Pastor Phil Burdoin
September 18, 2022Jesus had some pretty powerful words to say about scripture. He said those who hear my words and put them into practice are like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Because when, not if, but when the rain comes and the streams rise and the winds beat against the house it will stand because it's built on a firm foundation. But for those who hear my words and do not put them into practice or like a foolish man that builds his house on shifting sand. Because when the rain comes, the streams rise, and the winds beat against that house it will fall with a great crash.
Those were Jesus words when it comes to scripture. And those are some pretty serious words, so we thought it best that we take some time to look at the Bible.
Today we're going to finish out that series by talking about the authority of the Bible in our lives. In the post modern age we value our independence highly, we are proud of our self-sufficiency and we really don't like that word authority We're taught to question authority, and we really just don't want to be told what to do, do we?
For the past four weeks we have looked at the Bible’s authenticity and its uniqueness. We have almost completed our blueprint we have to address one last thing. And that’s whether or not you will do what it says. Whether or not you will, submit to, obey, and follow what it says. You see it’s not enough to read it, to study it, to say we believe it to be authentic, if it doesn’t impact you life. If you are a follower of Jesus than this book has authority over your life and you need to submit to it. If you’re a Christian it doesn’t make sense any other way.
But where does it’s authority come from? Why should we obey the words in this book? My argument is that if you are a follower of Jesus you have to obey what he says and imitate what he does. So let’s start by looking at how Jesus approached the Old Testament scriptures.
Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.
Matthew 4:3-11
Jesus affirmed the Old Testament scriptures. In each instance of the text here we can see that Jesus used Old Testament scriptures to defend his righteousness against Satan. Jesus believed not only in the truth of the Old Testament scriptures but in the power of God's word to save him from the enemy.
Jesus said he came to fulfill the law. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Matthew 5:17-18
Jesus lived by the Old Testament scriptures. Jesus responded to the Pharisees with Old Testament scriptures. Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?
Matthew 19:3-5
Jesus believed the Old Testament scripturesJesus was different than any other rabbi of his day. Jesus taught under his own authority.
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Matthew 7:28-29
Jesus is the authority in the Gospels. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matthew 28:18
Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.
John 12:44-45 & 12:49-50
The words of Jesus are the words of God himselfThe overwhelming majority of the New Testament was written by Jesus’s apostles. The men that Jesus had chosen to carry his message. In fact the root word that apostle comes from is a verb called “apostello” which means to send out. It was always Jesus’ intention for these guys to proclaim Jesus’ lordship to the world by sending them out.
When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.
Luke 6:13
He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.
Mark 3:14
The writers of the New Testament were chosen by Jesus. Jesus chose some of his followers, The ones that were with Him from the beginning, He designated them as “sent ones,” and chose them to go out and share the good news. What other authority can someone have if they are not sent by Jesus himself.
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:25-26
The Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus.The Bible is the authority because Jesus said it was.The question is will you submit to it? Will you live by it? You can choose IF you will follow Jesus, but you can’t choose HOW you will follow Jesus.
