INTRODUCTION

Authority resides upon those who have the right to rule; but, unfortunately, it is not always combined with the ability to rule wisely. In the most basic sense, authority is the right and responsibility to rule others as given to one individual by another. The centurion in Matthew 8:9For 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.
See All... expressed this truth when he said that his authority gave him the right to issue commands to his soldiers. The apostle Paul referred to his authority to call for the arrest and persecution of Christians (Acts 9:14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
See All...; Acts 26:10Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
See All..., 12). This truth was also taught in the parable of the nobleman and his servants where the reward given was authority to rule over cities (Luke 19:17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
See All...). Unfortunately, this desire for authority over others has been the source of problems and troubles throughout history.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God established authority in the home (1 Corinthians 11:3But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
  See All...), in the church (Hebrews 13:7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
  See All..., 17), and in the land (Romans 13:1-4 [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. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
  See All...). These people have the right to rule. What does the Bible say would happen if there were no authority (Judges 21:25In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
  See All...; 1 Corinthians 14:33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
  See All..., 40)?
• (For everyone): Why is authority so very important? Why is it important that the right kind of people exercise the right type of authority over others? Why is it important that men be under the right authority?
• Name some people who have some authority in your life. Name some people over which you have been given authority. What are your responsibilities toward each group?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to teach you about authority.
• Ask God to give you wisdom if you are currently in some type of authority.

HYMN

I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED

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