The Outpost Church
Anchor of Authority
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- Surgeon Generals warningIf you are new…benefit of the doubtScattershot…Anchor-Point…Monologue about something that needs to be a dialogueLast 24 months have been incredibly disruptive…explain making it realElectionCapitol Hill revoltCOVID-19MasksVaccineAfghanistanPeople…no…our people are scared, hurting, angry, feeling lied to, suspicious, rebellious, anxious, sad, and so much more.Do Stadia and Shepherds heart bit…What’s the solution? I don’t mean what’s the geopolitical solution for the crisis in Afghanistan, or what is the solution for the vaccination condition of employment for teachers. I mean, what is the solution to all of the fear, anger, rebellion, suspicions, anxiety, and more that is literally tearing us apart?Can I just ask a question that I would like to see an honest raising of hands for? Who wants to see all of that go away? Who is tired of the seemingly never ending cycle of these feelings you are experiencing? I know I am.There is this amazing little verse in first Thessalonians that speaks to this wide range of attitudes and emotions and how we are to deal with them. Here it is (explain as you read):
1 Thessalonians 5:14 NASB95 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.We can’t do all of that…explain why...I think if we are going to dispel fear, cool anger, quiet rebellion, clear suspicion, calm anxiety, and mend divisions we have to answer a few questions. Explain catechisms.I believe the solution to all of the division, anger, fear, etc. comes from a place that many people are not expecting. I can safely assume that because the thing that solves these issues is not complicated and yet we still experience all of these broken things that are causing division and so, therefore,1) Is there a designer, creator, and ruler over all of creation?I am going to assume that because you are at church...I think it is important to agree on this one without even bringing the Bible into the equation…you’ll see why here in a moment.Not only was everything you see created by someone, but it was created with an intelligence and design and purpose.2) Can we know this creator and His will for His creation?I think there is a couple of ways to answer this and so I want to introduce you to a couple of theological terms.General Revelation - The aspects of God and His nature that anyone can see as they look at the created order.Romans 1:20 NASB95 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.If you are a physicist, you see God as you consider the invisible forces that hold atomic structures together. You see God’s signature on dark matter that sustains all life in the universe yet is unseen and unknown to us.If you are a mathematician, you see God’s handiwork as you consider concepts like Avogodro’s Number or Benfords law.If you are a naturalist or zooligist, you understand there must be a creator and designer because of the way a lady bug folds its wings or why a honeybee can fly. There are no evolutionary explanations and by right, there is no way that either of those things should exist in nature without someone creating and sustaining them.If you are a psychologist, you understand that humans ability to see and understand the concept of beauty is utterly unique within all of creation. The appreciation of beauty has no basis in the created order and no explanation within a naturalistic worldview and must therefore originate from something outside of the created order which has superimposed this ability onto creation for a purpose beyond which mere evolution can explain.If you have eyes that can take in a sunset or mountain range or ears that can take in a symphony or the laughter of a small child, then your heart can be moved to an understanding that there must be someone behind all of this. And while the list could go on and on, I think you get the picture of what Romans 1:20 is trying to say to us.God has revealed Himself to us all throughout creation if we are simply honest with ourselves as we look at that creation.Special Revelation - The aspects of God’s character, will, and plan of redemption that He has revealed through the Bible that can not be determined by simply looking at the created order.Are you ready for a brain burner??? Listen closely...Do the vs. 20 points to the reality of general revelation but the fact that God has revealed the concept of general revelation to us through this verse of scripture is General revelation.3) Do the things that God has reveled about Himself, His law, and His will for humanity in the Bible have authority over our lives?Well…here is what the Bible claims about itself in regards to this:2 Timothy 3:14–17 NASB95 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.Here is what Hebrews 4:12 says:Hebrews 4:12 NASB95 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.Any body know what the longest chapter in the entire Bible is about?It is Psalm 119It isn’t just about The Bible. More specifically it is about how the Bible has authority over every single aspect of our humanity. If you had to sum up the whole of Psalm 119 with just a single paragraph from that chapter it would be this:Psalm 119:9–16 NASB95 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.This is where the breakdown is…this is what is causing the fear, the confusion, the division...Let’s just talk about authority for a second and get a really clear definition of what I mean by that.The diction defines authority as:“...the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.”And so if God has truly revealed Himself to mankind, both through the created order, and through the written Word, and that revelation truly has authority over every aspect of our lives, how should we respond?So we read Romans 1:20 and saw that God has revealed Himself to all of mankind…what do you think the very next verse is about? If you guessed the rejection of that revelation then you would be right:Romans 1:21–23 NASB95 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.And so, when we reject what God has revealed about Himself to mankind and, by extension, the authority that has over our lives, that is when the problems start.Did you know that when the serpent tempted Adam and Eve, he didn’t tempt them to like murder, steal, or lie about something. No! He questioned what God had plainly said to Adam and Eve:Genesis 3:1 NASB95 