Key Scripture Acts 2:42-47
They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers. Fear came to every soul. And many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common. They sold their property and goods and distributed them to all, according to their need. And continuing daily with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Question: What are Lakepointe Life Groups doing to affect communities near and far?
The Authority Factor
Question: What does it mean to be under authority? What does it mean to be in authority?
The English political philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) believed society should accept an unaccountable sovereign as its political authority. Mr. Hobbes’ theory follows the doctrine of the divine right of kings.
Britannica definition: [The] divine right of kings, in European history, [is] a political doctrine in defense of monarchical absolutism, which asserted that kings derived their authority from God and could not, therefore, be held accountable for their actions by any earthly authority such as a parliament.
Until circa 1043 BC, God ruled Israel through his judges. Samuel was the last judge of Israel. In his latter years, his two corrupt, self-serving sons were in charge of the county. Subsequently, the people demanded a king. As recorded in 1 Samuel 8:5, They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now, install for us a king to govern us like all the nations.”
Moving ahead in history to his letter to Timothy, circa 67 AD, the Apostle Paul describes the spiritual gifts God has given His disciples. 2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and self-control.
My Spanish Bible RVR 1960 states self-control as dominio propio, self-rule. Dominio translates to dominion: the power to govern.
Could I be wrong to think I have the power to govern? Let’s review the last commandment of Jesus before his ascension. Mathew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went away to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. But some doubted. Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. — Mathew 28:16-20
Practical Application
The Model of Christian Authority — Luke 22:245-30
There was also rivalry among them concerning which of them was to be counted the greatest. He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. But you are not so. Instead, let him who is greatest among you be as the younger, and he who rules as he who serves. For who is greater: he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? But I am among you as He who serves. You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I appoint to you a kingdom as My Father has appointed one to Me, so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
MBO – Management By Objective
Management by Objectives (MBO) is a strategic approach to enhance the performance of an organization. It is a process where the goals of the organization are defined and conveyed by the management to the members of the organization with the intention to achieve each objective. — Corporate Finance Institute: A strategic approach to enhance the performance of an organization
Question: What happens when someone decides they know better than the boss a course of action?
Your Invitation to the Lanterns of Hope Life Group
Do you want to know about eternal life from a Biblical point of view? I welcome you to attend our Saturday evening Life Group at the Rockwall Campus of Lakepointe Church. Join us at 7:00 pm; late arrivals are welcome.
Lakepointe Church
Rockwall Campus
Room W304
701 E. Interstate 30
Rockwall, Texas 75087
Church membership is NOT a prerequisite, all ages, married and unmarried, are welcome.
Childcare is outstanding and secure. For your convenience, use this link to preregister your children. Upon arrival, escort them to their LP Kids assigned room before joining me in
room W304. See the map to the right.
Advise the adult leader(s) of the assigned
LP Kids classroom, if your child eats only Kosher.
My mission is to be a Lantern of Hope and to equip others to become Lanterns of Hope in these troubled times. As any Jew who knows the history of Israel, there have always been troubled times, and more are to come, but we who know our God will overcome evil, and we have the assurance of eternal life with our Creator.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 