Who’s in Charge?

Authority is a naughty word in today’s culture.  No one wants to submit to the authority of anyone else.  “Who are you to tell me what to do?  Who are you to tell me what’s right and wrong?”  I hear it from youth all the time.  Surely, there are plenty examples of abuses of power by authorities in charge.  The reluctance to submit to authority is often understandable.  But the truth is:  We all answer to a Higher Authority.  The Bible tells us that God is in charge.  Jesus is King and Lord of us.  We live our lives to him.

The Jewish religious leaders challenged Jesus’ authority.  “By what authority are you doing these things?”  Jesus had just cleared the temple and upset their lives.  The chief priests and teachers of the law thought they were in charge.  But Jesus asserts an authority that overrules theirs.  All this begs the question:  Who has authority in our lives?  To whose authority do you submit?  Are we beholden to the “authority” of others’ opinions, the number of ‘likes’ we receive on Facebook, or dead religious rituals and routines?   

This Palm Sunday, Jesus is challenging us to embrace his authority in our lives.  We often say: Jesus is Lord.  But is he truly the Lord of you?  Would your actions testify to this?  My message “A Jesus Reckoning” will both encourage and exhort, challenge and comfort.  Traditional worship begins at 9:00 AM.  Contemporary worship begins at 10:45 AM.  A nursery and Busy Bags are available.  Both services feature the same biblical message, lively worship, warm friends, and the power of the Holy Spirit moving in our midst!

I also invite you to join me along with your Grace Church family and friends as we celebrate my 25th Anniversary as pastor of Grace Church!  We’ll meet in the Fellowship Hall between services (10:00-10:40 AM) for some cake, beverage, and a time of celebration.  No gifts are necessary but a card basket will be present.  Who would have thought that our shared ministry would encompass 25 years?  Truly, God is faithful and good.  Come, celebrate God’s working among us, God’s fruitfulness, and 25 years of shared ministry!