Spiritual Authority – 8
We continue looking at how we can steward our Spiritual Authority better. Last week we looked at obedience. This week I want to look at serving people and how that helps us to grow.
Jesus made it very clear when he had to address the issue with the disciples. They got into an argument about who is the most important or the greatest in the Kingdom – Matt 18:1. Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt when they asked him this question? What did they think makes you great in the kingdom?
Matt. 18:1-4 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
I can imagine the disciples arguing about this. Peter and Andrew think they are the greatest because they gave up their fishing business to follow Christ – Matt 4:18-20. James and John disagree with Peter and Andrew because they also left their fishing business to follow Jesus – Matt 4:22. Andrew disagrees because he was the first one who heard John speak about the Messiah and told Peter, his brother, about Jesus – John 1:40-41. It seems like Andrew was the first evangelist when he went and got his brother to come to see Jesus. Phillip disagrees because he was the first to recognize that Jesus was the one Moses and the Prophets talked about in the Law and the Prophetic books. He also found Nathaniel and told him about Jesus – John 1:44-45. Nathaniel feels he is most important because he was the first to admit that Jesus was the Son of God, long before Peter had that revelation – John 1:49.
Peter speaks up again and defends his reputation: “Remember boys that I was the one that Jesus called to walk to him on the water” – Matt 14:28-33. Judas chimes in with: “Yes, but you failed.” Again Peter responds and reminds them that Jesus asked him and James and John to go up on the mountain with Him – Matt 17:1. James and John chimes in that they are the most important because they were the ones asking Jesus if they could call fire down on the people that did not prepare for Jesus, just like Elijah did in his day – Luke 9:54. Their mother agrees with them because she thinks they should sit on each side of Jesus. Their mother even asked Jesus personally if that was possible – Matt20:20. Jesus’ brothers are troubled because they are his brothers. That makes them more important – Mark 6:3.
What about Paul? He tells us what he gave up and what he suffered – 2 Cor 11:16-30. Suffering that much must make you of great importance in the kingdom. What about John the Baptist? He introduced Jesus to the world. What about David, Aaron, Moses, Samson, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Joshua, and all the other prophets. Are they not important?
None of these people are important because of who they were. What makes us great is when we serve and lay our lives down. Become as Children Jesus said. Children depend on their parents. We must be depending on God. Children are teachable; we must stay teachable and stop living like we know it all. Children can grow in their understanding; we must remain where we understand our need to grow up in Christ.
More than anything else, we must have the attitude that Jesus had. He who was equal with God laid it all down and was found in a bondservant form; he came to serve the lost – Phill 2:5-8. Jesus also tells us that if we want to be great, learn what it is to serve first.
Mark 10:42-45. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be the servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
So, in conclusion, how do we experience greater Spiritual Authority? We must learn to take the lowest seat, serve the ones God put in front of us, and demonstrate that the kingdom is not about us but about them. When we love people the way God loves them, we will step into greater authority, not that the authority is greater, but we are better prepared to be used by God.
Next week we will look at how faithfulness helps us to walk in a greater capacity in our Spiritual Authority.
