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An Inch For Authority Introduction: Why do we have trouble communicating with each other? Sometimes due to not listening, sometimes due to accents, talking too fast, etc. One problem is not having the same foundation, the same starting point. Example if I would ask you to list me your friends, you and I would have to agree on what is a "friend." We must be able to establish a common ground and build on that. Example is in John 4 and the Samaritan woman by the well. I) How Long Is This Line? A) More basic question is: How long is an inch? B) Must agree upon a standard for authority. II) Meaning Of And The Need For Authority A) There are practical needs for authority, Leviticus 19.35-37 1 There must be a standard for time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc) we also have to agree on what time zone we are in. Same for weight, and money. 2. In our country the government has a Department of Weights and Measurements, Proverbs 16.11 See back page for statement. 3. Standards are not set by -- feelings, family traditions, parents, the owners, etc. B) The need for a standard is true in religion 1. Needed in the days after Joshua, Judges 21.25 2. Idolatry, immoral behavior, murder, religious apostasy all developed because they did not go by the standard of God's word. 3. Romans 1.20ff describes what happened to the Gentiles after they left the right standard of truth. III) What Is An Inch In Religion? A) God is our creator 1. As such He has the right to command all mankind, Hab. 2.20 2. Bible describes God as the potter and Israel as the clay, Isaiah 45.9 a. The problem is when the clay tells the potter what it wants and decides. b. Israel rebelled and was punished 3. God has the ability to reward and to punish. Daniel 5.24ff 4. If God says it, then it is settled. 5. This rules out -- feelings, family traditions parents, the owners, etc. B) The Bible is the right standard 1. Cannot go to another source to find the mind of God, Exodus 34.27 2. Includes the Old and New Testament, both inspired by God. 3. The Bible is the final and only source of authority, Matthew 21.42; 19.4. 4. Includes the writings of the Apostles, 1 Thess. 5.27 5. We are to listen to that revealed by the Holy Spirit, John 16.7, 13 6. This rules out -- creeds of men, family traditions, parents, etc. C) Jesus is the right standard 1. God sent His Son, the Bible speaks of the Messiah 2. Listen to God, Matthew 17.5 3. We are to listen to the words of Jesus, John 12.48-50 4. We are to follow His example, 1 Peter 2.21ff. 5. Rules out -- later day prophets, those who contradict Jesus or the Holy Spirit, preachers, family traditions, parents, etc. Conclusion: Once the standard is determined we can then apply it to all situations. Religious harmony can be attained. How about you? Story of Mom and Dad store with wrong measurement for a yard.
Welcome The Weights and Measures Division promotes uniformity in U.S. weights and measures laws, regulations, and standards to achieve equity between buyers and sellers in the marketplace. This enhances consumer confidence, enables U.S. businesses to compete fairly at home and abroad, and strengthens the U.S. economy. WMD partners with the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), an organization of State and local weights and measures officials and representatives of business, industry, consumer groups, and Federal agencies, to develop U.S. standards in the form of uniform laws, regulations, and methods of practice. http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/
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