Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Saturday, February 14, 2004
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My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, thank you for this past six weeks of focusing on authority. I pray that as we move on as a church to other matters, that You will keep in our hearts the need to obey You first, and then to show respect for every appropriate authority, established by You on earth. Give us the courage to stand up for what is right, even when it means challenging human authority, and also the courage to do what is right when it means supporting human authority. Glorify Yourself in my life today and always, but filling me with the Holy Spirit, and giving me the grace to live under Your authority. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word Today
Romans 13:1-7
1Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. 2So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. 3For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well. 4The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong. 5So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience.
6Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid so they can keep on doing the work God intended them to do. 7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due.
Thoughts...Authority
As we draw our six-week emphasis on authority to a close let’s review a bit of what we’ve considered: God is the ULTIMATE authority. Every other authority on this planet is derived from or delegated by God. When we put God first in our lives, our understanding of authority will be immeasurably enhanced.
Authority and power are related, but quite different. Authority is the ability to get others to do what you want, because they know what you are asking is right and legitimate. Power is the ability to get others to do what you want regardless of whether they are willing or not. Thus, God has both authority AND power. God is good because He exercises His power only for human good, not for His own aggrandizement. (After all, when you are God, it isn’t really necessary to try to prove anything, is it?)
The Bible is God’s word to us, and it is the final authority for all matters of faith and daily living. When we remember that many of life’s difficulties are no longer so difficult. We don’t have to wonder what God will is for 99% of what is presented to us in life, because His word addresses it. For the other 1% we must rely on His authority, and trust that He will reveal to us what His will is. Let’s take a practical example. Is it God’s will for any person to live in a relationship of “mutual love and affection” with another person of the same sex? Our culture is increasingly saying, “Yes,” to that question, but the Bible makes it clear that the answer is, “No.” That doesn’t make Christians “homophobes,” or extremists. It makes us people who rely on ultimate truth, and absolute moral truth to guide our lives, rather than popular opinion and feelings. So much of our culture’s confusion over moral issues is resolved when God’s word is our final authority.
When we moved to God’s authority in the church, we recognized that God does delegate His authority to leaders in the church. They don’t exercise power. They don’t seek to elevate themselves, but rather they exercise authority, and to do as Jesus did: SERVE others first. We didn’t address the matter of who may be a church leader regarding gender, age, and other matters. Some who take the Bible seriously, believe that women may not serve in leadership. At New Life we see all the New Testament Scriptures affirming women in leaders as an affirmation that Jesus’ new covenant has brought changes in that area. Euodia and Syntyche served alongside Paul as fellow-workers. Lydia led a church in her home. Paul admonished women who prophesied in church to cover their heads (which was a cultural consideration—since those who didn’t wear head coverings were prostitutes.). The New Testament also did away with age restrictions for leadership. The “Elders” of the Old Testament were truly OLD. The Apostle Paul reminded Timothy to let no one look down upon him because of his youth. Thus, we find that church leadership is based on God’s call and gifting in folks lives rather than gender or age.
Next we considered authority in the family—between husbands and wives, and parents and children. God has ordered the family as the basic authority unit in every community. His intentions are that family members live out their lives in mutual submission, love and respect. When that happens the family thrives, the community thrives, the nation thrives…..you get the idea! That the family is disintegrating in America today is a grave concern for the acceptance and advance of appropriate authority. Each of us can do something about that, by giving our best to our families.
Finally, this week we have considered governing authorities. The most important truth concerning these is that God has established them, and we are called to pray for them! When governing authorities are bad, we need to put God first, but we are still called to pray for them and work for change.
Authority is so vital, because as we receive and exercise it, we show others God’s place in our lives!