Beth-El Baptist Church

06/04/06

Greg Tomlinson

Why is the function of the Local Church to proclaim Jesus’ authority?

Over the last couple of meetings we have been looking at the function of the church. As we looked at the commission of the church in Matthew 28:18-20 there were four distinct functions identified by Jesus. The first was the recognition of Jesus’ authority.

1. Why is Jesus’ authority important?

John 5:27 – He is the judge

Philippians 2:10-11 – His authority will be recognized at some point

John 3:18-19; 1 John 5:10-12; 2 John 9 – Life and death depends on recognizing Jesus’ authority

Revelation 1:18 – Decides who goes to heaven and hell

Recognizing Jesus’ authority is of the utmost importance. Recognizing his authority over you and your submission to his authority is the difference between eternal life in the presence of God and eternal torment without God’s presence.

2. What is Jesus’ authority level?

John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9 – Creator of all

John 5:27 – Judge

Matthew 16:15-17; John 1:41-42 – The Christ and the Son of God

John 4:25-26 – Messiah (See Daniel 9:25-26)

Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46-49 – Jesus is Lord

John 20:28-29 – Lord and God

1 Timothy 3:16 – God in Flesh

Romans 14:11-12 (cmp Philippians 2:10-11, Isaiah 45:23) – Must give an account to him

Jesus is the true judge and true king of the universe. He is the creator of the universe so he has ultimate and final authority. All of man is responsible before Jesus for their actions regarding Jesus and all of life.

3. What is the realm of Jesus’ authority?

Matthew 28:18 – Both and heaven and earth

Luke 4:6-8; Ephesians 2:2-3 – Although Satan has limited authority on earth

Luke 12:4-5 – Over entrance into hell

1 Corinthians 15:25-25 – Over death

Ephesians 1:20-23; 5:23-25; Colossians 1:16-18 – Over the church

Jesus’ authority covers heaven, earth, hell, life, death, the church and all things that have ever been created. Jesus has authority over everywhere and over every time. There is not a single place that exists in which Jesus does not have authority. Although the temporary and effectual authority on the earth right now is Satan, his authority is short lived for he will be brought down and cast into eternal hell.

4. How do we know that he had this authority?

Matthew 7:28-29; Mark 1:22; Luke 4:32 – He taught with authority

Matthew 9:5-8; Mark 2:9-12; Luke 5:23-26 – He has authority to forgive sins

Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:28-33; Luke 20:2-8 – His authority is heavenly (implied)

Mark 1:25-27; Luke 4:36 – Unclean spirits (demons) obey him

Mark 3:15; Luke 9:1 – Physical and spiritual healing

John 10:17-18 – He willingly sacrificed his life and reclaimed it

Colossians 1:16-17 – He created all other authorities

Romans 1:3-4 – Resurrection from the dead

Jesus has the ultimate and final authority for the scriptures express the authority behind his teachings, his authority to forgive sins (reserved for God) and the reality of his death, burial, and resurrection accomplished by his selfless sacrifice.

5. Why should the church recognize his authority?

Matthew 10:1; Mark 6:7-13; John 20:21; 2 Corinthians 5:20 – We are his authority here

Mark 13:34-37 – He will be returning again

Luke 10:19-20 – His authority is protective and eternal

Luke 12:11-12 – He empowers his people

Luke 19:17 – He rewards faithfulness

John 1:12-13 – He gives us authority to become sons of God

John 17:1-3 – He gives eternal life to his people

John 19:10-11; Romans 13:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Colossians 2:15 – His authority is greater than that of the government

Acts 9:13-16; 26:10-18 – His authority is greater than that of religious leaders

Ephesians 1:20-23 – His authority is over everything, especially the church

Ephesians 2:1-3 – He rescued from the satanic power in the world

Colossians 1:12-14 – He placed us into his kingdom

Colossians 2:10 – He completes us

The essential reason for the church to recognize and proclaim Jesus as the ultimate authority is because it is the truth and he has enabled us to be his representative authority on earth until his second coming.

6. What happens to those who refuse to recognize the authority of Jesus?

Matthew 25:41-46

Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5

John 5:28-29

2 Peter 2:4, 9

Revelation 21:8

All that reject the authority of Jesus will be cast into hell for all eternity. .

Summary

The church must recognize and proclaim the authority of Jesus Christ for it is Jesus that will judge all men. The basis of his judgment is based upon the relationship with him. Those who reject the saving grace of Jesus will be cast into hell for all eternity.