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The Uncomfortable Truth About God's Authority

October 15, 2023 • Brannen Padgett • Matthew 8:18–22

Have you ever struggled with submitting to authority? Whether it's a boss at work or a government official, there can be a resistance within us to yielding to someone else's commands. The same can be said when it comes to God's authority. We often only want to recognize the aspects of God's authority that benefit us, while ignoring the uncomfortable areas that force us to change. 


In Matthew 8:18-22, Jesus reminds us that He is Lord over all, even over our personal lives. As we study the Bible, we begin to understand that Jesus is not just our Savior, but also our Lord. To fully surrender to Him means submitting to His authority in every area of our lives. 


However, our sinful nature and the world's influence has led us to reject any kind of authority. This has even seeped into the church, causing us to reduce Jesus to only our Savior, forgetting that He is also our Lord. 


As believers, we must learn to submit to God's Word and to other believers when necessary. This may mean giving up certain areas of our lives that we have been holding onto. But as we do so, we will begin to experience the true freedom and joy that comes from living under the authority of Christ. 


Join us as we dive deeper into the uncomfortable truth about God's authority and learn how we can surrender our lives to Him.

More from Authority

Gifted For His Mission

November 26, 2023 • Caleb Oliver • Matthew 9:35–38, Matthew 10:1–15

In this inspiring sermon, we explore Matthew 9:35-28 & Matthew 10:1-15, learning that Jesus has gifted us with the authority and plan to advance His Kingdom. We are called to remove the scales from our eyes and see the world as Jesus sees it. As His followers, we have been given His authority to fulfill His mission and make an impact on those around us. Jesus has a plan for us, just as He did for His twelve apostles, and we must start where we are and invest in those around us who do not have a church home. We are here for a reason, and God has put us in this city with a purpose. Our task is to invest in people's lives and invite them to experience the love and grace of Christ. Join us as we discover how we can use our gifts to bring glory to God and advance His Kingdom.

From Desperation to Restoration

November 19, 2023 • Brannen Padgett • Matthew 9:18–26

In this week's transformative message grounded in Matthew 9:18-26, we witness the incredible authority of Jesus over death. Jairus, a prominent synagogue ruler, approaches Jesus in a profound act of desperation, kneeling before Him and pleading for his dying daughter. As Jesus and Jairus journey to his home, a poignant interruption occurs—a woman who had suffered from a debilitating condition for 12 years approaches Jesus in search of healing. Her story is one of physical agony, financial ruin, and social isolation, yet her encounter with Jesus unveils a deeper layer of suffering, the deprivation of human touch. Join us as we explore the compassionate response of Jesus to both Jairus and the suffering woman. This powerful narrative unfolds the truths that Jesus is our expiation—providing cleansing and restoration—and our ultimate hope. Discover how Jesus transforms desperation into restoration, bringing life to the brink of death. Prepare to be inspired and encouraged as we delve into the life-changing authority of Jesus and His profound impact on the desperate situations we face. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of Jesus' transformative power.

From Darkness to Light

November 12, 2023 • Matt Burks • Matthew 9:9–17

Join us for a powerful message based on Matthew 9:9-17, where we explore the profound authority of Jesus to save. The main point of today's sermon is clear: "Jesus calls us 'from' something and 'into' something." As we delve into the narrative of Matthew's calling, we witness the radical  transformation that occurs when Jesus calls us out of our former lives and into a new, fulfilling journey with Him. Matthew's response, rising and following Jesus, serves as an inspiring example of immediate obedience. Discover the scandalous grace of Jesus as He shares a meal with tax collectors and sinners, challenging societal norms and demonstrating that His grace is extended to all, regardless of societal judgment. Jesus' actions remind us that our religious resumes and sacrifices cannot save us; only Jesus has that transformative power. Prepare to be encouraged and challenged as we reflect on the extraordinary call of Jesus and the life-changing impact of following Him. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of His authority and grace.