The Standard of Authority

INTRODUCTION.

A.        By what standard should we live and govern our lives?

1.         What standard of authority should we use and follow in matters of religion?

2.         How do we determine how to worship and work together as Christians?

B.        Man, left to himself, will devise different standards of authority. In the religious world, this will surely lead one away from God.

C.        With this lesson, we will show the proper standard demanded by God.

I.         SOME STANDARDS USED BY MAN.

            A.        “I feel led by the Lord.”

            B.        “I believe it to be this way.”

            C.        “My preacher said . . .”

            D.        “My parents and grandparents have always believed this way.”

            E.        “I just don’t believe it.”

II.       THE PROPER STANDARD.

            A.        First, remember the following verses:

                        1.         Jeremiah 10:23 - “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (NKJV)

                        2.         Isaiah 55:8-9 - “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (NKJV)

                        3.         Proverbs 14:12 - “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (NKJV)

            B.        Second, let us reject man made traditions, creeds, by-laws, assumptions, desires, etc. These things have yield:

                        1.         Denominations

                        2.         Youth ministries

                        3.         Social programs ran by the church.

                        4.         Perversion of the leadership within the church.

                        5.         Adoption of women preachers.

                        6.         Adoption of church leaders living openly in sin, i.e. homosexuality, unlawfully married, etc.

                        7.         Misuse of the Lord’s treasury.

                        8.         Toleration of sin among the members of the church.

                        9.         Erroneous teachings regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage.

                        10.       And many other deviations from God’s word.

            C.        Third, let us use the Bible as our source of authority.

                        1.         Shows the authority of Jesus.

                                    a.         John 5:26-27

                                    b.         Matthew 28:18-20

                                    c.         Hebrews 1:1-2

                        2.         Shows the authority of the apostles.

                                    a.         Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18

                                    b.         Mark 16:15-16, 19-20

                                    c.         2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10

                        3.         Shows the source of the apostles’ authority.

                                    a.         Galatians 1:11-12

                                    b.         John 14:25-26

                                    c.         John 15:26-27

                                    d.         John 16:7-15

                        4.         The Bible contains the power to save.

                                    a.         Romans 1:16-17

                                    b.         2 Timothy 3:16-17

                        5.         The Bible contains all we need.

                                    a.         2 Peter 1:2-4

                                    b.         Jude 1:3                                              

CONCLUSION.

A.        When everything is said and done, all that will matter is whether or not you and I followed the standard of authority that was established by God.

B.        Jesus said, “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48)

C.        If you are not a Christian, then follow the authority of Jesus Christ, obeying His commands to believe in Him, repent of your sins, confess your belief before men and be baptized. If you do so, then you “shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

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The Standard of Authority -- September 7, 2003 -- File # - 154

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton ,OK