Matthew 7:28-29 The One Who Has Authority

 

Introduction: This text records the reaction of the people to the Sermon on the Mount. They were astonished. There were astonished at two things. (1) His doctrine (2) His authority.

 

I. His doctrine Vs. 28 (Doctrine means teaching, precept, principle of belief. Jesus shocked the people with the

            contents of His sermon.)

            A. He shocked them with the beatitudes.

                        1. Blessed are the poor I spirit. Matthew 5:3 (They had been taught by the Pharisees to be proud.)

                        2. Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 (They shall be comforted.)

                        3. Blessed are they that are persecuted. Matthew 5:10-12

            B. The greatest shocker of all was that they must have a righteousness which would exceed that of the

                        scribes and Pharisees. Matthew 5:20

                        1. This was totally opposite to what they had been taught all of their lives.

                        2. The scribes and Pharisees had always been pointed out as models for them to exemplify.

                        3. Jesus was saying that the scribes and Pharisees would not make it to heaven.

                        4. This meant that keeping the law would not save them.

            C. They were told that they had misunderstood the Law.

                        1. They had misunderstood about murder. Matthew 5:21-22

                        2. They had misunderstood about adultery. Matthew 5:27-28

                        3. They had misunderstood about life and eternity. Matthew 5:29-30

                        4. They had misunderstood about divorce. Matthew 5:31-32

                        5. They had misunderstood about swearing. Matthew 5:33-37

            D. Jesus told them some things hard to believe.

                        1. They were told not to retaliate when mistreated. Matthew 5:38-39

                        2. They were to do good to those who mistreated them. Matthew 5:40-42

                        3. They were actually to love those who mistreated them. Matthew 5:43-44

                        4. He told them not to put too much emphasis upon worldly riches. Matthew 6:19-20

                        5. He taught them not to worry about material things. Matthew 6:25, 33

 

II. His authority Vs. 29

            A. The verse does not indicate that they viewed the scribes as being without authority. (To the contrary,

                        they had always been taught that the scribes was the voice of authority on religious matters.

            B. They were surprised that Jesus also spoke with authority.

                        1. His message was clear, understandable and believable. (It had the ring of truth.)

                        2. It was astounding that the carpenter spoke with greater knowledge and wisdom than the

                                    learned scholars.

            C. Little did they know just how much authority He had. (To speak the world into existence, to

                        command angels, to calm the storm, to head the church, to rule the world, to judge the world)

           

Conclusion:

            1. Even today men are astonished at the doctrine of our Lord. I never cease to be amazed at the teaching

                        of His word.

            2. Even today He has authority over our lives.

                        a. He has authority to give everlasting life.

                        b. He has authority to tell us what doctrines to believe.

                        c. He has the authority to tell us what to do and what not to do.

                        d. He has the authority to chastise those who disobey his will.

                        e. He has the authority to give the blessings of God to those who do His will.

            3. He spoke in direct contradiction to the scribes and yet He spoke with authority.