Good morning! I’m glad to welcome you to worship today at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

Without question, the subject of authority is a critical issue for any family, organization, or society. Webster’s defines an authority not only as one who is an expert on a given subject, but also as one who has the right to exercise power, rule, or leadership over particular people. Parents exercise authority over their children. Principals and headmasters exercise authority over their schools. Elected officials exercise authority in the realm of governance over their constituents. But who has authority over the soul? Who has the right to rule the souls of men? For that matter, who is the ultimate authority, on the soul?

In the day in which we live, there is less and less acknowledgment of those in authority, and that is leading us down a path that will ultimately lead to chaos. Without respect for authority, people begin to feel and believe that they can do whatever they desire whenever they want, and that belief leads to a society without boundaries.

Here in Matthew 21:23-32 we find “THE SUBJECT OF AUTHORITY” is addressed, first as a question from the Pharisees about Jesus’ authority, and second by Jesus, who teaches that those who recognize and respond to His authority, and who follow Him, will enter the kingdom of God.