Learn To Respect Authority

'Work...as though you were working for the Lord...' Colossians 3:23 NLT

Man I love our church! I hope you do too. Thanks for being apart of a awesome service yesterday. I'm getting excited about our new series on "Ten Values for Strong Families." This is a great opportunity to invite a friend or co-worker who needs help in this area of there lives. Two things to remind you of this week: If you aren't plugged into a small group get plugged in! You'll be glad. Secondly, Sharefest is this Saturday. We will be meeting @7:30am to leave the church by 8am to go to Leslie Groves Park. I hope you'll come out and share Christs love to our community.

Today I want to talk about Respecting Authority. Can you imagine a nation without a leader, a workplace without a boss or an army without a general? It would be chaotic. Structure creates order; without it no progress can be made. That's why you don't park your car in the bedroom or sleep in the garage. Learn to respect those in authority over you. Honor those who have lived longer than you because they possess a wealth of knowledge. Listen to them and grow. Until you learn to take orders you will never be qualified to give them. Jesus understood this. He was the Son of God. He knew more than any other human being, yet He honored the authority of the government in power. When the Pharisees asked Him His opinion on paying taxes He answered, '...Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's...' (Mark 12:17 NKJV) Are you speaking words of doubt about your own organization? Are you belittling those in authority over you? Stop it now! True, they are not perfect. (Perhaps that's why they can tolerate you.) If you rebel against every instruction you are given, don't complain when those around you rebel against your words and opinions. The law of reciprocity states that if you want to be treated with respect, you must respect others. That includes those you don't agree with, or even like. Jesus did. Pray, 'Father, I know that respect for authority is taught in Your Word. So remind me today that my success depends upon my attitude toward those You've placed in leadership over me. As I honor them, I believe You will honor me.' You are loved!