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…Perhaps you are like me in that I have been blessed by having many
outstanding teachers and professors. I know that I have received a great
trust from my instructors. Dr. Carter, Dr. Pickering, Professor Thomas, Dr.
Kent, Dr. Whitcomb, Dr. Overstreet, Professor French, Dr. Fink, Dr. Clowney,
and Dr. Fuller…to name a few.
…Yet, none of these can be compared to the greatest teacher to have walked the
earth, the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh how wonderful it would have been to have
heard Him deliver the greatest sermon ever. Someday…we will hear Him as He
teaches us in the Kingdom.
…Matthew ends his account by drawing attention to the deep impression made
upon those who heard His sermon.
THREE WAYS IN WHICH THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS HAS BEEN REVEALED TO
US.
Jesus is like no other, for He is altogether different. He is
the Son of God!
I.
Jesus’ Authority Is
Clearly Seen In His Words. (vv 28-29)
A. Those
who heard Jesus that day were “dumbstruck” or “amazed” with His teaching.
They had never before heard such insightful words of wisdom and depth.
…They had never heard such straightforward and fearless denunciation of the
Scribes and Pharisees, and such a black and white presentation of the way of
salvation,
B. People
were used to hearing the Scribes teach. They would quote for authority, but
Jesus quoted only the Word of God. He spoke as the final authority. He
spoke eternal truths simply, directly with love. He was God incarnate
teaching men and women the ways of God.
1.
Jesus set
Himself up as the authoritative expounder of the Law: “You have heard that it
was said, but I say unto you…” He placed Himself above the Scribes…
2.
In
Matthew 6, He instructs in how to give, pray, fast, how to avoid
materialism/worry.
3.
In Matthew 7,
He warns against anything that might turn attention from Himself and thus lead
a wanderer into judgment.
4.
John
14:6…essentially Jesus tells us “follow me!” He spoke with authority.
II.
Jesus’ Authority Is
Revealed In His Works.
Jesus not only spoke
with authority, He also acted with authority! His acts substantiated His
claims.
A. What
were His works? Prior to this sermon He had already healed various kinds of
illnesses and cast out demons. (Matthew 4:23-25)
B. These
people were yet to see: lepers cured, the blind would see, the dead would be
raised back to life, the storm stilled, water would be turned into wine, and
10000s fed by a boy’s lunch.
…Hear the words of Nicodemus, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come
from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God
were not with Him.” (John 3:2)
C. In
1768, the German, Hermann Reimarus, sought to discover the “Aim of Jesus” from
the “Aim of the Disciples.” (as if different!) This was an attempt to
strip
all supernatural elements from the life our Lord. Impossible! In Germany,
Christianity was viewed as the product of the early Disciples who stole the
body of Jesus and proclaimed a resurrection and gathered followers. But,
Jesus tells that His words and works are interwoven. (John 15:22,24)
III.
Jesus’ Authority Is
Best Seen In His Resurrection.
A. The
final and most conclusive bulwark of the authority of Jesus is His
resurrection. It is Paramount. Did Jesus rise from the dead? If He did, His
authority is established. Did Jesus rise? Absolutely!!!! There are
volumes of evidence for it.
B. Note
a few of the key evidences for Jesus’ resurrection:
1.
The empty tomb
proclaims the resurrection. All His enemies had to do to end the early
preaching about Jesus was to produce the body of the Lord. Nor did the
disciples steal His body, for they never would have died for a lie. Never!
2.
The grave
clothes argue for it. They were found wrapped as they had been when they were
around the body. (not unwound) Even the napkin which had been around His
head was there folded and placed by itself. He passed right through these
things!
3.
Jesus appearances
argue for it. Different people, at different times…
4.
Jesus’
resurrection shown by the transformation of the disciples… a huge difference!
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. Don't
merely be amazed at the teaching of Jesus. Don't miss it. Trust
the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.
2. Jesus
taught as no other, for He is God in the flesh.
3. If you
know Him as Lord and Savior, you will sit at His feet and be taught.
4. Jesus'
resurrection is the great miracle.
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