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”And then, he challenged the authority of God’s revealed words to Adam and Eve:Genesis 3:4–5 NASB95 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”It was this challenge to the authority of God’s Word that Satan used to open the door that would invite Adam and Eve to insert their own authority on the matter above what God had commanded.Genesis 3:6 NASB95 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.Explain and tell that things only get worse from there.Now, here is what I think. I think that if I could sit down in conversation with most if not all of you, you would tell me that you believe the Bible is authoritative. I think most of us would shutter at the thought of rejecting that idea and yet we do it all the time. Here are two ways that typically works itself out:We are inclined to look elsewhere.Sounding boardConfirmation biasI am not saying that you should not inform yourself. I am saying, though, that you should filter any and all information through God’s authoritative Word before allowing it to drive your emotions, actions, or words.2. We know the truth and would attest to the truth through our words and yet our actions paint a different story.Do the balance scales example on the blackboard use the masks as an example...Here is the deal…I know these are some big very big and weighty theological concepts…the authority of Scripture is no small thing and is incredibly complex. We haven’t even scratched the surface on the depth of this topic. I think though, what is needed are some practical examples of how this works itself out in our day to day lives. I want to apply this concept. Let’s just use some of the big things going on in the world right now.I want to be clear, however:I am not telling you how to think and feel about these issues; instead, I am telling you how to go about your thinking.AFGHANISTANOutline the problem = many of you have served there and still bear the scars. The Bible doesn’t tell us how to step onto the geopolitical table and fix it but it absolutely addresses the secondary issues.Here is a couple of secondary issues = Do Displaced Christians & Refugees coming to Seattle bit...Does the Bible say anything about our response to persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ around the world? Absolutely!Does the Bible inform us and have authority over the way we see and respond to the needs of the foreigner, refugee, widow, and orphan?MASKS & VACCINESTalk about the spectrum of things the Bible addresses specifically and those it doesn’t.Masks -Romans 13:1–7 NASB95 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.Titus 3:1 NASB95 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,The caveat to this command is if the rulers ask us to do something that violates the express command of God or worship another god all together.Do clown costume bit…At the other end of the spectrum, however, is the issue of vaccines.Do the, “I can’t tell you what is right for you and your family” bit...There aren’t any express commands about this issue. The vaccine isn’t either moral or immoral. In cases like this, we should see it as a matter of liberty and conscience.Explain the gap between matters the Bible speaks directly to and those it does not.To bridge the gap and navigate these matters of liberty and conscience well requires wisdom. And listen to what James the half brother of Jesus says about wisdom:James 1:5 NASB95 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.And again in the book of Proverbs:Proverbs 9:10 NASB95 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.While I can’t tell you what is right for you and your family regarding the vaccine, what I can say without a shadow of a doubt is that you need to navigate this issue prayerfully seeking the wisdom of God trusting that He will guide you to the correct conclusion.Here is something else the Bible has to say about areas of freedom and liberty and how we are to navigate them:Romans 14:1–4 NASB95 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.Explain the context...Here is how Paul concludes his teaching on this:Romans 14:13–17 NASB95 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.The bottom line:In matters where there is freedom and liberty of choice based on a conscience informed by God’s Spirit and wisdom, we are not to judge another and impose our choice on them.Can you see how, if our thoughts, words, and actions around the issue of vaccines are informed by this, it would solve the divisions and fiery rhetoric and condemnation that is being levied from both sides of the vaccine argument?Now, I want to close out with possibly the most divisive thing yet.POLITICAL DIVISIONSIn order to do this well, we need to talk about prostitutes and dragons.Revelation, the last book of the Bible is filled with some spectacular imagery and wild creatures. Sometimes different creatures are used to describe the same concept just from a different angle. Two of these creatures are described in Revelation chapter 17.We see this scarlet colored beast and this beautiful woman sitting on top of it. Let me just radically oversimplify this whole image for the sake of time. This dynamic duo represents the state. This is the world systems of government that have set themselves up in opposition to Gods kingdom. It goes by many names but its most famous name, and the one used here, is Babylon. The goal of this beast and its rider has always been the same: to get you to look to them in worship and for it to provide the things that only God can truly give (safety, security, prosperity, joy, and satisfaction). The proposition of this beast is that if you will look to it and give your allegiance to it, it will provide all of these things. The problem with this, however is that any system that has set itself up in opposition to the authority of God can not actually give provide any of those things…at least not in a real sense. And as we are going to see, this beast has it out for anyone who is a follower of Jesus and is submitted to the authority of God. But lets keep going.Elsewhere, this beast is described as having wings…let’s just call them the left wing and the right wing…and this is where this whole imagery gets really practical and super personal.In our country, the political left is a lot like your mom.Just come here honey, everything is going to be ok bit...Meanwhile, the political right is a