Biblical and Spiritual Authority

BiblicalandSpiritualAuthority 1

I. Introduction

A. Ourgoalfortonightisto:

1. UnderstandBiblicalAuthority&theSpiritualAuthority

2. Wearegoingtolookathowyoufunctionwithinit(underit)…

3. WearegoingtolookathowyouuseitinyourlifetofulfilltheGreatCommission(orliveinittofulfilltheGreatCommission).

B. TheideaofspiritualauthorityscaresusbecauseofwackoslikeJimJones,thecultleaderwhokilledover900followersbackinthe1970’s.

C. BranchDavidianCultin1993

D. Or,wethinkofcultleaderswhoarrangemarriagesanddemandthatfollowersturnoveralltheirassetstothecultandblindlyfolloworders.

E. Eveninlessextremesituations,manyChristianshavehadbadexperienceswithauthoritarianpastorswhowronglylorditovertheflock.Oftenthesemenmistakenlyclaimthatyoucan’t“touchtheLord’sanointed,”meaningthatthepastorisbeyondcriticismorcorrection,evenifheisengaginginsinfulorunbiblicalpractices.

F. Theylabelanyonewhospeaksoutasdivisiveorcontentious.Buttheymisunderstandtruebiblicalauthority.

UnderstandBiblicalAuthority&theSpiritualAuthority(OutlinePoint1)

WHEREDOESAUTHOIRYCOMEFROM????

II. AllauthorityonearthcomesfromGod,theSovereignoftheuniverse.

A. OT.VersesontheAuthorityofGod

1. Isaiah14:27

a) "FortheLORDofhostshasplanned,andwhocanfrustrateit?AndasforHisstretched-outhand,whocanturnitback?"

2. Isaiah43:13


a) "EvenfrometernityIamHe,AndthereisnonewhocandeliveroutofMyhand;Iactandwhocanreverseit?"

3. Psalms115:3

a) ButourGodisintheheavens;HedoeswhateverHepleases.

B. Godisunhinderedandunmatchedinhisauthorityandpowertodoashisgoodpleasuredesires.

C. NTVersesandExamples:

1. Godhastherighttomoldtheclayashewishes(Rom.9:21)

2. Andhehastherighttosettimesanddates(Acts1:7)

3. Romans13:1-2:

a) “Everypersonistobeinsubjectiontothegoverningauthorities.ForthereisnoauthorityexceptfromGod,andthosewhichexistareestablishedbyGod.ThereforewhoeverresistsauthorityhasopposedtheordinanceofGod;andtheywhohaveopposedwillreceivecondemnationuponthemselves.”

D. Paulgoesontotalkaboutgovernmentauthorities,buthisstatementconfirmationthatallauthoritycomesfromGod.

E. Wemaydeducefromthisversetheprinciplethateverykindofauthority,otherthanGodHimself,isderivedordelegatedauthority,andthereforesecondarytoGod.

F. ItalsomeansthatthosewhohavethisdelegatedauthorityfromGodareaccountabletoGod.

G. Thismeansthatnoperson,nomatterwhatofficeheholds,positiontheyhaveorpowertheymightpossess,isaboverebukeifhestraysfromtheultimateauthority,whichisGod’shimself.

III. Thereisanotherkindofauthority–thatisonparwithGOD’s

A. TheBible

B. Ittakessupremacyoverallhumanauthority.


C. Why?Becauseitisinspired=GODBreathed!byGod(2Timothy3:16,2Peter1:20-21),

D. AndbecauseitisinspiredbyGod,ithasdivineauthority.

E. TheBiblewasgivenbyGodwiththeintentionthatwesubmittoitandobeyit,notlooktoitasjustonemoreinfluence/orauthorityinourlives.

IV. HowdoesGod’sAuthorityWorkitselfoutinHumanHistory

A. A.Godgavethedominionoftheearthtopeople–throughAdamandEve.

1. Gen.1:26-28-26LetUsmakemaninOurimage,accordingtoOurlikeness;letthemhavedominion…overalltheearth…28Godsaidtothem,“Befruitfulandmultiply;filltheearthandsubdueit;havedominionover…everylivingthingthatmovesontheearth.”(Gen.1:26-28)

2. Ps.115:16-16TheheavensaretheLORD's;buttheearthHehasgiventothechildrenofmen.(Ps.115:16)

3. Ps.8:4-6-4WhatismanthatYouaremindfulofhim…6YouhavemadehimtohavedominionovertheworksofYourhands;Youhaveputallthingsunderhisfeet…(Ps.8:4-6)

4. ShowPicture1Illustration

B. WhenGodgavethegoverningauthorityoftheearthtoAdam,hehadtherighttousethatauthoritytoaccomplishtheplanandpurposeofGod.

1. BUTHedidtheunthinkableandfellintosin.AndwhenhedisobeyedGod,andlistenedtotheSerpenthecameunderSatan’sAuthorityandbydoingsogavehisdelegatedAuthoritytoSatan.

