Series: All!

Jesus has all authority,

So that all nations

Might pledge all allegiance to him.

Title: “Where does Jesus Christ’s Authority come from?”

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-46

Bottom line: Jesus gets ALL authority from God the Father who makes him Lord of all. Therefore, the only appropriate response is to gladly submit to him in ALL things—especially in the building of His Kingdom.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

SERMON OUTLINE & NOTES

MAIN REFERENCES USED

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discussion questions for group and personal study. Reflect and Discuss:

1. Define submission in your own words.

2. What current ideas or popular philosophies in our culture reject the idea of submission?

3. How would you counsel someone who rejected God's authority because of bad experiences with authority figures?

4. How does the fear of man result in rejecting Christ's authority? Describe how you've seen this play out in someone's life.

5. How might Matthew 21:28-32 be an indictment on nominal Christians, that is, those who profess Christ but do not truly know Him?

6. How would you summarize the warning in the parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22:1-14?

7. What were the underlying motives of those who questioned Jesus in Matthew 22:16-40?

8. What is at the root of all rejection of Jesus? (Hint: Read John 3:19-21.)

9. Explain why Jesus' question in Matthew 22:41-16 would have been perplexing to these Jewish leaders.

10. How would you respond to someone who said they rejected the authority of God's Word but they loved Jesus?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

OUTLINE & NOTES

Introduction

Jesus is living out his last 8 days in front of us as we head to the end of the book of Matthew.

Keep in mind that Jesus is now letting it become known that he’s the Messiah and King of Israel. He’s no longer trying to keep this a secret.

Jesus gets questioned by the chief Jewish priests and the elders of the people where he gets his authority. This isn’t an unreasonable question, actually. After all, Jesus has

Entered Jerusalem as the coming Messiah King of Israel and did not refuse the messianic praises he received.

Entered the temple and cleared (cursed?) it.

Entered the temple and taught in it.

So to question where he gets his authority is a reasonable even responsible question for them to ask. After all, they are responsible for what happens in the temple courts.

And it’s good to remember that all authority comes from someone unless that someone is God himself. Jesus will say his authority comes from God the Father.

And he’ll then show them the implications of his authority. To not acknowledge it and gladly submit to it in life is to go the way of these ungodly religious leaders. That is to be rejected by God.

Story/Illustration: Lighthouse v Battleship

The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message” “Alter your course 10 degrees south.”

Promptly a return message was received: “Alter your course 10 degrees north.”

The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: “Alter your course 10 degrees south—I am the captain!”

Soon another message was received: Alter your course 10 degrees north—I am seaman third class Jones.”

Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: “Alter your course 10 degrees south—I am a battleship.”

Then the reply came “Alter your course 10 degrees north—I am a lighthouse.”

In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest—something almost absurd.

But the voice happens to be the Light of the World, and we ignore it at our peril. —Paul Aiello, Jr. 

Bottom line: Jesus gets ALL authority from God the Father who makes him Lord of all. Therefore, the only appropriate response is to gladly submit to him in ALL things—especially in the building of His Kingdom.

Outline

I. Jesus’ Authority Questioned: Matthew 21:23-27

Q. What do I want you to know?

A. Jesus’ authority comes from his Father.

Q. Why do I want you to know?

A. Because there is no other authority worthy to be submitted to, ultimately.

Q. What do I want you to do?

A. Recognize Jesus’ authority from the Father and gladly submit to him.

Q. Why do I want you to do this?

A. So that you will reap the blessings and miss the wrath.

How? Pray with repentant faith now, early and often.

II. Parable of the 2 Sons

21:28-32

Q. What do I want you to know?

A. Israel’s leaders (and many Jews) did not repent and believe thus rejecting Jesus as Messiah.

Q. Why do I want you to know this?

A. Because there are grave consequences for not submitting to his authority.

Q. What do I want you to do?

A. Trust, obey and follow Jesus like the sinners did—though they said no to his words, ways and works initially, they eventually repented and believed.

How? Pray for God to open your eyes, trust, and follow him today.

