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Trust Jesus’ Authority

Luke 7:7-10
When you stand next to a dying person who you love you feel powerless.  
The centurion had faith and Jesus’ authority. All he needed was Jesus’ word. This kind of faith amazed Jesus.

Why was the centurion’s faith was so great? Because he was a centurion? Because he wasn’t a Jew? No.

The centurion put all of his trust into Jesus’ authority. If we are to imitate this centurion we need to have a complete faith in Jesus’ authority.

Trust Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.

Matthew 9:6
Jewish Religious leader not only disbelieved Jesus’ authority they actively resisted it.
Often we act like those leaders. We follow unbiblical protocol of forgiveness. We withhold forgiveness as means to control relationships.
We are slow or unwilling to forgive someone before they fulfill all our conditions.  We make them earn our trust back with blood, sweat and tears.
At the same time when we sin, we don’t apply the same kind of right rules to ourselves. We expect other people to forgive in the blink of an eye.
If you’re ready to forgive, you’ll be able to forgive no matter if they follow all the rules.

Matthew 18:21-22
Jesus wasn’t giving Peter a number. Forgiveness is a matter of mercy, not numbers. When we are merciful, our forgiveness is quick and unlimited.
Flash forgiveness. Lightning repentance.  

2 Corinthians 2:10-11
Paul understood the concept of forgiveness.
Lack of forgiveness is one of the Satan’s schemes saying: ‘It’s ok not to forgive. As long as you have a good excuse – it’s fine.’

Forgiveness in Jesus’ church is not optional. We have to trust in Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.

-Jesus has authority on heaven and earth
Matthew 28:18-20
God in Control? No one likes to be coerced or forced to do something. The more you know God, the more you understand that forcing humans to do something He wants is not God’s style.

-In Control vs In Charge
God doesn’t control. He creates rules and they are the same for everyone. God’s rules are meant to keep us safe and prevent in from ruining our lives.  

Philippians 2:9-11
Credentials of Jesus
Exalted to the highest place
Given the name that is above every other name
Every knee should bow
Every tongue will acknowledge Jesus is Lord

Those are great credentials! Why would we bow to submit to anything else?
Colossians 1:18
If Jesus is the head we’d better follow him.
Matthew 6:24
Jesus is referring to the master who is charge of our lives. It doesn’t have to be money. Anything that comes between us and God.
Sometimes we struggle in our faith. This is different from rebellion. Struggling means you’re still fighting but you’re still not in the right place. I don’t care that you’re struggling but I care that you’re fighting.  As long as you keep trusting Jesus when you look back you will see valleys and deserts. All of them are required to shape you.

Luke 4:5-8
Typical scheme of Satan. Claims complete authority but delivers empty promises. They are all designed to distract us from worshiping God.
We have to be single minded in our devotion. Don’t serve any other authority other than Christ.