Authority - Ps Gus Urban

Welcome to Logan City Christian Church Podcast, where we bring God's Word to you weekly.

We pray what you hear will bring clarity to your situation and open doors in your life.

Enjoy the message.

For the people that have been water baptized this morning and congratulations to everyone,

it is awesome.

I would love to encourage you this morning to seek the Lord, Lord what have you put me

here on earth to do?

Because no one is a mistake that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the eyes of God.

And that when he formed us and he breathed his life into us and we became a living human

being, in the breath of God was purpose.

And so for others here that you may have fallen away from the Lord, you have a call of God

on your life.

And in this call the things of the world cannot give you satisfaction.

You will never reach what your heart is longing for.

Hallelujah.

My heart, seek the Lord, find out what he wants you to do.

And in that there is great purpose.

You will never feel lost.

You will never feel alone.

In him we have everything, amen.

Okay.

This morning I want to speak on authority.

And we are going to look at the life of Jesus this morning with authority.

And we always see Jesus as a man that had great authority, which he absolutely did.

I personally believe that there wasn't a person on the face of the earth that had greater

authority than what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ had.

But this morning here I want to have a look at the reason why Christ possessed that authority.

And we are going to start with reading in Matthew chapter 8 verses 5 to 13.

Matthew 8:5–13

Verse 5 says,

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, saying, Lord,

my servant is lying at home, paralysed, dreadfully tormented.

And Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof,

but only speak a word and my servant will be healed.

For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me.

And I say to this one, go and he goes, and to another come and he comes.

And to my servant, do this, and he does it.

When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed,

Surely I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.

And I say to you that many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac

and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And Jesus said to the centurion, go your way, and as you have believed, so let it be done

for you.

And his servant was healed that same hour.

The centurion says something, one thing that when I was studying this the other day, I

actually never saw it the way it's actually written.

And he says this in verse 9, For I also am a man under authority.

Did you notice he didn't say I also am a man with authority?

Even though the centurion did have authority.

See, he says to Jesus, when I say to my servants, go and he goes and come and I come and do

this and he does it.

He knows that he has an authority to command people.

But the words of the centurion, which I finally understood, which changed the way I perceive

authority, is he says, I see that you are a man under authority.

Now in the Greek, let me read this word out if I can, is hu-po exusia.

Now we know exusia, the Greek word exusia means authority, like an authority that we

exercise and we see the fruit of it.

But hu-po means under, and that's where we get that word hypo.

Has anyone had a hypo before of anything?

Yeah, like where we, our blood sugar level is too low, we're under our normal sugar level,

whatever it may be.

And so the word this man actually used when he was talking to Jesus is that I am a man

under authority.

Now the centurion wasn't a ruler of his own, he was subject to another.

And because he was subject to another, that that person that was above him, people saw

knowing, looking at, hey this is a centurion, that if I mess with this guy, even if I say

overrule him or defeat him or fight him or kill him, whatever, I have a higher power

that I now face than this man.

And so when the centurion come to Jesus and he said, I see that you, Jesus, are a man

under authority, I believe that the centurion, when he saw the miracles of Jesus and when

Jesus spoke that there was such authority in what he said, he recognized that here is

a man that is subject to someone greater than himself.

See in verse 10, Jesus marvels at the statement of the centurion which was, Lord just speak

the word and my servant will be healed.

And then Jesus marvels saying, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.

Now putting this together and understanding that a centurion, the man understanding authority

and knows that when a man or a woman is under authority, they have power to exercise it.

And so when he comes to Jesus and sees the authority of Jesus and understand knowing

what authority really is, that he can make a statement of such great faith saying, Lord

just speak the word and my servant will be healed.

See I believe many people at that time only perceived Jesus with miracles.

Well he's a man of miracles and maybe others might have recognized Jesus of a person that

can preach and have an authority in their sermon like no other else has before, like

we read in the scripture.

That no other man speaks with authority like this man.

But there's only one man that we read, a centurion that understood authority.

Now today in our society it's such a shame when we see on the news and in schools and

in families and all these things such a rebellion against authority.

It's everywhere now.

See I remember my parents telling me that if you were out riding your bike in the street

and you were doing something wrong, a stranger had the authority to kick you up the backside

and tell you not to do it again.

True?

That used to be Australia.

And there was a lot of good in that.

Yeah I'm saying there was because I didn't experience that.

It's sort of like now we look at schools where kids can throw tantrums, chuck chairs at teachers,

hit and punch and scream and carry on and no one is allowed to do anything.

It's a shame to see, I mean I've got three kids that are in school and I would love to

see the cane be brought back into school because those kids that kick and scream and punch

and throw things would soon realise there is one higher in authority than myself.