2. HOWDOWEKNOWTHIS?

a) Luke4:6-6And(Satan)saidto(Jesus),“I(Satan)willgiveyou(Jesus)alltheirauthority(alltheKingdomsoftheworld)andsplendor;ithasbeengiventome,andIcangiveittoanyoneIwantto.7Ifyouworshipme,itwillallbeyours.”Luke4:6



4. AndAtthattimeoftheFall,Satanalsobecame“thegodofthisworld.”

a) 2Cor.4:4-4Whosemindsthegodofthisagehasblinded…lestthelightofthegospel…shineonthem.(2Cor.4:4)

C. ThisisthewaythingswereuntilJesuscame.Atthecross,JesusastheGod-MandefeatedSatanandalldemonicpowersandmadeapublicspectacleofthembeforeallinheavenandhell.Hehaswonthevictory,butitmustnowbeworkedoutandwalkedoutinthistime.

1. 15Havingdisarmedprincipalitiesandpowers,Hemadeapublicspectacleofthem,triumphingovertheminit[Hisdeathandresurrection].(Col.2:15)

2. Matt28:18–AuthorityisHIS



V. Authorityhas,withinit,theideaofdelegatedpower.

A. ApoliceofficerstopsaTRUCKbyhisauthorityinraisinghishand…whydoesthetruckstop…thetruckhastherawpowertojustgorightthroughhim…hedoesn’thavetostopatjustanypersonraisingahand…SoWhydoeshestop?

1. Becauseitisnotjustanypersonitisapoliceman–dressedintheuniformdesignationhisroleandauthority.Andbecausethisistrue…Hehastheauthorityofthegovernment–thelegalright,andbehindhimisthePOWERoftheGovernmenttoenforcehissimplegesture.

2. ThepolicemanisNOMATCHforthetruckphysically,butthatdoesnotmatter…becauseofAUTHORITYthetruckstops.

3. Likethepoliceman,wehavebeengivenauthorityinthenameofJesus–meaninginourrelationshipandconnectiontoJesus…itisnotanincantation,ormagicwords…itisrelyingonandactingunderChristinhiswillandways…HisAuthority.


VI. THENATUREOFSPIRITUALAUTHORITY

A. Toexplainthismore,andthenatureofspiritualauthority,let’sexaminethedifferencebetweenthewords‘authority’and‘power,’astheyareusedinintheBible.

B. JesusmadethefollowingstatementthatKrishnaquoted2weeksago…

1. “Behold,Igiveyoutheauthoritytotrampleonserpentsandscorpions,andoverallthepoweroftheenemy,andnothingshallbyanymeanshurtyou.”(Luke10:19).

C. TheGreekwordtranslatedas‘authority’hereisthenoun‘exousia,’.Itisderivedfromtheverbexesti,whichmeans,"itislawful."anditsbasicmeaningistohavetherighttoruleorgovern,asonewhosewillandcommandsoughttobesubmittedtoandobeyed.

D. IncontrasttheGreekwordtranslated‘power’inthisreadingis‘dunamis,’whichmeanstohavetheinherentstrengthoractualabilitytobringaboutadesiredpurpose.

E. Let’sgobackandlookatthepolicemanillustrationagainandseethesetwodifferentmeaningsplayedoutintherolesofatruckdriverandapoliceofficer.

1. Aneighteenwheelerhasinherentstrengthandsoitsdriverhasdirectpoweror‘dunamis’.Itisathisdisposaltoperformhistask.

2. Whileapoliceofficerhasinsufficientphysicalpowertostopatruck,hedoeshavedelegatedor‘exousia’authorityathisdisposal.Whenthepoliceofficerputsuphishandthetruckdriverstopshisvehicle,becausebehindthatgestureliesthewholeweightofthePoliceDepartment,thestategovernmentandfinallythefederalgovernment.

F. ThisdistinctionbetweenthetwoGreekwordsisnotalwaysmadeclearinEnglishtranslations.Forexampleinonetranslation(KingJamesVersion)itreads,“Behold,Igiveuntoyoupowertotreadonserpentsandscorpions,andoverallthepoweroftheenemy:andnothingshallbyanymeanshurtyou.”

1. Inordertodiscernthetruemeaningofthewordtranslatedas‘power’intheKJV,itisnecessarytoknowwhichGreekwordisactuallybeingtranslated-whether‘exousia’or‘dunamis.’


G. ExamplesofthewordauthorityintheBible.

1. Matthew7:29Forhetaughtthemasonehavingauthority,andnotasthescribes.

2. Matthew21:23Andwhenhewascomeintothetemple,thechiefpriestsandtheeldersofthepeoplecametohimashewasteaching,andsaid,Bywhatauthoritydoyoudothesethings?andwhogaveyouthisauthority?

3. Mark10:42ButJesuscalledthemtohim,andsaidtothem,YouknowthattheywhichareaccountedtoruleovertheGentilesexerciselordshipoverthem;andtheirgreatonesexerciseauthorityuponthem.

