SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

THE LORD JESUS CHIRST HAS ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH.

MATTHEW 28 - 18 - 20

A. AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN

THE BIG TAPESTRY PICTURE

EPHESIANS 3
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the 2fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things 3through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church mto the 5principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of 6heaven, but My Father only.

The realm of the Spiritual, in terms of authority involves the Lord Jesus, His body the Church in relation to the spiritual authorities of Angels and Demons.

B. AUTHORITY ON EARTH

THE SMALL THREADS OF THE TAPESTRY

Colossians 1:26-27 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: 9which is iChrist in you, the hope of glory.

The realm of the earth is actually more complex because even though the authority of God in Christ by the Spirit is exercised by the Church the Church is a collective of individuals who participate with Christ in all things relating to the earth.

Acts 1:7 And He said to them, i“It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 kBut you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be 3witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and nSamaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

(i) GOVERNMENTS

ROMANS 13

13 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists bthe authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will 1bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? cDo what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 fRender therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

(ii) RULERS OF THE PEOPLE

Paul when he responded to the High Priest is very strong verbally. It was legitimate to react strongly but when he realised it was the High Priest he realised that his response was disrespectful.

ACTS 23 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, aI have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him bto strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and cdo you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, e‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

(iii) MASTERS AND SERVANTS

Ephesians 6:5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, gin sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

(iv) MARRIAGE AUTHORITY

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also iChrist is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands jin everything.

(v) AUTHORITY IN THE FAMILY

Ephesian 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

(vi) AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH

1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18