Astonishing Authority

Matthew 7:28-29

For several generations the Jews had been without a prophet, and, as a result, the scribes had emerged as apparent authorities because they had learned the Scriptures by rote. The Jews who heard Jesus of Nazareth preach the Sermon on the Mount had long been familiar with these authorities. But when they heard Jesus for the first time, they were at once impressed with the infinite distance that lay between His preaching and the teaching of the scribes.  

Jesus spoke with authority, while they spoke from authorities.

The hearing of The Sermon on the Mount should draw our primary attention to the One who spoke.

1. I. The Authority of Jesus - for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.  v.29

His audience was apparently more impressed with His authority than with the content of the Sermon itself.

All other religions were founded by human beings and are based on man-made philosophies, rules and norms for behavior.

Jesus did not receive His authority but brought His authority from heaven.  “I came...”

1. II. The Words of Jesus When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; v.28

Christ's most startling revelation was what He said about Himself. 

Jesus set Himself up as the authoritative interpreter of the law.

He declared Himself the Messiah! 

1. III. The Validation of Jesus Authority - This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Acts 2:32

Rejecting or denying authority does not remove it.

The final and conclusive action supporting the authority of Jesus Christ is His resurrection from the dead.

The problem isn’t that Jesus has not made Himself known to men, but that men have made it a point not to know who He is.

1. IV. The Question from Jesus - "But who do you say that I am?"  Matthew 16:15

Who Jesus is to you will determine more than just your philosophy of life; it will determine your eternal destiny.

Paul, Peter and James all identified themselves as “bond-servants” of Christ Jesus.

Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!" John 20:27-28