Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 3:6
Mon, 31 October 2022

Apostolic Authority That Demands Obedience

Observation:

What do Paul’s words in the verse tell us about him?

Deeper Reflection
A KEY EMPHASIS IN 2 THESSALONIANS 3 IS PAUL’S APOSTOLIC authority, shown in “we command” (2 Thess 3:4, 6, 12), “we would give you this command” (2 Thess 3:10), “if anyone does not obey what we say” shall suffer consequences (2 Thess 3:14). The apostolic commands demand obedience. This apostolic authority is unique in salvation history at Christ’s First Coming, when the Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone” (Eph 2:19-20).Paul exercised his apostolic authority “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v.6). Here, Paul claimed that his authority in teaching and commanding the churches is the authority of the Lord Jesus Himself. His commands are the Lord’s commands. To disobey his commands is to disobey the Lord. And we submit to apostolic authority today by submitting to the New Testament, which preserves the apostles’ “Godbreathed” writings (cf. 2 Tim 3:16).“There is nobody in the church who has an authority which even remotely resembles that of the apostles of Christ; nor has there been since the last apostle died.”57.The church leaders in the immediate post-apostolic church “knew that the apostles had no successors and that they lacked their authority”58. Ignatius, Bishop of Syrian Antioch, said when he was condemned to death: “I do not give you orders like Peter and Paul. They were apostles; I am a convict.”59 But there are very authoritarian leaders in today’s churches, who consider those who do not follow their leadership as being disobedient to God. Strong leaders who are hard on people may just become this kind of leader.
57 John R. W. Stott, 196 58 John R. W. Stott, 196 59 John R. W. Stott, 196
Application:

How do I submit to apostolic authority?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, the True Shepherd, I bring our church leaders before Your throne of grace. Strengthen them to walk with You faithfully and grow in knowing and understanding You, and become shepherds after Your heart, who feed Your people on the knowledge and understanding of God.55 Grant them to be gentle and humble in heart like You56 as they lead with spiritual authority from You.
55 Jeremiah 9:23-24; 3:15 56 Matthew 11:29
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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