Submitting to Christ's Authority: A Call to Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Steadfastness in Mission

Jesus' journey to Jerusalem was not merely a physical one but a profound fulfillment of His mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. Despite facing opposition from religious authorities who sought to silence Him, Jesus remained unwavering in His purpose. His steadfastness serves as a model for us to remain committed to our calling, even when faced with challenges. This moment in the temple courts marks the last day of His public ministry before His crucifixion, highlighting the significance of His mission and the urgency of His message. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to examine our own commitment to the mission God has placed before us. [00:33]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel challenged to remain steadfast? How can you draw strength from Jesus' example to persevere in your mission today?

Day 2: The Heart's Resistance to Authority

The religious leaders' questioning of Jesus' authority reveals a deeper issue of the heart. Their resistance was not due to a lack of evidence but a refusal to submit to the truth. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and consider whether we are truly open to the authority of Christ in our lives. The issue at hand was not merely intellectual but a matter of the will, as the religious leaders were unwilling to relinquish their perceived power and control. As we reflect on this, we are called to confront our own resistance and open our hearts to the transformative power of Christ's authority. [12:20]

"For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king." (1 Samuel 15:23, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself resisting Christ's authority in your life? What steps can you take today to submit more fully to His will?

Day 3: The Authority of Scripture

The authority of Jesus is intertwined with the authority of Scripture. When we undermine the authority of the Bible, we also undermine the authority of Christ. This calls us to hold fast to the truth of Scripture and allow it to shape our understanding and actions. The distinction between seeing the Bible as a product of human insight versus the inspired revelation of God is crucial. Our view of Scripture impacts how we live out our faith and respond to the challenges of our culture. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to deepen our commitment to the authority of Scripture in our lives. [23:05]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How do you currently view the authority of Scripture in your life? What practical steps can you take to ensure that the Bible remains central to your daily decisions and actions?

Day 4: Inspired Revelation of God

The distinction between seeing the Bible as a product of human insight versus the inspired revelation of God is crucial. Our view of Scripture impacts how we live out our faith and respond to the challenges of our culture. This passage calls us to recognize the Bible as the inspired word of God, which holds authority over our lives. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to examine our understanding of Scripture and allow it to guide our beliefs and actions. [28:14]

"For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21, ESV)

Reflection: How does your view of the Bible as inspired revelation influence your daily life? What changes can you make to align your actions with the truth of Scripture?

Day 5: Bowing to Christ's Authority

True confession of Jesus as Messiah requires a willingness to bow to His authority as Savior, Lord, and Teacher. This is not just an intellectual assent but a moral decision to align our wills with His. The authority of Jesus is not just a historical fact but a present reality that demands a response from each of us. As we reflect on this passage, we are moved to examine our hearts and align our lives with the truth of the gospel. [43:38]

"Therefore 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." (Philippians 2:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Sermon Summary

In Luke chapter 20, we find Jesus in the temple courts, teaching and preaching the gospel. This moment marks the last day of His public ministry before His crucifixion. Jesus' journey to Jerusalem was not just a physical journey but a fulfillment of His mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. Despite the religious authorities' attempts to silence Him, Jesus remained steadfast in His purpose. The people were captivated by His words, while the religious leaders were threatened by His authority and sought to kill Him.

The religious leaders questioned Jesus' authority, asking by what power He performed His works. Their inquiry was not genuine but a thinly veiled attempt to trap Him. Jesus, in His wisdom, responded with a question about John the Baptist's authority, revealing their hypocrisy and unwillingness to accept the truth. The issue at hand was not merely intellectual but a matter of the will. The religious leaders were unwilling to submit to Jesus' authority because it required them to relinquish their own perceived power and control.

This passage challenges us to consider our own response to Jesus' authority. Are we like the religious leaders, clinging to our own understanding and resisting the call to submit to Christ? Or are we willing to bow before Him, acknowledging Him as our Savior, Lord, and Teacher? The authority of Jesus is not just a historical fact but a present reality that demands a response from each of us. As we reflect on this passage, may we be moved to examine our hearts and align our lives with the truth of the gospel.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus' journey to Jerusalem was a fulfillment of His mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. His steadfastness in the face of opposition serves as a model for us to remain committed to our calling, even when faced with challenges. [00:33]
2. The religious leaders' questioning of Jesus' authority reveals a deeper issue of the heart. Their resistance was not due to a lack of evidence but a refusal to submit to the truth. This challenges us to examine our own hearts and consider whether we are truly open to the authority of Christ in our lives. [12:20]
3. The authority of Jesus is intertwined with the authority of Scripture. When we undermine the authority of the Bible, we also undermine the authority of Christ. This calls us to hold fast to the truth of Scripture and allow it to shape our understanding and actions. [23:05]
4. The distinction between seeing the Bible as a product of human insight versus the inspired revelation of God is crucial. Our view of Scripture impacts how we live out our faith and respond to the challenges of our culture. [28:14]
5. True confession of Jesus as Messiah requires a willingness to bow to His authority as Savior, Lord, and Teacher. This is not just an intellectual assent but a moral decision to align our wills with His. [43:38]
** [43:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Luke 20
[00:33] - Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem
[01:08] - Jesus in the Temple Courts
[02:01] - The Last Day of Public Ministry
[03:09] - Jesus' Teaching and Proclamation
[04:12] - The Good News of the Kingdom
[05:18] - Calling Sinners to Repentance
[06:43] - Jesus' Authority in Teaching
[10:42] - Confrontation with Religious Leaders
[12:20] - Questioning Jesus' Authority
[17:26] - The Issue of Authority
[23:05] - Authority of Scripture and Christ
[28:14] - Inspired Revelation of God
[43:38] - Bowing to Christ's Authority

