The Absolute Authority Of Scripture - Big Picture Christian Life (Part 8)

Luke 14:25-27, 33 25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple… 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-27, 33 25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple… 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Martin Luther “Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. So help me God.” Definition of Biblical Authority • Authority is the right and power to command, enforce laws, exact obedience, determine or judge. • Divine authorship is the ultimate reason why Scripture is authoritative. • Sola Scriptura (The Bible Alone) - What they meant by those words is that the Bible alone is our ultimate authority. • The last word, the final word, the ultimate word always goes to the Bible. The Bible teaches this Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. The Bible teaches this Psalm 119:89 Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. The Bible teaches this John 10:35 …Scripture cannot be broken… The Bible teaches this Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Biblical Examples – Matthew 4 • Satan tempts Jesus 3x. • Each time Jesus responds with “It is written” where he quotes Scripture from Deuteronomy (8:3, 6:16, 6:13). • The Bible is authoritative. Biblical Examples – Acts 5:27-29 • “We must obey God rather than men.” • God through His Word has final authority. Biblical Examples – 2 Timothy 3 • “…continue in what you have learned…you have been acquainted with the sacred writings…All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable…preach the word.” • The Bible alone is our authority. Biblical Examples – Acts 17:10-11 • “…they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” • The word of God was their authority. It has the last word. It was the final word. Clarification • Biblical Authority stands over the Pope, Traditions, and anything else that contradicts the Bible. • Biblical Authority stands over my thinking and my feelings. • Biblical Authority requires correct understanding and use of Scripture. Clarification Jeremiah 3:12 Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever.” Application • Abortion is wrong because the Bible says so. • I don’t pray to Mary because the Bible teaches me to pray to my heavenly Father. • I don’t agree with your prophetic vision because the Bible says prophecies will pass away and Scripture is sufficient for every good work. And besides, your prophetic vision contradicts Scripture. Application • I don’t believe in evolution because the Bible says God created the heavens and the earth. • The Bible alone is our ultimate authority for evangelism. • The Bible alone is our ultimate authority for sanctification. • The Bible alone is our ultimate authority for guidance. Application • What is your authority? • Where do you stand?