THE QUESTION OF AUTHORITY

The Gospel of Mark #39

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

(Mark 11:27–33, NLT) “Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?” “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Question of Authority…

1. Shapes how I live.

2. Is Unavoidable.

3. Is Connected to the important questions of life.

a. Origin

b. Purpose

c. Significance

d. Morality

e. Destiny

The Question

(Mark 11:28, NLT) “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

1. Who has the right to rule my life?

(Mark 11:30, NLT) “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

(Mark 11:30, NLT) “Answer me!”

2. God’s authority will always confront my selfishness.

(Matthew 23:2, AMP) “The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat [of authority].”

3. I will always anchor authority that is delegated to me on love for God and serving Him.

a. God’s Authority is within His Word.

(Luke 19:46, NLT) “The Scriptures declare…”

(Isaiah 56:7, NLT) “My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

(Jeremiah 7:11, NLT) “Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves?”

b. God’s authoritative Word confronts my sin.

The Roman church, once the holiest of all, has become the most licentious den of thieves, the most shameless of all brothels, the kingdom of sin, death, and hell. It is so bad that even Antichrist himself, if he should come, could think of nothing to add to its wickedness. – An Open Letter to Pope Leo X, September 6, 1520, Martin Luther

(2 Timothy 3:16, NLT) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

(2 Timothy 4:2, NLT) “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”

“Ho! We want to be won by sweetness.” “You do? Then go and teach God his lessons!” “Ho! We want to be taught in another style.” “Well then, go to the devil’s school! He will flatter you enough—and destroy you.” “But believers [will] humble themselves and are willing to be treated severely so that they may profit in God’s school.” – John Calvin

Growthwork

(Psalm 111:10, NLT) “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!”

(Proverbs 1:7, NLT) “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

1. Commitment is the only way to truly know the Lord.

2. Purge from my life anything that prevents me from being fully committed to the Lord.

3. Live an overcoming life.