
Rejected Authority
Pastor Malcolm
Matthew 21:23-32
May 5, 2019
What is Authority Anyway?
Authority is the
Authority is typically
- police officer has authority from the county, the county has authority from the state, the state has authority from the federal government, and the federal government from God
Jesus’ authority is
- (7:29, 9:6, 9:8, 10:1, 28:18) – Religious leaders would appeal to one another for authority
Authoritative Challenge
- The religious leaders ask not from
, but from and - John the Baptist’s authority was like Jesus’ –
God and by people - The religious leaders’ discussion is not
but motivated - Jesus’ response calls attention to their
to take an authoritative stand
Illustration – A Parable of Two Sons
- Son 1:
leading to … like the tax collectors and prostitutes - Son 2:
masking … like the religious leaders - Point: What counts is not
but … proof of root is in the fruit
Applications for Our Lives:
- What has authority in your life -
and ? Or to Jesus? - Is your
of faith accompanied by and a new life? (respectable sins) - The religious leaders still have opportunity to change their ways… and so do you (today is the day of salvation)