lot like your dad.Suck it up son, slap some dirt on that and keep going bit...Look at me really closely here and don’t miss this!The progressive agenda wants to move human progress forward often implementing agendas that are directly opposed to the express authority of God (typically through ethical and moral compromise surrounding issues of sexuality, gender, and sanctity of life before birth). They believe the freest, fullest, and most satisfied life can be achieved by looking to the government to meet their needs. The belief is that certain freedoms and liberties should be sacrificed for the good of all. While it is great when the state steps in and cares for the most vulnerable in society, it is clear from scripture that this does not negate the Christians responsibility from leading the way in this.The conservative agenda wants a return to its foundational roots by the return of liberties and freedoms… some of which directly oppose the express authority of God (typically the commands regarding the care for the most vulnerable in society and the sanctity of life after birth). They believe the freest, fullest, and most satisfied life can be achieved by looking to the government to ensure those freedoms and liberties are maintained. The belief is that only when you fight for those rights will the greatest good be realized. While freedoms and liberties have provided us amazing opportunities in this country, God did not sign the bottom of our Bill of Rights. In fact if they were taken from us tomorrow, God would have done us no wrong. Jesus actually says that His followers will often be mistreated, falsely imprisoned, and even killed. If our rights were gone tomorrow, Gods authoritative Word still demands that the mission of Jesus and the loving of our neighbors be carried out faithfully. And as a side note, it has been in those periods where Christians enjoyed the fewest freedoms and the greatest risk that the Church grew the fastest.The left is right to a point and then it becomes the beast. The right is right to a point and then it becomes the beast. When we look to either side to provide the things that only God can, we have effectively given our allegiance to the state and worshipped the beast.Let me show you how subtle and how easy it is to fall for this deception.Briefly explain the context of John the Revelator seeing this beast with an angelic guide.Revelation 17:3–7 NASB95 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality, and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly. And the angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.Explain the passage and how easily John was mesmerized by this woman representing Babylon and how the Angel literally had to step in and avert John’s eyes.And so here is the great deception. Left wing and right wing are both wings on the same beast. If the beast can convince you that the other side is the real enemy then it can accomplish its mission of kill, steal, and destroy. At it’s roots the argument is: If you would just give your allegiance to the state like I do, everything would be O.K. Meanwhile the beast is just fine with you ripping each other to shreds in worship of the beast. Does this sound like where our society is at today? Yeah…Only when God’s Word has supreme authority over our lives do we actually stand a chance at seeing the beast for what it is. People aren’t your enemy. Your brother or sister in Christ who sits on the other side of the political isle than you isn’t your enemy…only when we filter everything in our life through the the whole Bible can we see this deception for what it is. Only then can we see the moment we are tempted to give our allegiance to something else.I want to clarify that I mean the whole Bible because what typically happens in political conversations between believers is that singular verses and passages are picked out and used in a type of sinister confirmation bias. We then will reduce the other person down to their perceived failure over a single issue and label them the enemy. Listen to me…THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN WE CONSIDER THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GODS WORD.Alright…so where do we land this thing? Remember those four issues that we just talked about aren’t the point. They were just examples of how this process works out in the very practical things of life.I love you guys. Danielle and I regularly have conversations about how much we have come to love and value each one of you in this community. It honestly breaks my heart to see so many people scared, divided, angry, rebellious, suspicious, and anxious. It is ludicrous to think that a 45 minute sermon could even come close to fixing all of these issues. What I hope I have gotten across today, however, is that there is A SOLUTION for all of these emotions and responses we are seeing in our community.The answer is found as we truly lean into the authority of God’s Word and let is speak into every single area of our lives. And so the question I want to leave you with is this.Are you in the Word?I don’t just mean do you read an inspirational Bible verse a few times per week. I mean do you spend as much or more time and effort informing yourself about what God’s Word says about a situation as you do the pundits on Fox news and CNN and Youtube and Reddit?To live under God’s authority, we actually have to know His Word. Remember how we read that His word is active and living? That is a testimony to the fact that it is capable of speaking into each and every new circumstance we will face.Who knows…if I were to give this same sermon six months from now, there would probably be four new examples that were way more pressing than the four I just gave today. We need a word that is living and breathing and capable of speaking into each new situation. This is the promise. It is good for all of our life. It is the only thing capable of producing change in us. It is the only thing capable of changing hearts, calming fears, quelling anger and suspicion, and healing the division we have experienced.Pray and close. 1 Thessalonians 5:14NASB95
Romans 1:20NASB95
2 Timothy 3:14–17NASB95
Hebrews 4:12NASB95
Psalm 119:9–16NASB95
Romans 1:21–23NASB95
Genesis 3:1NASB95
Genesis 3:4–5NASB95
Genesis 3:6NASB95
Romans 13:1–7NASB95
Titus 3:1NASB95
James 1:5NASB95
Proverbs 9:10NASB95
Romans 14:1–4NASB95
Romans 14:13–17NASB95
Revelation 17:3–7NASB95
