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“Never base your theology on your experience; base it on the Word of God.”
So we begin with the Word.
> *“The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.”*
> — John 7:46 (KJV)
And again:
> *“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”*
> — Matthew 7:28–29 (NIV)
This is the central theme: the unique, unmatched authority in the words of Jesus. Not merely persuasive words, not religious rhetoric, but words that carry divine authority and spiritual power.
The lyrics echo this:
> *The crowds were astonished at His teaching—
> He spoke with authority, not like the scribes.
> His words carried power,
> they struck the hearts of the people.*
The question before us is very practical:
If Jesus spoke with such authority, and if that authority came from the Father, what does that mean for us who believe in Him, are indwelt by His Spirit, and handle His Word today?
We are not studying this to admire Jesus from a distance, but to understand:
1. What is this authority?
2. Where did it come from?
3. How does it operate?
4. How are we to respond, live, and speak under that same divine authority?
“Let us look at what the Word of God says.”
---
Our key references tie together John 7 and Matthew 7, both set in times when Jesus’ teaching confronted the religious establishment and exposed the hearts of the people.
### a) John 7:46 – “Never man spake like this man”
In John 7, Jesus is in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. There is:
The chief priests and Pharisees send officers to arrest Jesus. These are not casual listeners. They are under orders from the highest religious authorities. But instead of arresting Him, they themselves are arrested—by His words.
They return empty-handed, and when challenged, their explanation is simple and profound:
> *“Never man spake like this man.”* (KJV)
> or
> *“No one ever spoke the way this man does.”* (NIV)
Notice:
The words of Jesus carried such authority that men sent to seize Him became witnesses to Him.
### b) Matthew 7:28–29 – Authority, not like the scribes
Matthew 5–7 records the Sermon on the Mount, the greatest single body of moral and spiritual teaching in human history. At the end of this teaching, Matthew records the reaction:
> *“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”*
The “teachers of the law” (scribes) were experts in Scripture. They quoted other rabbis, traditions, interpretations. Their authority was derivative and second-hand.
Jesus, however, spoke like this:
The crowds recognize something they cannot define but cannot deny:
This is not religious talk. This is divine authority.
---
To understand the authority in His words, we must look at two key Greek terms.
### a) “Authority” – *exousia* (ἐξουσία)
In Matthew 7:29,
> *“…he taught as one having authority (*exousia*), and not as their scribes.”* (KJV)
Exousia means:
It is not merely dynamis (power, ability). Dynamis is raw power. Exousia is the right to use power.
To put it simply:
Jesus did not just have spiritual energy; He had divine right. The crowds sensed this. He spoke like someone who owned what He was talking about.
This deepens the lyrics:
> *He spoke with authority, not like the scribes.
> His words carried power,
> they struck the hearts of the people.*
His words had *dynamis* because they were backed by *exousia*—the authority of the Father.
### b) “Teaching” – *didachē* (διδαχή)
In Matthew 7:28,
> *“…the crowds were amazed at his teaching (*didachē*).”*
Didachē is not just information. It is:
In the New Testament, *didachē* often carries the sense of authoritative apostolic or divine doctrine (Acts 2:42, Romans 6:17).
So we can say:
The crowds felt that. That is why His words “struck the hearts of the people.” They did not merely inform; they confronted, exposed, and demanded repentance.
---
Let us walk through the themes in the lyrics and anchor them in Scripture.
### 4.1 “When Jesus had finished saying these things…”
This phrase appears multiple times in Matthew (e.g., Matthew 7:28; 11:1; 13:53). It often follows extended discourse.
This reminds us:
When He finishes, the effect is cumulative: astonishment.
> *“The crowds were amazed at his teaching…”*
The Greek word for “amazed” (*ekplēssō*) means to be struck out of one’s senses, overwhelmed. His teaching destabilized their previous assumptions and compelled a re-evaluation of reality.
This is one mark of divine authority: it reorients the hearer.
> *“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword… it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”*
> — Hebrews 4:12
### 4.2 “He spoke with authority, not like the scribes”
The contrast is significant. The scribes:
Jesus:
So His authority did not rest on:
It rested on relationship and obedience.
> *“My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.”*
> — John 7:16
The lyrics capture this:
> *The people were amazed and said,
> “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”
> Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own.
> It comes from the one who sent me.”*
The religious leaders asked, “Where is His rabbinic training? Which school? Which teacher?”
Jesus answered, in effect, “My ‘school’ is the Father. My ‘credential’ is that I am sent.”
### 4.3 “The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority…”
This goes to the very heart of Jesus’ authority in speech:
> *“The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”*
> — John 14:10 (NIV)
Notice:
1. Words and works are inseparable.
2. Jesus does not initiate independently.
This is the key to His unprecedented authority:
perfect submission to the Father’s will in His speaking.
In kingdom terms, authority is proportionate to submission.
The more completely we are under God’s authority, the more safely He can entrust us with His authority.
