Unlocking Divine Authority Through Humility and Obedience
Summary
In this message, I explore the profound authority of Christ and the significance of the keys to the kingdom that He has entrusted to His church. Jesus possesses the master key, which can unlock any door, but He has given us multiple keys to open specific doors in our lives. The key to accessing His divine authority lies in our obedience and alignment with His will. When we use the right keys—those consistent with His teachings and commands—He backs us up with His master key. However, if we attempt to bypass His ways, we cannot expect Him to intervene with His authority.
I emphasize the importance of not mixing worldly methods with divine principles. Just as a hotel key from one chain cannot open the doors of another, using worldly keys to unlock heavenly doors is futile. Our keys must align with His master key for doors to open. Jesus assures us that when He opens a door, no one can shut it, and when He closes a door, no one can open it. This truth should bring us comfort and confidence, knowing that His authority surpasses any earthly power.
The message also highlights the significance of keeping His word and not denying His name. Many believers fail to see God’s intervention because they do not live in obedience or are ashamed to be associated with Jesus publicly. The church in Philadelphia, despite having little power and influence, was commended for keeping His word and not denying His name. This small church was promised an open door that no one could shut because of their faithfulness.
Ultimately, the greatest power lies not in worldly status or wealth but in our relationship with Christ. Those who may seem insignificant in the eyes of the world but know and confess Him have access to the master key. Humility and obedience are crucial, as pride can lead to downfall. We are encouraged to keep ourselves small in the eyes of God, recognizing that true authority and power come from Him alone.
Key Takeaways:
- Authority and Alignment: Jesus has given us keys to the kingdom, and our authority is activated when we align our actions with His will. Using the right keys, consistent with His teachings, allows us to access His divine authority. [01:50]
- Worldly vs. Divine Keys: Mixing worldly methods with divine principles is ineffective. Just as a hotel key from one chain cannot open another's doors, using worldly keys to unlock heavenly doors is futile. Our keys must align with His master key. [03:12]
- Unshakable Assurance: When Jesus opens a door, no one can shut it, and when He closes a door, no one can open it. This assurance should bring us comfort, knowing His authority surpasses any earthly power. [04:50]
- Faithfulness and Obedience: Keeping His word and not denying His name are crucial for experiencing His intervention. The church in Philadelphia, despite having little power, was promised an open door because of their faithfulness. [07:00]
- True Power in Humility: True power lies not in worldly status but in our relationship with Christ. Humility and obedience are crucial, as pride can lead to downfall. Keeping ourselves small in God's eyes allows us to access His master key. [12:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Experiencing God's Authority
- [00:39] - The Master Key and Our Keys
- [01:17] - Consistency with God's Keys
- [02:08] - Worldly Keys vs. Heavenly Doors
- [03:43] - Divine Authority in Action
- [04:37] - Assurance in Christ's Authority
- [05:21] - The Power of the Master Key
- [06:22] - Conditions for Open Doors
- [07:34] - The Church with Little Power
- [08:43] - Publicly Confessing His Name
- [09:48] - Misplaced Trust in Human Power
- [10:23] - Witnessing God's Intervention
- [11:31] - True Power in Humility
- [12:35] - Staying Humble Before God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 16:18-19 (NIV): "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
- Revelation 3:7-8 (NIV): "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 16:18-19, what does Jesus promise to give to His church, and what is the significance of these items? [00:39]
2. According to Revelation 3:7-8, what does Jesus say about the doors He opens and closes? How does this relate to His authority? [04:50]
3. What was the commendation given to the church in Philadelphia, despite their lack of power and influence? [07:00]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the futility of using worldly methods to achieve divine outcomes? [03:12]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for believers to have "keys to the kingdom," and how should this influence their daily lives and decisions? [01:50]
2. How can the assurance that Jesus opens and closes doors impact a believer's perspective on challenges and opportunities? [04:50]
3. Why is it important for believers to keep Jesus' word and not deny His name, according to the sermon and Revelation 3:7-8? [07:00]
4. How does the concept of humility play a role in accessing the authority and power of Christ? [12:35]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to achieve something using your own methods rather than aligning with God's will. What was the outcome, and how might you approach it differently now? [01:34]
2. Consider a situation in your life where you feel powerless. How can the assurance of Christ's authority and His ability to open doors change your approach to this situation? [04:50]
3. In what ways can you ensure that your actions and decisions are consistent with the keys that Jesus has given, rather than relying on worldly methods? [03:12]
4. How can you publicly confess Jesus' name in your daily interactions, especially in environments where it might be challenging? [09:16]
5. Identify an area in your life where pride might be hindering your relationship with God. What steps can you take to cultivate humility and align yourself with His authority? [12:35]
6. Think of a specific door or opportunity you are seeking in your life. How can you ensure that your pursuit of this aligns with keeping Jesus' word and not denying His name? [07:00]
7. How can you support and encourage others in your community who may feel insignificant or powerless, reminding them of the true power found in Christ? [11:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Authority Through Alignment
When we align our actions with the will of Christ, we activate the authority He has given us. Jesus has entrusted us with keys to the kingdom, and these keys are effective when used in accordance with His teachings. Our obedience and alignment with His will allow us to access His divine authority. This means that when we act in ways that are consistent with His commands, we can trust that He will back us up with His master key. However, if we try to bypass His ways, we cannot expect Him to intervene with His authority. It is crucial to understand that our spiritual authority is not independent but is derived from our relationship with Christ and our adherence to His will. [01:50]
Matthew 16:19 (ESV): "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to realign your actions with Christ's teachings to fully access His authority?
