Subject: Authority - What God Says Matters
By Rick Welborne
Proverbs 22:28 (NIV)
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.
--I believe most of us would agree that we would have never dreamed we would see such an increase in lawlessness and corruption in the United States of America.
--Where are the boundaries a man would trespass over, and where is the willingness to just do what is right in the eyes of God and in the law of the land.
Isaiah 5:20-24 (NLT)
20 What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.
22 What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold.
23 They take bribes to let the wicked go free, and they punish the innocent.
24 Therefore, just as fire licks up stubble and dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will rot and their flowers wither. For they have rejected the law of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies; they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
20 What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.
22 What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold.
23 They take bribes to let the wicked go free, and they punish the innocent.
24 Therefore, just as fire licks up stubble and dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will rot and their flowers wither. For they have rejected the law of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies; they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
--Hopefully all of our hearts have been broken as we have watched cities burn and watched people lose what they have given their whole lives for in places like Philadelphia and Ferguson.
--I hope that all of us have been praying for our law enforcement officers who have to walk into those situations to protect protestors and citizens alike. Much of their authority has been taken away. The shooting in Dallas.
--As I thought and as I prayed about how to present such a time sensitive message as this, I believe God began to speak to me about boundaries and authority.
--I absolutely believe that black lives matter but they do not matter just when there is a police officer involved, they matter when hundreds of them are being killed by other blacks or by gangs. Look at Chicago. Accident with the Cruz family here. Believe me, they matter!
--There have been more young black men killed in Chicago in the last eight years than soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq in the same time period. Does their lives matter? To God they matter and to us. To me!
--I pray for the A/G churches there and other churches that God will help them to reach out to the young people in the city and see a mighty revival come that changes everything. Pastor, put your money where your mouth is.
--We do, one of the home missionaries we support is in the inner city of Chicago and has been there for probably thirty years…we have supported him for twenty years and he is black.
--My heart breaks when I hear of anyone dying and know that more than likely they died without Jesus. When we see what happened in Orlando with all those people dying in that night club…I hope we were broken.
--Do you realize that Orlando has become one of the most dangerous cities in the US and that there are more than 70 gangs there fighting for their turf and for the right to sell their drugs? People are dying! Watch the news. Pray!
--So what’s wrong? It appears to me that we have stepped outside the walls of God’s protection, we have crossed boundaries set up by God, and we have disdained God’s authority over us.
Leviticus 26:14-17 (NIV)
14 "'But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands,
15 and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant,
16 then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.
17 I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.
14 "'But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands,
15 and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant,
16 then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.
17 I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.
--So how do we turn all of this around…not just in our country but in our homes and churches too?
1. There must be a returning to the God given boundaries and the God given authorities. What God says matters. God’s authority in your life matters.
Romans 13:1-5 (NLT)
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
--This is what we must hear: Everyone must submit to governing authorities. Why? For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
--And anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
--The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants.
--I am trying my best to keep this as simple as I can so that we understand what our problems are in our country, in our churches, and in our homes.
--The governing authorities in our country are law enforcement officers who, according to God, are His servants. They certainly are not being treated like God’s servants.
--In our churches the governing authorities are God called pastors (placed there by God) who have been given to you for your good and for the building up of the body of Christ.
--In our homes, parents are the governing authorities set up by God and as you honor them, God will bless you.
Ephesians 6:1-3 (NLT)
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:
3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:
3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
--I know this is simple but this is the problem…the God given authorities are law enforcement officers, pastors, and parents and the boundaries are what they say. Their laws or rules. Either we obey or we rebel.
--I know all of the categories can give examples of authorities who have not used their positions well, but that is the exception not the rule.
--The truth is, if we are stopped by law enforcement for whatever reason, if we submit to them and comply to what they require, it will go well for us…if we resist it may not go so well. Me being arrested in La.
--Hopefully most of us have been taught that you respect authority, and the sooner you do what they say, the sooner you will be on your way.
--So many things we have seen play out these last few years could have been avoided if people had not been, first of all, breaking the law (crossing boundaries) and secondly, submitting to the God given authority.
--How many people could be living for God, could have saved their marriages, or could have avoided damaging addictions if they would have listened to their pastors and obeyed the Word of God?
--How many prodigals could be presently fulfilling God’s destiny and plans for them if they would have listened to the godly counsel of parents who loved them and had their good in mind.
--Obedience to the law, the Word, and to the instruction of your parents will keep you safe within the boundaries of God’s authority.
2. There are benefits in staying within the boundaries that authority sets. God’s authority matters!
--The other day my sweet pretty wife and I were talking about boundaries and authority and she began to articulate very well what I have been trying to say…I tried to get her to share this.
--For this example we will use the word “Master” for the authority, and fences and gates for boundaries.
--Obviously the master loves her horses very much and that is evident by the investment of time, money, and other resources. Help me, Jesus!
--Because of her love the horses are kept in a secure fenced in area (which needs new boards if you are listening) with a gate to let them out and to let them back in. As a reminder: Jesus said:
John 10:9 (NLT)
9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
--The master keeps the horses safe within the fences, she feeds them, she has water for them, she has their nails (hoofs) done, she cares for their health (vet) just like Jesus looks out for us.
--If the horses are stubborn and they break out of the fence and are out of the protective boundaries of their master, so many things can happen that brings them harm.
--They can consume things that are bad for them and will make them sick…could be stolen…could be injured or killed.
John 10:10 (NLT)
10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
--When the horses are content to stay within their boundaries and they are not out of control…the master can open the gate and allow the horse to experience personal time with the master. Please see the analogy.
--The horses can just be for the pleasure of the master and there is obviously a bond between the horse and the horse lover. Like how God loves us!
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
--Sometimes a horse that is well disciplined and trained can be used for much more important roles such as competitions (English or Western) Barrel raising…anyone can out run a barrel. Even law enforcement.
--The master can honor the horse by having fancy tack and other things to make the horse look beautiful.
--Can you see it? When the horse is submissive and stays within the boundaries of its master…many blessings are bestowed…Even when the horse is dirty it is washed and groomed…pampered.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
--There is great benefit to staying within God’s boundaries, submitting to the authorities He has placed over us, and knowing this is the safest place on the planet to be. The Lord is crying out to us to come back!
3. Never too late to return to the One True Authority and His Boundaries! Valuing God’s authority matters!
Isaiah 55:1-3 & 6-9 (NIV)
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
--The Master is giving the invitation for you to return to Him and to receive His grace (1). Why are you trying to spend your life on that which does not satisfy? (2) Return to the safety and boundaries of His love.
--Seek Him while He may be found! Call on Him! (6) Turn back to Him and ask for forgiveness. (7) You will find His ways are so much greater and His thoughts for you will be wonderful! (8&9)
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NKJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. And
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. And
--How beautiful is this…Israel had stepped outside the boundaries of God’s love but He promises to bring them back if they will call on Him and seek Him with all their hearts.
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