Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Dr. Paul David

Tripp connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life. Whether he knew it or

not, John Mellencamp penned profound theology with his famous lyrics, I fight authority. Authority

always wins. In today's episode, we continue through Paul's sermon series in First Peter, and

today Paul explains the purpose and role of authority in our lives as believers.

Here's Paul.

Well, it was a million seller in 1983, a song by John Cougar Mellencamp.

The opening line was this, I fight authority, authority always wins.

Mellencamp didn't know how deeply theological that line actually is.

There is, in the heart of every sinner, rebellion against authority.

It still lurks in all of our hearts, sadly.

You see it in an infant who can't speak yet, but who stiffens his body up in anger because he's not getting his own way.

You see it in the mall when you see a four-year-old with his hands on his hips arguing with a man

many times his age, many times his size. You see it in a five-year-old in school who refuses to do something that his

teacher is asking him to do. You see it in a teenager who confuses independence with rebellion.

You see it in a husband and wife who think that they can break all of God's rules and still have a good marriage.

You see it in a worker who chafes against his boss who hates to be told what to do.

Yeah. his boss who hates to be told what to do. You see it in an old man

who still finds particular pleasure

in cheating on his taxes.

You see it every day as we hate traffic laws, hate parking regulations.

Hate to be told what to do. I fight authority.

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