4. John5:27Andhasgivenhimauthoritytoexecutejudgmentalso,becauseheistheSonofman.

5. Titus2:15Thesethingsspeak,andexhort,andrebukewithallauthority.Letnomandespisethee.

6. John1:12Butasmanyasreceivedhim,tothemgavehepowertobecomethesonsofGod,eventothemthatbelieveonhisname:

H. ExamplesofthewordpowerintheBible.

1. Mt22:29ButJesusansweredandsaidtothem,“Youaremistaken,becauseyoudonotknowthescripturesorthepowerofGod!

2. Acts1:8Butyeshallreceivepower,afterthattheHolyGhostiscomeuponyou:andyeshallbewitnessesuntomebothinJerusalem,andinallJudaea,andinSamaria,anduntotheuttermostpartoftheearth.

3. Mk5:30AtonceJesusrealizedthatpowerhadgoneoutfromhim.

4. Luke5:17b…TheyhadcomefromeveryvillageofGalileeandfromJudeaandJerusalem.AndthepoweroftheLordwaswithJesustohealthesick.

I. WEHAVEBEENGIVENTHEAUTHORITYTOUSEJESUS’NAME

1. WhenthestatementinLuke’sgospeliscorrectlytranslated,it


becomesclearthatChristhasnotgivenusdirectorpower‘dunamis’toovercomethepowerofSatan.ThisisNOTapowerencounter!

2. InsteadHehasentrustedustowieldtheauthoritythatisattachedtoHisname,hischaracter,hiswill-thenamewhichisthegreatestinallcreation

3. Phil2:9-11“ThereforeGodalsohashighlyexaltedHimandgivenHimthenamewhichisaboveeveryname,thatatthenameofJesuseverykneeshouldbow,ofthoseinheaven,andofthoseonearth,andofthoseundertheearth,andthateverytongueshouldconfessthatJesusChristisLord,tothegloryofGodtheFather.”

4. Jesushaswon,wedeclarehisvictoryandasktheseforcestocomplywithHISlegalrighttoruleintheseaffairs.Wearehisambassadors.

J. WeareentitledtoexercisetheauthorityinourunionwithChristoverthepowerofSatanaspeoplethatmustbeobeyed–justlikethepoliceman.

1. Forinstancewemay,inthenameofJesus,telldemonstoleave,toshutupandbequiet–thatwouldbetheideaofbindingthepowersofdarknessawayfromourcircumstances.WecanusethisauthoritytohelpothersgetfreefromSatan’sgriptoo.

2. I’mgoingtoreadapassageandeventhoughithastodowithfruitbearing,IthinkthereisaprincipleofAuthoritywithinthistoo.

3. Jesussaid,“AbideinMe,andIinyou.Asthebranchcannotbearfruitofitself,unlessitabidesinthevine,neithercanyou,unlessyouabideinMe.Iamthevine,youarethebranches.HewhoabidesinMe,andIinhim,bearsmuchfruit;forwithoutMeyoucandonothing.”(John15:4-5).

4. Whenusingourspiritualauthority,itisimportanttobesobermindedandrealizethatitcomesonlybecauseofourunionwithJesus–itisNOTforus–forourprivateuse!

5. ITisnottobeusedoutsideofJesus’will.Weneedtobesoconnectedtohim,soboundandyokedtoHimthatweareofonemindandoneheartwithHim.Wetrulyknowwhathewants…


6. Heshouldinitiate,andweshouldrespondinobedienceinusinghisauthority.WhenusedrightlyIbelievethatitisconfirmedbytheWordofGodandbythepromiseoftheHolySpirit’sworkinusandinthisworld.

K. OurunionwithChrististhekeytohowallthisfunctionswithinthespiritualrealm.Justasthepoliceofficer,forexample,mightwanttogoandbeapartofamurderinvestigationandshowupatacrimescene…Thedetectivewouldask–whyareyouhere…youdon’thavetheauthoritytobehere.

1. Itisimportanttounderstandwherewehaveauthorityandwherewedon’t.Ifwestepoutsideofoursphereofauthoritywhichweusuallycallajurisdiction,wehavepresumptuousauthority.

L. Satanandhisassistantsunderstandtherealbasisofourauthority.HeknowsthathedoesnothavetosubmittoanylawlessorpresumptuoususeofthenameofJesusandhisauthority.

1. HereisacaseandexampleofonewhomightseethenameofJesusorhisauthorityasamagicformulathathasnothingtodowitharelationshipwithJesus.

2. ThereweresomeitinerantJewishexorcists”reportedinthebookofActs19:13.

a) They“tookituponthemselvestocallthenameoftheLordJesusoverthosewhohadevilspirits,saying,‘WeexorciseyoubytheJesuswhomPaulpreaches.’”

