The Umbrella of Authority
I talked about submitting to authority in my message on epic integrity last weekend. One of the concepts--the umbrella of authority--is in my spirit.
I saw Ed Young from Fellowship Church do a message on authority using an umbrella and that picture was so powerful to me.
I'm so grateful that when we submit to God's authority we come under His umbrella of grace. That is such a cool mental picture to me. When we step outside God's will we're outside his covering in a sense. For example, if I'm not tithing then I'm not under God's financial umbrella. I'm mine own advocate. But when I'm tithing I have confidence that God has my back covered or in keeping with the metaphor--my head covered. God acts as my advocate.
I used this mental picture to extend an invitation in our weekend services. I invited people to come under the umbrella of God's authority. That's a cool way of thinking about what God does for us when we put our faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. And it's a pretty accurate metaphor. Atonement means covering.
I actually pulled out an umbrella for a family devotion today. It was a little goofy, but I think it'll leave a lasting impression with my kids. I said, "What happens when we sin?" And I moved out from under the umbrella. "What happens when we confess our sin?" And I got back under the umbrella.
All I know is this: I'm awfully glad that I will be under God's umbrella of authority when I stand before the judgment seat. My advocate will come to my defense!
I know we all have a rebellious streak. But I'm thanking God for the privilege of submitting to His ultimate authority!
Thank God for His umbrella!
I saw Ed Young from Fellowship Church do a message on authority using an umbrella and that picture was so powerful to me.
I'm so grateful that when we submit to God's authority we come under His umbrella of grace. That is such a cool mental picture to me. When we step outside God's will we're outside his covering in a sense. For example, if I'm not tithing then I'm not under God's financial umbrella. I'm mine own advocate. But when I'm tithing I have confidence that God has my back covered or in keeping with the metaphor--my head covered. God acts as my advocate.
I used this mental picture to extend an invitation in our weekend services. I invited people to come under the umbrella of God's authority. That's a cool way of thinking about what God does for us when we put our faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. And it's a pretty accurate metaphor. Atonement means covering.
I actually pulled out an umbrella for a family devotion today. It was a little goofy, but I think it'll leave a lasting impression with my kids. I said, "What happens when we sin?" And I moved out from under the umbrella. "What happens when we confess our sin?" And I got back under the umbrella.
All I know is this: I'm awfully glad that I will be under God's umbrella of authority when I stand before the judgment seat. My advocate will come to my defense!
I know we all have a rebellious streak. But I'm thanking God for the privilege of submitting to His ultimate authority!
Thank God for His umbrella!
3 Comments:
For us visual people, the umbrella illustration is a good one.
Keep up the good work.
I love that illustration. I saw Ed's Authority Issues series, too. I try not to "Go Gabriel" very often. When I do, I just think back to that darn blue umbrella he showed us.
By the way, LOVE the book. I'm in chapter 2 and have trouble putting it down. Good work!
On this subject, I highly recommend Pastor John Bevere's Under Cover. It's practically required reading for leaders in our church.
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