Power and Authority

Under the Sun

By Cory DiCarro, July 30, 2023

Big Idea: God offers us a full life in an empty world.



Ecclesiastes 8:2 2 … Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him.


Romans 13:1 1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities…



Ecclesiastes 10:20 20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king…


1 Timothy 2:1–6 1 …I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all…



Ecclesiastes 8:3–4 3 …Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?”


Daniel 2:21 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings…


Romans 13:1 1 …For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.


Revelation 19:16 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.


Colossians 1:16–17 16 …by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.


Philippians 2:9–11 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…


Acts 4:19 19 …“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,


Acts 5:29 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.



Ecclesiastes 9:5 5 …and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.


Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.



2 Timothy 2:15 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.



Next Week’s Text:

  • Ecclesiastes 12:1–14