Day 2: Distinguishing Between Worldly and Divine Keys
The effectiveness of our spiritual keys depends on their alignment with divine principles rather than worldly methods. Just as a hotel key from one chain cannot open the doors of another, using worldly keys to unlock heavenly doors is futile. Our keys must align with His master key for doors to open. This means that we must be careful not to mix worldly methods with divine principles, as doing so will not yield the results we seek. Instead, we should focus on understanding and applying the principles that Jesus has taught us, trusting that His ways are higher than ours. [03:12]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Are there any areas in your life where you are relying on worldly methods instead of seeking divine guidance? How can you shift your approach to align with God's principles?
Day 3: Assurance in Christ's Authority
The assurance that comes from knowing that when Jesus opens a door, no one can shut it, and when He closes a door, no one can open it, should bring us comfort and confidence. His authority surpasses any earthly power, and this truth is a source of unshakable assurance for believers. We can rest in the knowledge that His plans for us are secure and that no earthly force can thwart His purposes. This assurance should encourage us to trust in His timing and His ways, even when circumstances seem uncertain. [04:50]
Revelation 3:7-8 (ESV): "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.'"
Reflection: How does the assurance of Christ's authority over open and closed doors impact your current situation? What steps can you take to trust His timing more fully?
Day 4: Faithfulness and Obedience
Keeping His word and not denying His name are crucial for experiencing His intervention. The church in Philadelphia, despite having little power, was promised an open door because of their faithfulness. This highlights the importance of remaining steadfast in our faith and being unashamed to be associated with Jesus publicly. Many believers fail to see God's intervention because they do not live in obedience or are ashamed to be associated with Jesus. By keeping His word and not denying His name, we position ourselves to experience His divine intervention and the fulfillment of His promises. [07:00]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate faithfulness and obedience to God's word in your daily life? Are there areas where you need to be more bold in publicly confessing His name?
Day 5: True Power in Humility
True power lies not in worldly status but in our relationship with Christ. Humility and obedience are crucial, as pride can lead to downfall. Keeping ourselves small in God's eyes allows us to access His master key. Those who may seem insignificant in the eyes of the world but know and confess Him have access to the master key. This teaches us that our value and power are not determined by worldly standards but by our relationship with Christ. By remaining humble and obedient, we position ourselves to receive His grace and access His divine authority. [12:35]
1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."
Reflection: How can you cultivate humility in your relationship with Christ today? What practical steps can you take to ensure that pride does not hinder your access to His power?
