TITLE: By
what Authority?
TEXT: Matthew
21:23-27
PROPOSITION: Christians
must understand what is proper authority in matters of faith.
QUESTION: How?
KEY WORD: Commands
SCRIPTURE READING: Same
INTRODUCTION:
- All
of life is learning to obey commands.
- Parents,
teachers, army, boss, police
- Person
decided to just open Bible are see what God wants him to do
A. "Whatever you do, do it quickly"
B. "Judas went out and hung himself"
C. "Go do thou likewise"
- In
matters of faith – there are three sources of authority.
Direct Commands
- Stated
– "This is a command."
- In
the imperative voice – "Go into all the world"
- Some
commands are situational
A. For a specific person, time, event – Build ark, take up bed
B. For a group of people – Law of Moses – ended at cross
- Example
A. Stated – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 7:10
B. Imperative – Mark 16:15; Matthew 7:44
Examples
- Wrong
examples – learn what NOT to do – see how people sinned
- Approved
examples – this is one way to do it – not the ONLY way
- Binding
examples – when it illustrates a requirement (command)
- Example
A. Wrong example – Acts 5 – lying, Judas denies Christ
B. Approved example – Paul sailed from place to place, Peter fished
C. Binding example – Communion on 1st day of week
NOTE: We are required to
assemble, on Sunday, LS placed in assembly
Acts 20:7 is a binding example of
what day, not of time of day or location
Necessary Inferences
- We
often jump to wrong conclusions
Illustration of man opening Bible – Should he kill himself?
- Necessary
inference – Must reach this conclusion
Man came OUT of the house – necessary that he went IN.
- Example
A. Matthew 3:16 Jesus came up from the water
B. Command to assemble – demands a place, location, time to meet
C. Song books – Sing, decently and in order, admonish one another
Conclusion
- We
MUST have authority for all that we teach and practice.
- What
is the authority for ___________? Can you give chapter and verse?