Tag: authority

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Acts Devotionals

Our authority as children of God

The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” (Acts 19:15)

I found the evil spirit’s words interesting.

They certainly recognized Jesus and his authority over them. But they also were aware of Paul and the fact that through his relationship with Jesus, through his status as a child of God, Paul had authority over them too.

The question is, do we realize the authority that we have as children of God?

If we stand our ground, the Enemy has to back down. He has no power over us except what we let him have.

That’s why Paul tells us to stand our ground in Ephesians. (Ephesians 6:13-14)

That’s why James tells us to resist the devil in his letter. (James 4:7)

So remember the authority you have, child of God.

As John tells us,

You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

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Matthew Devotionals

Though we live in crazy times

Matthew

I don’t know about you, but when I look at what’s going on in the world, and particularly in the United States, it seems this world is going mad.

But I took heart from the last few verses of this chapter.

Jesus said,

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18)

People sometimes abuse their power. Others try to tear down power structures.

But ultimately, all authority has been given to Jesus. He still rules, and no one can ever strip him of his power.

Jesus final words also bring me comfort.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (20)

Sometimes, it’s hard to see Jesus through the eyes of faith. But just because our faith falters at times and we can’t seem to find him doesn’t mean he has abandoned us.

He promised to be with us until the end of time. And he will keep that promise.

So what does this mean for us? Do we just relax then in the comfort of God’s love?

No. We do what Jesus told us to do.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. (19-20)

We’re living in a broken world, and there’s a lot of work to do.

Let’s get to it.

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Matthew Devotionals

A reason to rejoice

Matthew

Last Sunday, my pastor gave a message on Acts 16, in which Paul and Silas were worshiping in prison.

That’s a pretty remarkable thing to do when you think about it. Most people would be throwing a pity party. 

“God, here I am serving you, and what do I get for it? I get beaten and I get thrown in prison.”

That would be the natural reaction.

How could Paul and Silas rejoice? Perhaps because of what Jesus had told the apostles after his resurrection. (Paul and Silas weren’t there, but they had no doubt been told about Jesus’s words.)

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20)

“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”

No doubt, as the disciples reflected on those words, they remembered Daniel 7:13-14.

I continued watching in the night visions,
and suddenly one like a son of man
was coming with the clouds of heaven.

He approached the Ancient of Days
and was escorted before him.

He was given dominion,
and glory, and a kingdom;
so that those of every people,
nation, and language
should serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away,
and his kingdom is one
that will not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)

In interpreting the vision, an angel then told Daniel,

But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever. (Daniel 7:18)

Why could Paul and Silas rejoice? Because they remembered two things.

First, the Father had given Jesus all authority. He had given Jesus a kingdom that will never be destroyed.

Second, we will receive that kingdom too and possess it forever.

How often do we reflect on that?

How good is God to us to make us a part of Jesus’ kingdom, a kingdom that will never end!

That’s why Paul and Silas didn’t focus on their troubles. Instead they rejoiced in God’s goodness toward them. And because of that, they continued to look at what God was doing around them, and made disciples, even of their jailer.

But there was one other thing they remembered. Jesus had said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

We saw at the beginning of the book of Matthew that Jesus was called “Immanuel.” Here we see it again.

And that’s why Paul could write in another place,

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice…The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:4-5)

So whatever trial you’re facing now, rejoice! All authority has been given to Jesus. He has been given a kingdom and we are a part of it.

So let us do as Jesus said, joining in his work and making disciples of all nations.

Categories
Matthew Devotionals

Say the word

Matthew

“Say the word.”

Those words ring in my heart.

They are words that recognize the authority of Jesus.

An authority that the people marveled at, and even his own disciples marveled at. (Matthew 7:28-29; 8:27.)

It’s an authority that instantly brought healing (Matthew 8:13). An authority that caused demons to flee (8:16, 32).

And yet, it’s an authority that humans can choose to recognize or not recognize.

How did the priests respond when Jesus sent them that healed leper? (8:4)

How did those two would-be followers of Jesus respond when he challenged them? (8:19-22)

We don’t know.

We know how Matthew responded. Jesus said the word, and Matthew followed.

How about you? Do you recognize Jesus’ authority in your life? Do you say to him, “Say the word, and I will follow. I will do whatever you say?”

Will you say, as one song puts it, “I simply live for you”?

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Mark Devotionals

Listen to him!

Mark

I don’t find it much a coincidence that shortly after Peter had been arguing with Jesus over his mission, the Father said what he did.

On that high mountain, for the first time, Peter, James, and John, caught a glimpse of Jesus’ true glory. And then the Father spoke.

“This is my beloved Son; listen to him! (Mark 9:7)

That word “listen” also has the strong nuance of, “obey.”

