Christ-like Communication: Authoritative

No other person spoke like Jesus.  Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

Jesus would speak like He knew the heart and ways of the Father.

“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.”  (Matt. 7:28-29)   “They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.”  (Lk. 4:31-32, 36)

Notice how the way Jesus communicated:

1. caused a reaction within the people
2. stood in contrast to others

While Jesus spoke with authority, He was not an authoritarian forcing people to accept His words.  Though all authority belongs to Jesus (Matt. 28:18), He did not merely “tell” people what He knew they needed to hear.  Rather, . . .

Implications for Us in Ministry:

We need Christ’s authority for Christ-like communication. The Apostle Paul instructed the Thessalonians on how to live based on the authority of the Lord Jesus, not his own position or knowledge.  He said, “For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:1).

• Are we careful to differentiate between our own words and that which comes from the Lord?
• Can we back up what we say with the Word?
• Do we rely on the Spirit to speak through us and not our own human wisdom?

We need a Christ’s attitude for Christ-like communication. About Jesus, Philippians 2:6-7 says, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

• Do we demonstrate humility in our communication?
• Do we engage people even when we know the answers?
• Do we welcome the thoughts of others?

When we combine the authority of Christ with the attitude of Christ in our lives then our communication will also cause a reaction in others and stand in contrast to the world around us.