It wouldn't take very long to sort out the school system.

Now I say that because I've left school.

Once again if we go back 15 years I'd be like Lord just wait, just bring it in, I've got

a few more years left, let me graduate and then we can bring it in.

But church these are simple truths of authority.

That when true authority is in a family, in a school system, in politics, in a church,

in any type of ministry there is godly order.

There are so many things that naturally come into alignment where we don't have to keep

putting out fires that should never be there.

And unfortunately we see that this great nation of Australia that was founded as a Christian

nation is leaving the principles of God, leaving the principles of godly authority.

That those who have maybe had an education or as a teacher or become a police officer

or a parent that we see that that authority is being challenged and being pulled down.

And when we see that something that God has established be pulled down we can only expect

darkness.

Hallelujah.

See John chapter 5, I won't turn that I'll just quickly read it, I've got it down.

John 5 · chapter mention

Jesus was a man under authority, under.

He wasn't the authority when he was on earth, Jesus was under authority.

And he says this in John chapter 5, 19 and 20, then Jesus answered and said them, most

John 5 · chapter mention

assuredly I say to you, the son can do nothing of what?

Himself.

But what he sees the father do, for whatever he does the son also does in like manner.

Isn't it amazing that going back to the centurion, that he was the only one that understood that

Jesus is operating under the authority of a higher power.

See people in the people of Israel at that time questioned the authority of Jesus, but

what authority do you do these miracles?

And then he had to go in and explain himself and they didn't want to answer it, it's crazy

how the people that were meant to be the people of God at that time always rebelled against

the authority of Christ.

And returned they couldn't see that the very one that they apparently worshipped they were

rebelling against.

Yet this man saw that Jesus didn't operate under his own authority.

See Jesus, let me say it this way, Jesus didn't wake up and sort of decide well I wonder what

I'm going to do today, I feel like going down to the sea of Galilee.

He didn't wake up and go well I've got nothing in my diary for the next week, maybe I might

go down to Jerusalem and hold a crusade.

He never decided.

As we read in John he said most assuredly I say to you the son can do nothing of himself

but what he sees the Father do.

In our church nothing has changed even up until this day.

See in Luke 7 we see the same account with the centurion and it's the same Greek word,

the centurion says the same thing in both gospels saying that Lord I see you as a man

under authority.

Now if there's really anything I would ask us to grab this morning is this, power is

given when under authority.

Let me say it again, for everyone that's a born again believer, that's a minister of

the gospel, that does something for the Lord somehow, that might be a police officer, that

might be a school teacher, whatever, it is power is given when under authority.

Now we see that today, well let me slow down and stick to my notes because there's so many

things I want to say, forgive me.

Luke 10, let's quickly turn there, Luke 10, we're going to read from verse 1.

Luke 10 verse 1, after these things the Lord appointed seventy others also and sent them

Luke 10:1

two by two before his face into every city and place where he himself was about to go.

And he said to them, the harvest truly is great but the labourers are few, therefore

pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.

Verse 3 says go your way, behold I send you out as lambs among wolves.

Verse 4, carry neither money bag, knapsack nor sandals and greet no one along the road,

but whatever house you enter first say peace to this house and if a son of peace is there

your peace will rest on it, if not it will return to you and remain in the same house

eating and drinking such things as they give for the labourer is worthy of his wages.

Do not go from house to house, whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat such things

as are set before you and heal the sick there and say to them the kingdom of God has come

near to you.

Let's stop there.

We see that Jesus appointed seventy, we know the story really really well, that Jesus appointed

seventy people to send them out and prepare the way of the Lord, go into the cities where

I am about to go and he says you know go heal the sick, right, go preach to them the kingdom

of God.

But the one thing that we never really take note of is from verse 4 and on, Jesus commands

those seventy of there are certain ways you must act and do while you are doing my work.

See he didn't just say go out and just preach and whatever you want to do just go for it,

whatever you feel the Holy Spirit is telling you to do just do it, just go and whatever

happens happens.

Now Jesus equipped these people but he also exercised his authority over them saying when

you go into these cities this is what you are to do.

Do you know in ministry one of the things that I have found out and you will find out

really quick is preaching a sermon or ministering to people isn't based on what I think is right

or what I want to do.

Is that we are servants of God that there are times where I know I have to get this

right that Lord what are you speaking to me?

What am I to do Lord?

What is it that you have for me?

Lord I would love to stay home today but God I know you are calling me to minister to this

person that as ministers and children of God we really are to override what our flesh really

wants to dictate sometimes or what our mind thinks.

I realise that I am under a greater authority that I am a servant to God, I am a servant

to his people and that because I am under the authority of Christ is that there is a

lifestyle I need to live.

