Matthew 7:28-29

The Right Side up Life / Matthew 7:28–29

Jesus did not speak, he proclaimed. He didn’t just give us options, He channeled a whole new way of life.

if you’re here and you are following Christ, if you’ve trusted in him as your authoritative source, maybe you’ve heard the sermon of the amount 100 times, or you’ve read it 100 times. Or you’re tired of the six months on the series. If Christ is authoritative, when we read his word, the instrument of his voice Scriptures, then our job is to respond to them as one who has authority. To act on them, not just an agreement and nodding our heads, but in deliberate action.

Christ is our authority, and uses authority to care and redeem

what does He have authority over?

Ephesians 1:20–23 ESV

that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

What is authority? Authority answers the question, “who’s in charge?”

Where Does Authority Come From?

You can’t just stand up and yell, “I have authority!” If I shouted that statement in a crowded room I would get laughed at, tackled or arrested. Authority is not simply saying you are now in authority.

How does Jesus have authority?

Christ did not just yell, I’m in charge here! He was present before all things. He didn’t have to yell it.

Christ has the responsibility: He was there before anyone else showed up.

Colossians 1:15–16 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Jesus is sustaining all things. There is no dominion, no ruler, no authority who has any say beyond what Christ is said.

Christ has the capacity: Authority was given to Him by the Father

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Christ has the resources: He backs up every word with action at the cross.

Philippians 2:4–11 ESV

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

spent all his power at the cross, not so that he could wheeled some kind of authoritative power trip, but so that he could use his authority to free others. He could use his authority to redeem the church. He could use his authority to bring light into darkness.

The cross shows us that Christ has acted on our behalf. He has gone first and He has been where we are. But He did not only come near in the cross. He was also raised to life by the power of God to invite us into eternal life and the ultimate redemption of all things in Christ.

If Christ shows authority in what He says and what He has done, our response is to trust Him by what we say and what we do.

We can trust Christ over every other voice, and I should say, more than our own.

We can rest assured in Him

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean for Jesus to teach “with authority,” and how does that differ from other types of teaching we encounter in our lives?

• Consider how the source of authority impacts how we respond to someone’s words.

2. How does recognizing Jesus as the ultimate authority influence the way we approach challenges, doubts, or moments of distress?

• Reflect on examples in your life where turning to Christ’s authority brought clarity or peace.

3. The sermon emphasizes moving beyond agreement to action in response to Jesus’ teaching. What are practical ways we can act on the authority of Christ in our daily lives?

• Share examples or ideas for applying His teachings in tangible ways.

4. Jesus uses His authority to serve, redeem, and restore rather than to dominate. How does this challenge or reshape your understanding of leadership and power?

• Discuss how this model of authority compares to worldly examples of power.

5. What does it look like to trust Jesus’ authority in areas of life where you feel uncertain, resistant, or in need of control?

• Explore barriers to surrendering to His authority and ways to overcome them.