Francis Chan: Living Under the Authority of Jesus — Urbana 2015

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message is a call to live under the authority of Jesus Christ, surrendering our lives to His mission and purpose. It's a reminder that true freedom and joy come from submitting to God's authority, rather than trying to control our own lives. We're encouraged to re-examine our priorities and focus on sharing the Gospel with those who have never heard it.

Key Scripture References

• Isaiah 5:20 - This verse highlights how our world has twisted God's authority, calling good evil and evil good. We're reminded to not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
• Philippians 2:14-15 - Paul encourages us to shine as lights in a crooked and twisted generation, reflecting God's authority and character in our lives. This passage emphasizes the importance of living under God's authority and being transformed by His power.
• Psalms 119:1-8 - The psalmist declares that God's commands are good and full of life, leading to eternal life. We're encouraged to desire God's law and meditate on it day and night, allowing His authority to shape our lives.
• Matthew 8:5-13 - This passage shows Jesus' authority over nature (the wind and waves), demons, and even death itself. It highlights the incredible power of following Jesus and submitting to His authority.
• Matthew 9:9-17 - We see Jesus' call to Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him and leave his old life behind. This passage emphasizes the importance of physical obedience to God's commands and the need to surrender our lives to His mission.
• Matthew 10:5-16 - Jesus sends out the disciples with authority to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven and perform miracles. We're encouraged to understand that following Jesus means being sent by Him on a mission, using the gifts and abilities He's given us to reach others for Him.
• Matthew 10:16-23 - This passage warns us about the persecution we may face as followers of Christ, but encourages us not to be anxious or worried. Instead, we're to trust in God's power and provision, knowing that He will give us the words to speak and the courage to stand up for Him.

Application

This message challenges us to re-examine our priorities and focus on sharing the Gospel with those who have never heard it. We're encouraged to surrender our lives to God's authority, trusting in His power and provision as we follow Him. It's not about creating our own dreams or achieving success in this world; it's about being obedient to God's commands and living under His authority.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to understand the importance of living under Your authority. Give us a desire to surrender our lives to Your mission and purpose. Help us to see that true freedom and joy come from submitting to You, rather than trying to control our own lives. May we be transformed by Your power and reflect Your character in our lives. Give us courage to stand up for You, even in the face of persecution, and may we trust in Your provision and guidance as we follow You.