Authority from God and for God

In each of the four Gospels we read of how Jesus amazed the crowds with His words. He taught with authority!

Matthew 7:28-29; 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.

Mark 1:27-28; The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Luke 4:31-37; Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice,  “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

John 7:15; The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such authority without having studied?"

I desire this type of authority. The authority that comes straight from God. The authority in teaching God's Word that amazes. 

But perhaps this is the problem. As long as I desire an authority that will amaze other people, I will not possess this type of authority in speaking and teaching the Word of God. 

John 7:16-19; Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

The desire for authority is not wrong as long as it is a desire for authority from God and authority for God.

As long as it is recognized that God is the giver of such authority.

As long as the authority given brings honor to God and not me. 

Authority from God will only come once I get rid of selfishness.