3. ButbecausetheywerenotunitedandonewiththeLordJesus,theywerenotbelievers,theirlackofrealauthoritywasobvioustothedemonstheywereattemptingtocastout.

a) “Andtheevilspiritansweredandsaid,‘JesusIknow,andPaulIknow;butwhoareyou?’Thenthemaninwhomtheevilspiritwasleapedonthem,overpoweredthem,andprevailedagainstthem,sothattheyfledoutofthathousenakedandwounded.”(Acts19:15-16).

M. SodoyouallseethedifferencebetweenAuthorityandRAWpower.

1. Dunamis–israwpower.


2. Exousiaisauthoritywhichisthederivedordelegatedlegalrighttoactordoingsomething+thepowertobackitupsothatonecomplies.

VII. AuthorityDefined-TheMeaningoftheGreekWordsForAuthorityasUsedintheNewTestament

A. ButthereareotherMeaningsaswell:

1. Hereisapicture(slide)oftheuseintheNTanditsvariousmeanings.

2. Itisused4differentwayintheNT,dependingonthecontext:

a) Thefreedomtoact–likeliberty-Therighttoexercisepower

b) Theabilityonehastoperformoraccomplishsomething,

c) Thepermissiontodosomething

d) Thesphereofauthority-realmofauthority

B. We’vebeentalkingabouttheFirstone,authorityisthefreedomtodecideorarighttoactwithouthindrance.

1. AswetalkedaboutinthebeginningthisauthoritybeginswithGod,forthereisnoauthorityexceptfromGod(Rom.13:1)

2. Wealsohavelearnedthatauthorityisvaluelesswithoutthepowertomakeiteffective,andthatwecanmakeadistinctionbetweenthetwoconcepts.

3. SOThismeaningofauthority,then,isdistinctfrompowerandrefersprimarilytoaprerogativeorrighttoact.

C. Second,theconceptofauthorityreferstothepower,ability,orcapabilitytocompleteanaction.Thisiswhereitoverlapswiththeword“DUNAMIS”thewordforpowerwejustlookedat.

1. Jesuswasgiventheauthoritytoforgivesins(Matt.9:6–8)andtodriveoutspirits(Mark6:7).

2. Jesusgaveseventy-twodisciplestheauthoritytotrampleon


snakesandscorpions(Luke10:19).

3. Simonsoughtpower(authorityinGreek)togranttheHolySpirit(Acts8:19).

4. SatanhasauthoritytofunctionwithintheparametersestablishedbyGod(Acts26:18).

D. Third,theword“authority”isusedwithreferencetodelegatedauthorityintheformofawarrant,license,orauthorizationtoperform.

1. Jesuswasaskedbywhoseauthorizationhetaught(Matt.21:23).

2. HewasgrantedauthorityforhisministryfromGodtheFather(John10:18).

3. SaulwassenttoDamascustopersecuteChristiansbywarrantofthepriests(Acts26:12).

4. Godgavetheapostleslicensetobuildupthechurch(2Cor.10:8).

E. Fourth,byanaturalextensionofmeaning,exousiasometimesdenotesthesphereinwhichauthorityisexercised.

1. Godhasestablishedspheresofauthorityintheworld.

2. The1stweareunderanditisthegovernmentalauthority…aslongasitdoesnotviolatetheWORDofGOD.AndifitdoesviolatetheWORDwecanstandagainstitunderstandingthatifwedo,weprobablywillsufferconsequences–wecallthiscivildisobedience.

3. 1–Godhasputinplacecivilgovernmentforareason-whichissupposedtopunishlawbreakersandprotectthosewhoobeythelaws.

a) Jesuswashandedovertotheofficialpowerandauthorityofthegovernor(Luke20:20).

b) WhenPilatelearnedthatJesuswasunderHerod’sauthority(orjurisdiction),thegovernorsenthimtoHerod(Luke23:7).

c) Rulersandkingshavetheirspheresofinfluence(Rom.13:1)

d) Moreoftenexousiareferstothepoweremployedby


rulersorothersinhighpositionsbyvirtueoftheiroffice,suchascivilmagistrates(Titus3:1)Remindthepeopletobesubjecttorulersandauthorities,tobeobedient,tobereadytodowhateverisgood…

4. Thisuseofauthorityinthisareaindicatesasocialrelationbetweenatleasttwoindividualswhereoneistheruler.Thesubordinateintherelationshipshouldaccepttheruler’sorders,notbyexternalconstraintbutoutoftheconvictionthattherulerisentitledtogiveordersandthatitisthedutyofthesubjecttoobeyandrecognizetheauthenticityoftheruler’spositionandorders.

5. TheSameIdeaappliedtotheSpiritualRealm…

a) AlsoSpiritually-Satanhasasphere–realm(Col.1:13),13Forhehasrescuedusfromthedominion(authority)ofdarkness

b) ButChristhasbeenplacedaboveallrealmsofauthority(Eph.1:20-21).And(TheFatherhas)seatedhimathisrighthandintheheavenlyrealms,21faraboveallrule(principality)andauthority(exousia),power(dunamis)anddominion(lordship),andeverynamethatisinvoked

F. WhatotherSpheresarethere?

1. AndasChristianswefindourselvesinvariousspheresofauthority.

2. 2-Anothersphereofauthorityisthefamily.

a) Husbandsaretolovetheirwivesandchildren,leadingthemintogodlinessbyexampleandinstruction.

b) WivesaretosubmittotheirhusbandsastotheLord(Eph.5:22)

c) Andchildrenaretoobeytheirparents,whoaretobringthemupinthedisciplineandinstructionoftheLord(Eph.6:1,4).