I can’t help but think Peter heard the Father’s words as a rebuke. “Don’t argue with my beloved Son. Obey him!”

I also don’t find it a coincidence that Moses appeared with Jesus on that mountain. Moses himself had told the Israelites,

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers and sisters. You must listen to everything he tells you.

And everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be completely cut off from the people. (Acts 3:22-23, see also Deuteronomy 18:15-19)

Years later, the writer of Hebrews said something similar in Hebrews 3, comparing Moses and Jesus. His point?

“Don’t rebel like the Israelites did against Moses. Someone far greater has come. Moses was a mere servant. But Jesus is God’s Son. Listen to him! Believe him! Obey him! If you do, you will find rest. If you don’t, you will be judged.”

Let us not argue with our Lord as Peter did. But each day, let us listen to, believe, and obey him.

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1 Timothy

Women and leadership in the church

1 Timothy

This is one of the more controversial passages in scripture among Bible-believing Christians.

The main question is whether it is permissible for women to have leadership and teaching positions over men in the church. In short, is it God’s desire for them to be overseers of men, or pastors of men in the church?

When Paul says, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man,” what does he mean?

He could hardly have been restricting all teaching activities from the women, since he talks favorably of godly women like Eunice and Lois (Timothy’s mother and grandmother) teaching Timothy about God and the scriptures (II Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15).

We also see Paul saying that older women should teach younger women. (Titus 2:3-4).

In addition, it doesn’t seem that all teaching of men by women was banned because in the book of Acts, we see a married couple teaching Apollos (Acts 18:26).

So we see clearly what Paul’s words don’t mean.

The question is not what Paul’s words don’t mean, but what they do mean. And there we find the controversy.

Today and tomorrow, we will look at the two main positions held by Bible-believing Christians, and the strengths and weaknesses of each.

From there, I would challenge you to think through the issues and come to your own conclusions.

The first position is that Paul’s instructions were restricted to the Ephesian church that Timothy was at.

The argument is that the women there were being led away by false teachers, and for that reason, they were not to teach or hold positions of leadership over men.

What is the evidence given for this position? First, we know for certain there were false teachers in the church (1 Timothy 1:3-7).

Second, we know that Paul often worked with women in the ministry. Romans 16 is very clear evidence of that, as well as other places in scripture.

The third thing is the interpretation given to Paul’s words in verse 14.

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. (1 Timothy 2:14)

The argument is that the woman was not adequately taught by Adam and therefore fell into deception.

In the same way, the Ephesian women were not adequately taught yet, and so they were to humbly keep quiet and learn until they were better trained.

There are other arguments that are made, but these are the essential points. Tomorrow, we’ll look at the other side’s position.

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1 Corinthians

Authority and submission

1 Corinthians

This is one of the most difficult passages in scripture to try to interpret and apply.

Many people have done so in different ways in relation to head coverings in the church.

Some have said it’s still necessary today, but most have not, saying that it was a cultural thing.

Honestly, I’m still trying to work out Paul’s meaning there, so until I come to a firm conclusion, I think I’ll leave that argument for another day. (Don’t hold your breath, though).

Whatever conclusion we come to head coverings, however, I think there is a definite principle we need to take from this passage, particularly concerning our relationships in marriage.

Paul teaches,

Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)

Here we see something very important. God has within his own nature the concept of authority and submission which is then reflected in our relationship with him, and in the relationships between husbands and wives.

Paul says here in the final part of the verse, “The head of Christ is God.”

What does he mean? I think it’s pretty clear when putting together the different verses of scripture.

According to 1 John 4:14,

The Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

And when Christ came into the world, he told the Father,

Here I am–it is written about me in the scroll– I have come to do your will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)

As he lived his life on earth as a man, he told the Jews,

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38)

But lest we think Christ’s submission to the Father was just a temporary thing while he was on earth, Paul tells us concerning the last days and the eternal kingdom to come,

The end will come, when [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

For [Jesus] must reign until [the Father] has put all his enemies under his feet…

For [God the Father] “has put everything under [Jesus] feet.”

Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.

When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:24-25, 27-28)

In light of all these verses, I don’t think there is any doubt that Christ, though he is fully equal with God in nature, nevertheless submits himself to the Father, and will do so for all eternity with no disparagement to his nature for that submission.

Why do I go through all the trouble to make this point?

Because there are many who claim that for a woman to subject herself to a man’s authority, namely, a wife to her husband, is a disparagement to her humanity. That she is somehow to be considered lesser than man for doing so.

And as a result, they balk when Paul says, “the head of woman is man,” and try to explain it away.

But Paul clearly states here that there is an order to things.

The Son is subject to the authority of the Father. Man is subject to the authority of the Son. And woman is subject to man.

