Luke 20:1-8 - A Question of Authority
Well this morning we continue on and our sermon series through the Gospel of Luke the sermon this morning a question of authority a question of authority moving on from his retelling of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem and which he identified the nature of Jesus kingship as Messianic and prophetic Luke further now develops the nature of Jesus's kingship by addressing the issue of authority by what Authority does Jesus do the things he does now Luke makes explicit In this passage. What I believe is its main idea and that is this Jesus has Divine Authority which must be recognized. Jesus has Divine Authority which must be recognized now. This is the first of five confrontations that Jesus has with various leaders in this chapter of Luke. We see now. There's a confrontation about the source of Jesus has Authority in verses 9 through 19. Jesus has a gives a confrontational parable about the vineyard in verses 20 through 26. There's a dispute over Caesars tax and verse 27 through 40 the Sadducees trick give Jesus a trick question about the resurrection and finally in versus 41 through 44. There is Jesus's question about the interpretation of Psalm 110. So we have five confrontations coming up in this is the first there is a type of warfare going on between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day and they are trying to catch Jesus in an error. And so they test and they test him personally and politically and theologically Answer for the next little while for the next month or so. We are going to be considering these confrontations. And today we look at Luke verses 1 through 8. So why don't you turn with me to Luke chapter 20 in your Bibles in your devices? And let's consider God's word together this morning Luke Chapter 20 verses 1 through 8.
One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him tell us by what Authority you do these things or who it is that gave you this Authority. He answered them. I also will ask you a question. Now tell me was the baptism of John from heaven or four men and they discussed it with one another saying if we say from Heaven he will say why did you not believe him but if we say from man and all the people will Stone us to death for their convinced that John was a prophet so they answered that they did not know where it came from and Jesus said to them neither will I tell you by what Authority I do these things. This is God's word. Let us pray father God we ask for your help this morning. We come as needy creatures looking to you. For how father got you have promised that your word is our very sustenance.
But it is what we need to survive and it is how we grow in godliness. But we recognize that it's only through its application by your spirit that this can happen. So father God we ask you to do that this morning.
Help me Father God to communicate your word in a way that is helpful in a way that is accurate in a way. That is faithful.
father we want to get a new view of Jesus Christ this morning not new in the sense that it's the first time it is ever occurred but new and fresh to us. That our minds might understand in our hearts might embrace the glory of Jesus Christ and his gospel. It's in his name. We pray. Amen.
Let's start. Looking at this passage by considering three questions three questions in which the issue of this passage is defined to questions are posed to Jesus and one question is posed by Jesus and these questions identify the main issue of these verses. Two questions or perhaps one to fold question find their Source in a group almost identical to those that we looked at last week identical to those who resist were resisting his kingship who are rejecting his kingship. That is the chief priests and the scribes with the elders. These are the same people who wanted last week to see Jesus destroyed and they have two questions for Jesus. By what Authority do you teach the people and preach the gospel? Who is it that gave you this Authority No Authority in this context is the power and the right to do something these confrontational manner asking Jesus by what right? And by what tower is he teaching and preaching to the people? What's interesting here is it's almost an admission of the power of Jesus's teaching, isn't it? A teaching in a preaching that wasn't powerful wouldn't Alyssa the question? Where does that power come from?
Well, Jesus answers and his answer is itself a question. He says I also will ask you a question. No tell me was the baptism of John from heaven or four men that tell you this is a pet peeve of mine people avoiding a question by asking another question. We see it. And politicians these days and it is annoying answer the question. You've been asked a question answering.
Well politicians and in this is important to note that politicians are using this frustrating scheme so that they can diminish and distract and avoid dealing with the issue being ranks. And that's why we find it annoying. We want an answer to a question. Why is this Scandal there? What were you thinking when you did this? And then they misdirect by asking another question, but that's not what Jesus is doing here. In fact, Jesus is doing the opposite. Jesus is counter question, which you should know it was a normal practice among rabbis was not to dismiss or diminish or avoid the question at hand rather. It was to escalate and expand the seriousness of the discussion. Do you want us to take their questions and make it even bigger. He wasn't avoiding it he was saying let's consider it and it's full or at least in more importance than you have articulated. It wasn't just about his authority but the work of God in his day and age which included John the Baptist and Jesus wanted that part of the discussion.
until these three questions have framed the issue at hand the issue In this passage is Authority By what right does Jesus do what he does and what power does Jesus do what he does.
I need this isobus a question this morning. For those of you for those of us who have been following Jesus for many years. Do you still question his authority in your life?
