Pathways - Week 7: How To live under God‘s authority

Bloom Church Podcast

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6:46-49 NLT

JESUS CAN’T BE LESS THAN WHO HE IS

Lord our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone do we honor. Isaiah 26:13 NIV

HOW DO WE DISPLAY LOYALTY TO GOD?

1. LIVE WITH A FULL SUBMISSION TO HIS AUTHORITY

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 NLT

Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Matthew 26:39 NLT

2. WE RECOGNIZE HIS OWNERSHIP

This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Acts 10:36 NLT

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 NLT

3. Unquestioning Obedience

So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? Luke 6:46 NLT

“If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15 NLT

GOD CALLS US TO SERVICE TO HIM AND TO OTHERS

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45 NLT

JESUS NEVER REDUCES HIS STANDARDS TO ATTRACT DISCIPLES

QUESTIONS TO EVALUATE OUR SERVANTHOOD

1. AM I GENEROUS WITH MY TIME?

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16 NLT

2. AM I GENEROUS WITH MY TALENTS?

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5 NLT

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 NLT

3. AM I GENEROUS WITH MY TREASURE?

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Matthew 23:23 NLT

They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 2 Corinthians 8:2-3 NLT

4. AM I GENEROUS WITH MY TESTIMONY

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. Revelation 12:11 NLT