(1) (Eph.6:1,1Tim.3:4),

3. 3-Anothersphereofauthorityisinworkrelationships(slavesandmasters)


a) Masterpointofview:

(1) Eph6:99Andmasters,treatyourslavesinthesameway.Donotthreatenthem,sinceyouknowthathewhoisboththeirMasterandyoursisinheaven,andthereisnofavoritismwithhim.1

b) SlavePointofView

(1) Titus2:9–109Teachslavestobesubjecttotheirmastersineverything,totrytopleasethem,nottotalkbacktothem,10andnottostealfromthem,buttoshowthattheycanbefullytrusted,sothatineverywaytheywillmaketheteachingaboutGodourSaviorattractive.

4. 4-Anothersphereofauthorityisthelocalchurch.

a) Inthatsphere,apluralityofeldersaretoupholdGod’sstandardsofholinessandsounddoctrine,tocorrectthosewhostrayfromthetruth,toremovefromtheflockthosewhorefusetorepentsoastoprotecttherest,andtoblessGod’speoplebyinstructingtheminHisways.Paul’swords(Titus2:15)

5. Eachkindofderivedordelegatedauthorityhascertainconditionsandqualificationsinorderforittobeexercisedproperly.

a) TheScripturesarecarefultodistinguishbetweenspiritualauthorityandtheauthorityofmagistrates.TheauthoritythatPaulspeaksaboutinRomans13istherightandpowertoenforceobediencecivially,buttheauthorityPeterspeaksaboutin1Peter5istheresponsibilitytoserveGod'speopleforGod'spurposesinGod'sways.

6. 5–AnothersphereofAuthorityisYOURSELF!

VIII. 5–AnothersphereofAuthorityisYOURSELF!A. Introductions:

1. ItiseasytogetallcaughtupandinquisitiveaboutourownSpiritualAuthorityinthespiritualrealm,andhowthatworksitselfout

1TheNewInternationalVersion.(2011).(Eph6:9).GrandRapids,MI:Zondervan.


inourlife…andthatwillcome.

2. ButthereisaplacewhereJesusmustrulefirst,beforewecaneverexpecttowalkinandwalkouthisauthorityintermsofourgifting,callingandfocusofministry…ANDTHATPLACEISOVEROURSELVES!

3. TheworkofChrist,hisauthorityandpowerfirstneedstobeappliedruthlesslytoourselves.ThetrueuseandeffectivenessofHisdelegatedAuthority“OUTTHERE”isaresultofitstrueuseandeffectivenessINHERE!---Ourheart!–OverourFLESH–Overouroldman.

4. OurinnerworldisaKingdom…whereweweretheKing,andSatanhasruledbecausewe’veactedandthoughtjustlikehim---thatweknowbetter…andouroldmanagreedwiththat,andsinjustleadusawaytowhereeverwewantedtogo,andtheworldonlycondonedandencouragedusinthosedirections.

5. BUTwhenyoucametoCHRIST…YOUweretransferredfromtheKingdomofdarknesstotheKingdomofHisSon…(Col2).

IX. BelieversAuthority–AreasandResponsibilities

A. Let’sreadthispassageintheLIGHToftheAUTHORITYJesushasgivenuswithourunionwithHIM

B. …LONGSCRIPTURECol2:13—3:14

1. 13Whenyouweredeadinyoursinsandintheuncircumcisionofyourflesh,GodmadeyoualivewithChrist.Heforgaveusalloursins,14havingcanceledthechargeofourlegalindebtedness,whichstoodagainstusandcondemnedus;hehastakenitaway,nailingittothecross.15Andhavingdisarmedthepowersandauthorities,hemadeapublicspectacleofthem,triumphingoverthembythecross.

2. FreedomFromHumanRules

3. 16Thereforedonotletanyonejudgeyoubywhatyoueatordrink,orwithregardtoareligiousfestival,aNewMooncelebrationoraSabbathday.17Theseareashadowofthethingsthatweretocome;thereality,however,isfoundinChrist.18Donotletanyonewho


delightsinfalsehumilityandtheworshipofangelsdisqualifyyou.Suchapersonalsogoesintogreatdetailaboutwhattheyhaveseen;theyarepuffedupwithidlenotionsbytheirunspiritualmind.19Theyhavelostconnectionwiththehead,fromwhomthewholebody,supportedandheldtogetherbyitsligamentsandsinews,growsasGodcausesittogrow.