You may religiously in Faithfully attend church. You may be able to answer all the theological and doctrinal questions in the right way.
You might even serve. And serve well in some area of the church, but my question for you this morning is do you still question Jesus has Authority in your life. Do you still try and reject or dismiss or diminish what he demands?
Consider that this morning because you're questioning of Jesus Authority. Which is evaluated by your response to scripture that questioning particularly in someone who has been following Christ for a long time that questioning of his authority is a mark of one who rejects Jesus not a disciple of Jesus. What Oscar sells that question this morning in regards to his authority in our life? Let's move from three questions to two options. Interrogators are exposed when they consider the two options of how they might answer Jesus's question. They expose themselves of Hypocrites who fear the opinion of men over and above God see the leaders are in a bind. Jesus puts them in a bind as often does should they can see the John the Baptist was a man sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah noting that if they do they are also considering that Jesus is the Messiah who is sent from God or should they deny these things and face the displeasure. anger and perhaps punishment of the crabs Well, despite professing to be men of conviction. They show themselves to be Hypocrites Hypocrites and their refusal to answer the question honestly one way or another.
Their lack of an answer exposes their love of the approval of men. These are mine again aligning themselves against Jesus looking to destroy him and we know now that they are not men of conviction for willing to take a stand and what they believe weather for or against Jesus, but rather are men who fear the opinion of other men.
Authority of Jesus has a tendency to expose our hearts. What does our response to the authority of Jesus exposed about our own Hearts this morning? When Jesus through his authority and God's word? And by his Spirit as he applies it to our lives indicates that we should do something or stop doing something. How do we respond? Do we respond with fear of what he's asking us to do do we respond with indifference not caring much about what he's drawn to our attention. Do we respond with begrudging obedience? Knowing that we ought to obey but our hearts not being in it or do we respond with joyful submission. Do we respond to Jesus has Authority in our life with joyful submission? When Jesus by his spirit and through his word convince you in regards to something and you being a person who would recognize his authority. How do you respond?
If you respond in fear, let me suggest to you that you need to go back to God's word and recognize how much this one with authority in your life loves you and loud is perfect. Love to cast out the fear of what he's calling you to.
If you respond with indifference in regards to his authority in your life and what he's calling you to do let me suggest to you that we as Disciples of Jesus are called to serve the Lord not in slothful Zeal, but with a fervent Spirit, we're not to be indifferent. I need to repent of that apathy and indifference and ask God by his Spirit to motivate us to serve with zeal.
If I responses begrudging obedience, let me suggest you that begrudging obedience is better than no obedience. But let me also suggest you Little Falls fall far short of what Jesus Christ and his authority commands and demands in our lives. We are to be those who are joyfully submitted to the authority of Christ.
Are three questions Define the issue it's about Authority the two options of the Interior Gators expose their hard in regards to that Authority. Let's look now at one answer. It's the one answer that is implied by Jesus in regards to the questions brought to him though. Jesus doesn't give an explicit answer to the questions that are raised. It is clearly implied that the answer to the question of the source of Jesus Authority is God. Let me explain that we know from earlier on and Luke. The John's baptism was indeed from God and that was Jesus's perspective on a Luke chapter 7 verses 24 to 26 Jesus or we'll see here. When are when John's Messengers had gone Jesus begin to speak to the crowds concerning John. What did you go out in the wilderness to see a reed shaken by the winds? What then did you go to see a man dressed in soft clothing behold those who are dressed and Splendid clothing and live in luxury are in King's Court. What then did you go out to see a profit? Yes. I tell you and more than a prophet. Jesus is already a firm that John the Baptist came from heaven with the authority of God to announce his work Jesus as income implication and answering the two questions with the his own questions was That God is in fact the answer to all three questions by what Authority do you teach the people and preach the gospel by God's authority authority. God gave me this Authority. Where was the baptism of John from God or man? It was from God. Jesus is indicating. He has the very authority of God. He has the Divine Right and the divine power to do what he does.
Nice Jesus's points.
What's interesting in the New Testament is further why Jesus speaks about his authority in this passage before his death before his suffering before his resurrection. He also addresses the issue of authority after those things. We read about it in Matthew 28 verse 18 We read remember, this is Doctor. Jesus has suffered and died for his people and after his resurrection from the dead. We read Matthew 28:18. Jesus came and said explicitly now not by answering a question with a question, but by declaring and clear statement all authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Jesus says to his disciples. I have all authority.