Quotes
"Now in Matthew Matthew chapter 16 he says I'm going to build my church and I will give my church the keys to the kingdom watch this now Jesus says I have the master key that's one key that can unlock any door but I'm going to give to my people the church I'm going to give them the keys plural to the kingdom so what he's given us is multiple keys to multiple doors while he possesses the master key to every door so he has th key we have the keys how does it work when you use the right key he'll back it up with the master key but when you use the wrong key the master key can't back you up because the master key can only be consistent with the keys that he's given us." [00:28:32]
"If you skip God's way to get it done whatever it is you're trying to get done then don't don't just call on God to use his master key when you've ignored the key he gave you he does not want you to skip the responsibility he's given you and simply call on him cuz he got the master key he wants to know your keys are consistent with his key I will give you the keys to the kingdom well what is that it's Authority I'm going to share my authority with you when you are consistent with me Authority Kingdom means to rule so God Wants to Rule not only in heaven but in history through the person of Jesus Christ and he possesses the key." [00:82:60]
"The reason why we are not seeing more of the master key is because God is not seeing more of the use of us using the right key see we go and use the world's key to unlock Heaven those key don't fit in that lock I I shared with you before how I was in New York and I was at the Marriott hotel and I checked out caught a plane to Chicago got into the Hilton Hotel went up 35 floors in the Dead Winter with my luggage freezing outside I put my key in the lock click click red light click click red light click click red light so I'm a little ticked off man cuz I didn't go on up 35 floors it's cold outside I catch the elevator down I go to the Reg registration desk I say excuse me this key doesn't work he said cuz that key doesn't go to this hotel I forgotten to throw away my Marriott Key and was using a Marriott Key in a Hilton lock and those kingdoms don't fit those keys don't fit when you mixing kingdoms and what Christians do is they mix kingdoms and wonder why heaven's door won't open cuz God won't use the king key if you won't use your key your key must be consistent with his master key." [00:134:20]
"When God moves when Jesus moves specifically he opens and closes doors and he says when he moves with his key that is with his Divine Authority he says when he does that nobody can shut it okay this ought to do something to your gizard right there right there right there let me tell you what ought to do with your gizard what this means is when you're using God's Keys people do not have the last say so see that see we get All Shook Up about people oh he got the power to let me in or to lock me out he got the power to raise me or to put me down he's got the power or she's got the power to fire me or hire me they got the power they got all the power Jesus said but I got the master key and when I open the door I don't care who they are where they come from how much they have what degrees they possess when I have the key if I decide to open that door nobody going to shut a door I open and if I decide to lock them up they not going to be able to get back in cuz I'm in charge here I've got the key to the kingdom." [00:214:48]
"He says in verse eight I know your Deeds behold I have put before you an Open Door which no one can shut because you have little power and have kept my word and have not denied my name oh watch it in order for his key to work for you for me and for his church he says You must have kept my word obeyed me and not denied my name so one of the reasons many Believers are not seeing God come through is because they do not keep his word they they come to church and hear it but they do not keep his word and or they deny his name they don't want to be publicly associated with him he says to them you have little power that means this is a small church that doesn't have big names doesn't have no variety people doesn't have Highly Educated folk doesn't have a bunch of rich rich Saints sitting in the sanctuary he says you have little power you not all out in a bag of chips people don't know who you are they don't appreciate who you are they don't respect who you are you don't have what people view as substantive significant and worth applauding but he says I have set before you an Open Door even though folks say you are a nothing and a nobody I have set before you an open door and when I open this bad boy up for you the folk with the name with the money and with the power will not be able to shut it but the way I will open the door and the reason I will open the door for you your life your world and your ministry is because you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name." [00:387:52]
"Notice you can't deny his name you can talk about God all you want you can talk about God this and God that that's not his name his name is the Lord Jesus Christ the second person of the Trinity not this generic God no no no yeah God is there but God has bequeathed or delegated everything to his son it is at the name of Jesus every knee bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of the father so if folk don't know your relationship to Jesus you have denied his name even though you may be talking about God bless you all day long you have Den not denied my name Jesus says when you deny me on Earth I will deny you before my father who is in heaven when you confess me on Earth I will confess you before my father who is in heaven so if you are ashamed of Jesus Christ and don't want to be publicly associated with him forget open doors you can open your own door and that's why we get so messed up cuz we around here trying to get folk to open up the door create the opportunity make the connection give us the money and we do doing all this to open up doors and Jesus is sitting there with a master key." [00:523:64]
"If you've never seen God give you an Open Door you see you didn't miss something if if you've never seen God swing something open it looked like it was closed see if you've never seen him come through when there was no way Jose if you've never seen him intervene in your circumstances then you have not experienced the authority of Christ to overrule particularly if you were of little power you didn't have the wherewithal you didn't have the contacts you didn't have the money you didn't have the education you didn't have the notoriety but you had him Jesus says folk may not know who you are but you know him you confess him you obey him he got a master key and nothing will make the Lord more real to you then he when he opens things up you were too powerless to open up on your own cuz you had little power little notoriety little name recognition." [00:608:92]
"That's why the greatest people in our congregation are not necessarily the people with Masters and Doctorate Degrees not necessarily the folks with Mercedes and and benzes and and Lincoln and what have you it's no it's not necessarily the folk who who got the six figure plus incomes nothing wrong with any of those things in and of themselves but but you have to need to know the most powerful people are people of of little power who know him and who advertise his name cuz they have access to a master key now the upscale folk can do that too but he says you of little power but you have access to me thank you Lord that's why um I would suggest for me and for us no matter what position you hold money you have or influence you will keep yourself small folk may be whispering in your ear oh you all that and a bag of chips don't believe it you better keep yourself small in the eyes of God Pride cometh before the fall you better keep yourself small don't don't think you all that cuz cuz uh Pride cometh before the fall and and and you need to understand that uh humility is a big deal to God that you you don't view yourself that way now other folk may be write you out but but how you think about you you better keep yourself small because Jesus says even though you have little power I'm going to open up a door for you because you have obeyed me and you have uh not denied my name." [00:691:92]
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