be led astray…

2 Peter 2:1 ASV 1901

1 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Do not be deceived…

Ephesians 5:6–10 ASV 1901

6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them; 8 for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;

GOD WARNS US NOT TO HANDLE HIS WORD IN THE WRONG WAY

Do not add to or take away from the word of God…

Deuteronomy 4:2 ASV 1901

2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you.

Proverbs 30:5–6 ASV 1901

5 Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Revelation 22:18–19 ASV 1901

18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

Do not pervert the Gospel…

Galatians 1:6–10 ASV 1901

6 I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; 7 which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. 9 As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema. 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

We are not to be unskilled in God's word…

Hebrews 5:12 ASV 1901

12 For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.

We must be knowledgeable…

Romans 10:2–3 ASV 1901

2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

We must not be disobedient…

Hebrews 2:1–3 ASV 1901

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;

The Bible will judge us…

John 12:48 ASV 1901

48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.

CONCLUSION

We must respect authority, and most importantly we must respect God's authority.

We truly respect the word of God, we will:

Study it

Love it

Obey it

If we do not respect God's authority we will not go to heaven