Now John Piper in a sermon on Matthew 28 18 list 10 things that I want to share with you this morning that help us understand the extent of Jesus Authority so that we get it clear in our mind so that we understand what it means that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on Earth number one, we see the extent of the authority of the Son of God in his act as the creator of all things. We read in John chapter 1 verse 3, all things were made through him. And without him was not anything made that was made. We see the extent of his authority in his sustaining of the world Hebrews 1:3. He is a Radiance of the glory of God in the exact imprint of his nature and he upholds the universe by the word of his power Colossians 1:17. He is before all things and in him all things hold together three was the extent of Jesus Authority in his power over nature. The apostles cried at one point who then is this that He commands even winds and water and they obey him as from Luke chapter 8 we see the extent of Jesus is divine right and divine power in his sovereignty over Satan and the demons Mark 127. What is this a new teaching with Authority Key commands, even the unclean spirits and they obey him. Yes, they obey him. They obey them then and they obey him now. We see number 5 the extent of Jesus's Authority when we consider that he rules over all Earthly authorities. That's why John calls him and we sang to him that he is the king of kings Revelation 17:14. They will make war on the lamp and the lamb will conquer them for he is the Lord of lords and the King of Kings. Is authority over all Earthly Powers 6. We see the extent of his authority over all disease Luke chapter 7 21 and that our he healed many people of diseases and plags and evil spirits and on many who were blind. He bestowed site. Number 7 we see the extent of Jesus has authority to rule in his sovereignty over the sinful acts of man. Jesus even has authority over our sinful Acts.
John 10:18, no one takes my life from me. But I lay it down of my own accord. He goes to the to the greatest arguably the greatest sin that mankind has ever perpetuated the sinful killing of the Son of God God himself and he says no no one takes my life from me. I lay down on my own accord. I'm starving even over your sinful acts number 80 instead of Jesus Authority is seen in his sovereignty over conversion. John 6:39 and this is the will of him who sent me that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day Jesus is Sovereign. He has authority over convergence of every human being all those who the father gives him. He will raise up. You can talk about your free will to describe it whatever you mean it to be Jesus has authority over the conversion of men and All Those whom the father gives him will be raised up on the last day number 9 instead of Jesus Authority is seen in his triumph over death.
Death is swallowed up in Victory. Oh death. Where is your Victory? Oh death. Where is your Sting? The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law, but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Play 1st Corinthians 15. Jesus is extensive Authority is demonstrated in his victory over death is one of the most powerful and persuasive reasons why Believers have recognized and submitted themselves to the authority of Jesus. As we said God the son was a co-creator of the universe with God the father and God the spirit. He created everything that there is including mankind.
He created mankind men and women to worship God and to live with God. The lettuce recall that the very first human beings rejected the authority. of gods and demonstrated that by sending against him and every human being has demonstrated that rejection of God's Authority by their own soon every human being I sent just like we talked about with the kids every one of us. There is a smart board or a whiteboard or a chalkboard switch records that we are rejectors of the authority of God in our lives.
What's there are less Christ has forgiven in which case it's a race, but we joined Adam and Eve in that rejection. Of God's Authority and so we serve face certain punishment, but God the son. Joined the creation by becoming a man that he might as we talked to the kids about that. He might offer forgiveness and Reconciliation through his death. However, if death had the final say in the punishment for sin remain What would we have? the Forgiveness of sins and then deaf No, the one with all the authority Jesus Christ defeated death in his resurrection and that ensured our Redemption 2 eternal life. The power of Jesus's resurrection is realized in our lives when we repent of those sins and we put our faith and trust in Jesus and recognize that he is the Son of God and we submit ourselves and our lives to his authority as our creator and as our savior.
This is what disciples of Jesus who have recognized and submitted to his authority rejoicing. I mean courage you this morning if you've never submitted your life to the authority of Jesus Christ to do so this morning. By faith and repentance there by receiving forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God and eternal life. Finally number 10. Jesus has absolute Authority and power over the mission of the church and it cannot fail. We sang about the spirit lighting that flame the gospel flame in the creation of the church. Jesus has absolute authority over the church and ensures that is he builds his church. The Gates of Hell will not Prevail against it Matthew 16. This morning as we finished that as we consider the extent of authority of Jesus Christ. Even from that list of 10 which is not exhausted. But in which we see that he has indeed all authority in heaven and in Earth. What impact should I understanding of his authority have in our lives? What effects should it have in the lives of those of us who have recognized and submitted to that Authority. Let me suggest and closing for things. The extensive all-encompassing authority of Jesus Christ should encourage hope-filled prayer. Brothers and sisters when we pray in the name of Jesus. We are praying in the name of one who has infinite power and undeniable right to accomplish all that. He desires to accomplish. We are not asking this of a fallible human being our prayers are not directed to an unidentifiable fate. We are not asking a fictional Idol, we're not bringing our request to a made-up small G. God know we are asking when we pray we are asking the one with all the authority and all power and right on heaven and on Earth our prayers out to be hopeful that we ought to pray often. To the extensive expansive extraordinary authority of Jesus Christ should encourage hope-filled bold evangelism.
