By What Authority: Jesus' Divine Authority and Our Response

Mar 15, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Question of Authority in Our Daily Lives

We encounter various forms of authority every day, from pilots to doctors to traffic laws, and we generally obey them for our safety and well-being. Yet, when it comes to God, we often appreciate His guidance but resist His command. We want to claim our own liberty more than submit to His loving authority. This tension reveals a heart that needs to examine where it truly places its trust. The fundamental question of who has the right to command our lives is one we must all answer. [01:16]

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18 ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life—such as your schedule, finances, or a key relationship—do you find it easiest to trust human systems or your own understanding, and most difficult to surrender to God's authority?

Day 2: Authority Rooted in Identity, Not Institution

True authority is not merely external power or delegated permission. The authority of Christ flows from His very being and essence as the Son of God. It is not borrowed or secondary but is fully divine. This means His commands are not arbitrary rules but are an extension of His perfect and loving character. To recognize Jesus’ authority is to recognize who He truly is. [07:23]

The Jews therefore said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:18-19 ESV)

Reflection: Where might you be tempted to evaluate God's commands based on your own understanding or cultural norms, rather than trusting that they flow from His perfect and loving nature?

Day 3: The Grace for Those Who Initially Resist

God’s grace is powerfully available to those who have initially said no to Him. The story of the first son shows that what matters most is not how we start, but how we finish. A heart that repents and turns to obedience is always met with divine welcome. This is the hope of Lent: that we can change our minds and return to God, no matter our past resistance. [19:35]

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.” (Matthew 21:28-29 ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area where you have been saying “I will not” to God, but now sense His Spirit inviting you to change your mind and take a step of obedient action?

Day 4: The Danger of Deceptive Obedience

A greater spiritual danger than outright rebellion is deception—saying “I will, sir” but failing to act. This is obedience that exists only in words and appearance, not in the heart or in practice. It is a subtle form of rejecting God’s authority that can be masked by religious activity. We are called to examine our hearts to ensure our actions align with our affirmations. [25:34]

“And he went to the other son and said the same thing. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.” (Matthew 21:30 ESV)

Reflection: In your spiritual life, where might there be a gap between what you affirm with your words and what you live out in your daily obedience? What is one practical step to close that gap this week?

Day 5: The Perfect Obedience of Christ Our Model

Neither son in the parable perfectly reflected the father’s will, but Jesus did. He obeyed completely, humbling Himself even to death on the cross. His authority is ultimately revealed not through domination, but through sacrificial love. The cross is the ultimate answer to the question of authority, inviting us to live under His loving rule. [30:52]

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8 ESV)

Reflection: As you reflect on Christ's sacrificial obedience, what would it look like for you to exercise the authority He has given you in your family, work, or church in a spirit of humble, loving service rather than control?

Sermon Summary

The transcript challenges modern instincts about authority by tracing a clear biblical question: by what authority are actions done? Everyday examples—pilots, doctors, traffic laws—show how authority protects and orders life, but many resist divine command while accepting divine guidance. Matthew 21 frames the conflict: religious leaders demand credentials, judging authority by human institution, while the gospel insists authority springs from identity. The Greek term exousia links authority to being; Christ’s authority flows from his very nature as Son of God and therefore carries divine weight rather than merely delegated permission.

The narrative moves from confrontation to parable. Jesus answers institutional demands by pointing to John the Baptist and by telling three parables—two sons, tenants, and a wedding banquet—that expose hearts. The first parable contrasts a son who initially refuses but later obeys with a son who promises obedience but never acts; the reversal condemns mere pious words and elevates repentant action. The parable offers persistence for those who have been resistant: people who once rebel can become the most grateful and committed precisely because grace struck them where pride once stood.

A practical framework surfaces in the acronym AWE, introduced to shape Lenten reflection: aligning with authority and examining the heart receive particular emphasis. Alignment means loving Christ by embracing his body, the church, whether a large congregation or a small house gathering, since Jesus promises presence and authority even in humble assemblies. Examination warns against religious appearance—regular worship, correct vocabulary, and public piety can mask refusal; self-deception proves more dangerous than overt rebellion.

