Who’s the Boss

Who Gave You Authority?

^{Matthew 21:23} Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

Pastor Jerry took his sermon from Matthew 21:23-32 and broke it up into two parts.

1. Authority verses 23-27
2. The will of God verses 28-32

In the school yard, older children may be assigned to keep order and if there is a scuffle; usually the smaller children argue, “You’re not my boss.”

Where does authority come from?  Often it is assigned, although it may be by age, education or status.  Then there is the power of money and politics.

We remember when Jesus marched into Jerusalem and entered the “Mall” in the temple chasing out the vendors.  Who gave Him the authority to do this?

There are no easy answers, and when Jesus was questioned by the priests and elders the final answer was: “If you can’t answer my question, then neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The second portion of scripture was about who is doing the will of the Father?

Boys, Go work in my Vineyard!

A father asked his two sons to go work in his vineyard. The first son refused to do the father’s bidding.  Soon he had second thoughts and went to obey.

The second son said, “Yes of course I will go,” but he was busy and failed to follow through.

Jesus asked which son did the will of the Father?

The scribes answered that it was the first son who finally changed his mind and went.

The Scribes were known for their many words, but were short on their good deeds. 

Doing the Will of God is not lip service but is in the action.

Today, what is our response?  Do we often lag behind, and finally come around and pitch in?

Pastor illustrated with a story about a minister who was asked to spend a week end at a church located 300 miles from his home.  He was glad to oblige and drove the many miles, spoke at many workshops, did some counseling, preached two sermons on Sunday and was exhausted.  As he prepared to leave the treasurer handed him an envelope which he stuffed in his pocket and drove the 300 miles back to his home.  When he arrived home, he opened the envelope and inside was a blank check with the words written across it, “THANKS A MILLION!" and it was signed by the treasurer.

Sometimes words are NOT enough.

Do we volunteer or do we let others do the job?  In our mind do we say, “I will,” but fail to step forward.  Do we say in our mind, “Not me,” but then relent and take up our cross.

It is sometimes difficult to live up to promises we make to God and to others.

Jesus said in Matthew ²¹“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

If you have not already done so, it is time to sign up, to put on the uniform and prepare to fight the battles ahead.  Be willing to listen and be quick to move to do God’s will.