In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of authority in serving. He refers to Mark 10:45, where Jesus states that he came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. The disciples were arguing about who was the greatest, and Jesus teaches them that in his kingdom, greatness is found in being a servant to all. The preacher highlights the importance of understanding true authority and how it should lead to humility and serving others. He also mentions the need for authority in building up the church and joining people together.

J.H. Newman preaches on the importance of Church discipline, emphasizing the authority given by Jesus Christ to His ministers to judge and discipline according to His Word. Excommunication is highlighted as a necessary punishment to reform the wicked and remove scandals, with the goal of preserving the honor of religion. The sermon stresses the need for true repentance, the dangers of false penitence, and the importance of pastors in guiding sinners back to the right path. It also addresses the balance between severity and compassion in discipline, the power of repentance, and the role of the Church in forgiving sins and restoring the fallen.

Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of ministering with spiritual authority, highlighting the difference between having knowledge and having the backing of the Holy Spirit in our ministry. He warns against controlling others through human ways such as money, music, or intellectual power, stressing the need for spiritual authority that comes from God alone. Poonen urges Christian leaders to lead with humility, casting people onto the Lord for their spiritual growth, and to focus on building the Body of Christ rather than their own empires, following the example of Paul's loving authority in the early church.

Martin Luther emphasizes the importance for ministers to recognize and exalt their calling as messengers of God, comparing it to an ambassador who is honored for his position, not his personal attributes. By magnifying their office, ministers can gain authority and credibility in sharing the Gospel. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, exemplifies this by taking pride in his ministry as an apostle of the Gentiles, not for self-glory but to glorify God and draw people to the message of grace and mercy.