Matthew 28:18 Yielding to the Authority of Jesus

Kowloon International Baptist Church Kowloon Tong

Harry Lucenay, Pastor

4 February 2007

All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18

John Calvin cited Augustine in naming one of the effects of the fall: Man’s natural gifts were corrupted by sin, and his supernatural gifts were withdrawn. This led to an interpretation of Jesus’ life that said: since Jesus lived with perfection and did not submit to the temptations to compromise who He was, the supernatural gifts meant for humankind were intact in Him.

Jesus was single-minded in doing the will of the Father.

Jewish theologians used the word “kavanah” to speak of the true intention or true desire of one’s heart. In speaking of Jesus, “kavanah” would refer to a single-minded focus on God.

The Great Commission made Jesus’ authority available to His disciples if they chose to follow Him in single-minded devotion.

How can we yield to the authority of Jesus?

Aim High

Get your priorities right. Put first things first.

Learn to discriminate so you don’t major on minors.

It is easy to put what one wants before what God wants.

Luke 9: 57ff As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Another said “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Another said “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family.”

Jesus asked Peter Do you truly love me more than these? John 21:15

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ — that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Colossians 3:1-2 The Message

William Booth: God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I, men with greater opportunities than I, but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do for them, I made up my mind that God should have all there was of William Booth; and if anything has been achieved it is because God has had all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will and all the influence of my life!

Fight Shy

Drop anything and everything that will prevent you from being the best for Jesus.

Find the mind of God on the subject of your need and stay close to God.

Be careful of your thought life.

We take every thought captive for Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Quit stewing on the impure, dishonest, ugly things of life.

You can’t experience God’s peace if you concentrate on life’s trash.

If in doubt, cut it out!

Live Nigh

The secret of great men and women of God has not been their great knowledge of God but their personal relationship with Him.

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Arabic version: He that chooses as his permanent abode the secret place of the Most High shall always be in touch with the almightiness of God.

The New International Version is used unless otherwise stated.