“Who’s the REAL Authority? YOU or JESUS?”

At the heart of this powerful message lies a question that confronts us all: who truly holds authority in our lives? Drawing from John chapter 5, we explore Jesus's bold declaration of His divine authority after healing a man who had been lame for 38 years. The religious leaders were outraged—not because a miracle occurred, but because it happened on the Sabbath, breaking their man-made rules. This confrontation reveals the fundamental struggle of human existence: will we submit to God's authority, or will we cling to our own? Jesus systematically demonstrates five dimensions of His authority: as the Son of God (confirmed by the Father's own voice), through His miraculous works (healing the sick, calming storms, participating in creation itself), over life and death (raising Lazarus and promising resurrection), as the appointed Judge of all humanity, and as equal to the Father in power and glory. The message challenges us to examine our daily lives honestly. How much do we actually control? We may exercise, eat right, and plan carefully, yet a single unexpected event can shatter our illusions of control. The beautiful truth is that Jesus doesn't love us because He needs us—He is completely self-sufficient. He loves us because He chooses to, and He demonstrated that love by going to the cross. Like Job, who proclaimed his faith in his Redeemer even while losing everything, we're called to trust in God's authority especially when life feels chaotic. The real question isn't whether God has authority—it's whether we'll surrender our struggles, our plans, and our very lives to the One who holds all authority in heaven and earth.