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 20:1-8
- Zechariah 9:9
- Luke 24:25-27

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Observation Questions:

What was the significance of Jesus teaching in the temple courts on the last day of His public ministry? How did the people and religious leaders react to His teachings? [01:21]
How did Jesus respond to the religious leaders' question about His authority, and what was the purpose of His counter-question regarding John the Baptist? [12:20]
What were the "things" that the religious leaders were referring to when they questioned Jesus' authority? [12:34]
How does the sermon describe the difference between the authority of Jesus' teaching and that of the religious leaders of the time? [14:53]

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Interpretation Questions:

Why do you think the religious leaders were so threatened by Jesus' authority, and how does this reflect on their understanding of power and control? [15:09]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the authority of Jesus is intertwined with the authority of Scripture? How does this impact our understanding of the Bible today? [23:05]
How does the sermon explain the difference between viewing the Bible as a product of human insight versus the inspired revelation of God? What implications does this have for our faith? [28:14]
What does the sermon suggest about the nature of true confession of Jesus as Messiah, and how is it more than just an intellectual agreement? [43:38]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own response to Jesus' authority. Are there areas in your life where you resist submitting to His authority? How can you begin to address this resistance? [20:19]
The sermon challenges us to hold fast to the truth of Scripture. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and commitment to the Bible's authority in your daily life? [23:05]
Consider the distinction between seeing the Bible as human insight versus divine revelation. How does your view of Scripture influence your actions and decisions? [28:14]
Jesus' authority demands a response. How can you actively acknowledge His authority in your roles as a family member, friend, or colleague this week? [43:38]
The sermon highlights the importance of aligning our wills with Christ's. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with this alignment. What practical steps can you take to submit your will to His? [43:38]
How can you ensure that your engagement with the Bible is not just intellectual but also transformative, leading to real change in your life? [28:14]
Reflect on a time when you felt challenged by the authority of Christ or Scripture. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [20:19]

Sermon Clips

In going through these studies we have been aware of the fact that Jesus and his followers have been moving inexorably and steadfastly towards Jerusalem. Luke made an annotation to that effect back in the 51st verse of chapter nine and we have been following along with Jesus as he approaches his destiny. [00:27:45]

Jesus is moving to eventually the great work for which he came namely the work of atonement but in terms of the routine opportunities of the days that have led up to this, this is his last day of public mission to Israel. This is his last day in the temple precincts, this is his last day of teaching and warning the Pharisees. [00:189:36]

What is he doing well he's proclaiming, Luke says that he's teaching the people and he's preaching the gospel. He's telling them all about this message of good news, in other words nothing has changed from the very beginning back in chapter 4 Jesus says to his disciples I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God. [00:249:76]

The good news is only good news to those who are aware of the bad news of their own condition, that's why the good news is relatively irrelevant to a number who come routinely to Parkside on a Sunday morning because your whole life is about good news. Anytime anybody asks how you are you always say good. [00:324:96]

The authority of John the Baptist and the authority of Jesus are completely interwoven so he says to them let me just ask you, the baptism of John heaven or men and then in verse five it says and they discussed it among themselves you better light your life they did, they went in a holy huddle real fast. [00:2201:12]

The issue of a man or a woman before the demands of the kingship of Christ is not ultimately intellectual it is finally moral, it is a matter of the will I refuse, I know best God is a liar, I am true. Now that's what's going on here you say to yourself well it's interesting it's all locked in the past. [00:1216:96]

The reason that so many who stand in the pulpits of our land speak with so little authority concerning Christ is because they have turned their backs on the authority of the bible because they have had a massive wholesale shift concerning the authority and sufficiency of scripture itself. [00:1371:76]

There is a huge difference my dear friends between seeing the bible as a religious doc of deep human insight and bible as the inspired revelation of god. Listen dear ones if you think for more than a nanosecond that I and my colleagues with me want to give my life to studying a book that is the product of merely deep human insight. [00:1691:03]

The church the bible says is the called of god it is built on the foundation of the prophets and the apostles, there is a vast difference between Jesus as a religious genius and a spiritual guide and Jesus the son of god incarnate now listen my dear friends I'm not trying to be provocative or bombastic. [00:1821:44]

There is a huge difference between seeing the cross as a symbol of martyrdom and self-giving and seeing the cross as a divine act of atonement and reconciliation and there's a huge difference between seeing the christian life as the application of moral and ethical standards to social and individual life. [00:2025:20]

You will not truly confess Jesus Christ until you're willing to bow to his authority as your savior your lord and your teacher, until you're willing to bow to Christ as your savior lord and teacher you will never confess him to be the messiah so it becomes a moral quest will I bow my will to Christ. [00:2609:76]

God our father grant that everything that isn't true may be forgotten that everything that is unhelpful may be so clouded in our recollection that it doesn't trouble us and all that is of yourself reach into our hearts and grant us no peace until we get off our own throne and bow down before Christ. [00:2649:35]

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Submitting to Christ's Authority: A Call to Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Steadfastness in Mission

Day 2: The Heart's Resistance to Authority

Day 3: The Authority of Scripture

Day 4: Inspired Revelation of God

Day 5: Bowing to Christ's Authority

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Submitting to Christ's Authority: A Call to Faith

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