A Simple Matter of

Obedience… from the

Heart

Romans 6:17Hebrews 5:9

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Who Is “Spiritual”?Those who love, respect and obey God!John 14:15 – “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” 1 John 2:4-5 - “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected.”1 John 5:3 - “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.”

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Who Is “Spiritual”?Those who love, respect and obey God!

1 Cor. 14:37-38 – “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him understand that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment, But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”

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“To require Bible authority for everything we teach and practice is legalistic, not spiritual.”

The “New” Liberal Approach

A Study of

Authority“And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:47-48)

Lesson 1The Need for Authority

A Study of

Authority

Areas where Authority is Needed

Home School Business Nation Religion!

If we can see the need for authority in these other areas… surely we can see the need for authority in our religious practices?

Definition - AuthorityGreek Word: Exousia

Vine: “The power of authority, the right to exercise power… the power of rule or government… the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others.”

Matthew 28:18“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority

has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’”

Matthew 16:18“I will build My church…”

Man’s Need for Authority in Religion

• The Chief Priests and Elders of the Jews recognized the need for Authority (Matthew 21:23-27)

Matthew 21:23-2723 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 one answered and said to them, “I also will ask you 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?”

25 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” He will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” 26 But if we say, “From men,” we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.’ 27 So they answered Jesus and said, ‘We do not know.’ And He said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’”

Matthew 21:23-27

Man’s Need for Authority in Religion

• The chief priests and elders of the Jews recognized the need for authority (Matthew 21:23-27)

• Some deny that authority from God is needed for all that man does in religion• Look to self as authority

Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12

Jeremiah 10:23“O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

Proverbs 14:12“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

Man’s Need for Authority in Religion

• The chief priests and elders of the Jews recognized the need for authority (Matthew 21:23-27)

• Some deny that authority from God is needed for all that man does in religion• Look to self as authority

Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12• Look to other men as

authorityColossians 2:20-23; Matthew 15:8-9

Colossians 2:20-2320 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations – 21“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22which all concern things which perish with the using – according to the commandments and doctrines of men?  23These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Matthew 15:8-9“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

A Basic Bible PrincipleWe may act without divine authority from God, but we cannot do so and have God’s approval and fellowship!

2 John 9-11“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”

Romans 15:4“For whatever things were written

before were written for our learning, that we through the

patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

Examples of Man’s Need for Authority in

Religion

1. Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:3-7)

Examples of Man’s Need for Authority in

Religion

Genesis 4:3-7“3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.’”

Hebrews 11:4“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”Romans 10:17

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

1. Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:3-7)

2. Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2)

Examples of Man’s Need for Authority in

Religion

Leviticus 10:1-2Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 

1. Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:3-7)

2. Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2)

3. King Saul (1 Sam. 13:8-14)

Examples of Man’s Need for Authority in

Religion

1 Samuel 13:8-148 So Saul said, “Bring to me the

burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering….

13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD…

1. Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:3-7)

2. Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2)

3. King Saul (1 Sam. 13:8-14)

4. King Uzziah (2 Chron. 26:16-21)

Examples of Man’s Need for Authority in

Religion

2 Chronicles 26:16-2118 It is not for you, Uzziah, to

burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the LORD God. 

Christ Will Judge Us For Lawlessness

Matthew 7:21-23“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

Christ Will Judge Us For Lawlessness

Matthew 13:41-43“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

A Study of

Authority“And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:47-48)

Will You Become A Christian?

Hear The Gospel (Rom. 10:17)Believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John 8:24)Repent of Your Sins (Acts 17:30)Confess Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8:37)Be Baptized for Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38)

Live Faithfully Until You Die (Rev. 2:10)