Jesus’ Authority Prevents “Spiritual Tourette Syndrome” in Church

Jesus is the sole authority and the true source of life for the church. All actions and attitudes within the church must align with His leadership to maintain order and effectiveness. Without Jesus as the head, the church becomes chaotic and disjointed, moving in ways that do not reflect His will.

Jesus is the head of the church, and all authority and life flow from Him. Ephesians 1:22-23 affirms this foundational truth. Just as a body or machine cannot function without its head, the church cannot sustain life or purpose without Jesus as its source of authority and vitality ([08:03]). Everything the church does must draw strength and direction from Him, because apart from Jesus, the church is lifeless and ineffective ([09:28]).

When the church acts independently of Jesus’ authority, it experiences what can be described as "spiritual Tourette Syndrome"—a metaphor for chaotic, uncoordinated, and disorderly behavior. This occurs when members or leaders move, speak, or make decisions without aligning with Christ, resulting in division, misaligned actions, and spiritual confusion ([11:44]). Such disorder undermines the health and unity of the church and must be avoided.

The church functions as a body with Jesus as the head and its members as the body parts. Just as a body requires the head’s direction to operate properly, the church must be under Jesus’ authority to function effectively ([07:28]). Each member has a vital role, and all must work in harmony, guided by Jesus, to accurately represent His character to the world.

A healthy church embodies both unity and diversity. Diversity reflects the variety of gifts, passions, and roles within the church, while unity ensures that all parts work together under Jesus’ leadership ([28:42]). When parts of the body act independently or out of sync with the head, chaos ensues. Maintaining unity under Jesus’ authority is essential for the church to be a true reflection of Christ.

All church actions—whether outreach, worship, or service—must be rooted in listening to Jesus and following His lead. Believers are called to continually seek Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and community, ensuring that individual and collective actions align with His will ([52:29]). This alignment prevents disorder and enables the church to function as a healthy, unified body that authentically represents Christ.

Spiritual maturity in each individual member is foundational for church unity. When believers grow in their relationship with Jesus, they are less likely to act chaotically or out of sync with His authority. Ongoing spiritual growth, such as engaging in intentional spiritual exercises, strengthens believers’ connection to Christ and equips the church to carry out its mission effectively ([47:02]).

Jesus is the only true authority and the source of life for the church. To avoid spiritual disorder, the church must remain rooted in His leadership, ensuring that all actions, decisions, and behaviors align with His will. This alignment fosters unity and harmonious diversity, enabling the church to authentically reflect Christ to the world. The health of the church depends on each member’s commitment to listening to and following Jesus so that collectively, the church can fulfill its mission and experience God’s blessing ([37:31]).

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Zion Church Media, one of 60 churches in Boulder, CO