And I believe as we look throughout the church worldwide that there are many ministers that

sort of feel like that the Ten Commandments are more like the Ten Suggestions.

Which once again the authority of God, the authority of Christ is that if you and I truly

want to operate in the power and the authority of heaven just like Jesus says we shall possess

it comes from submission.

That the word of God says submit to God, resist the devil and he shall flee from you.

But it all starts with submit.

See we could chop out that part and just say resist the devil, stand against the devil

and he will flee from you but with what authority?

And that's why submit to God is so important that when you and I truly submit under the

authority of God it is like an empowerment, a protection just like in Job that we read

how Satan comes to God and accuses Job saying have you not put a hedge of protection around

about him?

In other words the devil is saying God I want to get him but it's because of your protection

that I can't go near him.

Later on we read in Job well at the start of Job it actually says that Job was a righteous

man who feared God and shunned evil.

In other words there's a man that is prospering that had more than anyone else that was considered

one of the best in his city and in the land yet he wasn't the man he never saw himself

as someone great he saw himself as someone under God.

Hallelujah.

See for me let me personalise this for you that as a believer when I myself personally

am under the authority of Christ I have this confidence knowing that every time Satan comes

against me he's coming against Christ because I'm under his authority.

That as a husband and a father the Bible says that for me as head of the home that I am

under the authority of Christ that whoop-o-exusia that I have placed myself under the authority

of Christ.

That when as the scripture says that I love my wife the same way that Christ loves the

church that I don't abuse her I don't speak evil of her but I honour her as the week of

Essel as the Bible says is that I've chosen to obey God's word and allow his principles

to live and reign not just in my life but as the head of the home that there becomes

that covering over my family.

See when I place my finances under the authority of God that I tithe that I give offerings

and that I choose to give to missions as the Lord has put on the hearts of both my wife

and I I know that whenever a bill comes that I cannot pay Lord it's up to you to meet my

needs that he shall meet my all of my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ

Jesus why because my finances are subject they're under authority Lord I've honoured

you with my finances I don't have to worry.

As a pastor I'm subject under the authority of Christ once again it's that Greek word

the same Greek word that the centurion used that he saw in Christ that he says I also

am a man under authority that we understand as pastors like I grew up listening to my

father say this that the senior pastor of this church is Jesus Christ why because he

calls the shots not us we simply hear and obey we do we are subject Lord you are the

senior pastor of this church and when you are the senior pastor when you decide what

we are to do we can only expect to walk in your will and your way and see blessings and

favour upon your church upon this church upon every family that is represented in this church

upon every marriage that when Christ is honoured and placed on the throne where he belongs

we have nothing to fear there may be times where life gets rough but he's in control

and just the same way that Jesus calmed the storm just the same way that he healed lepers

just the same way that he cast out demons we have that same power because we are under

the authority of Christ.

Hallelujah see in Revelation chapter 3 I've got two scriptures to go it's almost time

Revelation 3 · chapter mention

to finish but in Revelation chapter 3 we were here I believe last week or the week before

Revelation 3 · chapter mention

with the Laodicean church and the church of Philadelphia.

Now I've read this many many many times but now looking through the lens of authority

for me it painted it a picture once again that I'd never seen before.

I might read from verse 7 and to the angel of the church of Philadelphia right these

things says he who is holy he who is true he who has the key of David he who opens and

no one shuts and shuts and no one opens.

Isn't Christ amazing?

Jesus says this to the church of Philadelphia in verse 8 I know your works see that's an

incredible statement I know your works.

Jesus we have to understand that God has his plan and we are either following the plan

of God the will of God or we're not.

We are either abiding in the vine or we're not.

We're either walking in love or we're not.

Jesus says I know your works see I have set before you an open door and no one can shut

it.

No one and it's not because they're amazing people that have endless knowledge or pray

20 hours every day because then he goes on to say for you have a little strength.

Not because you're the apostle Paul not because you can revise the whole scripture but you

have a little strength.

Have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Here's a people that are just truly submitted under the authority of God knowing that when

they gather together we don't have much.

The persecution out there is great.

The martyrs are being stacked up one after the other that those who are being persecuted

and killed for their faith is getting greater and greater.

But Lord regardless of what is happening to us your call on our life is greater and we're

not going to forsake it we're not going to leave we're going to stay surrendered under

your authority.

That as your church what you've called us to do is greater than what we feel or fear

or worry about.

And this is why Jesus can say these powerful words I know your works see I have set before

you an open door which no one can shut.

Not because of who they are but of who Christ is in them.

Because this is a church that is surrendered under the authority of God.

I can picture families that might have been pulled apart that were in the Philadelphia

church where mum and dad have been split apart and put in prison and their kids are now orphans

but they are a people that are surrendered that will never deny the faith that they have

in Christ Jesus.

