Embracing the Power and Authority of Jesus
Summary
In my sermon today, I focused on the often overlooked aspect of Jesus' character—His power and authority. I began by challenging the common portrayal of Jesus as a meek and mild figure, suggesting that we, as the Church, often underestimate His strength. I emphasized that Jesus is not only compassionate and loving but also the supreme ruler of the universe, a force to be reckoned with.
I recounted the story of Jesus calming the storm, demonstrating His command over nature, and His encounters with demon-possessed men, where even the demons recognized His authority. I highlighted Jesus' teachings that were bold and direct, often confronting the religious leaders of the time and challenging societal norms. Jesus spoke of judgment and the end times, illustrating His role as the ultimate judge with the power to determine eternal destinies.
I also reflected on the events leading up to and following Jesus' crucifixion. Despite being in a position of apparent weakness, Jesus willingly submitted to suffering and death, showcasing His incredible strength and love for humanity. His resurrection, as celebrated on Easter, is the ultimate display of His power over death and hell.
In closing, I urged the congregation to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, to become His disciples, and to live according to His commands. I encouraged everyone to recognize the price Jesus paid for us and to live lives that reflect His power and authority.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' portrayal as meek and mild is incomplete; He is also the almighty ruler of the universe, holding authority over life and death. This understanding should inspire awe and a deeper commitment to living under His lordship. [49:47]
- The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Recognizing Jesus' authority over nature, the spiritual realm, and our eternal destinies should lead us to a reverent fear that is rooted in understanding His power and our need for His grace. [17:47]
- Jesus' direct confrontations with religious leaders and His teachings on wealth and righteousness challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we serving God wholeheartedly, or are we distracted by the pursuit of wealth and approval from others? [17:10]
- The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are not just historical events but powerful demonstrations of His love and strength. He chose to endure suffering for our sake, and His victory over death is a promise of hope and eternal life for those who believe. [41:43]
- As followers of Christ, we are called to make disciples and teach them to obey all that Jesus commanded. This mission requires us to embrace and share the fullness of Jesus' character, including His strength, authority, and compassion. [44:36]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 1:17-18: "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.'"
2. Matthew 28:18-20: "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
3. Matthew 8:26-27: "And he said to them, 'Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?' Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, 'What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus declare about Himself in Revelation 1:17-18, and how does this declaration relate to His authority? [03:11]
2. In Matthew 28:18-20, what command does Jesus give to His disciples, and what promise does He make to them? [43:24]
3. How do the disciples react to Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8:26-27, and what does this reveal about their understanding of His power? [18:46]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' declaration in Revelation 1:17-18 challenge the common portrayal of Him as merely meek and mild? [03:11]
2. What implications does Jesus' command in Matthew 28:18-20 have for the mission of the Church today? [43:24]
3. How does the reaction of the disciples in Matthew 8:26-27 reflect their faith and understanding of Jesus' authority over nature? [18:46]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Revelation 1:17-18, how can recognizing Jesus' authority over life and death change the way you approach your daily challenges? [03:11]
2. In what ways can you actively participate in the mission Jesus outlines in Matthew 28:18-20? Identify one specific action you can take this week to make disciples. [43:24]
3. Considering the disciples' reaction in Matthew 8:26-27, think about a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed. How can you remind yourself of Jesus' power and authority in similar future situations? [18:46]
4. The sermon emphasized Jesus' boldness in confronting religious leaders and societal norms. Are there areas in your life where you need to be more bold in standing up for your faith? [16:00]
5. Reflect on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as powerful demonstrations of His love and strength. How does this understanding impact your view of suffering and sacrifice in your own life? [29:32]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of living according to Jesus' commands. What specific command of Jesus do you find most challenging to follow, and how can you work on it this week? [44:02]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper reverent fear of God, recognizing His authority over your life and eternal destiny? What practical steps can you take to grow in this area? [21:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Authority and Majesty
Jesus is often depicted as gentle and kind, but this image is incomplete without acknowledging His supreme authority and power. He is not just a historical figure who taught love and peace; He is the almighty ruler of the universe, holding dominion over all creation. This authority was evident when He calmed the storm with a command and when demons, recognizing His sovereignty, submitted to His will. Understanding Jesus as the omnipotent King can transform one's perspective, instilling a sense of awe and reverence. It is crucial to recognize that the same Jesus who showed compassion to the multitudes is also the one who will judge the world with righteousness and truth.
