Winter Conference - Day 3 Pt.1

Here are notes from this morning's message given by fellow friend and youth pastor extraordinaire Jeremy Berger.

"AUTHORITY"

1 Samuel 24:1-7

1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.”

2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.

4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord ’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.”

7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

1 Peter 2:18-20

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.19 For it is commendable if you bear up under the pain of unjust suffering because you are conscious of God.20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

We are in a society that has a lack of respect for authority.

• Example, just make a comparison of television shows over the last 20+ years.  When we watch the 60's television shows like "The Donna Reed Show", "Leave it to Beaver", or "Ozzie and Harriet"... we laugh at how the children talk and act towards their parents.  It almost seems surreal to see so many "yes, sir" and "no, ma'am" but that's exactly how kids spoke to their parents.  Now watch a "family" show today.... (if you can even find one).   The "yes, sir" or "no ma'am" is replace with lots of rolling of the eyes, talking back or stomping off.

Romans 13:1

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

GOD HIMSELF CREATED AND ESTABLISHED AUTHORITY AND THE CONCEPT OF AUTHORITY.

1. Authority is meant to PROVIDE.

• Why do parents "have to" provide but  children don't "have to" respect and honor their authority?


• Children today live with a sense of entitlement.

2. Authority is meant for SAFETY AND PROTECTION

• If my baby girl Presley wanted to play with a knife should I let her?  After all, I use knives all the time and never get hurt and she really wants to play with the knife.  Now, I can admit that there is a small chance that she could have the knife and nothing happen... not hurt.  But I love her SO MUCH that I am not willing to take that chance of her pain.


• Teenagers get mad because they want to go to that "overnight party that everyone is going to" but parents won't let them.  Why?  Because your parents hate you?... NOT EVEN CLOSE.  BECAUSE THEY LOVE YOU SO MUCH THAT THEY AREN'T WILLING TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF YOU BEING HURT OR CAUSING YOU PAIN.

3. Absence of Authority leads to CHAOS

How Should We Respond to Authority?

1. Honor: Exodus 20:12  Romans 13:7  1 Timothy 6:1


2. Submit: Romans 13:1   1 Peter 2:13   Titus 2:9-10


3. Listen: Proverbs 1:8   Proverbs 4:1


4. Obey: Ephesians 6:1   Colossians 3:20   Ephesians 6:5-7   Proverbs 7:1

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