III. Parable of the Tenants

21:33-46

Q. What do I want you to know?

A. Israel rejected God the Father (prophets), God the son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit (at Stephen’s stoning).

God is a stone/rock in scripture.

To Israel, a stumbling block.

To Church, a cornerstone and foundation.

To Gentile kingdoms at end of age, smiting stone.

Q. Why?

A. So that we don’t make the same mistake.

Q. What do I want them to do?

A. Build your life on the rock that doesn’t roll or be crushed by him. Because the consequences are great!

How? Pray, repent and believe that King Jesus deserves all your allegiance.

Conclusion

“You are more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe. But more accepted and loved than you ever dared hope.” -Tim Keller

A missionary to Africa told someone, “When we want to share the gospel in a village in Africa, we don't send them books. We send them a Christian family.”

Why is it better to send the family than some books? It’s certainly cheaper. Seems more efficient. But this experienced missionary understood that the Christian life lived like Jesus would demonstrate what glad submission to God would look like. The gospel wouldn’t just be taught but caught.

Bottom line: Jesus gets ALL authority from God the Father who makes him Lord of all. Therefore, the only appropriate response is to gladly submit to him in ALL things—especially in the building of His Kingdom.

One true story that illustrates the authority of God involves a man named Louis Zamperini, who was a former Olympic runner and a prisoner of war during World War II. After his plane crashed into the ocean, Zamperini survived for over 47 days on a raft in shark-infested waters before being captured by the Japanese and taken to a prison camp.

Despite facing torture, starvation, and daily beatings, Zamperini never lost his faith in God and continued to pray for strength and guidance. He even forgave his captors and used his influence to help his fellow prisoners. Eventually, Zamperini was released from the prison camp and went on to live a long and fulfilling life, crediting his survival and resilience to the authority of God.

This true story shows how the authority of God can help people to endure and overcome unimaginable challenges. Even in the darkest of times, God's authority can provide people with the hope, courage, and strength they need to persevere and thrive. The true story of Louis Zamperini is a testament to the power of faith in the face of adversity.

The Umbrella of Authority

Each of us has a decision to make . Will we gladly step under the umbrella of God’s good authority? Or will we step out from under it and be pelted by the world and evil as we resist God’s commands? Grace and mercy are provided while we humbly remain underneath. God’s justice is poured out on those who step out from under it. Where are you standing right now?

Will you come underneath and obey God’s commands to build his kingdom?

God has shown us how to gladly submit to him all our days. Will you?

Let’s pray

NOTES

DSO notes, 21:23-37

“So Jesus turns the tables on them again, saying in essence, ‘If you’re not capable enough to judge John the Baptist as Heaven-sent, then you are certainly not capable to judge me.’” P. 613

“You see, what John said about Jesus was the answer the their question. (That’s what Jesus is getting at here.) And what did John say?” P. 614

So there’s the answer to their question (through J the B) and 3 parables illustrating this answer using 2 themes: faith and judgment. P. 614-615

“With great authority Jesus teaches these authorities about his authority.” P. 615

2 Lessons here:

“The gates to God’s kingdom open wide to the bluntly ungodly if they repent, but not a crack for the precisely orthodox if they do not.”

“Show me your faith.” “To Jesus, one is not saved by talk alone…but by faith alone (“believe” 3x), a faith that is never alone (a faith that obeys the word/will/voice of God)—To Jesus, verbal faith is not saving faith; a doing faith is saving faith.” P. 616

21:33-41

Second parable—“Jesus gives a condensed symbolic (or allegorical) version of salvation history.” P. 617

2 Lessons:

“God is patient; God is just.”

“God will judge those who don’t accept his Son.”

“God is patient; God is just. Don’t try his patience; trust his Son.” P. 619

So, “by what authority?”

Everyone of us should ask this question.

Here’s the answer: “By God’s authority. I am the Son he sent.”

Here’s the answer: “God did. I am the stone he set in place. By God’s authority I am the Son, and I am the Stone.” P. 620

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB)