Bible Teaching

Calvary Temple Teaching Library

Ordained of God Pt.5

Father, we come in the name of Jesus. Lord, we don't want to be anywhere where You have not placed us, so we look for the mind of God and the heart of God. We believe that we're about Your business. We ask that if this happens to be the Asia vision, that You would lead us, Lord, and cause us to be turned again into another area. If You have a Macedonian vision for us, our hearts are open and our eyes are open, Lord, and we desire to be where You are. We're just about Your business, Father. We're looking for open doors to proclaim the word of God. We see a people that are needy, a people that are hurting, Father, and we ask that You would show Yourself mighty in their midst. So Father, we again ask You to either close the door on us and take us into the Macedonia that You would have us to minister in, or cause this door to be opened that no man in the arm of the flesh can open. Don't allow any door to be closed Lord, that You've opened for us to access and proclaim this glorious Gospel. Our hope is in You. You're our confidence, and You're our boast, Lord, and we'll be careful to give You all of the praise and all of the honor, in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Hallelujah!

Just continue to rejoice. I think, with daylight savings time, it's about a seven hour difference. We're looking at the early morning hours and just believing that God here, in these next hours, will cause His name to be exalted in doing that which, in the natural, is absolutely impossible, at this point, to be done. So, we're rejoicing in all of the good things of God.

I don't know about you, I had a wonderful time Sunday night. Everybody we talked to, all of the satellite ministries and the associates, just thoroughly enjoyed themselves. What a great time to go to the "Book of Remembrance." The Scripture says there is a Book of Remembrance you go to. The memorials that we have established in our lives. It was an exciting time. I thoroughly enjoyed it. How many of you were unaware that the video was showing that beautiful, little country lane was Triple Seven Road? It's interesting to go back. You see how rural this was as God lead us here. You can see why some people thought, like Abraham, we were surely lost in our journey. Yet, we believe that Father's ordered our steps.

Wasn't it nice of all of these people to come and join us around here. To see that it continues to grow and the opportunity of all of these souls that have been added in these years we've been here. There was no Countryside. There was no Cascades. Everything was trees out through this whole area. You saw some pictures of those and rejoiced. Some of you have been here most of that time. What I thought would be nice for home fellowship group this week--we're going to have some Books of Remembrance that we're going to provide for you. Not for the little people, just for those who are in the adult services. Each one will be provided a page that you could write down, if you would, the year that the Lord brought you here and how you came. Maybe just a short testimony of something that God has done in your life that is a memorial in you heart and mind at this particular time. It would just be a real blessing.

As we were talking to different ones and being reminded of what God has done, the myriad outreaches that have been here and way people have been touched. Alex Rivera was a very short-term ministry that we had; and yet Alex is here because of it--our outreach in Georgetown. Alex was lead to the Lord there on the streets in Georgetown on a Friday night. He was here that Sunday morning and has been here ever since, praise God. That's an exciting thing. My understanding is that the Newlens happened to be a New Adventures In Prayer meeting. You remember, I was talking to you about the New Adventures In Prayer meeting that we were having. They were in the area and encountered the ministry through one of the outreaches of New Adventures In Prayer. Others had heard us on the radio. Carolyn Heglund first came to a Miracle Rally. She said, back at time, that God had spoken to her and said, your life is going to be entwined with those people. She thought it was fulfilled when she was finally able to come and attend Calvary Temple and be involved in the service and ministry here. Yet, she became a little more entwined than she was anticipating. God is so good to us.

As we shared the other night, the real understanding that none of us that are here are here by chance. God has put us here. If you really believe that, if you believe that your steps are ordered of the Lord. If you believe that before the foundations of the world that God has ordained this day that we're living in, it can never be mundane then. It can never be something that we can take for granted. It also nothing that you can blow off and walk away from. If God put you somewhere, then only He can release you. Those are the things that we all have understood over the years. Many of us are here for that very reason; because of that very principle. Believing that God put us here in times when we would have like to have bailed, and yet the Lord has a purpose in our lives and we see the fulfillment of it as the years continue to go by. Some real exciting things. I'm looking forward to be able to just look over those and rejoice with you.

My mind goes back to many different things. Greg and Greer are here because of the handouts that were distributed one afternoon. We were out sharing the Gospel--ministering, and extending our care for a people that are lost; and how the Lord ordered their steps in that particular outreach. We know that the radio was responsible for the majority that are here in one way or another. So, we thank God for that opportunity. Just take the time to rejoice and again, put into a Book of Remembrance, those good things that God has done in our lives.

Lets go ahead and finish up this short study that we have done; because Sunday, I want to move into the next phase. We got off in to this particular aspect of Biblical authority because I was wanting to deal with authority in another area. I was wanting to deal with spiritual authority that has been entrusted to us over the principalities and powers, over sin, and an authority that has been given to us to proclaim the Gospel, to go out and see the confirmation of God's presence with us through signs and wonders, through the manifestation of the power of God in our lives. We're coming into a day when we're going to contend with the spirit of Antichrist, when knowledge is not going to be sufficient for you, beloved; you're going to have to have some authority to be able to stand. You see, doctrine can only go so far. Doctrinal truth can only go so far without experiential power and understanding of Biblical authority. Even the Pharisees themselves remarked on it.

In fact, turn to Matthew 7. I guess we can actually jump in it tonight off of here. That is what's so good about the Word, you can jump in anywhere. Look over at the seventh chapter, for just a second, of Matthew. A passage that's interesting. Verses 28 - 29 say, "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." This is what made Jesus' ministry unique in the eyes of so many that had heard of Yahweh, the God of power and the God of creation. "The Lord our God, He is one," the Jews would say. This made them distinct from all of the polytheism that surrounded them.

Jesus came and represented God as someone who had a relationship. As one who was a representative, dependant upon God and yet represented Him as though it was a power that was totally resident and innate. In His incarnation He is unique from us, in that, He could have drawn upon the innate power, His deity; but he chose to live in his humanity by faith and reliance upon God. None of His miracles were done because He was deity, but because He trusted in the divine, and in the declaration of the purpose of God. We need to move into that same simplistic belief, and realize that we can move in the same power, and the same authority. So He spoke as one who had authority. They never heard anyone talk like this before. This is someone who has a relationship with God, and we need to be able to realize that we can move in that same power. When the demons speak of us they would say, "Jesus I know, Paul I know, Virgil I know;" and not say, "Who are you?" God's called us to represent Him in absolute power and authority, to take dominion over sin and Satan. We need to prepare ourselves in this day of the rise of Antichrist. We're going to talk about that a little bit, but not tonight.

Chapter 8, verses 5 - 13, "And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there can unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest some under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." Jesus marveled it said at this man's faith. Now, this faith was interesting. The faith was based upon recognizing authority. I don't believe this man, at this time, knew who Jesus really was; but I clearly understand that he believed who Jesus was representing. This is a man who believed in God.

Let me show you something over in the Luke passage that's pretty interesting. The Luke passage is given with a little different rendering. In fact, some people would even say it's a contradiction. There's no contradiction here. There's holy men of God speaking as the Holy Spirit moved them in these principles and truths. I'm not going into the explanation of the differences of these passages, I want to point out the truth that is here. Luke 7:4, "And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue." I've always kind of liked that passage. The Jews came out too represent this centurion. They came to Jesus and said there is guy back in our home town, he's a man of power, he's a man of affluence and influence, and he has a servant that he loves that is sick. He has ask us to come and see if you would heal him. We want you to know that this man is worthy because he has built us a synagogue. Doesn't that sound like the flesh? What made him worthy? He's done something for me--I perceive him worthy. As you read on in the context, the man saw himself differently than those he had ministered to. He, in fact, says as you read through this passage in Luke, he goes on and says, "Look, the reason I didn't come to impose myself upon you is because I don't consider myself worthy to even approach you; and I'm sure not worthy that you should come under my roof. Just speak the word, because I know how authority works. I'm a man under authority." It's very interesting, recognizing that when you're under authority and you represent a power greater than yourself, you understand also that authority, then, diffuses itself out into all of those that you're in relationship with and you say to the soldiers that your dealing with., go and they go, come and they come. You say to your servants, your own personal realm, go and wait upon this and they do it. They understand, then, the obligation to respond to the He that is in authority over you. He was Jesus as representing God. I don't believe that he really knew who Jesus was at this point. The majority of the people didn't know that he was the Son of God at this point in His ministry. They were all still trying to figure out who He was: a teacher, a prophet, possibly the Messiah. Never a man spake like this man. The question was asked, "Who are you, really?" But based upon the understanding of authority, this man believed that Jesus represented the Throne of God. He said, all you got to do is say it, and it's a done deal.

Now, we're saying that to get back to recognizing authority as it's been set before us. Do you remember in the sessions before, we said, "When you encounter authority, you encounter God." Any time you encounter authority, you encounter God. We saw authority as we know it, was instituted of God--both civil and secular authority. We saw the domestic authority as we were in our last session. We spent a quite a bit of time dealing with the authority of the husband. The head of every woman is the man. The head of man is Christ, and the head of Christ is God. Isn't it interesting that Jesus, in bringing about the plan of redemption, the Son of God, very God Himself, the Creator of heaven and earth, all things were made by Him and for Him and without Him and was not anything made that was made. He is the Creator, and yet in the wisdom of God, part of this triune God that we serve, to represent the will of God did something--what was it? He subordinated himself, took upon himself a form of a man to show you and I one of the great principles of tapping the power of the Throne of God--order--and to combat the original sin, the greatest force that opposes the kingdom of God, and that's broken order, because it's source of wisdom is pride. The authority behind it is satanic, because all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Jesus said, "You're of your father, the devil, when you move in that particular kingdom. So we see divine order, divine life opposing self-will, self-exaltation. Isaiah 14, I will ascend above the throne of God. I will be as God. "Go ahead and eat it," he said to his first disciple, "and your eyes will be open, and you too will be as God. You will know good from evil. You'll be able to make decisions for yourself. You'll no longer have to be submissive and subordinate and dependant upon God for everything. You'll be able to discern how to grow crops and how to provide for yourself. Later on your relatives will even know how to build arks." Wouldn't have been necessary if they would have remained innocent and subordinate and dependant. Independence, self-will, thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think--all the fruit of the original sin. We've been talking about how to recognize authority, civilly, domestically; and we talked some about the ecclesiastical authority.

We're going to finish up with that part of it since we haven't spent much time at all on the ecclesiastical and look at a couple of passages that I think are very important for us to have in our notes, and again, refreshing our minds. As we understand God's original purpose and plan for us, so we can move in authority. You'll never be in authority if you're not under it. You can never move in authority if you're an authority to yourself. Those who were moving in power and authority to themselves were the seven sons of Sceva. They came and tried to cast out devils in their own authority and in their own name. The devils said, "We don't recognize any authority that stops with self." So once we understand that, it becomes very liberating too us and allows us to begin to move in the power of God and in a way that represents Him properly.

Lets turn to I Thessalonians, five. There are a couple of passages of Scripture that I think are vital as we, again, understand these principles. I Thessalonians 5:12 -13. Do you remember we started with our original text out of Romans 13:1, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God...." Paul is speaking here to the Thessalonians. Remember part of why he is writing here. Remember the false doctrine that was being spread that they had already missed the catching away, that they were in the time of tribulation; so there were authorities that were rising up and proclaiming their own office of prophet and propagating their own doctrine. At the same time because of that, there were those who were labor in their midst, and wanting to live off of everybody else. We know the passage in Thessalonians, if you don't work you shouldn't eat, and all of these. What is being established at this particular juncture, you'll see, is what is necessary to bring the presence of God and the power of God into practical affect. He says, verses 12 - 15, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. [And what will be the consequence of it? Look:] And be [What?] at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among ourselves, and to all men." So we see, then, as Paul is speaking here, he says, "I want you to do something. I want you to know those that labour among you." The knowledge here is talking about not a casual understanding but a real discernment of what makes that person tick. Do you really know and understand those that God has put in authority over you? Whether it be in the domestic realm, husbands that are really not known of their wives can move in a way that creates real disease in a wife and a fear and doubt as to the intention and motives. There is never a peace that is in that relationship. There is never a confidence, because they have not come to really know the heart of that person. It's sad how many relationships, even marriages, are just superficial after years and years. Jesus said, "Have I been so long with you and you don't know me?" Doubter! You see the danger of judging out of our own hearts those that are in authority. You won't judge them out of your own heart if you know them. Now, Scripturally, how are we known first of all? We're known by our fruit. Not the words that we speak. Not fair words and good speeches, but fruit. What's the life of this individual? Not on a particular action. That person didn't seem to do right there. I don't know if I agree. What's the life of this individual that's been lived before you? The determination of whether or not those in authority--As we said, so importantly, the key to authority as being transparent. Don't ever let it be seen or thought that it stops with you. If you want to be someone that can move in unlimited power and authority--the only thing that limits your authority is your lack of transparency. The more transparent you become, the more authority you can wield and never have to apologize because they're seeing through you to Jesus. So it's very important then that you represent the Word at all times, and not your own personality, or your own preferences.

So they're admonished and said, "Look if you don't have confidence in those who are in authority, here in the Thessalonian church, the reason, the problem is this, you don't know them. You don't know who they are, whose placed them--you don't know the guy who has sent them." I shared this with an individual just the other day. A very self-willed individual. Somebody we've had to deal with on numerous occasions. I was sitting in this meeting and one of the deacons was in there. Jim O'Connor was in there, and he said he almost fell under the table. I looked at this particular young woman and leaned across the table and looked at her and said, "If you had any clue who I am, you would be trembling in fear. But," I said, "you have absolutely no respect for me, because you don't have a clue who He is who sent me." That's the bottom line. So, if we're able to move in an area of confidence in who sent us and what our purpose is, then you make no apologies for the doctrine that you defend and represent. If you only knew. If you knew them, then the Scripture says you can esteem them highly for their work's sake. If ever there are any twinges in you when you're dealing with spiritual authority--"Who do they think they are? I don't know if I agree with that." Wanting to second-guess some how--Don't lose sight of who it is who placed them in the body as it pleased Him, and what your relationship to that authority is supposed to be: One, You're to know them; two, you're to esteem them.

What is their role? The Scripture says that they're to be over you in the Lord. That's an interesting word. It means to stand before. It means to give direction to, or, to rule.

We've said it's a military term. It's like the officer in charge as they stand before whatever the particular unit is. They might not be the one that's there, the Sergeant that's barking out orders. They're the guy that always stands back there and you really wonder what this guy is really like. He's got this bird upon his shoulder. As a young recruit it's--a guy with one stripe is kind of awesome. Some of you remember back when you went into the service, and all of a sudden you begin to be promoted after Boot Camp. You're finally an E2. You come from a PFC. I'm trying to use Army terms because most people know them. I don't know Army terms that well. I was in the Navy, where you go from the Seaman to the Petty Officers and Chief Petty Officers. My Dad was a Chief Petty Officer for about 30 years. You can always tell, he had a crooked finger from carrying a coffee cup around. You go into the different ranks. It's so cool. You see the young officers as they come out the Ensigns and the Lieutenant JGs. Almost don't know how to come out of the rain. Yet they are in authority, and here's the old Chief Petty Officer leaning back over there with his cup of coffee--spoon standing straight up in it. A little thick. This young Ensign or Lieutenant JG comes over--Ensign Parker comes over from "McHale's Navy" wanting to give all of these particular orders. What do you do? It doesn't matter that you've been in there 30 years. It doesn't matter that you know how to do this, that you've been doing this. The man is designated authority. You respond, realizing that it's not the individual, it's his rank; and he represents not just the Navy. He doesn't just represent the Commander In Chief; it's representative of the Nation. The purpose of our existence. Anything less, then, broken order is ciaos. It's anarchy! It's every man doing what's right in his own eyes and God said you can't have that in the House of God, because a house divided against itself can't stand. So God put these that are not token, but true authority. They are there to not only be over you, but to admonish you. That word "admonish" means to--I love this rendering, it's a literal rendering. It means to put sense into your mind. That admonition is to put truth, functional truth, into your mind, to require of you the learning of these basics.

Some of our young people have been going through different little boot camps. I saw two of our young teenage girls up here practicing marching the other night. Reminded me of Israel, a number of years ago. We were over there watching these young ladies in the Israeli Army carrying those automatic weapons around. I saw these two girls, they were practicing some of their marching. They were having trouble with "About face," so I was trying to help them--"To the rear, march." I was trying to show them "To the rear, march." They were having trouble getting the step, you know--"To the rear, march!" "To the rear, to the rear, to the rear"--they weren't getting anywhere, but they were kind of getting the point of how they could make this "in a circle, march." We were working with them on a couple of those areas. It caused my mind to go back to these passages of those who are over us. Those who stand before you. Those who give orders.

Now that's the fun position, the giving of the orders. You can have fun with it, like marching guys right up to the wall. "Hut, hut." The wall's getting closer, "Hut, hut," and you think, "Pretty soon we've got to get 'To the rear,' man," you know. When is going to do this? And the man in charge just likes to cut it close, possibly, or having fun with the authority. That's not what God wants us to do. You don't flaunt it. You don't play with it. What I want you to see in these couple of minutes that we're going to take tonight on just this one subject, and we're not going to labor the point. It's one in the past that we've spent the most time on, so you have the principles down. I want you to see that the authority puts these commands out and expects them to be instantly responded to. If you start thinking about it, you're going to run into the wall. They may not have you change course until the last minute, and if you want to give some thought to it, you're probably going to flatten your nose if you don't follow the commandments as they're given, the orders. Now, how do we respond and what is the authority, here, that God is speaking to us? I think as you really look at what it's representing, you can see that I Timothy makes it even a little clearer.

I Timothy 5:17. It talks about elders that are ruling well and how they are to be given double honor. Those who are especially laboring in the Word, I Timothy 5:17 says. The word "rule" here is the same word that is used in the Greek when it talks about those who are over you. Those who stand before you, those who are in leadership, those who give directions to your life. Now, let's remember what the original sin was. The original sin was, "I don't want people giving direction to my life. I want my eyes open so I can make decisions for myself. I don't want to be told what to do. I'm an intelligent being. I'm an adult. I have my own will and I plan on exercising it." That is the wisdom of the world. The return to innocence and redemption, where we become like little children. Jesus said when you come, come as little children. I want you to come totally dependent upon me. Now what's the fear that we have? Of course, the fear that we have and what's touted by so many people--you talk about the Jim Jones thing and what's this last spaceship group. Where were they from? Out in ______________. You find all of these guys dead waiting for a space ship; or everybody drank a bad case of Kool Aid in Jonestown, or whatever. We set there, and people always want to cite those. "You see, you just can't allow authority and leadership to come to that place;" and there is truth to that. Because, in the military what do we have? We have the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

So, we realize that there are standards that are set that says this authority is limited in these instances and cannot go beyond this demand of you. That's what this is. Okay? So we have in the Scriptures, here, for each of us, the limitations of husbands, the limitations of Pastors, and we're to study to know and to show ourselves approved unto God. We're to know those that labor among us. We're to esteem them; and if we're being asked something that is in direct correlation to the Word of God, do we ever, do we ever, have any license to resist the power to say, "I disagree and I really don't feel comfortable doing that." Or, are we obligated by the wisdom of God to submit to those that are in authority over us? The Scripture is clear. The greatest protection--and every one of us as individuals has this within us to say, "Hey, I just want to make sure." What is our protection? The greater personal knowledge you have of the Word of God, the safer you are. The better you know the Word, the safer you are. Now, not just head knowledge; because what does head knowledge do? It puffs up. We're talking about a practical understanding of how God works in his kingdom, in His Church. We, through the Word has a greater understanding of what our own sinful tendencies are. We understand the authority that has been entrusted to the Church; and that authority that is given too mark and brings about different disciplinary actions. Even into the spirit realm of binding and loosing, and turning over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. That is all real stuff when you want to read into Matthew 18, and see how all of that works. But it only works to the degree that you believe it. It only works to the degree that you subordinate yourself to it. To blindly submit to authority is stupid! To absolutely submit to authority with knowledge is wisdom. So it's very important that we realize what's in our own members--all of the propaganda of Satan and the flesh that says, "Don't every really fall into an area where you put yourself under because you're going to be taken advantage of." That is pride. It's a lie of the devil. It's the wisdom of Eve.

We begin to see that God has ordained these too rule in our midst. I Timothy 5 is very interesting. It says, verse 17, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." Double honour. It means value, or worth. The word "rule" there just means to lead or direct. It's the same word that we were talking about earlier. Why would there be double honor to this eldership, especially they who labor in the Word and doctrine? It's the doctrine that keeps you safe. It's the doctrine that causes you to be able to walk in that confidence of the passage that says--Jesus making reference to His church--My sheep know my voice, and another they won't follow. If you know the voice of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus, then you are obligated to follow the under shepherds that you encounter: Pastors, elders, deacons, husbands, parents--whatever sphere it might be in. So it is important, then, that it is recognized.

Let me show you something in Peter for just a second. In I Peter, as you look over to this passage, I Peter, five, there is a commandment that is given by the apostle to the elders that he was overseeing. Peter was not the Pope; but Peter was truly an elder in the Church, and with James from the Jerusalem Council, the apostle to the gentiles, Paul, that represented that emphasis of the kingdom and the outreach of the Gospel. But Peter speaks and he says in the fifth chapter, verses 1 - 7, a very interesting passage. "The elders which are among you I exhort...." An exhortation. He is stirring them up, putting them in remembrance. Now he is speaking to elders; so within the eldership there is authority. Not all elders are equal. So we realize, then, there is authority within the eldership. The plurality of elders that are established in local assemblies or even in the visible representation of the Church. "...who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, [He is establishing his credentials.] and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you...." The word "feed" is interesting here. Poimano, it not only means to nurture and bring nutrition; but it also speaks of a leading process. It's a feeding and a leading responsibility that belongs to pastoral oversight. He clarifies that as he goes on. "...taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind...." Not by constraint. Not by force. You don't try to make anybody do anything. You set the standard. You pursue it. Those that choose to follow, those that believe that this is the voice of God will recognize the role. "...Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock...."

That word means a pattern. Be a pattern. We all know what a pattern is. We have the pattern of the cookie cutter. That's a pattern. Those of us that sew, you get your pattern and cut the material out and Velcro it together and go from there. We realize that those that are in this area, they are to be patterns. They are to be able to say, "Follow me, as I follow Christ." That's a sobering thing. That's a very humbling thing, to realize that people are going to pattern their life after you. It bring about a sobriety and a fear in your life to make sure you're representing He that sent you and that you're faithful to the task. So he says, and I love this phrase, "...And when the [Say it with me.] chief Shepherd...." You see it doesn't stop with an individual. There is the chief Shepherd, the head of the Church, Jesus. No spiritual leader has right to come up with any new revelation that gives you Kool Aid to drink. It going beyond the sphere of their authority and responsibility, and the chief Shepherd, then, is going to appear one of these days, and if you've been subordinate, if you've fulfilled the responsibility that God's placed on you in that subordinate role. "...ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

That's the walk in the Spirit, beloved. That's the real safety that we have is the innocence and ability to cast our care and say, "I'm just doing what God told me to do. I'm not responsible for the decision they're making. I'm responsible for my attitude and for my fulfilling my role. And when the chief Shepherd comes, I'm going to receive a crown. The one thing I do know is this: I'm going to humble myself, because God resists the proud. When we're understanding of those particular principles, then we're in an environment where the power of God can manifest; because the one thing we do know is this: God always sides with the innocent; God always represents the just. If we can remain in that particular environment, we're going to know that that is the safety of God. You can read into II Peter 2:10. We won't even look over there right now. It talks about not getting into the place of judging dignities. That is the satanic realm, and the judgment that it brings.

I think we'll close with Hebrews, 13, tonight just as something that refreshes our hearts and minds. We might even look over at Acts 20. I don't know, but in Hebrews, as we close for this evening--the thirteenth chapter. When you encounter authority you encounter God. If you can't humble yourself as Peter is saying in that fifth chapter, you're resisting God, you're resisting the ordinance of God, Romans, 13, says.

In Hebrews 13:7 he says, "Remember them which have the rule over you [There it is again, same word,].who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." What is that saying in a nutshell? Follow those that rule by the Word, and live by the Word. You see, there are a lot of people who speak the Word, but they don't live the Word. There is no requirement in their own lives or anybody around them. They don't speak as those who have authority. They speak as the Pharisees. They spin doctrine. They talk about Biblical principles; but everybody is left to themselves. How can you follow somebody that doesn't know where they are going? How can you follow somebody that's not a pattern, that doesn't have a clear direction of the Word of God in their lives? It says "Thus sayeth the Lord," and requires it of them and those who are around them. This is basically what the writer of the Hebrews is saying to us. Remember them which have the rule, those who have spoken the Word, whose faith follow. What is this pattern? Look at the next verse. Interesting the context, isn't it? "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." There is no changing. The leaders can't say, Well we have a new revelation. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." How can I be confident in this man that I'm following? Because He's the same Jesus that He was yesterday. This guy is transparent. I'm looking through Him, and I see Jesus up there and it's the same Jesus that I saw yesterday. He's still following Jesus. I'm looking right through this guy. I'm watching the end of his lifestyle and I can still see Jesus up there. I here only the Word of God that is being represented. That's what we need to see. There is no changing of standards. No authority has the right to present any other Jesus.

Then, as you see it closing down, verse 17, the writer finishes with these words. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves...." That word "submit" is a little different. Submit usually means to subordinate, to place under. This is very similar, but it speaks towards the times when you don't know if you agree or not. This particular word means to withdraw. "Back off" is another way of saying it. Obey them that have the rule over you, and back off. Humble yourself, "...for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not for grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Why? They don't bear the sword in vain. Don't oppose these. Let them serve and fulfill this with joy. You see it here and you saw it over in I Peter chapter five, because that is profitable for you. The less conflict there is, the more profitable it is for you. The more content and peace the one in authority is, the more peaceful it's going to be for you. How many of you knew that as kids growing up? Don't rile Dad. Right? Things were great! An authorities response.

I shared with you one of my favorite stories of my Father is the milk shake story. I love that. It shows how you respond and how authority responds. We just got a brand new 1955 Chevrolet Belair station wagon. We just left the showroom and Dad is saying, "There is not going to be any eating in this car. If you even think about it, I'll kill ya!" I hope you don't get the wrong impression of my Father. He really was a good Dad. It was interesting. This particular thing. We'd always stop and eat in the car. We'd stop at the local milk shake place and get a hamburger or whatever. We were always on the road going to ball games. It was really great, because in Pacific Grove where we played so much--right outside the ball park there was a Foster's Freeze. Foster's Freeze was a California chain. The greatest milk shake you ever had in your life. There was one right outside the ball park; so we would stop there and get a milk shake. As we were driving home--it was a long way home-about 12 miles. We always knew when we were going to hit the jackpot, because if we didn't stay on Del Monte Avenue, if we took a right to go up to Freemont, we knew we were going by the other Foster's Freeze. It just depended how Dad's flesh was driving him at the time.