Jesus said to Paul on the road to Damascus. I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from Darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are Sanctified by faith in me. Again, this wasn't some ordinary human being suggesting to Paul that you ought to go and do this see how it goes. Paul wasn't depending on fate or good fortune or chance. That somehow these people might come to saving knowledge of Christ. Paul wasn't putting his hope in some block of wood or stone that has been carved to look like something created in and been called The God. No, he heard this from the mouth of the one who has all the power and all the right to do whatever he pleases and he says go and preach and I will turn some of them from Darkness to light. I will move and bring some of them into a place among those who are Sanctified by faith. I will bring forgiveness of sins to them. We ought to pull the evangelizing as we do so have great hope because of the one who has called called us to that number three. It should encourage that. Is it being Jesus extensive Authority? It should encourage our effort to plant churches.
We have had this discussion for a Church of Jesus Christ to be faithful. We must be involved in church planting.
The foundational reason for church planting if you think back to a couple years ago when we did a series on it, it comes from the Great Commission faithfulness to the Great Commission anticipates disciples being made the biblical outcome. We should expect from disciples being made is that churches are being planted. So the faithful making of disciples leads to the outcome of planting churches. This is the biblical pair. This is how it's done and sold eats efforts to plant churches are based on the Great Commission.
In the Great Commission, we just read the opening words to It's the Great Commission is based on what all authority has been given to Jesus Christ all authority on Heaven and Earth has been given to Jesus Christ. So Go Make Disciples baptizing them teaching them to obey as that happens plan churches.
This past Friday. I was able to join with Reese plants and a couple of the elders at our church building on Jacqueline Street the that Lord willing we intend to plant a church in the year from now. And we prayed for that church plant and I got to tell you it was so exciting as we pray to be in that building and made it so real and I was so encouraged this week. And as I came to the preparation of the sermon in the application of it We are planting churches in obedience to the one who has all authority. We are to be encouraged as we do so. The number for itching encourage that is the authority of Jesus the extensive expansive authority of Jesus should encourage our efforts to raise up missionary school. Also evangelizing plant churches around the globe. For the same reason is why we plan churches and I'll tell you why this is on my heart this morning.
We have over the past five or six years. I think made great strides in our efforts to bring Global evangelization in the preaching of the Gospel to all the corners of the Earth in the planting of churches that we have done faithful work. In in raising that idea in our minds and providing opportunities to practically work that out we've seen missionaries. raise. We've seen young adults sense a call to the mission field in their lives and start to work towards that end. and the whole covid-19 has in some ways pulled the rug out from under us. We're not sure what we're going to be able to do this coming year. We're not sure we're going to be able to send a team the Every other year cross conference is not going to be what it usually is because it's going to have to be live stream.
Marcella Kelly aren't sure when they're going to be able to get back to Angola. Mike and Nikki are hoping that this doesn't delay and I'm going out to the mission field. It brings it into question 2 challenges it. But then we were mine ourselves. No, the one who is called us to that. The one we are pursuing in regards to faithfulness for evangelism in church planting on the glow is the one with all of thority. We don't need to be afraid. We don't need to be frustrated. We just need to look to Jesus Christ who has all authority.
Will find a way. Let's pray. Father we thank you for your word. We thank you for Luke's retelling of this episode between Jesus and those men who are aligning themselves against him in which they questioned his authority. And we thank you Father God for Jesus is implied yet clear indication that his authority his right and his power to do what he did was very power. And the very right given to him by God and give it to him as God. I pray father God that you would help us. To be people who recognize and respond appropriately to the one who has all authority. I pray that you would use our interaction with you as our authority to expose our hearts. And to show us where we have opinions feelings thoughts actions that aren't in line.
With the one who has all authority. And I pray father God that you would help us to be people who pray. 3 people who have angeleyes to be people who plant church has to be people who raised up Ministries with boldness and with courage and withhold knowing that we don't do it. Buy our own Direction and we don't do it on our own strength. But rather we do it at the direction and in the strength. Of Jesus Christ the one with all the thority in heaven and in Earth, it's in his name. We pray. Amen.