The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Matthew 21:23 – 22:14, Mark 11:27 – 12:12, Luke 10:1-19, John 12:37-50
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 3: Christ’s Deliverance of His People: God’s Work through the Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement of His King
Background Information: Matthew 21:23 – 22:14, Mark 11:27 – 12:12, Luke 10:1-19, John 12:37-50
Authority can be direct, or it can be delegated. Direct authority is the right to command and control outcomes and the right to make and enforce laws. Delegated authority is the right given by someone with direct authority to speak for and act on their behalf. Jesus had direct authority. He said that his authority came from God, but at the same time, his authority was inherent, since he is God. He taught with his own authority. The Jewish leaders tried to question his authority because it put their own in question. Jesus taught three parables, all pointed at the Jewish leaders and their contrived authority. In one ,there are two sons, and the point of the parable is that actions count more than mere words. The point of the murderous tenant farmers is that failure of faithfulness in the present means a loss of opportunity in the future. The point of the wedding banquet is that people must act while they can, or they will lose the chance to act at all. These stories illustrate the long history of Israel in the Old Testament, and they describe the leaders of the people during the time of Jesus. Many of them did believe in Jesus, but they kept quiet about it because they were people pleasers. They wanted their contrived authority more than they wanted to live with actual authority. Long ago, God had offered Israel authority. He gave them his word and the right to speak for him to the world. Many of them threw that away and lost the privilege offered them. Now God’s people, the Church, have been given authority by Christ to represent him in the world. We must act faithfully today and every day, to make the most of this great privilege.
“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:17-20
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for FCA. Ask God to use Keith to make the gospel known to student athletes and to encourage them in their faith.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.