When the Author meets the Authorities

Luke 20

Aim:

To make sure we keep the perspective of Ecc 5:1-7 (He is God and we are the worsippers – God does not worship).

a. He wrote the book. He is the author

b. We are supposed to be “authorities” on the book

c. The authorities cannot overrule the author.

Intro:

There are names that have significance:

William Shakespeare, Picasso, Einstein, Steinbeck.

People study and analyze and interpret and become “authorities” on writers and their works.

Shakepeare lived 500 years ago!! Can you imagine if he appeared today at one of the Shakespeare society meetings?

“Jesus” was not one of those names in the days when He walked on the Earth. It was basically “Joseph” and there have always been a lot of them around. He was “Joseph” son of Joseph for all intents and purposes. Not a significant pedigree, no clout in the name, and he was from the “boonies” a place called Nazareth. How would you feel if one of the lads from George Junior here showed up and began to teach? I am not talking about offering a possible alternative to what we presently believe, I am talking about basically demolishing our whole system of doing things. And I am not talking about doing it in a shy, apologetic way, but in a way that really did not leave room for discussion. How would you feel? What would you say?

Nevertheless, Jesus is in the Temple preaching…

A. Luke 20:1

a. Teaching the people and preaching the gospel.

b. In the temple courts.

c. Chief priests / teachers of Law / Elders.

d. Where did you get the authority?

i. “Gall” – brazen boldness

ii. The folks were thinking “He talks like He is God” and were elated

iii. The leaders were thinking “He talks like God” and were offended

B. Who gave you this authority?

a. Would we ask Shakespeare that?

i. Could we ever believe that Shakespeare was among us?

ii. We live in a world that has lots of “authorities” in fact we are all authorities. We have so many authorities that we really do not need the author anymore

iii. .

Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Definition of authority: Power to enforce obedience

The word here is from the root “Ask” Luke 11:1-13 Jesus teaches us to ask, and it is not so much what we ask for but who it is we ask.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The word here is “Beginning” source

Rev 22:13 alpha and omega

John 1:1

The first word and the last word.

Neh 8:1-1-18

The exiles return to Jerusalem and get to hear the word of God read to them and get help interpreting it. As a result

The joy of the LORD was their strength.

They were genuine authorities on God’s Word