June 17, 2020

Authority #

Proverbs 20:2

Introduction

We live in a society that knows very little of authority. Respect for authority is lost. Children in schools are taught by example, they do not have to respect their teacher. Teachers are stripped of the authority they once had. We see this in a dis-respect, and even scorning of law and order in our country. Many times people excuse rebellion to authority based on abuse of authority. This does take place, and even in Paul’s day, it was it was a problem, and Paul in the NT still wrote,

Rom. 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

There are bad authorities, there are bad apples in every part of the world. But it does not excuse lawlessness.

Authority is something introduced in the very beginning of the Bible by God. Authority and order are a part of God’s original design. To buck that authority, and go against God’s plan, is rebellion against God.

We do not have a king in America. The old dictionary defines king as: 1. The chief or sovereign of a nation; a man invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country; a monarch.

I. Authority Provoked (Pro 20:2) #

Prov. 20:2 ¶ The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

Prov. 19:12 ¶ The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

A. Lion - king of the jungle #

1. If you were hiking in Africa, and happened upon a lion, It would be foolish, to pick up rocks and start throwing them at the lion. #

2. The idea here is, When authority is respected and obeyed, there is no problem. #

B. Law #

1. It is widely publicized that they thought the Titanic to be unsinkable. #

It is often said that someone said, “God himself couldn’t sink the titanic.” I don’t know if that is true, however, If you are going to wage war against authority, you can expect the full weight of the law to come down on you.

C. Lack of Respect #

1. Those who have no respect for authority, have no problem provoking their anger... but they scorn the judgment that comes their way. #

2. King Jeroboam is an example of that, he in the face of God, setup a new religion in Israel (God’s chosen people) and chose vial people to be the priests... When confronted by the man of God, he ordered him to be ceased, upon which his hand was “dried up”... #

II. Authority’s Presence (Pro 20:8) #

Prov. 20:8 ¶ A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

A. Authority that deals with evil - David #

1. David was not a king that allowed evil to prosper in his land! #

2. David’s first act, kill the man that claimed to kill the king! - 2 Sam 1:16 - David had the man killed that killed Saul. #

3. Under David’s rule, the kingdom prospered! #

B. Authority that allows/promotes evil - Jeroboam #

1. He is associated with wickedness! #

2. Many times his name is mentioned, it includes the phrase, “Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.” #

3. Under his rule, people left the nation. The population declined. #

Prov. 14:34 ¶ Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

The decisions and direction our country is headed, is not that of righteousness!

III. Authority Practiced (Pro 20:26) #

Prov. 20:26 ¶ A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

A. Evil and wickedness cannot be left #

If you allow weeds to grow in your garden, it will overtake your garden, your plants will not produce

B. Wheel over them, - Wheat being ground. #

IV. Authority Preserved (Pro 20:28) #

Prov. 20:28 ¶ Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

A. Truth - is what is right! #

1. Truth is what is right! #

3. Truth condemns man... that is why man is deceitful. #

It takes courage to be truthful, and not be a liar. A coward is a liar, that will not speak the truth.
Is. 59:14-15 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

B. Mercy #

1. Mercy recognizes the wrong doing, recognizes the deserving of punishment, but with holds that punishment. #

2. This preserves a king. Kindness! #

3. God is the perfect example of #

4. God extends mercy... #

Eph. 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Eph. 2:4 ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Proverbs 20 - Authority