What Is Authority? Authority is the power or right to give a command, to take action based on knowledge or delegation of power. It is the ability to speak and act in a way that influences others based upon the integrity of one’s life.

“Authority” cont… As Christians we believe in the authority of Jesus Christ. We shouldn’t be frightened by the word authority. When we believe something on authority it simply means that we believe it because it has been told to us by someone trustworthy. Almost everything we believe is believed on authority. I believe there is such a place as Rome, Italy. I have not seen it personally. I cannot prove it exists. I believe it exists because trustworthy people have told me so.

“Authority” cont… I believe in the existence of billions of stars but, I have only seen a few. I believe that my brain sends out electrical signals that make my heart beat and all the rest of my body parts function. I believe in historical facts like the existence of a guy named Alexander the Great who conquered most of his world but I wasn’t there to see it. I cannot prove it logically. I believe it because I have read the writings of people that are trustworthy.

C. S. Lewis said: “A man who jibbed at authority in other things as some people do in religion would have to be content to know nothing all his life.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Lewis goes on to say, “Then comes the real shock Lewis goes on to say, “Then comes the real shock. Among these Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if He was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says He has always existed. He says He is coming to judge the world at the end of time. Now let us get this clear. Among Pantheists, like the Indians, anyone might say that he was a part of God, or one with God: there would be nothing very odd about it.”

“But this man, since He was a Jew, could not mean that kind of God “But this man, since He was a Jew, could not mean that kind of God. God, in their language, meant the Being outside the world, who had made it and was infinitely different from anything else. And when you have grasped that, you will see that what this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by human lips.” C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Jesus Christ made claims, taught truths, and performed miracles that astounded the masses and raised questions about the source of His amazing authority (Matthew 12:22-24): In the “Sermon on the Mount” he corrected accepted religious teaching. (Matthew 5,6,7) He claimed the power to forgive sin. (Matthew 9:6) He claimed that you had to eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life. (John 6:53-56, 60-66)

He claimed to be pre-existent. (John 8:54-59) He claimed to be God. (John 10:25-33) He claimed to possess all authority. (Matthew 28:18-20)

LOVING GOD John 14:23 John 5:2,3 II John 6 The demonstration of our love for God is obedience to His authority over our lives. Hearing God’s Word Practicing God’s Word LOVING GOD John 14:23 John 5:2,3 II John 6 Eliminate the noise. Allocate the time. Matthew 7:24-27

Questions that must be answered if we believe in God’s authority: What does God’s Word say are the most important things on God’s heart? What are the things that God has clearly called us to in His Word?

“Questions” cont… What does God’s Word say is our purpose for living? Are the answers to these questions shaping our lives— goals, ambitions, and daily activities?