Authority in Religion

Text: Matthew 28:18–20
Series: Sermons 2001 Rewritten
Date:
Speaker: Ed Rangel
Location: Waupaca Church of Christ
Bible Version: NASB 1995
Sermon Type: Expository

Learning Objectives

1. Explain Christ’s claim that all authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth.
2. Show that the resurrection confirms Christ’s right to rule, command, judge, and save.
3. Demonstrate that the church is under Christ’s headship, not human democracy, denominational authority, or personal preference.
4. Apply Christ’s authority to evangelism, baptism, teaching, worship, doctrine, and judgment.
5. Press every hearer to submit to Christ’s word by obeying the gospel and living faithfully under His rule.

Thesis

Because the risen Christ possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, His word is the final standard in religion, His church must submit to His rule, and every soul must obey His gospel.

Introduction.

1. Matthew 28 takes place after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. a. The Lord had been rejected by men. b. He had been nailed to a cross. c. God raised Him from the dead.
2. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated. a. Matthew 28:17 says they worshiped Him. b. Some were doubtful. c. Jesus still spoke with royal authority.
3. Matthew 28:18 records one of the greatest claims ever made. a. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” b. This is not the language of a mere teacher. c. This is the language of the risen Lord.
4. The issue is authority in religion. a. Who has the right to command? b. Who has the right to define worship? c. Who has the right to tell sinners what to do to be saved?
5. Christ answers the question Himself. a. All authority belongs to Him. b. His word governs His people. c. No man, council, creed, tradition, feeling, or denomination has the right to overrule Him.

I. Christ Possesses All Authority.

A. Matthew 28:18 gives the scope of Christ’s authority.

1. Jesus says, “All authority has been given to Me.” a. “All” leaves nothing outside His rightful rule. b. He does not claim partial authority. c. He does not share final authority with religious traditions.
2. Authority means the right to rule, command, determine, and judge. a. Christ has the right to command. b. Christ has the right to define obedience. c. Christ has the right to judge disobedience.
3. The resurrection stands behind the claim. a. Men crucified Him. b. God raised Him. c. The risen Christ speaks as Lord over all.

B. Christ had already demonstrated authority during His earthly ministry.

1. Matthew 7:29 says He taught as one having authority, not as the scribes. a. He did not merely quote human tradition. b. He spoke with divine certainty. c. His teaching demanded obedience.
2. Matthew 9:6 says the Son of Man had authority on earth to forgive sins. a. Jesus proved that authority by healing the paralytic. b. He did not ask religious leaders for permission. c. He showed power over both sickness and sin.
3. His authority was not borrowed from the crowd. a. Crowds could follow Him or leave Him. b. Leaders could oppose Him or question Him. c. His authority remained because it came from God.

C. The Old Testament had already pointed to the Messiah’s rule.

1. Psalm 2 speaks of the LORD’s Anointed. a. The nations rage. b. The rulers take counsel against the LORD and His Anointed. c. God declares His King installed on Zion.
2. Daniel 7:13–14 speaks of one like a Son of Man receiving dominion. a. His dominion is everlasting. b. His kingdom will not be destroyed. c. All peoples, nations, and languages are brought under His rule.
3. Matthew 28 shows the risen Christ exercising that promised rule. a. He has been raised. b. He has received authority. c. He sends His apostles with a world-wide commission.

II. Christ’s Authority Comes from the Father and Extends Over Heaven and Earth.

A. Jesus says His authority “has been given.”

1. Authority was given by the Father. a. Christ did not seize power unlawfully. b. He did not rise as a rival to the Father. c. He acts in perfect harmony with the Father’s will.
2. John 12:49–50 shows Christ’s submission to the Father’s command. a. He did not speak on His own initiative. b. The Father gave Him commandment what to say and speak. c. Christ spoke just as the Father told Him.
3. First Corinthians 15:27–28 explains the order. a. God put all things in subjection under Christ’s feet. b. The Father is excepted from that subjection. c. The Son’s reign does not deny the Father’s supremacy.

B. Christ has authority in heaven.

1. Ephesians 1:20–21 says God raised Christ and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. a. He is far above all rule. b. He is far above all authority, power, and dominion. c. He is above every name named in this age and the age to come.
2. Angels are subject to Him. a. First Peter 3:22 says angels, authorities, and powers have been subjected to Him. b. The unseen realm is not outside His rule. c. Christ is not merely a local religious figure.
3. His reign is present, not postponed. a. He is seated now. b. He rules now. c. The kingdom is not waiting for an earthly throne in Jerusalem.

C. Christ has authority on earth.

1. Acts 10:36 says Jesus Christ is “Lord of all.” a. Peter preached this in connection with Cornelius. b. The Gentiles were not outside Christ’s lordship. c. Every nation stands under His authority.
2. Philippians 2:9–11 says every knee will bow. a. God highly exalted Him. b. Every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord. c. The question is not whether men will confess Him, but whether they will do so now in obedience or later in judgment.
3. John 12:48 says His word will judge at the last day. a. The one who rejects Christ has a judge. b. The word Christ spoke will judge him. c. Final judgment is tied to Christ’s spoken word.