Jesus is the perfect model:
> *“For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.”*
> — John 12:49 (NIV)
So when the officers say, *“Never man spake like this man,”* they are encountering one who speaks:
### 4.4 “His words carried power, they struck the hearts of the people”
We must understand why His words “struck” them. His words:
1. Revealed the true condition of their hearts.
2. Challenged their foundations.
3. Brought deliverance.
4. Gave life.
So when the lyrics say:
> *His words carried power,
> they struck the hearts of the people.*
We must understand: this is not poetic sentiment. This is spiritual reality. Where the Word is truly spoken in the Spirit, hearts are pierced.
> *“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart…”*
> — Acts 2:37 (KJV)
That is apostolic preaching—a continuation of the ministry of Jesus, in His authority, through His Word.
### 4.5 “He spoke with divine authority”
This is not exaggeration. Jesus’ authority is:
There is a progression:
1. In His earthly ministry, He speaks and acts with kingdom authority (forgives sins, commands demons, commands nature).
2. Through His death and resurrection, He defeats Satan and breaks his legal hold (Hebrews 2:14–15; Colossians 2:15).
3. After His resurrection, He declares universal exousia—total, uncontested authority.
From that authority, He sends His disciples:
> *“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go…”*
> — Matthew 28:18–19
Our authority is derived from His. But it is not theoretical. It must be expressed primarily in the proclamation of His Word.
> *“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”*
> — Acts 4:31
---
It is not enough to admire the authority of Jesus’ words. We must respond and align ourselves with that authority in four main ways.
### 5.1 First, we must submit ourselves to His Word as final authority
If Jesus speaks with divine authority, then:
> *“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”*
> — Matthew 24:35
Practical step:
### 5.2 Second, we must allow His Word to judge us before we try to use it to judge others
The same Word that struck the hearts of the crowds must first strike ours.
> *“For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God…”*
> — 1 Peter 4:17 (KJV)
Many want to speak with authority but refuse to be searched by the Word.
Practical step:
*“Search me, O God, and know my heart…”*
Jesus’ authority was rooted in total obedience. Our authority in speaking His Word will be proportionate to our obedience to that Word.
### 5.3 Third, we must depend on the Holy Spirit for our speaking
Jesus said:
> *“The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself…”*
> — John 14:10 (KJV)
He did not speak independently of the Father; we must not speak independently of the Spirit.
> *“For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without measure.”*
> — John 3:34 (ESV)
In Acts, the pattern is consistent:
Practical step:
“Holy Spirit, put Your words in my mouth. Restrain any word that is mine. Release only what is from the Father and consistent with Scripture.”
### 5.4 Fourth, we must proclaim, not just explain, the Word
The New Testament word for preaching, *kērussō* (κηρύσσω), means “to proclaim as a herald.” A herald does not negotiate the message; he announces it with authority.
Jesus did not merely explain the kingdom; He proclaimed it:
> *“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”*
> — Matthew 4:17
The apostles followed:
> *“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”*
> — 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
Practical step:
Our calling is not to impress people with our knowledge, but to be mouthpieces for the authoritative Word of God.
---
Derek Prince often led believers in proclamations—speaking God’s Word aloud to align with it and to release its authority in their lives. Based on the Scriptures we have considered, here is a proclamation you can speak aloud.
### Proclamation
> I proclaim that Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh,
> and *no man ever spoke like this man.*
> He teaches with authority, not as the scribes.
> His words are spirit and they are life.
>
> I affirm that all authority in heaven and on earth
> has been given to Jesus.
> His words are final,
> higher than every human opinion,
> higher than culture, tradition, or feeling.
>
> I confess that His Word judges the thoughts
> and attitudes of my heart.
> I submit myself to the authority of His teaching.
> I renounce independence and self-originated speech.
>
> I declare that the Holy Spirit lives in me,
> and by that Spirit I will speak the Word of God with boldness.
> I will not handle the Word deceitfully or casually,
> but as the very utterance of God.
> Through the Word of God in my mouth,
> strongholds will be pulled down,
> captives set free,
> and the kingdom of God advanced.
>
> **Jesus, Your words carry divine authority.
> I choose to hear them, believe them, obey them, and proclaim them.
> Amen.**
### Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
I acknowledge You as the One of whom it is written,
“No man ever spoke like this man.”
Your words carry the authority of the Father,
the power of the Spirit,
and the life of God Himself.
Forgive me where I have treated Your Word lightly,
where I have placed my own opinions, traditions, or feelings above it.
Forgive me for any use of Scripture to exalt myself,
to defend my pride,
or to control others.
I bow to Your authority.
Search me by Your Word.
Judge my motives.
Correct my thinking.
Cleanse my lips.
Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth,
come and govern my speaking.
Put a watch over my mouth.
Let my words be in line with the written Word,
and inspired by Your living presence.
Use me as a vessel of Your Word—
to confront sin,
to comfort the broken,
to set the oppressed free,
and to glorify Jesus.
Father, as You worked through the words of Your Son,
work now through Your Word in my mouth.
Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done
through the proclamation of Your authoritative Word.
I ask this in the name of Jesus,
to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given.
Amen.
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