Authority
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noteworthy that such a high ranking man who had seen the harshness of war should have such compassion on one of his
servants.
This man understood some things that few understood.
First of all, he understood humility.
“ "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed
about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I
fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven,
but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home
justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."” (Luke
18:10-14 NIV)
The proud man who thought he deserved something justified himself in his own eyes but received nothing from God. The
other who recognized his sinfulness before an Almighty, holy God threw himself at the mercy of the judge of all.
This soldier, likewise, understood that he did not deserve anything from God. The Jews of that day thought that they
deserved something from God because they were the chosen people. This man even said, “Lord, I am not worthy that thou
shouldest come under my roof.”
They were the chosen because they were the descendants of Abraham whom God had chosen as his ambassador to the
world. God would bring his message and his salvation to all nations through the descendants of Abraham.
Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be
blessed through you."
Your attitude is very important when you approach God. This man showed the utmost humility. Though he was an
important and powerful man in his society, he made no assumptions that God would favor him over any others. The less
self-sufficient we are, the stronger will be our confidence in Jesus Christ and the greater our dependency on Him will be.
You see, before God we are all equal – regardless who we are, where we come from, or what we have done – good or bad.
If you want to receive something from God, you must go to him with an attitude of humility knowing that everything we receive
from him is by his kindness and grace.
The second thing the man understood is this – Jesus had authority. This man was a military commander and he
understood how things worked. The one in authority gives the orders and the ones under authority obey and carry out the
commands. The higher one is in authority, the more power he has. When the one in authority gives and order it is done
without question – without argument. This man realized that Jesus had authority over all things, including sickness and
disease. He could simply tell a sickness to be gone and it would leave. He could tell a body to be healed and it would.
Last week, we talked about the man whose friends who demonstrated their great faith by bringing their friend to Jesus.
This Roman soldier demonstrates his faith by believing that Jesus can heal him from a distance with just a word.
I believe this man realized who Jesus was – the ruler of the universe. Jesus admitted to Pilat that he was a king, but not of
this world. He was king of a spiritual realm. This man apparently believed that God created the universe by simply
speaking the words “Let there be light”. And He believed that the man standing in front of him, Jesus, had the same ability.
We see in other places in the gospels that Jesus could command the weather, he could command demons (evil spirits).
He could even defy the rules of nature (walking on water). He definitely has authority over all things.
Ephesians 1:20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly realms,
Ephesians 1:21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the
present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
Jesus was not a magician who could make things appear to happen. He was not a sorcerer who could conjure up spells
and blessings. He was, and is, the ultimate authority in the universe.
This Roman soldier understood something that we in the modern world have lost. There is a spiritual world that we cannot
see. It is real and affects the world around us in powerful ways. There are supernatural powers that we do not understand.
People in many areas of the world still understand these powers. The go to witch doctors and sorcerers to get things done
– to seek blessings or curses.
We in western society have become too sophisticated – too advanced – too educated - to believe in such things. But they
exist nonetheless.
This soldier understood that all Jesus had to do was speak a word and it would be done.
Faith development:
To have great faith that gets results, you must develop it. Four things you can do:
1. Avoid sin – sin will destroy your faith
2. Avoid negativism – doubt and discouragement will choke out faith. Be positive.
3. Focus on Jesus – Faith is simple trust in Him.
4. Feed on the God’s Word
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of
Christ.
a. We need a clear understanding of the truth.
b. We need to convert that abstract truth into reality. (Make it personal.)
c. We need to appropriate that truth to our lives in practical ways.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If you are willing to believe Him and place your
needs in his hands, we will pray and I believe God will work miracles for us.
But in order for it to happen, you must believe in the authority of Jesus over all of creation. You must understand that He
alone rules this universe. And you must give Him authority over your life.
servants.
This man understood some things that few understood.
First of all, he understood humility.
“ "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed
about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I
fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven,
but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home
justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."” (Luke
18:10-14 NIV)
The proud man who thought he deserved something justified himself in his own eyes but received nothing from God. The
other who recognized his sinfulness before an Almighty, holy God threw himself at the mercy of the judge of all.
This soldier, likewise, understood that he did not deserve anything from God. The Jews of that day thought that they
deserved something from God because they were the chosen people. This man even said, “Lord, I am not worthy that thou
shouldest come under my roof.”
They were the chosen because they were the descendants of Abraham whom God had chosen as his ambassador to the
world. God would bring his message and his salvation to all nations through the descendants of Abraham.
Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be
blessed through you."
Your attitude is very important when you approach God. This man showed the utmost humility. Though he was an
important and powerful man in his society, he made no assumptions that God would favor him over any others. The less
self-sufficient we are, the stronger will be our confidence in Jesus Christ and the greater our dependency on Him will be.
You see, before God we are all equal – regardless who we are, where we come from, or what we have done – good or bad.
If you want to receive something from God, you must go to him with an attitude of humility knowing that everything we receive
from him is by his kindness and grace.
The second thing the man understood is this – Jesus had authority. This man was a military commander and he
understood how things worked. The one in authority gives the orders and the ones under authority obey and carry out the
commands. The higher one is in authority, the more power he has. When the one in authority gives and order it is done
without question – without argument. This man realized that Jesus had authority over all things, including sickness and
disease. He could simply tell a sickness to be gone and it would leave. He could tell a body to be healed and it would.
Last week, we talked about the man whose friends who demonstrated their great faith by bringing their friend to Jesus.
This Roman soldier demonstrates his faith by believing that Jesus can heal him from a distance with just a word.
I believe this man realized who Jesus was – the ruler of the universe. Jesus admitted to Pilat that he was a king, but not of
this world. He was king of a spiritual realm. This man apparently believed that God created the universe by simply
speaking the words “Let there be light”. And He believed that the man standing in front of him, Jesus, had the same ability.
We see in other places in the gospels that Jesus could command the weather, he could command demons (evil spirits).
He could even defy the rules of nature (walking on water). He definitely has authority over all things.
Ephesians 1:20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly realms,
Ephesians 1:21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the
present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
Jesus was not a magician who could make things appear to happen. He was not a sorcerer who could conjure up spells
and blessings. He was, and is, the ultimate authority in the universe.
This Roman soldier understood something that we in the modern world have lost. There is a spiritual world that we cannot
see. It is real and affects the world around us in powerful ways. There are supernatural powers that we do not understand.
People in many areas of the world still understand these powers. The go to witch doctors and sorcerers to get things done
– to seek blessings or curses.
We in western society have become too sophisticated – too advanced – too educated - to believe in such things. But they
exist nonetheless.
This soldier understood that all Jesus had to do was speak a word and it would be done.
Faith development:
To have great faith that gets results, you must develop it. Four things you can do:
1. Avoid sin – sin will destroy your faith
2. Avoid negativism – doubt and discouragement will choke out faith. Be positive.
3. Focus on Jesus – Faith is simple trust in Him.
4. Feed on the God’s Word
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of
Christ.
a. We need a clear understanding of the truth.
b. We need to convert that abstract truth into reality. (Make it personal.)
c. We need to appropriate that truth to our lives in practical ways.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If you are willing to believe Him and place your
needs in his hands, we will pray and I believe God will work miracles for us.
But in order for it to happen, you must believe in the authority of Jesus over all of creation. You must understand that He
alone rules this universe. And you must give Him authority over your life.