The King’s Authority

Matthew 4:17

1. Repent – Turn
2. Kingdom of God – Turn from kingdom of darkness to kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13)

A Kingdom Depends on a King

God’s Kingdom depends on Christ’s Kingship (Rev. 1:5)

If you are a citizen of a kingdom, the king’s words carry power and authority

• Ex. Esther 3:12-4:17 – the word of the king was greatly feared because they knew the authority and power behind the word

God’s Word sets the standard and precedent of His Kingdom

• 1 Cor. 4:6 – Don’t think beyond what is written
• Experiences are fine, but they need to be rightly interpreted
• Ex. Eve gave the fruit to Adam because she never “experienced” death, though God’s Word contradicted her interpretation of her experience.  Note: Any interpretation of an experience that disregards God’s revealed Word will lead you away from God.
• Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19 – We can’t add or take away from God’s Word.

Examples:

1. Acts 17:11 – “searched the Scriptures daily” – the Bible was their measuring stick for truth

• “Weirdness” can’t be our measuring stick (see Ezekiel)
• Experience alone can’t be our measuring stick (see Eve)
• Feelings can’t be our measuring stick (see Samson and Delilah)
• Pastors/church leaders can’t be our measuring stick (see 2 Cor. 11)
• Discomfort and offending others can’t be our measuring stick (see Jesus’ ministry)

2. Acts 15:1-22

• 15:7-11 – Peter’s experiences by the Holy Spirit was not enough affirmation
• 15:12 – Paul’s and Barnabas’s experiences by the Holy Spirit were not enough affirmation
• 15:14-21 – Only after James cited Scripture was the mattered settled to the early church
• 15:28 – The Spirit confirmed this.  It wasn’t their own private interpretation of Scripture.

    3. Deuteronomy 13:1-5

• Even fulfilled prophecy is not sufficient to determine truth (see also Acts 16:16-19)
• God’s Word is the ultimate standard of truth (compare Exodus 20:3 with Deut. 13:2)

Application:

• 2 Tim. 4:1-5
• Rev. 11:1-2

• “reed like a measuring rod” – represents canon
• Temple, altar, and worshipers measured – true worshipers will live by the Word and have a proper understanding of the Cross

Final Authority:

• We need whole counsel of God’s word (Acts 20:27)
• Matt. 4:2; 2 Pet. 3:16 – Satan can twist and pull Scriptures out of context
• 1 Cor. 2:11 – The Author of the Bible (i.e. the Holy Spirit) is the only infallible and trustworthy Teacher/Interpreter of God’s Word.  Submit to Him and teach others through this submission.