This does not mean that woman is not equal to man in her humanity. Paul goes out of his way to dismiss any such idea as he said,

In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. (1 Corinthians 11:11-12)

In other words, though there is a role of leadership that God has ordained men to take, nevertheless, men and women need and depend on each other.

And there is no room for men abusing their authority over women. Rather they are to honor and love them in every way, just as the Father honors and loves the Son in every way.

More, we are to remember that we are all subject to God because he is our Creator.

So I guess for you married women, the question to ask is, “Am I willing to submit to myself to my husband as the Son submits to the Father? Am I willing to follow my husband’s leading as he follows Christ’s leading in his life?”

For you married men, the question to ask is, “Am I honoring my wife as the Father honors the Son? And do I love my wife as Christ loves me and gave his life for me?”

If you’re a single woman who’s considering getting married, the question becomes, “Is my boyfriend/fiance subject to Christ? Can I trust him enough that I will submit to him as I submit to Christ?”

If not, you had best put off marrying him until you can say yes.

And if you’re a single man, the question to ask is, “Am I subject to Christ in my life? And how will my subjection to Christ play out in my role as husband when I get married? How will it lead me to treat my wife?”

If you can’t answer those questions in a right way, you too need to put off marriage until you can.

Who are you subject to?

Categories
Romans

Doing what’s right…no matter who’s in charge

Romans

In this passage, Paul talks about the Christian’s relationship to government. And the basic principle that Paul gives is that we are to submit to those in authority.

Why? First and foremost, because ultimately, God is the one that put them there. And so if you rebel against those God has put in authority, you are actually rebelling against God.

Second, God has instituted the idea of authority for the benefit of society. Without authority, there would be total anarchy, and all of us would be living in fear. So Paul says,

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. (Romans 13:4)

For the most part, because of authority figures in society, we have peace and stability. And Paul tells us that as long as we do what’s right, we shouldn’t have any problems.

I think of Obadiah (not the prophet) in I Kings 18. He served in the palace of one of the most wicked kings in Israel’s history, King Ahab.

But he did such an exemplary job that Ahab put him in charge of running the day to day operations of the palace.

Yet, all the while, Obadiah feared God and did what was right.

Which brings up another point. Sometimes what is right is contrary to what those in authority has ordered or wants.

What do we do in those situations? Do what’s right.

So when Ahab’s wife Jezebel ordered that all the prophets of God be killed, Obadiah secretly sheltered 100 prophets from the king and queen, saving the prophets’ lives.

Daniel and his friends did the same, as seen in Daniel 1-3.

When they were ordered to do something contrary to the Word of God, they did what was right and followed God’s instructions instead.

So did Peter and the rest of the apostles when threatened by the Sanhedrin to be silent concerning Christ (Acts 4-5).

And in each case, God blessed and protected them. Why?

Because they did what was right. And in some cases, they even won the favor of those that initially were against them.

Paul says,

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.

Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. (Romans 13:3)

This is particularly true of the ultimate authority: God.

If we do what’s right, we have nothing to fear from him.

Rather, we will be commended by him. So if the desires of those in authority are against what God wishes, then we are to follow our ultimate Authority.

But even when we have to go against the wishes of those in authority here on earth, we are to respect them.

Paul says,

Give to everyone what you owe them…if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7)

That was the example of Obadiah, of Daniel and his friends, and the apostles. And that’s how we are to act too.

Peter sums this all up by saying,

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.

“Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (I Peter 3:13-16)

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John John 18 Luke Luke 22 Mark Mark 14 Matthew Matthew 26

Power and authority, mercy and grace

The gospels

In this passage, there are three things I see in Jesus.

1. His power and authority. Though surrounded by his enemies, he was in total command of the situation. Standing to face his enemies, he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”

And when they said, “Jesus of Nazareth,” he answered, “I am he.” (John 18:4-5)

At this, his enemies immediately fell to the ground at his use of the divine name. (Exodus 3:13-14; John 8:58)

What fear must have struck their hearts at that moment? Jesus then asked again, “Who are you looking for?” (John 18:6-7)

Completely shaken and with a lot less confidence in their voices, they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth,” and probably braced themselves to be knocked down again.

But instead, Jesus simply said,

I told you that I am he… If you are looking for me, then let these men go. (John 18:8)

And though they went up to arrest him, I don’t think there was any doubt in their minds who was truly in control of the situation.

2. His mercy. Jesus’ disciples, however, perhaps thought to take advantage of their enemies’ uncertainty, and one of them cried out,

Lord, should we strike with our swords? (Luke 22:49)

Not waiting for an answer, Peter dashed up and chopped the ear off of one of the men that had come to arrest Jesus.

(Either he had very good aim going for the ear and hitting it, or he was trying to slice the guy in two, and missed. I kind of think it was the latter).