Never but then we go on to the lukewarm church in verse 15 and 18.

Jesus says once again I know your works.

God is all seeing all knowing He knows He sees He hears He understands.

We can deceive any human being on the face of the earth we can't deceive God.

And Jesus says to the Laodicean church I know your works that you are neither cold nor hot

I could wish you were cold or hot.

So then because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot I will vomit you out of my mouth.

Because you say I am rich have become wealthy and have need of nothing and do not know that

you are wretched miserable poor blind and naked.

Verse 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire that you may be rich and

white garments that you may be clothed the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed

and anoint your eyes with eyesalve that you may see.

See when Jesus tells them He says I counsel you to buy from me gold refined I had a look

at that word and what it actually means is this Jesus wanted to get together with those

people just like when people plan something out together keeping let me read this I need

to read this keeping to their pre-set goals.

In other words Jesus is coming to the Laodicean church and He is saying them I want to counsel

you let me speak some wisdom into your lives because where you are now is not where you

originally started where you are now and what you were doing what you think is right is

not my plan for your life.

In other words here is a church that has actually left the call of God the very plan and purpose

that God have put the church on the face of the earth to do they have found another thing

to be occupied with and we read it when He says that well we have become rich and we

have everything that we need and Jesus brings to their attention no you have totally lost

it.

Now why is that how can a church leave the call of God authority?

See in Luke Jesus talks about that He really talks about the cost of discipleship and we

read there where people say Lord I will follow you wherever you go and then someone else

says Lord I will follow you just let me bury my father and Lord I will follow you but just

let me say goodbye Lord I will but Lord the church I believe today is filled with people

now I am not saying this church but it is common to see where a born again believer

can say I will accept you as my saviour but not my Lord.

What that means is a person says I want to go to heaven but I just want to do what I

want to do while I am here on earth and it is a dangerous thing.

See being under the authority of God is such a blessing there is peace there is joy there

is provision there is everything that you and I need.

God never established authority to be bossy He established authority so that we would

never lack that He is the creator of the world everything that you and I face in life He

can overcome.

I will finish on this.

Remember how we started with Jesus was under authority.

In Matthew 3 we read where Jesus came to John to be baptised and John the Baptist didn't

want to baptise him saying I am the one that should be baptised by you.

Jesus with all humility and under authority understood that I am to fulfil all righteousness

and I am not just here to do what I want.

In Matthew 4 after he was baptised by John it says that he was led by the spirit into

fasting and prayer in the wilderness to be tempted by Satan for 40 days 40 nights.

Jesus didn't get baptised and anointed to go out and start a healing ministry but to

be led by the Holy Spirit into whatever the Holy Spirit wanted him to do.

In John 5 we see that Jesus was totally under the authority of God.

The last one in Luke 22 is the one I want to finish on.

It says in Luke 22 that when Jesus came to the end of his ministry the end of his time

on earth that he knew he was about to be betrayed and that he was in the garden praying.

Let me just turn there I feel to read it.

Luke 22, Luke 22 39 44 and it says this coming out he went to the mount of olives as was

his custom and his disciples also followed him.

When he came to the place he said to them pray that you may not enter into temptation

and he was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw and he knelt down and prayed saying

father if it is your will to take this cup away from me nevertheless not my will but

yours be done.

When an angel appeared to him from heaven strengthening him and being in agony he prayed

more earnestly then his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

See Jesus was under the authority of God unto death.

He says father if it is your will take this cup away from me in other words what I'm about

to face I do not want to go through with it.

I don't have what it takes.

Whether it was fear doubt or worry I don't know but he was obedient unto death.

See that obedience that Christ had brought us the amazing gift of salvation that we are

all here today as born again believers children of the living God our sins washed away and

we are a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Our old life is totally gone and we are living in a new life today because of one man's obedience.

And I remember the night I was born again that all darkness was washed away by his blood

and I felt totally clean and totally new and I knew that salvation was powerful it was

magnificent it set me free from darkness and it had transformed my life and God had placed

his spirit in me to live for him to tell others about what God has done in my life and this

morning if you are here and you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior that you may

once walked with him and have fallen away I want to give you an invitation this morning

to come up and receive the precious gift that God has given to us his son.

But if you know you are not right with God I want to invite you to come right now just

walk out the front and I'm going to pray with you I'm going to pray a prayer similar to

what I prayed where God transformed my life I became a child of God.

Hallelujah so if this is you come to the front right now if you have a prayer request and

want prayer for anything else it doesn't have to be that just come forward and we're going

to pray but my heart this morning if you don't know God or you once did and you are not right

with him please come forward now and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior amen.

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see you next week.