PODCAST
All Authority
August 26th, 2013
Mark 1:21-34
Near the end of a wedding ceremony you will sometimes hear a minister say, “Forasmuch as this man and woman have consented together in holy wedlock . . . as a minister of the gospel, and by the authority granted to me by the State of ________, I pronounce that they are husband and wife together.” Governments have various requirements for those who perform weddings. Typically this authority is granted to ministers and other officials. They are expected to solemnize only weddings which meet the requirements of law.
I have reminded couples wanting to be married that, only they, with God’s help, could make a marriage that would last.
Those who witnessed Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum recognized an authority beyond anything they had encountered before. Later, Jesus used the same word in declaring to His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). “Go and make disciples of all nations” (v. 19).
God’s authority resides in Christ; our authority is derived from Him as we fulfill His will and proclaim His Word in the power of His Spirit.
Author: Duane C. Brush
Tags: Holy Spirit
August 26th, 2013 at 8:13 am
“I have reminded couples wanting to be married that, only they, with God’s help, could make a marriage that would last.”
It appears that God made men and women so different that they “have to” practice all of the principles that Jesus taught to remain happy (particularly forgiveness).
August 26th, 2013 at 8:59 am
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18).
Thus, we need to remember that we are constantly being tested (refined).
In all things, we must show love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
God is our judge; and, those that have received the gift of the Holy Spirit have a helper that brings to mind what the scriptures say.
If we ignore what we have heard, we can harden our hearts to a point of spiritual deafness.
August 26th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Amen, Barbara! I agree completely with the fact that we are constantly being tested and refined.