Authority: The Exercise of Power
Text: Matthew 5:17-20
Footnotes:
Power is an individual’s ability to control others, while
authority is the exercise of that power that is based
on the presumed legitimacy from those who consent
(Https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen- introtosociology/chapter/power-and-authority/)
Jesus taught with authority
His teaching was often perceived as a threat to “ those in positions of power:
Secular Authorities – Sanhedrin and Rome
Religious Authorities – Pharisees and Scribes
Footnotes: Matt. 7:28-29 “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” Mark 1:27 “They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him”
Luke 4:32 “and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.”
Jesus taught the primacy of allegiance to God
Regarding the secular authority -
He preached submission and respect
Regarding the religious authority -
He preached holiness that exceeded the behavior of the Religious Authorities
Footnotes:
Matt. 22:19-21 “Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.”
And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them,
“Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him,
“Caesar’s.” Then He “said to them, “Then render to Caesar
the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Romans 13:1-2 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the
ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive
condemnation upon themselves.”
Jesus taught obedience to God’s commands
The commands of God are immutable
The commands of God are not to be debated, amended or ignored. They are to be obeyed.
The Ten Commandments
The Greatest Commandments
GOD HAS NOT and DOES NOT CHANGE HIS STANDARDS
Footnotes:
Matt. 5:18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth
Pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from
the Law until all is accomplished.”
Ex 20: 3-17 (the Ten Commandments summarized)
You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not
make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in
heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water
under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them;
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honor your
father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall
not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not
bear false witness. You shall not covet."
Matt 5:17-19 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law
or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law
until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the
least of these commandments, and teaches others to do
the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;
but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called
great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus taught the proper Measure of Obedience
Your righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees and scribes
We are to be holy as He is holy
We are to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect
THIS IS A STANDARD OF OBEDIENCE THAT WE CANNOT MEET
Footnotes:
Matt. 5:20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness
surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not
enter the kingdom of heaven.”
1 Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, do not be conformed
to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but
like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in
all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy,
for I am holy.”
Matt. 5:48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.
God’s Benevolent Authority
God’s character demands perfect obedience and righteousness.
God knows that we are incapable of meeting this
standard.
God’s justice was satisfied in the death of Jesus.
God’s mercy is offered by the forgiveness of sin.
God’s grace is given to us in salvation through
the work of Jesus.
God’s Spirit indwells us and empowers us to
meet God’s standards