The Authority of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28: 18-20)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
27 October 2019
Jesus claimed all authority had been given to him. Such a claim is befitting of a madman. But Jesus was not mentally disturbed. He meant what he said and in his life demonstrated his authority.
Consider the authority of Jesus.
He has authority over the church. He commands his disciples to go into the whole world to preach his gospel. He is Lord of the church. Authority resides in him and no one else, be it government, Pope, pastor or priest or any other authority.
He has authority over every human being. Everyone is commanded to repent and through Christ be reconciled to our Creator. The gospel is given to the church to proclaim and people worldwide are commanded to obey it.
Jesus has authority over everything. He said all authority had been given to him. The word all is significant. It can be taken quantitatively, that is, all authorities are under his authority. Or, it may be taken qualitatively, that is, his authority is full and is unlimited.
His authority covers the universe. He said all authority is given to him in heaven and on earth. On earth he rules over everything animate or inanimate. In the spiritual realm he rules over good angels, fallen angels and the devil, who is Satan.
Christ thus spoke to his disciples of his authority. But Christ is no longer with us in the flesh. How then is his authority seen today, that is, after his ascension how is his authority discerned?
This question brings us to consider the Protestant Reformation which we commemorate today being Reformation Sunday.
Martin Luther submitted to the sole authority of Jesus Christ. But how did he come to this position? It was through the scriptures and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Christ was no longer here but Luther recognised Christ's authority by study of the Bible and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Luther sparked off the Protestant Reformation. The issue he wrestled with was how he could find peace with God. Was it through works as taught by his church the Roman Catholic Church or was it through having faith alone in Christ? Who has the final say? Was it the Pope and Roman Catholic tradition or was it the Bible alone? Luther stood for the sole authority of the Bible. For Luther, and for us who commemorate the Reformation, the Bible is the sole authority in matters of faith.
The authority of Jesus Christ has been the object of attack all through the ages.
In the Garden of Eden the serpent came to Eve and said "Has God indeed said ... ?" (Genesis 3:1). The devil sought to set up another authority beside the Lord’s — his own!
From the dawn of creation until now the devil has assailed the authority of Jesus Christ. Crucially, we note that the last words in the Bible (Revelation 22:18-20) warn us of people who add to or take away from God's prophetic word. They shall be judged. Their efforts are tantamount to the recognition of alternative authorities. This is what the devil did. This is what people do today.
All authority has been given to Jesus Christ. He humbled himself even to death. He was raised from the dead and rules with all authority. This conferring of authority is the rightful reward for Jesus.
Recognise the authority of Jesus. Follow him and no one else. This is what we should do. All glory to Jesus.