The teaching culminates at the cross, where true authority appears not as domination but as sacrificial obedience. Christ’s obedience unto death models the only right response to divine authority: repentance that results in costly love. The season of Lent becomes an invitation to name which son each person most resembles, to turn where needed, and to live under Christ’s loving command so that every deed can answer the question, by what authority am I doing these things?

Key Takeaways

1. Authority flows from true identity Jesus defined exousia as authority that issues from being itself. Recognizing Christ’s authority requires seeing him as Son of God, not a mere rabbi or institutional figure; his words carry divine command because his person carries divine essence. This reshapes obedience from duty to response to revealed truth. [05:28]
2. Repentance matters more than beginnings The parable of the two sons values the one who changes course over the one who merely speaks obedience. Initial resistance does not disqualify someone from entering God’s kingdom if genuine repentance follows; history of refusal can become the soil of deep gratitude and faithful service. The faith that finishes well often begins with a hard, honest turn. [20:07]
3. Religious appearance can hide rejection Sincere-sounding words, regular ritual, and public piety can mask an inner refusal to submit to God’s authority. Self-deception accumulates until a person cannot tell truth from their own justifications; such spiritual illusion poses a greater threat than open rebellion. Honest heart-examination prevents living under a façade of holiness. [25:34]
4. Cross reveals authority of sacrificial love True authority shows itself not as coercion but as self-giving obedience, modeled in Christ’s death. The cross reframes power: God’s authority heals and humbles through sacrifice, calling followers into costly love rather than mere compliance. Lent invites a response shaped by that vulnerable authority. [30:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - Authority in daily life
[01:16] - Apprehension toward divine command
[01:52] - Confrontation in Matthew 21
[03:43] - Authority as a gospel keyword
[05:28] - Exousia: authority from being
[08:50] - Parables introduced
[10:20] - Authority revealed through John
[14:25] - AWE framework: Align with authority
[17:48] - Parable of the two sons
[23:25] - Authority rejected: holy appearance
[30:30] - Cross as true authority
[31:50] - Call to examine and ministry

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
Matthew 21:23–32 (ESV)
23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”

Observation questions

What two questions did the religious leaders ask Jesus in verse 23?
How did Jesus respond to their demand for credentials?
In the parable, what was the difference between the two sons’ responses to their father’s command?
According to Jesus, who entered the kingdom of God ahead of the religious leaders, and why?

Interpretation questions

Why did Jesus connect the question of His authority to John the Baptist’s ministry?
The Greek word for authority, exousia, means “authority out of one’s being.” How does this help explain why Jesus’ authority is different from human authority? [05:28]
Jesus said the tax collectors and prostitutes entered the kingdom “ahead of” the religious leaders. What does this imply about God’s value system versus human appearances?
How does the parable reveal that actions matter more than words in responding to God?

Application questions

Authority flows from true identity. How does recognizing Jesus as the Son of God—not just a teacher or moral example—change the way you respond to His words? [05:28]
Repentance matters more than beginnings. Is there an area in your life where you once said “no” to God but have since turned toward obedience? What helped you change your mind? [20:07]
Religious appearance can hide rejection. Are there habits or practices in your spiritual life where you say “I will, sir” but don’t actually follow through? What makes it easy to deceive yourself? [25:34]
The cross reveals authority as sacrificial love. How does Jesus’ obedience “even to death on a cross” redefine what it means to live under God’s authority in your relationships? [30:52]
During Lent, we’re invited to ask: “By what authority am I doing these things?” How would you answer that question regarding your work, family, or ministry this week?
The parable contrasts two sons. Which one do you most identify with right now—the one who repented and obeyed, or the one who promised but didn’t act? What would turning toward God look like today?
Jesus promises His presence and authority when two or three gather in His name. How does this change the way you view your role in your small group or house church? [15:21]

