1. By What Authority Are You Doing These Things?
Matthew 21:23-25

2. Matthew 21:23-25
23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?”

3. Matthew 21:23-25
23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?”

4. Matthew 21:23-25
23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?”

5. Matthew 21:23-25 Jesus gave the only options:
23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?”
“By what authority are you doing these things?”
Jesus gave the only options:
“From heaven or from men?”

6. An Introduction to the Text
Text says, “the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted” Jesus
Who were they? How did they come to their power?
Priests to strictly observe God’s ordinances (Lev. 22:9)
Mandatory for priests to do as God said (Lev. 10:1-3)
By end of OT, they were not doing so (Mal. 2:1-9)
In Maccabean time, changed high priesthood to political office rather than law defining the office & succession
In time of Jesus, Annas was high priest (A.D. 6-15), but Romans removed him an installed Caiaphas (A.D )
Accounts for lack of respect given by Paul (Acts 23:1-5)
The law of Moses said nothing about “chief priests” (pl.)
Assumed their own inherent power & were wrong!

7. What Things Was Jesus Doing?
Matt. 21:1-11 Accepted adoration & praise at entry
Chief priests & elders rejected Jesus as the Messiah
But Jesus was Divine Messiah of promise (Jn. 20:30-31)
He received praise & adoration as prophesied (Zech. 9:9)
Thus, Jesus had authority from heaven for what He did
Matt. 21: Cleansed temple of merchandisers
Leaders believed they were the authorities for temple
Actually, God was the authority & their actions were in conflict with God’s law (Isa. 56:7; Jer. 7:1-11; etc.)
As Deity, Jesus had authority from heaven to cleanse it
Matt. 21: Withered the fig tree immediately
Action itself proved His heavenly, divine authority to act

8. Jesus Demanded an Answer Mark 11:27-30
27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” 29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 The baptism of John — was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

9. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Practices of the Denominational World

10. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Practices of the Denominational World

11. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Practices of the Denominational World

12. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
“Holy Laughter”
Practices of the Denominational World

13. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Entertainment for Worship Services

14. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Entertainment for Worship Services

15. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Entertainment for Worship Services

16. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Entertainment for Worship Services

17. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Entertainment for Worship Services

18. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Entertainment for Worship Services

19. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Entertainment for Worship Services

20. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Entertainment for Worship Services

21. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Work of the Church & Social Gospel

22. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Work of the Church & Social Gospel

23. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Work of the Church & Social Gospel

24. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Work of the Church & Social Gospel

25. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Work of the Church & Social Gospel

26. What Will We Answer about Modern Religious Practices?
Work of the Church & Social Gospel

27. How Can We Answer Jesus Today?
Unacceptable answers on authority for our actions
“It seems good to me” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25)
“Lord, I’m doing it to praise You” (Luke 6:46)
“We don’t need Bible authority in all things” (Col. 3:17)
Gospel identifies what is approved religious practice
John 14:15; 15:10 Loving Jesus = Keeping His commands
1 John 2:3; 5:2-3 Know & love Him if obedient
Matthew 7: Professing acts in His name not enough
2 Timothy 3: Scripture completely guides to all good
2 John 9 Going beyond Christ’s doctrine separates from Him
Is our religious practice from heaven or men?

28. Is Your Religious Practice from Heaven or from Men?
Are You Ready to Answer Christ?