III. Christ’s Authority Governs the Church.

A. Christ is the head of the church.

1. Ephesians 1:22–23 says God gave Him as head over all things to the church. a. The church is His body. b. The head directs the body. c. The body has no right to detach itself from the head.
2. Colossians 1:18 says He is head of the body, the church. a. He is the beginning. b. He is the firstborn from the dead. c. He must have first place in everything.
3. The church is not a democracy. a. The church does not vote on Christ’s commands. b. The church does not rewrite doctrine by majority preference. c. The church belongs to the King.

B. Christ is Savior of the body.

1. Ephesians 5:23 says Christ is the head of the church and Savior of the body. a. He saves His body. b. He rules His body. c. Salvation and headship cannot be separated.
2. Acts 2:47 says the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. a. The Lord adds the saved. b. The saved are not added to a denomination. c. The church is not a human religious organization.
3. Colossians 1:13 says Christians have been transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son. a. The kingdom exists now. b. The saved are in it now. c. Christ reigns over His people now.

C. Christ’s authority governs worship and doctrine.

1. Acts 2:42 says the first Christians continued in the apostles’ teaching. a. Apostolic doctrine is Christ’s doctrine delivered by the Spirit. b. The church began under divine teaching. c. The church must remain there.
2. Second John 9 warns against going beyond the teaching of Christ. a. The one who goes too far does not have God. b. The one who abides has both the Father and the Son. c. Authority is not a minor issue.
3. Galatians 1:8–9 condemns any other gospel. a. Even an angel could not change the gospel. b. Paul would not allow another message. c. The church must not tolerate what Christ has not authorized.

IV. Christ’s Authority Demands Gospel Obedience.

A. Matthew 28:19 commands making disciples.

1. Jesus says, “Go therefore.” a. The mission flows from His authority. b. The church evangelizes because the King commanded it. c. Silence before a lost world is disobedience.
2. The command is to make disciples of all nations. a. The gospel is not for one race only. b. The gospel is not for one social class only. c. The gospel belongs to all nations under Christ’s authority.
3. Evangelism must be governed by Christ’s message. a. We do not preach ourselves. b. We do not preach a denominational brand. c. We preach Christ as Lord.

B. Matthew 28:19 includes baptism.

1. Jesus says disciples are to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. a. Baptism is not an afterthought. b. Baptism is included in the commission. c. Baptism stands under divine authority.
2. Acts 2:38 gives the purpose. a. “Repent.” b. “Each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” c. The purpose is “for the forgiveness of your sins.”
3. Galatians 3:27 says those baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ. a. Baptism places one into Christ. b. Baptism is not merely a public symbol after salvation. c. The authority of Christ must govern the plan of salvation.

C. Matthew 28:20 requires continued teaching and obedience.

1. Jesus says, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” a. Teaching does not end at baptism. b. Disciples must be taught obedience. c. Christ commands more than conversion statistics.
2. The church must teach all that Christ commanded. a. Not only the easy texts. b. Not only the popular doctrines. c. Not only what the culture will tolerate.
3. The promise belongs to the obedient mission. a. “I am with you always.” b. Christ is with His people as they carry out His commission. c. The church must not expect Christ’s blessing while refusing Christ’s authority.

Application.

1. For the sinner. a. Christ has authority over you whether you acknowledge it or not. b. His gospel tells you what to do to be saved. c. Refusing His word will not remove His judgment.
2. For the Christian. a. Do not call Jesus Lord while resisting His commands. b. Submit your worship, speech, habits, family, and doctrine to His word. c. Faithfulness means living under the King.
3. For the congregation. a. Do not let tradition outrank Scripture. b. Do not let preference govern worship. c. Do not let fear of men silence the authority of Christ.
4. For parents and teachers. a. Teach children that Jesus is not merely a Savior to admire. b. Teach them He is Lord to obey. c. A generation that does not understand authority will not remain faithful when pressure comes.

Conclusion.

1. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” a. His authority is complete. b. His authority is universal. c. His authority is final.
2. The Father exalted Him. a. He is seated at God’s right hand. b. He is head over all things to the church. c. He is Lord of all.
3. His word governs religion. a. It governs salvation. b. It governs worship. c. It governs the church and will judge the world.
4. No man has the right to overrule Christ. a. Not a preacher. b. Not a denomination. c. Not a council, creed, tradition, or feeling.

Invitation.

1. Hear the word. a. Romans 10:17 says faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
2. Believe Christ. a. John 8:24 warns that unless you believe that Jesus is He, you will die in your sins.
3. Repent. a. Acts 17:30 says God commands all people everywhere to repent.
4. Confess Christ. a. Romans 10:9–10 teaches confession with the mouth and belief in the heart.
5. Be baptized for the remission of sins. a. Acts 2:38 commands repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
6. Live faithfully. a. Revelation 2:10 calls the Christian to be faithful until death.

Word Study.

Scripture Interlock Table.