I'm so glad you're all here today!
And for all you first timers, we're all glad you're here!
We're living in an age where everyone wants to challenge authority!
I believe that the subject of authority is possibly the most meaningful and much needed conversation we can have with our younger generation today!
We need to bring back respect, reverence and understanding for the position of God's authority.
This is another one of those messages, I wish I could skip over..
But when the Holy Spirit gives you something to share, you do it!
Without question! Without challenging the AUTHORITY OF GOD!
So I'm just going to dive in head first...
In the churches today, we have three very distinct generations in the church at the same time!
1. Post World War II = Taught to Respect Authority
2. Baby Boomers = Taught to Question Authority
3. Baby Busters = Who just Ignore Authority
I just want to say this is a most difficult time in America to pastor...
I'm not trying to offend, condemn, or criticize but restore!
It is my hearts desire to lift up those in ministry, and assist, help others pastors facing these difficult times.
Understanding the Authority of God
"Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."
Titus 2:15
"Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned."
Titus 3:1-11
The church of today needs a revelation of spiritual authority!
Power:
1. the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality.
2. the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.
Authority:
1. the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
2. ex-oo-see'-ah From 1832, in the sense of ability
3. delegated influence, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength
TEACH THE CHURCH TO BE SUBJECT TO DELEGATED AUTHORITIES!
THERE ARE 2 GREAT REVELATIONS NEEDED IN CHRISTIANITY TODAY!
1. Learning to trust in His salvation
2. Learning to obey His authority
Sin = "lawlessness"
It is an issue of the heart as well as outer action!
MY POINT: THERE IS A SATANIC PRINCIPLE THAT HAS tried to CREEP INTO today's CHURCHES!
"For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law"
Romans 2:12
THERE ARE 2 MAJOR PRINCIPLES AT WORK IN THE WORLD TODAY
1. God’s Authority
2. Satan’s Rebellion
Let me make something very clear,
You can not serve God and simultaneously go the way of rebellion!
Satan laughs when a rebellious person tries to accomplish things in the spirit or in ministry.
REMEMBER WHAT SATAN SAID:
"For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north.
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’"
I will be like the Most High.’"
HIS GOAL WAS NOT TO DO AWAY WITH GOD’S THRONE - JUST AVOID BEING SUBMITTED TO IT!
I'm just going to say this as plainly as I can, when we work to avoid submitting to the God’s ordained authority in the church - it is a satanic principle!
WE WHO SERVE GOD MUST UNDERSTAND HIS AUTHORITY and how it works!
After you have been shocked a few times, you can really learn to appreciate electric principle.
You no longer act carelessly.
Rebellion is much more worse then just typical sinning. Because it is the intention of the heart!
And we know from the Scriptures, Satan’s intent violated God’s Authority!
AS WE ARE SERVING GOD = WE CAN NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO VIOLATE THE AUTHORITIES IN OUR LIFE !
When we do, these kind of statements come forth:
“who
does he think he is?”
“I don’t care what he said”
“well I just don’t agree with that”
We can become wicked by allowing a satanic principle to enter into our holy service toward God.
"And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
Look, our greatest calling is to obey God’s authority in our life!
God limited Saul because a man that will not submit to authority will never be allowed to stay in authority!
"So Samuel said:
"So Samuel said:
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king.”
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king.”
OUR STUBBORNNESS AND REBELLION WILL BE REVEALED AND JUDGED OF GOD NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE TRY TO MASK IT WITH PRETTY CORRECT WORKS!
WHY??
Because UNTIL we have become smitten by God’s authority, then we will not pay any attention to it!
then he submitted to unknown Ananias
"And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
ONCE YOU HAVE HAD GOD’S AUTHORITY REVEALED IN YOUR LIFE… You always look for it.
We do not just obey a man - we obey God’s authority vested in that man!
There is no other reason to obey!
You know why Paul would listen to a little known Ananias?
Because he met God’s authority first.. and knew God was with Ananias.
IT IS SO SAD WHEN SOMEONE MEETS MAN’S AUTHORITY - BEFORE THEY MEET GOD’S AUTHORITY.
SOME HAVE SEEN ABUSIVE MEN in positions… then avoid it at all costs!After you have seen the true authority of God - you don’t mind who the man is..
That’s why so many have a problem submitting themselves to a human…
You have seen the man before God, you MUST have a revelation of God’s authority before you can ever obey his leaders properly!
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."
Hebrews 13:15-17
NOW WHO IS THAT SPEAKING OF?
"Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct."
Hebrews 13:7
CONSIDER THE BEHAVIOR OF THOSE MEN!
"Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine."
1 Timothy 5:17
Why honor those that preach doctrine?
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul."
Ezekiel 3:17-19
Observe....
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I Never Knew You
“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. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
JESUS gave a rebuke to those that do religious works from the standpoint of unsubmitted flesh!
"Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed."
Acts 19:13-20
In closing.....
"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil."
Romans 13:1-4
You cannot enter into the work of the Spirit just because you think your ready!!!
If you enter the work of ministry UNSUBMITTED you will end up torn to shreds!
We are not to find our own work to do… But rather find God’s will for our life and obey it!
After we understand this, we can enjoy the wonderful experience of walking in God’s authority…
Ask yourself a question… WHO ARE YOU SUBMITTED TO?
Whose authority are you under?
I asked a fellow evangelist this …
he said: “I’m under authority - all I do is by authority”
I SIMPLY ASKED WHO THEN ARE YOU SUBMITTED TO? -- “put a name and face on it”
If you cannot put a FACE and a NAME to who you are submitted to
You're fooling yourself!
GOD IS GOING TO DELIVER US FROM REBELLION SO THAT WE CAN BE HEALED!
We need to consider these things in our heart tonight before we are deceived!
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you
The Lord life up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
And be gracious to you
The Lord life up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
Brian Monzon Ministries