A Conversation About Authority

The idea of authority has consumed the minds of people for thousands of years.

The quest to rule over the world is what has motivated many to amass armies and rule over lands with an iron fist. It’s been the driving force behind dictatorships and tyrannical leaders to force their will upon their subjects in order to stay in power. And while these extreme examples of authoritarian rule are foremost in our minds, let’s be honest, this desire for authority and power plays out in our daily lives too. It damages marriages, workplace relationships, and churches, sometimes beyond repair. It’s what has fueled minds to study and scheme, meticulously plan, or conspire their way to the top, paying no mind to the destruction left in their wake. It’s why parent-child relationships are dashed on the rocks, it’s why people criticize every move of those in leadership, because at the core of who we are, we want the power and the sway and the influence. We want to have the authority over our lives and, for many, the lives of others.

In Matthew 8 we’re introduced to a man with significant authority. He was a Roman centurion in charge of a portion of the soldiers responsible for keeping order and peace in the land. His words and commands directly reflected the wishes of those in power at the time, and carried the same weight. But something happened in his life that made him realize that his authority, even that of his superiors, was inferior. It wasn’t enough. His power, his ability to command, his leadership couldn’t come close to getting him what he desperately needed, there was something missing and so he came to Jesus, one who amazed the people who heard him speak, “for he was teaching them as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:29).

In this message we’ll study this powerful interaction between the centurion and Jesus and look at three implications for us as we seek to submit to his authority, and how those play out in our lives.

Complete Livestream Service

Sermon Notes

Conversations with Jesus
A Conversation About Authority
Jordan Coros
Matthew 8:5–13 (The Roman Centurion)

May 10, 2020

In every aspect of my life, I am under the authority of Jesus Christ.

—

1. It takes humility (v. 5–8)

Having a right view of who Jesus is impacts…
My relationships (Ephesians 5:21)
My decisions (Proverbs 3:6)
My disciplines
—

2. It empowers faith (v. 9–10)

Matthew 28:18

—

3. It brings hope (v. 11–13)

The tears of which Jesus speaks here…are those of inconsolable, never-ending wretchedness, and utter, everlasting hopelessness. The accompanying grinding or gnashing of teeth denotes excruciating pain and frenzied anger. This grinding of teeth, too, will never come to an end or cease.
William Hendrickson

Revelation 19:11–16