1. charts by Donnie V. Rader
editing and speaker notes supplied by Steven J. Wallace

2. Bible Authority All that we teach and practice Every question & issue
Every division
Right or wrong
[CLICK] Bible authority is relevant to all that we teach and practice.
[CLICK] Bible authority is relevant to every question and issue that brethren strive with
[CLICK] Bible authority is undermined by someone in every division
[CLICK] Is relevant to what is right or wrong

3. Trend In Society: “Truth” is Vague – Not Absolute
No absolute standard of right & wrong
“Truth” is what you want it to be
Removes accountability
Tolerance
The trend in our society is that truth is vague. . .not able to be fully grasped, reduced to one's personal interpretation/opinion.
[CLICK] Thus many argue from no standard of what makes right/wrong. Many others wish not to debate anything because they don't fully believe there is a standard. right/wrong.
[CLICK] Truth is what you want it to be. Most churches believe and practice things, not because the scriptures authorize such, but because that is what they want. Where do you read of "church kitchens" in the scriptures? Where do you read of homosexual priests/women preachers. Where do you read of the church on earth worshiping God with instruments in the New Testament?
[CLICK] If there is no standard of right and wrong. . .everything is reduced to one's personal interpretation, then there is no accountability on anyones part.
You know, we have newspapers leaking stories about covert operations of the government against terrorists' financing and they don't want to be accountable for what they write. We have teachers in universities teaching that our government created 911 as some kind of conspiracy. Its all justified by freedom of speech and "I'm entitled to my opinion."
"The radical University of Colorado professor continues to speak around the country, getting paid for telling people that the civilians in the World Trade Center on 9/11 were legitimate military targets for Al Qaeda" (Bill Oreilly, , Factor,
There are seemingly just as unstabled in mind and soul, certain folks in religion who teach just as outlandish things about God today. Some teach that He is a woman. Others teach that he is a murderer, evil, only a God of love, sleeping at the wheel, etc.
[CLICK] Tolerance is the doctrine that is associate with these other things. You always hear about how tolerant we should be. If you stand up for anything, if you draw any lines regarding what is deviant and sinful behavior, then you are branded a "big-got," "unloving," and dare we say, "intolerant."
As I have said before, it is usually those who cry about tolerance who are very intolerant over bible believers.

4. Discussion About Authority “That’s not authorized!”
“Where is the Bible authority for….?”
“There is no authority for that.”
“We do a lot of things that are not authorized.”
“The Bible doesn’t say ‘not to.’”
[CLICK] Sometimes you hear people say who want to justify instrumental music or whatever, as something we have as not being authorized. They will say "That overhead is not authorized." "That PowerPoint is not authorized." "Those restrooms are not authorized." Etc.

5. I. What Is Authority? Inherent Delegated
English: “The power to command, enforce laws, exact obedience, determine, or judge” (AHD, 142)
Greek (EXOUSIA): “Power of rule or government, the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others e.g. Matt. 28:18…” (Vines I:89)
Inherent
Because of who one is
God
You over your money
Delegated
Received from one in authority
Given to man by God
Government/punishment
Give you money to spend
[CLICK] Authority can be inherent.
[CLICK] Jesus has authority over all things because of who He is. Only the Father is above Christ. Jesus is the creator of the world (see Col. 1:16, 17). 1) Jesus created everything, therefore everything should be subject to His will. 2) Jesus is before all things, therefore all things should be subject to His will. 3) All things consist in Him, therefore all things should be subject to His will.
"CONSIST" or as the NASB states "hold together." This passage not only affirms that Jesus is creator, but also conserver!
Sometimes we hear about "Global Warming" and attribute such to be the effect of man. Back in the 70's they were crying that we are headed towards an ice age. One would think that world in which we live is a very fragile place about to be broken by man's brutal hand. Al Gore and these others leave one thing out of the equasion --GOD!
Jesus not only created things, but he preserves and conserves things; He holds them together. We should not be taken away from this truth as we view our present world.
[CLICK] You over your money is also an example of "inherent authority." We see this in Acts 5:4. "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
You are in control of what you have and what you do with it depends on your choice, not mine or anyone elses. My son cannot take my money and spend it however he wishes, unless I give him that money.
[CLICK] There is also something as "delegated authority."
[CLICK]Romans 13:1-4
[CLICK] Give you money to spend FOR ME.

6. Because He Is God Word Is Authoritative
II. God Has Authority Over Man
Because He Is God
God (Exo. 3:14; Rev. 4:8-11)
Creator (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 3:4)
Infinite wisdom (Isa. 55:8-9)
Has all authority (Mt. 28:18)
Word Is Authoritative
Inspired (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Violation = Sin (1 Jno. 3:4)
Taught w/ auth. (Titus 2:15)
Can’t alter (Rev. 22:18-19)
Judged by it (Jn. 12:48)
God has all authority
[CLICK] Read Rev. 4:8-11
[CLICK] "For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God" (Heb. 3:4)
[CLICK] "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD." For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts" (Is. 55:8, 9). This passage screams at me not to think God thinks something is right and good merely because I think it is.
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[CLICK] "Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you" (Titus 2 15; cf. Zech. 1:4-6).
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7. III. We Must Have Bible Authority
God Has
A Pattern
Heb. 8:5
Do all in name of Christ (Col. 3:17)
Abide within the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9)
Christ is head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23-24)
If not, can do anything!
"who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, 'See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain'" (Heb. 8:5).
Moses was supposed to build according the pattern shown him on the mountain. If he does not follow that blue print, then it is sin.
It amazes me that some do not appreciate God's design for the church. It amazes me that many are content to ignore God's pattern for the church. There is a pattern to follow. God is specific in how the church should worship. God is specific as to what work the church should engage itself in.
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Note on Ephesians 5: Why do so many people think the church can do anything that people want it to do?
Wives do you treat your husbands that way. Can you do anything you want to do regardless of what your husband thinks? Can you dress that way? Can you get a job and do your thing irregardless of his will? Can you buy whatever you want to? Husbands, do you want your wives to be like that? That would violate your headship, would it not?
I often find that women in general give grave consideration for what their husband thinks before they purchase out of the ordinary things.
Now, if a husband would not want his wife to do that to him, why do I find so many men who think the church can do anything it wants irregardless of what is written? Now shall the church act that way to the Lord? Shall the church not give grave consideration to what the Lord has revealed before it engages in a work?

8. Bible Authority I. What Is Authority? II. God Has Authority Over Man
III. We Must Have Bible Authority
IV. How To Determine What Is Authorized
Starting Next Week!
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