4. 20SinceyoudiedwithChristtotheelementalspiritualforcesofthisworld,why,asthoughyoustillbelongedtotheworld,doyousubmittoitsrules:21“Donothandle!Donottaste!Donottouch!”?22Theserules,whichhavetodowiththingsthatarealldestinedtoperishwithuse,arebasedonmerelyhumancommandsandteachings.23Suchregulationsindeedhaveanappearanceofwisdom,withtheirself-imposedworship,theirfalsehumilityandtheirharshtreatmentofthebody,buttheylackanyvalueinrestrainingsensualindulgence.

5. LivingasThoseMadeAliveinChrist

6. 3Since,then,youhavebeenraisedwithChrist,setyourheartsonthingsabove,whereChristis,seatedattherighthandofGod.2Setyourmindsonthingsabove,notonearthlythings.3Foryoudied,andyourlifeisnowhiddenwithChristinGod…

7. 5Puttodeath,therefore,whateverbelongstoyourearthlynature:sexualimmorality,impurity,lust,evildesiresandgreed,whichisidolatry.6Becauseofthese,thewrathofGodiscoming.7Youusedtowalkintheseways,inthelifeyouoncelived.8Butnowyoumustalsoridyourselvesofallsuchthingsasthese:anger,rage,malice,slander,andfilthylanguagefromyourlips.9Donotlietoeachother,sinceyouhavetakenoffyouroldselfwithitspractices10andhaveputonthenewself,whichisbeingrenewedinknowledgeintheimageofitsCreator…

8. 12Therefore,asGod’schosenpeople,holyanddearlyloved,clotheyourselveswithcompassion,kindness,humility,gentlenessandpatience.13Bearwitheachotherandforgiveoneanotherifanyofyouhasagrievanceagainstsomeone.ForgiveastheLordforgaveyou.14Andoverallthesevirtuesputonlove,whichbindsthemalltogetherinperfectunity.

C. GodhastoldustoexercisefirstandforemostthedelegatedauthorityofChristovertheKingdomwithinus.Weneedtosubdueeverythinginour


lifethatisinoppositiontoournewidentityasonewhoismadeintheveryimageandnatureofChrist.

1. Wehavetherighttodothis,becausewehavebeengiventherighttobechildrenofGod.

a) Yettoallwhodidreceivehim,tothosewhobelievedinhisname,hegavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod(John1:12)(SLIDE)

2. Slide1:

3. Freedomwithrespecttothelaw(Rm7:4)

4. Tobeatourbodiesintosubjection(1Cor9:24-35

5. Trampleallthepoweroftheevilone(Lk10:19)

a) Howmuchofthepoweroftheenemy?Whatdoesallmean?Itmeansall!"I'vegivenyouauthorityoverallthepoweroftheenemy."It'sbeengiventousinandthroughJesusChrist.

6. Putofftheoldmanandputonthenew(Eph4:22)

7. AuthoritytoPRAYdirectlytotheFather(Jn16:25)

D. Slide2

1. Toputtodeaththeevildeedsofthebody(Rm6-8)

2. Tostopsinfromreigninginyou(Rm6:12)

3. TobefilledwiththeHolySpirit(Eph5:18

4. TotaketheGospeltothenations(Mat28:18-20)–

a) Consequences–jail?Greece

b) GodgavePaultherighttopreachthegospel(1Cor.9:18).

E. Slide3

1. TomakeDisciples(Mat28)

2. ToteachwhatChristtaught(Mat28)

3. BoldlycomeintoGodliteralpresence(Heb4:16


4. BringeverythoughtcaptivetoChrist(2Cor10:5

F. Slide4

1. ToResisttemptation(1Cor10:13)

2. Resistthedevilandhewillflee(Ja4:7)

3. ToconfessoursinsdirectlytoGod(1Jn1:9)

4. Authoritytoproclaimforgivenessofsin(Jn20:23)

G. Sometimes---evenunderGod’sauthorityandhavingauthoritythingshappen.

1. IntheInsanityofGodtheauthor’ssondiesonthemissionfieldastheyareseekingtospreadthegospel.JimElliottwasmurdered.

2. ThewillofGodwillnevertakeyouwherethegraceofGodwillnotsustainyou–nomatterwhatyouface…orcomfortyouinthemidstofdeepheart-acheasaresultofservingGod.

X. SpiritualAuthorityintheRealmofChurchandChurchLeadership

A. Asweuseittofulfillthegreatcommissionweneedtomovewithcaution…

B. SometeachersandleadersintheBodyofChristsogravelymisunderstandandmisrepresenttheissuesofauthorityandobediencethatweneedtothinkverycarefullyabouttheBiblicalissuesandprinciplesinvolved.

C. Inthefleshpeopleseektoavoidpersonalresponsibility,pushingtheresponsibilityfordecisionsuptoaleader.Theleader,alsointheflesh,isalltooeagertotakeresponsibilitythatisnothisorherstotake.