Sermon Clips

52s

#CrossOfSacrificialLove

“Let me bring you a let me bring a conclusion. This parable of two sons ultimately points us beyond the two sons to son of God, Jesus Christ himself. Neither son perfectly reflects the father's will, but Jesus does. Where the first son initially resisted, Jesus obeyed completely. Where the second son failed to act, Jesus followed the father's will even to the cross. Philippians two eight said that he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on the cross. So cross reveals the true authority of god, not the authority of domination, but authority of sacrificial love. During the lent, we walked toward the cross.”

45s

#ExamineYourHeart

“So Lent is a time to examine our heart and even expose our, you know, heart to God and asking God, search my heart. Test my heart. Show me what, you know, self deception do I have, Lord, because I want to be refined and pure and glorified, Lord. So e stands for examine your heart. Do not be deceived by appearance or lip service, but honor god with a living sacrifice. What god desires is not a sacrifice and praises, but contrite heart and broken spirit that asks for forgiveness and power to change.”

56s

#FinishInObedience

“You know, from this first son, one thing important encouragement we receive is this. What matter you know, what matters is not whether we want to say no to God. What matters most is whether we repent and obey God now. So w, the second principle is this. Action item is this. One matter is not how you start, but how you finish in obedience. It's not how you start, how you finish in obedience. You know, author of Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan, once said, the the most important thing about race is not the beginning, but the ending. It's the finishing. So act matters. Obedience matters.”

48s

#GuardAgainstSelfDeception

“Words alone are not obedience. The second son say yes with his mouth, but no with his feet and his life. And Jesus warns us that this kind of religious appearance and piety, It can be a subtle form of rejecting God. And during these sentencing, let us ask the Holy Spirit to protect us from this danger of self deception and then protect us, keep us from falling into self assumption. You know, nothing is more dangerous than self deception. Self deception is the worst lie in the world. Self deception is the worst lie in the world.”

47s

#TurnBackToGod

“And as we do, Jesus asked the same question the parable asked us. Which son are you? Which son are you? Either one who once resisted but now repent, or either one who said the right word but resisted god's authority? The good news of the gospel is this. God welcomes those who turn back to him. Lent invites us to change our minds and return to God and live under loving authority of Christ. And with that loving authority, you and I can answer, by what authority am I doing all these things? By what authority am I doing all these things? Let's all stand together.”

48s

#ReachTheRebels

“This son represents people who initially resist God's authority but eventually repent and obey. Jesus explained that's how the tax collectors and prostitutes responded to the John the Baptist. These are the people that society, you know, condemned as morally bankrupt. Yet when they heard the John's message, they believed and repented. And here is an important encouragement thing encouraging insight that is don't give up on your VIPs. Or MIAs, who are rebellious and rude to God right now. They may be skeptical, may be rebellious, may be indifferent to God now.”

42s

#HouseChurchMatters

“Because your house church seems like a gathering of a few friends and Christians, that doesn't mean it is not significant. It is very, very significant because Jesus' promise and power is in that house church. Amen? How many of you had a larger house church last Friday than usual? Anybody? Oh, praise god. Oh, a few of you raised your hand. Oh, praise god. I was afraid because last Sunday, I preached, you know, I preached a very pointy, you know, seven deadly sins of a house church, and I asked you to share, you know, reflect your, you know, house church in in terms of that seven deadly sins. So I prayed every day.”

46s

#LoveHisChurch

“People claim to love Jesus, but if you really love Jesus, you take his church seriously. If you like a a couple, you don't like just one spouse. You have to love both spouses. Jesus is a groom of the groom. We are the bride. Jesus' head is we are the body. My wife cannot just love my head. She has to love my whole being. When somebody loves Jesus, they must love his church. No matter how the church look like, whether church is a megachurch or mini church, or church is only on Friday or Sunday. It doesn't matter. Any church is a Jesus church.”

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