Gospel
I will Like to dedicate this Article to all Children of God who understand the Authority in the name of Jesus, and to all those out there who do not believe in Jesus and his power to save heal and deliver.
The Point:
Luke 20:1-8 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority? And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing, and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, if we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, of men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
I am not going to treat this Article as a bible study. But I strongly feel that a verse by verse brush stroke will be necessary to drive my message home.
Verse 1:
And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
It was a normal day with normal people with normal lives. In my mind I hear children running and playing, traders outside the temple trying to make a sale or two from the worshipers that troop in and out of the temple- just like a busy day at work you may say!
Jesus and his Disciples too where there to do what they were commissioned to do: "preach the Gospel and teach the people the ways of the Lord."
As He taught the people the good news, a mean set of people walked into church not because they want to repent or surrender their will to the will of God but because they felt they have more education than the preacher, they have posts and titles that the preacher do not have.
Pause...
Many times we see pastors intimidated by personalities and individuals because of their achievement and worldly wisdom.
This is what the Word of God says:
[1 Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:]
If the word of God needs intelligent men after the world order to preach then this scripture will be broken [1Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;]. Can you see that? God is no respecter of 'big personalities', he makes use of all those who are available and without pride.
Play...
These men came to Test Our Lord and prove him a liar. They have a reason, a negative reason to come to that assembly; they came to cause confusion, to stir up trouble and to show themselves as intellectual men, men who are custodians of the laws of God.
Beware of those who only come in to provoke strife among the brethren.
[Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.]
[Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.]
Luke 12:1 In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples, first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ]
Verse 2
And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
If they wanted to know they would have asked a bit more polite and without prejudice. They came as proud law-makers and elders and demanded Jesus to tell them by what authority He taught the people and performed the signs and wonders He did. What a nerve!
By what Authority...?
If you claim to know the scriptures they will say, where did you study? What books about marriage, God, Life, and Christianity have you read? What is your highest educational qualification?
People, at age 12 Jesus was teaching Doctors [Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting amid the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.]
What was his qualification? [Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?] That was His qualification-His fathers Business!
Note to pastors:
How often have you been derailed from going about your fathers business? How often have you succumbed to the mockery and abuse that have plundered you and the insults that have ravaged you? Will you be up and about your fathers business? Will you allow the scorners to take the better part of your kingdom time by telling you that you are unfit for the work of God and as such getaway into hiding and/or adulterate your message a bit too 'world-class' to become the 'you' that they want you to be?
Who is he that gave thee this authority?
Within this question is a true hunger for the truth of God. The only problem of the questions of these men is their lack of genuine quest for the truth.
If they wanted to know God, all they would have done is ask what Philip did [John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.] what sincerity, what need for direction and purpose, what true quest for the truth!
But rather our friends wanted it the other way: you claim to have powers, then tell us, who gave it to you?
My fellow ministers of the gospel, I know that some of us have been asked this question in a variety of ways.
Some will ask, who ordained you a preacher? When where you called? How where you called? Who mentored you? Do you have sponsors in your ministry? How renown is the man that poured the oil of commission upon your head? Etc.
I have been asked a couple of these questions, sadly by ministers of the gospel who should know better. [Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted his heel against me.] I would rather that an unbeliever ask me that question than you, my fellow servant, who preaches the same gospel as I preach, who was called to the ministry as I was. I pray the Lord will help us-Amen
Verse 3& 4
And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing, and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
Aha! That's the turning point in this question and answer segment folks!
Jesus looked at them and said if you tell me this one thing then I will give you the answers you seek.
He wanted the Jews to tell the truth about John the Baptist.
Pause...
Jacob was a man that so many look upon as a cheat and no good fellow because he tricked his poor old father into blessing him.
Now look at the following dialogue between him and the angel:
[Genesis 32:24, 25, 27 & 28 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.]
Observe this unique scenario:
===> Jacob was alone, just like he was with His father Isaac.
===> He wrestled with the angel just like he and Isaac his father went into an argument about his identity.
===> His name became necessary as his father Isaac did not believe he was Esau [Genesis 27:24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.]
===> This time he did not lie about who he was, he said "I am Jacob"
The Jews and the elders had their chance but they blew it. They could not answer the question about John.
Today I Dare you to answer. I Dare you to declare your stand [Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.]
Play...
Verses 5, 6 & 7
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered that they could not tell whence it was.
Let me place myself in this brief but very important council of Jews and elder:
"We know that Johns baptism is from God but we dare not say so because of our position and disposition about his calling and election and this Jesus who will rebuke us at any chance he gets. If he was like one of us maybe, just maybe we would have worked with him in his ministry and who knows maybe appoint him as 'Chief Prophet'"
An encouragement to ministers
[Pastors and Ministers of the Gospel of Jesus, Stay within your calling and do the work appointed to you by God, do not attempt to get sold-out of your calling. Jesus will perfect His word in your mouth and his word in you will prevail if you stand in the place of your calling.]
"The fact is, we will lose face among our brethren and Jesus will be right one more time about our Pride"
Note:
Pride is a destructive weapon, falsehood is its fuel when its price if full, doom is sudden and inevitable-be on your guard.
"If on the other hand, we say it is of men, caution has to be taken gentlemen or we will defiantly incur the wrath of these men who believe in the ministry of John. These people will stone us to death. We better play the NO ANSWER game to be free of all guilt."
So they said "we do not know sir, we cannot say"
So many times brethren when we are faced with an honest question, we play the politics of words and avoid the question.
Is Jesus Lord? Is Jesus going to return? Are there other 'ways' to the Father? How do you know that the Bible has not been corrupted?
These are questions that we hear every day and as Christians, we hide our faces and avoid the questions and say; "we cannot tell but we know it is there somewhere in the Bible", I heard the preacher saying it", "what has that got to do with the fact that I am a Christian?"
[1peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to answer every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:]
Verse 8
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
What an answer!
People of God I will like you to know that these men were not ignorant of the power and teachings of Christ, but they deny it to bring discredit to his work and ministry.
As one of their own said: [John 3:1&2 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.] They knew that He came from God and God was with Him, but they did not like the idea that he was not one of theirs.
But glory to God in the highest who knows the content and intent of the heart of man. He took them by their craftiness.
At this point, I will like to ask you this question; by what authority did Jesus spoke to the Jews and elders? By man's authority or God's
There is only one way to find out the answer to that question; accept Jesus today, belief in him, stay in your calling and you will not only know by what authority but you will know whose Authority it is that Christ used to Perform miracles and teach.
If you will be willing and obedient, you will witness the Authority of Christ in your life.
Jesus is Lord! God Bless you.
Apostle O'Sam Nsa
Upper Room End-Time Harvest Church Nigeria
Tel: +2349053176545, +234835696326,
Email: [email protected]
Feel free to post your comments and prayer request.
www.urcm.blogspot.com
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