D. TheBiblemakesitclearthatobediencemerelyforthesakeobedienceisnotnecessarilygoodanditisNOTwhatGodwantsorexpects.

1. Wecanobeyevilaswellasgood;wecanobeymanwhenweoughttoobeyGod.Obediencethatproducesconformityisnothealthy.Obediencetogainacceptancefeedstheflesh.Itisthereforeofgreatimportancethatwedistinguishbetweentruespiritualauthorityandtheabuseofauthority.


E. ThreeCategories

1. Taskauthority

2. Teachingauthority

3. Spiritualauthority

XI. Authorityistobeexerciseddifferentlyineachofthesecategories.

A. Manyoftheproblemsinthechurcharisefromusingatypeofauthorityandexpectingakindofresponsethatisinappropriatetothesituation.

B. Taskauthorityisthesimplestandeasiesttounderstand.

1. Thiskindofauthorityconcernsajobthatistobedone.Apersonisputinchargethatgivesassignmentsanddirection;underhimorherisateamwhoseresponsibilityitistocomplyaspromptlyandefficientlyastheycanwiththeleader’sinstructions.Itmayormaynotbeappropriatetobe"creative,"takeindividualownership,ordiscusstheprosandconsofcertainapproachestothetaskstobedone.

2. Incertaincircumstancestaskauthorityisalegitimateandeffectiveformofleadership.Itturnsagroupofindividualsintoasingleoperatingunitandallowsworktobedoneefficiently.

3. TheNewTestamentusestheGreekwordpeitharcheo(toobeyachieforruler)todescribetheobediencethatisappropriateinresponsetoleadersinsuchsituations(Titus3:1).ThiswordisalsousedtodescribethekindofobediencewearetogivetomagistratesandtheobediencetoGodratherthanman(Acts5:29).

C. ThenthereisTeachingAuthority

1. Whenweturntoteachingauthority,thepurposeismuchmorethansimplyaccomplishingatask.

2. Itisnotsomuchsomethingthatistobedone,buttruthtobelearned.Whatisofgreatestimportanceisthattheonelearninghastheopportunitytodiscoverhowtolearnforhimself,sothatafterhehaslearnedhewillnolongerneeddetailedinstructions.

3. Inthesesituations,unlikethetasksituation,questionsand


answers,reasons,explanationsanddealingwithobjectionsandmisunderstandingsareallpartofthelearningprocess.

4. THUSthegoalisdifferent(than“Task”authority),sotheBibleusestheGreekwordpeitho(tobepersuaded)todescribethekindofobedienceGodislookingfor.Hewantsobediencewithunderstanding,fromtheheart.WhenthewritertotheHebrewssays,"obeyyourleaders"(Hebrews13:17),peithoisthewordheuses.

5. Teachingauthorityispersuasionauthority.

a) WearetoconvinceothersbyappealingtotheWord,withtheaimthatthepersonbeingtaughthasrevelationforhimorherselfofthetruthbeingexpounded.

b) Paulsaidin2Cor.5:11"Therefore,knowingthefearoftheLord,wetrytopersuadeothers;butweourselvesarewellknowntoGod,andIhopethatwearealsowellknowntoyourconsciences."

6. Teachingauthorityinthechurchisoftenconfusedwithtaskauthority.Thepastororleaderwhobalksatbeingaskedsuchlegitimatequestionsas"Why?"or"Whatfor?"needstounderstandthedifferencebetweenthetwotypesofauthorityandtheobedienceGodexpectstoeach.

a) Applyingtaskauthoritytoteachingsituationswillnotproducetruelearning;thebelieverswillnotreallyunderstandbutjustrepeatalessonortruthlikeaparrot.

7. Agoodteacherwillneverbecontentwithrotelearning;heunderstandstheseverelimitationsonthosewhodonottrulyunderstandthetruthsbeingpresented.

8. SomeofthosebeingtaughtmaynotwanttograpplewiththetruthsofGod'sWord;othersmaynotwanttomakethechangesitdemandsintheirlives,butwemustnotlapseintoataskauthorityapproachwhenteachingtheWordofGod.

9. Itmayseemeasier,butintheenditdoesnotsolveproblems,itcreatesthem.

D. Then,thereisSpiritualAuthorityOVERpeople.


1. Whenitcomestotheexerciseofspiritualauthority,theaimagainisdifferent.

2. Theaimisnotcomplianceorblindobedience,buttoinfluenceapersonandleadthemtobemotivatedfromtheirhearttotakeownershipofwhatGodisdoingorsayinginaparticularsituation.

3. HEREISTHEKEY:Thepurposeofspiritualauthorityistoservepeople,equipthem,andinfluencethemtobecomewhoGodwantsthemtobe.

a) WeuseourSpiritualAuthoritytoelicitafreeresponseofthewilltothetruthofGodandHiswillasoneseeksforandreceivesrevelationtohisorherownheart.

b) Elicit-evokeordrawout(aresponse,answer,orfact)fromsomeoneinreactiontoone'sownactionsorquestions

4. ThewitnessoftheHSaboutthetruthtoaperson’sheartiscritical.

5. IfIaltermybehaviorortrytodevelopmycharacterforanyotherreasonthanalovingresponsetotheconvictionoftheHolySpiritinmyheart,itisnotanobediencethatispleasingtoGod.

