Necessity for Bible Authority
Sermon Summary : Necessity for Bible Authority
Bro. Billy Bland | 16 November 2025 | Matthew
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” — Matthew 28:18-20
A basic yet profound truth: authority is necessary in every aspect of life. Thayer defines authority as “the power of rule or government.” Without authority, schools fall apart, workplaces collapse, traffic descends into chaos, business becomes unproductive — and there will be chaos in religion. Even something as simple as a traffic light illustrates our need for order.
If this is true in everyday life, how much more in our spiritual lives?
The Bible Acknowledges Our Need for Authority
In the period of the Judges — “the dark ages of the Bible”, Israel repeatedly disobeyed, fell into captivity, and spiralled morally. Twice the Scriptures describe this era with chilling clarity:
“There was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
— Judges 17:6; 21:25
This is what happens when people reject authority and replace “the truth” with “my truth.”
But Scripture warns us:
“O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”
— Jeremiah 10:23
We need guidance, direction, and divine authority.
The Bible Is Our True Authority
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work..” - 2 Timothy 3:16–17
The word inspiration means God-breathed. Just as “the LORD God formed man… and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7), the Bible carries God’s own breath, giving spiritual life, direction, correction, and hope.
God has not left us to wander blindly — He has given us His living Word as our perfect guide and constant help.
Creation itself declares this authority:
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made…”
— Psalm 33:6
Even Jesus repeatedly appealed to Scripture as His authority:
“It is written.” — Matthew 4:4, 7, 10
“Have you not read?” — Matthew 12:3; 19:4
If Jesus — the Son of God — relied on Scripture as His standard, how much more should we?
Why Is There A Need For Bible Authority
1. To Avoid Religious Confusion
Jesus prayed for unity “…that they all may be one… that the world may believe…” — John 17:20–21
Unity can only exist when people submit to the same standard.
Paul echoed “…that you all speak the same thing…” — 1 Corinthians 1:10
And again “…let us walk by the same rule…” — Philippians 3:16
If everyone followed the Bible, confusion would disappear. There is no confusion when we simply accept what the Bible says, because God has given one clear, consistent standard for all. Just as every measurement requires a fixed reference point — a true meter, a true kilogram — our spiritual measurement also requires a standard, and that standard is the Word of God. Only when we return to Scripture as our sole authority can unity, clarity, and truth prevail.
2. To Avoid Believing a Lie
It is possible to sincerely believe a lie and be lost.
“…because they did not receive the love of the truth… God will send them strong delusion…”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12
Examples:
a. Eve (Genesis 3)
Satan assured Eve, “You will not surely die”, directly contradicting God’s command. Trusting the serpent’s words instead of God’s truth, she ate of the forbidden fruit — and the consequence was devastating. She believed a lie and lost paradise.
Her story reminds us that error often sounds appealing, reasonable, or harmless, but whenever it contradicts God’s Word, it leads to spiritual ruin. Only by holding fast to what God has said can we avoid the same trap.
b. Jacob (Genesis 37)
Jacob is a powerful example of how even a sincere heart can be misled without true evidence. His sons deceived him by presenting Joseph’s coat dipped in blood, leading him to believe Joseph had been killed. Jacob mourned deeply — not because he lacked love or sincerity, but because he believed false evidence. His sincerity did not make the lie true.
This reminds us that good intentions cannot protect us from deception. We must seek truth carefully, test what we hear, and measure everything against God’s Word.
c. The young prophet (1 Kings 13)
In 1 Kings 13, God gave a young prophet clear instructions: deliver His message and “You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came”. But an older prophet deceived him, claiming an angel had given different instructions. Trusting the man instead of the command God had spoken, the young prophet disobeyed — and he lost his life.
His tragic end teaches a sobering truth: sincerity does not protect us when we follow the wrong authority. Even religious voices or convincing stories cannot overturn what God has said. Whenever we set aside God’s Word for another message, no matter how persuasive, the result is spiritual danger.
Jesus warned:
“Beware of false prophets…” — Matthew 7:15
Satan remains the father of lies (John 8:44).
Thus, we must test all teaching by Scripture, not by sincerity. Many voices may look and sound good, but some are there to deceive.
