DON'T FORGET WHOM YOU REPRESENT!

June 13, 2016

DON'T FORGET WHOM YOU REPRESENT!

Mark 11:27–33

Tate Stewart

Central Truth

In all that you do, remember to consider whom you’re doing it for. When our actions and words are rooted in the love of Christ, others will be drawn to the hope that we have and the grace we’ve been given.

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” (Mark 11:29-30)

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Have you ever been told by authority figures that your actions are not just a reflection on you, but also a reflection on them? Maybe it was your parents, your coach, or your boss who reminded you of this. As you have spent time with clients, interacted with members of the other team on the court, or hung out with friends on a Friday night, such words likely resonated with you, even years later. I, for one, know that when my dad told me that my actions were a reflection on him, it kept me in line . . . sometimes!

When the religious leaders challenged the authority for Jesus’ actions in this passage, Jesus’ response to such accusatory questions was rich with truth and instructive about our calling as Christians to live confidently under His perfect authority. Let’s explore that calling a little deeper.

In all that we do, whether it be work, play, service, or conversation, we are called to do it to the glory of God (Colossians 3:17, 23). By prayerfully considering under whose authority we are living our lives, we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ here on earth, just as He has planned for us (Ephesians 2:10). Of course, living under Jesus' perfect authority will not always be easy. In fact, we’re told that there will be times of great difficulty as we journey through life in a world that lives outside of God’s authority (John 15:18-19, 16:33). Even so, by God’s grace, we can be confident in the truth that submitting every aspect of our lives to Jesus' authority will lead to a prosperous and glorious eternity (1 Corinthians 2:9). Man, I don’t know about y’all, but I CANNOT WAIT to bask in the glory of God in heaven forever! Talk about a summer tan.

One more thing: unlike when your coach told you to remember whom you represent, you don’t have to be afraid of making God angry when you mess up. Rather, by trusting in the grace we have been given through Christ, you will be better able to effectively share with others the hope that is within you. How encouraging is that?

1. What are some simple ways you can remind yourself daily to walk in the authority of God?

2. Are there any aspects of your life that you are not submitting to the authority of Christ? What are some ways you can identify these aspects?

3. In those times when you mess up, what are your “next steps”? Are you practicing repentance, after confessing both to God (1 John 1:9) and to a community of believers (James 5:16)? If not, I encourage you to learn more about running with a community of fellow Christians: http://www.watermark.org/ministries/community