"God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus' authority over the universe change the way you approach your daily decisions and interactions with others? [49:47]
Day 2: The Fear of God as Wisdom's Foundation
The fear of the Lord is not about being scared but about having a profound respect and reverence for His power and holiness. This fear is the beginning of wisdom because it acknowledges God's rightful place as the creator and judge. Jesus demonstrated His authority over the natural and spiritual realms, commanding the winds and waves to be still and casting out demons with a word. These acts remind us that Jesus holds power over life and death, and our destinies are in His hands. This knowledge should lead to a life lived in humble submission to His will, seeking His grace and mercy.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" (Psalm 111:10 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord in your life, and how might this reverence guide your actions and thoughts today? [17:47]
Day 3: Challenging Comfortable Christianity
Jesus' teachings were often counter-cultural, challenging the status quo and confronting the hypocrisy of religious leaders. He spoke boldly about wealth, righteousness, and the kingdom of God, calling His followers to a higher standard of living. This challenges believers to examine their own lives and priorities. Are they seeking God's approval or that of people? Are they accumulating wealth for themselves or using it to serve God's purposes? Jesus' direct approach compels His followers to live authentically, aligning their actions with their professed beliefs.
"But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." (Luke 11:42 ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current lifestyle and priorities. In what ways might they be at odds with the teachings of Jesus, and what steps can you take to realign them with His call to live righteously? [17:10]
Day 4: The Power of the Cross and Resurrection
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are central to the Christian faith, not only as historical events but as powerful demonstrations of His love and strength. Jesus chose to endure suffering and death, revealing His incredible love for humanity. His resurrection signifies His victory over death and hell, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe. This act of love and power should inspire believers to live in the light of the resurrection, embracing the hope it brings and sharing it with others.
"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name." (Philippians 2:8-9 ESV)
Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' sacrifice and victory over death influence the way you view your own struggles and the hope you have for the future? [41:43]
Day 5: Discipleship and Living Out His Commands
As followers of Christ, believers are called to make disciples and teach them to obey all that Jesus commanded. This mission is not just about sharing knowledge but about embodying the fullness of Jesus' character, including His strength, authority, and compassion. Living out His commands means demonstrating His love and grace in every aspect of life, influencing others to do the same. It is a call to active discipleship, where faith is put into action and the transformative power of the gospel is lived out daily.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can be a disciple of Jesus in your community today, and how can you encourage others to grow in their obedience to His teachings? [44:36]
Quotes
1) "My point is, I think we far, even as the Church of Jesus Christ, we far underestimate the power and strength of Jesus. Far underestimate the power of Jesus. We think our circumstances are more powerful than Jesus. We think being a little short on our mortgage this month is more powerful, is a bigger deal than Jesus, is a stronger, bigger problem than Jesus can handle." [07:19]
2) "Don't witness to somebody by asking if they know Jesus. The consensus generally today is, oh yeah, I know Jesus. Jesus is cool. Jesus is not cool. He's the creator of the universe. He's so far beyond cool. Don't bring him down to our level by saying he's cool. He's so far beyond that." [58:29]
3) "He says, fear me. Because I'm the only one who has the power and the authority to condemn your soul to hell. This isn't the Jesus you want to hear about today, is it? It's not the Jesus you're expected to hear about today. You wanted the nice version. You're starting to sound like you're preaching hellfire and brimstone. Guys, it's the word of God. It's Jesus." [21:22]
4) "He says, that church is going to prevail. He says, there are going to be people who are going to faithfully follow me all the way to the end. That's how powerful I am. And, guys, you know why we're gathered here today? Because Jesus was right. Through all of history, the church has endured some really, really tough stuff through history." [27:18]
5) "He says, I don't want just a little bit of their lives. He said, I want you to go, and I want you to baptize them and fully immerse them in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He's like, bring them. Have them come to me so that I can just consume them." [43:54]
6) "Because guys, Jesus is risen. And he is alive forevermore. And he is infinitely powerful and infinitely strong. You ain't taking him on. He is with us as followers, as his followers. He is within us. And there is never anything to fear." [52:05]
7) "He's like, you want to kill me? Go ahead and watch what I do. Jesus is doing all this, taking all this for you and me because that's how strong and powerful he is. He's taking it for us, being punished for us." [41:43]
8) "This is the Jesus that we worship. This is the Jesus we bow to. And he's our God. Amen? So I want you to turn to Matthew chapter 4 if you have a Bible today. And listen, I don't want to freak anybody out, but I just got to warn you on the front side of this." [14:34]
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