6. InscripturethewordusedforthetypeofobedienceGodwantsisdifferentagain;itishupakouo,meaning"tolistenunder."

7. Thehearingandobeyingbothcomefromunderthesurface,fromdeepwithintheheart.Thehearing(under)intheheartisthentranslatedintorightactionfromtheheart.

Reference Text

1Pe1:14 Asobedientchildren,donotconformtotheevildesiresyouhadwhenyoulivedinignorance.

Heb5:8 Sonthoughhewas,helearnedobediencefromwhathesuffered

1Pe1:2whohavebeenchosenaccordingtotheforeknowledgeofGodtheFather,throughthesanctifyingworkoftheSpirit,tobeobedienttoJesusChristandsprinkledwithhisblood:Graceandpeacebeyoursinabundance.

Phm21 Confidentofyourobedience,Iwritetoyou,knowingthatyouwilldoevenmorethanIask.

2Co7:15 Andhisaffectionforyouisallthegreaterwhenheremembersthatyouwereallobedient,receivinghimwithfearandtrembling.

Ro16:19 Everyonehasheardaboutyourobedience,soIrejoicebecauseofyou;butIwantyoutobewiseaboutwhatisgood,andinnocentaboutwhatisevil.


Rom6:1717ButthanksbetoGodthat,thoughyouusedtobeslavestosin,youhavecometoobeyfromyourheartthepatternofteachingthathasnowclaimedyourallegiance.

8. ThespiritualleadermaybeachannelofGod'sSpirittomotivateaperson,buttheyarenottheonlychannel,andtheyarenotassignedbyGodtocontrolwhatchannelsHeusesinpeople’slives.

E. Sowrappingitupletsbeclear…TaskauthorityandteachingauthoritycanbothbedeadlyifappliedtoasituationthatcallsforapersontoseekforandfindwhatGodwantsforthemselves.

1. Theexerciseofspiritualauthorityinrelationtohupakouoobedienceshouldbeaimedatleadingapersontoself-discoveryofthewillofGod.

2. Weshouldnotorderthemasifitwereatasktheyshoulddo,norshouldwespoonfeedthemasiftheycannotstudytheWordorlistentotheSpiritforthemselves.

F. So,ourrightexerciseofourspiritualauthoritycallsuponusasleadersinthechurchtotrustthepreciousHolySpirittoworkinpeople'shearts.HeistheirGodandHeismorecommittedtotheirobedienceandgrowththanwe,asleaderscouldeverbe.

XII. III.SomeCommentsontheNatureofSpiritualAuthority

A. ItisclearfromthesepassagesandfromothersthatthereisadelegatedauthoritytothosewhoarecalledandgiftedbyGodtoleadthechurch,butthatauthoritycanonlybeexercisedproperlytothedegreethereisderivedauthoritytocarryitoutinaChristlikemanner.

B. Inotherwords,spiritualauthorityisdelegatedbyGod,butderivedthroughgodliness.OnewaytoseethatistolookatHOWitworksoutinaperson’slife.

C. JesusmadeitabundantlyclearthatwhatHemeantbyauthoritywasinfluencingtheflockthroughservingit.

1. "Let...hewhogovernsbeasonewhoserves"(Luke22:26-27).

2. Theonlyrightuseofspiritualauthorityistoserveothers:


D. Andinthissense,Jesus’useofthewordauthoritywastherightwehaveasbelieversinChristtoinfluenceothersfortheirgood.

1. JesuswenttogreatlengthstoredefinethemeaningofauthoritythatwasprevalentinhisdayandISprevalentinourdaybothintheworldandinthechurch-bothinthemeaningofthewordandinworkingitoutinpractice.

E. Solet’swrapthisupwithlookingatHOWweexercisespiritualauthorityinaChrist-likewaytoachievetheMISSIONthatGodhasgivenusintheworldconcerningdisciplingthenations

F. Thereare7KEYlensesthatcanhelp:

1. Icallthemlensesbecausealensmodifiesthedirectionofmovementoflight.AndIhopethesewillmodifythedirectionanduseoftheauthorityChristgaveussothatwhenweuseit,itisalwaysontrackandinlinewithJesus’heart:

a) Doesitrestrictordoesitliberate?

b) Doesitleadtoconformityordoesitpromotecreativity?

(1) Conformityinthissphereisalmostalwaysexternalnotinternal…Godwantsaheartresponse,notafearresponse.

c) DoesitbringdependenceonmanoronGod?

d) Doesitproduceman-pleasingresponseorservanthoodfromtheheart?

e) Doesitdependonlaworgrace?

f) Doesitdestroyorbuildaperson'sconfidence?

g) DoesitproducefearoftouchingGod'sanointed,ordoesitequippeopletofunctionwithconfidenceintheirgiftsaspriestsandholyservantsbeforeGod?

Biblical and Spiritual Authority

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