"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

He Taught As One Having Authority (7:28-29)

INTRODUCTION
  1. During His earthly ministry, Jesus astonished the people with His teaching...
    1. He astonished them in the synagogues - Mk 1:21-22; 6:2
    2. They were astonished by His sermon on the mount - Mt 7:28-29
  2. What impressed the people was that "He taught as one having authority"
    1. Unlike the scribes, who simply interpreted the Law
    2. Jesus spoke as One had the right to make the law!
      1. E.g., "But I say to you...But I tell you..." - Mt 5:22,28,32, 34,39,44
      2. E.g., "Take heed...You shall not be...Do not..." - Mt 6:1,2,5, 8,19,25
  3. The question might be raised, "Did Jesus have the authority to speak this way?"
    1. He may have taught with authority, but was it His to do so?
    2. Should we, who read that which He taught, give heed to obey what He said?
  4. At a time when many do not heed the words of Jesus...
    1. Not only those in the world
    2. But, sadly, even many who profess Him to be Lord ...the authority of Jesus needs to be recognized and followed by all, but especially by those who claim to be His disciples

[In this study, we shall review the authority that Jesus has, beginning with...]

  1. THE INHERENT RIGHT OF JESUS' AUTHORITY
    1. BY VIRTUE OF BEING THE CREATOR...
      1. All things were made through Him - Jn 1:1-3; He 1:2
      2. All things were made by Him and for Him - Col 1:16
      -- As Creator, Jesus has the authority to expect and demand whatever He desires of His creation
    2. BY VIRTUE OF BEING THE HEIR...
      1. As prophesied, Jesus would be given all things - Ps 2:8
      2. As the Son, Jesus has been appointed heir of all things - He 1:2
      -- As the Heir, Jesus has authority over that which has been given Him
    3. BY VIRTUE OF BEING THE REDEEMER...
      1. Jesus has redeemed us from our sins - 1Pe 1:18-19
      2. This He has done with His own blood - Ep 1:7; Ac 20:28
      -- As our Redeemer, He certainly has authority over those who have been purchased by His blood!

    [As Creator, Heir, and Redeemer, Jesus has both the inherent right and the earned right to speak with authority. Dare we living today not recognize such authority? Consider others who gave voice to...]

  2. THE RECOGNITION OF JESUS' AUTHORITY
    1. HE WAS WORSHIPPED BY ANGELS...
      1. When He came into the world - He 1:6
      2. As He sat on the throne of God - Re 5:11-12
      -- Angels deemed Him worthy to receive power (authority)
    2. HE WAS RECOGNIZED BY DEMONS...
      1. They acknowledged He had the authority to destroy them - Mk 1:23-24
      2. They obeyed His rebuke - Mk 1:25-26
      -- Demons, even when possessing power of their own, could not resist His authority
    3. HE WAS PRAISED BY THE REDEEMED...
      1. Those before the throne and the Lamb ascribed salvation to God and the Lamb - Re 7:9-10
      2. Even as John praised Him for having authority over the kings of the earth - Re 1:5
      -- If we are among the redeemed, should we not also recognize His authority?

    [Finally, let's note...]

  3. THE EXTENT OF JESUS' AUTHORITY
    1. HE HAS ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH...
      1. As announced by Him prior to His ascension - Mt 28:18
      2. As received when He ascended to sit at God's right hand - Ep 1:20-22; 1Pe 3:22
      3. Including ruling over the kings of the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords - Re 1:5; 1Ti 6:14-15
    2. HE IS HEAD OVER THE CHURCH...
      1. He is the head of the body, the church - Col 1:18
      2. Even as He is the savior of the body - Ep 5:23
      3. As the Head, He has delegated His authority to His apostles
        1. Promising His Spirit to guide them into all the truth - Jn 16:12-13
        2. Commanding them to teach others to observe all that He commanded - Mt 28:20
        3. Proclaiming that whoever receives them, receives Him - Jn 13:20
CONCLUSION
  1. As revealed in the New Testament, Jesus clearly has all authority...
    1. Which must be confessed in order to be saved - Ro 10:9; Php 2:9-11
    2. Which will be confessed at the Judgment - Ro 14:10-12
  2. The key issue, then, is what we do in light of this authority...
    1. Will we listen to Jesus and heed Him who speaks with such authority?
    2. Will we as His church allow His apostles to lead and guide us through the authority delegated to them?

Those willing to accept Jesus as Lord, will do what He says (cf. Lk 6:46); as prophesied by David, they will freely volunteer in the day of His power (Ps 110:1-3). May we all honor and accept the authority of Jesus Christ!