But Jesus rebuked his followers, and told them,

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53)

There’s an old song that says Jesus could have called 10,000 angels to destroy the world and set himself free.

Actually, the songwriter miscalculated. 12 legions would be more like 48,000 to 72,000 men. (Then again, maybe the songwriter just thought ten thousand sounded better).

Whatever the case, the point is Jesus could have destroyed them all. But he showed mercy to them. He spared their lives, and in fact, ultimately gave up his life for theirs.

3. His grace. While mercy is not giving a person the punishment he deserves, grace is the giving of something the person does not deserve.

And Malchus, the high priest’s servant, found Jesus’ grace as Jesus took Malchus’ severed ear and restored it. (Luke 22:51)

It was the last healing that Jesus ever performed here on earth. Physically, anyway.

For it was through the cross that Jesus brought spiritual healing. And by his grace, our sins are forgiven, and we can find eternal life. And he gives it to anyone who will believe.

Power and authority. Mercy and grace. Are there any better descriptions of our Lord?

Categories
Luke Luke 4 Mark Mark1

Authority

The gospels

What makes Jesus different from all the other great religious leaders that started major religions?

There are many things, of course, first and foremost the fact that Jesus is God, and that he rose from the dead. All the others have this one thing in common: they’re all dead. Which proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that they weren’t God.

But as we look at this passage, we see another difference between Jesus and them: authority.

It was the thing that struck the Jews immediately when they started listening to him teach from God’s word.

All the other teachers they heard would preface their remarks with phrases like, “So-and-so said this about this passage.”

Or “According to so-and-so, this passage means…”

Jesus never said that. Instead, he would repeatedly tell them, “I say to you…” or “I tell you the truth…”

The people marveled at this. “This man speaks with authority. It sounds like he actually knows and is confident about what he is teaching.”

As a teacher myself, I think I would marvel myself. While I of course do my own studies and ask God for insight, nevertheless, I wouldn’t pretend to have a fraction of the authority that Jesus Christ has. It must have been marvelous to hear him speak.

He then backed it up with his works, casting out a demon from a man in the synagogue. Is it any wonder that word about him spread like wildfire throughout Israel?

But what does it mean for us?

I suppose the question you need to ask yourself is, “Do I accept the fact that Jesus does indeed speak with authority? Or do I just think he was giving his own opinion, and my opinion is as good as his?”

Too often, though we may give lip service to Christ’s authority, nevertheless we do not obey him. Either because we think it’s too “pie-in-the-sky,” the ideals of a man who didn’t have a grasp of “real life,” or because we simply don’t want to do what he has said.

But if we claim Jesus as our Lord, we can’t think this way. And we certainly can’t live that way. Jesus said,

Why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but don’t do what I tell you? (Luke 6:46)

If there are two words that are oxymoronic, they are “No” and “Lord.”

How about you? Do you accept Christ’s authority in your life?

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Esther

Honoring those in authority

Esther

Having said what I did about Esther and Mordecai yesterday, some of you may think that I have little respect for them.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

While I’m not sure I can agree with all of their decisions, there is a lot to be said about their overall character.

I could say the same of many of the great characters in the Bible, including Abraham, David, and Paul, among many others.

And here we see some of the character of Mordecai.

He hears a plot against the king by two men who seemed to have a grudge against him. He then warns Esther, who in turn warns the king, saving his life.

One wonders what Mordecai’s true feelings concerning Xerxes were.

He knew about Xerxes’ ill treatment of Vashti and of Xerxes’ attitude toward women in general. (Just think about the number of women that passed through his bedroom doors during the contest alone.)

Xerxes also certainly wasn’t a God-fearer, nor was he a peaceable man according to history.

And yet, Mordecai, regardless of his personal feelings, nevertheless respected the office of the king, something that the two would-be assassins definitely didn’t do.

So when he heard of the plot, he immediately took steps to prevent it.

We find out later that though he saved the king’s life, the king didn’t give him a second thought until much later.

Yet we see no hint of resentment or bitterness in his heart. To him, he was only doing what was right, namely, honoring those in authority.

The apostle Peter wrote,

Show proper respect to everyone… fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2:17)

Sometimes, we feel that the people in authority don’t deserve our respect. We complain about the things our president does, or our boss does, or our parents do.

But here, God makes it clear that we are to honor them anyway.

Why? Paul adds these words,

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1)

In other words, we honor those in authority out of our fear of God, and the fact that he is the one that ultimately put them in authority over us.

Are there people that God has placed over you that you struggle to submit to?

God doesn’t call you to submit out of your reverence for them necessarily, although it certainly helps if you can do so. He calls you to submit out of your reverence for God.

Submission can be a difficult thing.

But let us submit ourselves to those in authority, and in so doing, show our reverence for God.