We would be driving home and all of a sudden he whips a right and we'd be headed up towards Freement. Alright! We would stop because we had already gone six miles and most of the milk shake is gone, so we would stop and get another one to carry us home. I always liked to get the root beer freeze. Anyway, we were leaving the dealership with this brand new car. We were driving, "And we're not going to eat in this car, and don't you...." We're going down Freemont. We're driving, and he said, "And I'll tell you what, don't even think about it..." And pulled right into the Foster's Freeze. Right in the middle of his spiel! Now we're at Foster's Freeze. "We're just going to get this, and don't you dare--don't even think about--if you spill I'm going to kill ya!" They came out and we're sitting in the back and he turned the milk shake right upside down in his lap. My brother and I are in the back (miming stifling laughter), no noise, not a sound. The car is going (miming laughter shake), my Mom is going (miming biting lip). Never a word said. It's okay every once in a while, when the power makes a mess. They are humbled by it. If you submit yourselves and let them do it with joy, it's better for you. "Hey, Dad, thought you said to be careful." Not the thing to do! If we can live that way in God's kingdom, we'll be at peace, the Lord will be honored, and we'll be able to move as that centurion did. I'm under authority, I know how it works, and when you pray, you can pray effectively because you humbled yourself and God will honor your role of innocence.

Father, we thank you for the Word of God. As we come before You tonight, we always are humbled by the power of Biblical truth as it contends with the lies of the world system. Natural man, that wants to vaunt himself and trust in his own wisdom and abilities, finds that most prominent in the area of spiritual things. We can submit to civil leaders. Sometimes we don't even have trouble in the domestic realm. We can submit to military authority. But Satan and his wiles, when it comes to spiritual authority, will try to make us think that we're all entities unto ourselves; but no man lives to himself or dies to himself. We're placed in the body as it pleases Him, under authority, as we've clearly seen tonight. So many passages that talk about those that are over us. Deacons, elders. So the age old question arises, "How do we protect ourselves from the authority?" We ask that as it pertains to government. God makes it clear, in the homes, "children obey your parents in the Lord." You don't have to do everything your parents say if it's contrary to the Word.

Oh, beloved, study to show yourselves approved unto God. Workmen that needeth not be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth. As you study this Word and understand the authority that you have in the person of Jesus Christ, when you come to know who you are as a son of God and an heir and a joint heir in this kingdom, when you know that you're not your own and you've been bought with a price, when you can recognize the authority in you, you can recognize the authority over you. That is the biggest problem that most of us have, we don't see it in us and so we won't recognize it over us. "I don't submit to him in my personal life, I do what I want, and I won't submit to anybody that represents Him." When you encounter authority you encounter God. Let's stand together.

As Gary plays for us. Allow these biblical truths to take root in your life, and see the safety there is in knowing Jesus personally. If you know the Chief Shepherd, you will know his under shepherd. If you are able to submit to what He's dealing with in your personal life, you'll be able to submit to those who are representing Him in the corporate life of the Church. You can't only be successful in one. So, as Peter says, we humble ourselves that He might exalt us in due time. We submit ourselves one to another in the fear of God, the Scripture says, so in other words we listen to anybody who that speaks the Word to us. I'm quick to hear the Word. I'm quick to do the Word. That's a man or woman under authority. I'll tell you what, if you're quick to do it, your kids will see it in you, and they'll be quick to obey you. Don't you just want to be known as someone who does the Word of God? The one thing I know about that guy, he's going to do it according to the Word. Isn't that your heart's desire? But if that is the choice you make, you're going to be misunderstood. People are going to oppose, tear down, so you have to be jealous for the truth and contend for the faith. It's a battle. This Word is being opposed on every side, at every hour. The minute you choose to do it God's way, you're going to be opposed; but be ready for the war that is at hand. Don't be afraid, because you're not where it stops, you're under authority. Where ever you are in the chain of command, it still has to go up; because the Chief Shepherd is yet to come. Let's sing it together and worship Him tonight.

"I love you Lord." Thank you, Jesus. We do worship you, Jesus. Hallelujah! Just tell Him you love Him tonight. Take a moment and just let Him know how thankful you are for His mercy and His grace. For His wisdom that keeps us safe and sets us on course for the gifts that He has placed in our midst that brings to us instruction and reproof into righteousness. That the Man of God may be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto every good work. We thank you for it, Father, in Jesus' name. Hallelujah! Amen.

Before you go, turn to somebody next to you and say, "Divine order, divine life."

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