3. False Standards of Authority
a. Feelings
Many people say, “What I feel in my heart must be right.”
But Scripture warns that feelings often mislead. In Genesis 37:35, Jacob felt certain that Joseph was dead — “For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning” — yet his feelings were completely wrong.
Our emotions are real, but they are not reliable.
Just because something feels right does not make it true.
Just because you feel you can do something does not mean you actually can — or should.
Feelings fluctuate; truth does not.
We must therefore anchor our decisions not in emotion, but in the unchanging Word of God.
b. Conscience
Some say, “Let your conscience be your guide.”
But Scripture teaches that the conscience is only as reliable as the training it receives.
Consider Saul. Before becoming Paul, he persecuted Christians (Acts 23:1). He even stood by as Stephen was stoned — yet his conscience did not trouble him at all. His heart felt right, but his actions were completely wrong.
God warns us: “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” — Proverbs 14:12
Conscience may assist us, but it can never replace Scripture as our standard of authority.
c. Human reasoning
Trusting our own logic instead of God’s revelation. Scripture clearly warns us about its limits: “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” — Jeremiah 10:23
Human reasoning is subjective, changing, and easily influenced by culture, emotion, and personal bias. But divine revelation — the Bible — is unchanging, perfect, and trustworthy.
d. Forefathers
We honour our parents and forefathers, but they are not the standard of authority in religion. Faith cannot rest on tradition, heritage, or “what our family has always believed.”
Paul himself admitted that he was once zealous but wrong, saying:
“I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries… being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” — Galatians 1:14
Sincerity and zeal did not make him right.
Likewise, King Josiah destroyed the idols and altars his father had built — proving that ancestral traditions can be flawed, and sometimes must be corrected.
Good parents can make mistakes, and beloved forefathers can be wrong.
Our ultimate authority is not tradition, but the Word of God.
e. Commandments of men
Jesus condemned man-made doctrines:
“In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
— Matthew 15:9
4. To Be Saved From Sin
On Pentecost: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized… for the remission of sins.” — Acts 2:38
Saul was told: “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins…” — Acts 22:16
The Philippian jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30–33).
The Scriptures provide the answer — not feelings, not tradition.
Jesus said: “…the truth shall make you free.”— John 8:32
God adds us to the church (Acts 2:47).
We do not join it — we are added as children are added to a family.
We need God’s divine standard to know what to do to be saved. Human opinions cannot guide us safely into eternity. Jesus asked the sobering question: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” — Matthew 16:26
Nothing is more valuable than the soul — not wealth, not success, not achievements.
Therefore, we must desire to be right with God, not in a prideful or self-righteous way, but with a humble heart, submitting to His word and His will.
5. To Remain Saved
The early Christians “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…” — Acts 2:42
We must test teachings:
“Test the spirits…” — 1 John 4:1
“Abide in the doctrine of Christ…” — 2 John 9–11
Those who keep God’s commands will be blessed: “Blessed are those who do His commandments…” — Revelation 22:14
Heaven awaits — a place with no more tears.
6. Christ Is Our Final Authority
Jesus declared: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” — Matthew 28:18
We will be judged by His word:
“The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” — John 12:48
We want to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:21
Not:
“Depart from Me…” — Matthew 7:23
God’s word is complete, inerrant, infallible:
“…the Scripture cannot be broken.” — John 10:35
Conclusion: Respect and Obey Bible Authority
God’s word gives confidence, clarity, and assurance:
1 John 2:3 — We know Him if we keep His commandments
1 John 5:13 — You may know you have eternal life
2 Corinthians 5:1 — A house not made with hands, eternal
2 Timothy 4:6–8 — A crown of righteousness awaits the faithful
Sometimes sheep wander — not because they intend to leave the flock, but because they slowly drift without noticing. In the same way, we too can drift spiritually, not out of rebellion, but through gradual neglect. Yet the Good Shepherd continues to call us back. Even if we have lost our way, we can always return to the Lord, who stands ready to receive us.
It may not always be easy, but it is always right to submit to God’s authority.
And because of that, we can sing with confidence:
Blessed assurance
It is well with my soul.
