THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

The Gospel of Mark #4

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

(Mark 1:21-34) Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

1. Examples of authority

• King inherited authority
• President of a corporation delegated authority.
• Professor achieved authority.

2. Jesus is the source of authority.

“I may, I suppose . . . pass for being a relatively successful man. People occasionally stare at me in the streets that’s fame. I can fairly easily earn enough to qualify for admission to the higher slopes of the Internal Revenue that’s success. Furnished with money and a little fame even the elderly, if they care to, may partake of trendy diversions that’s pleasure. It might happen once in a while that something I said or wrote was sufficiently heeded for me to persuade myself that it represented a serious impact on our time that’s fulfillment. Yet, I say to you and I beg you to believe me multiply these tiny triumphs by a million, add them all together, and they are nothing less than nothing, a positive impediment measured against one drink of that living water Christ offers to the spiritually thirsty, irrespective of who or what they are.” – Malcom Muggeridge

• Two responses to Jesus.
• Jesus’ authority defeats the demons and heals the helpless.

A. The possessed man was not a monster.

B. To understand divine healing we must return to the Bible.

• Study the text.
• Prayer
• Forgiveness
•   Trust and say the appropriate verses aloud.
•   Touch – anointing
•   Avail yourself of medical help.

C. Physical healing

D. Emotional healing – Psalm 23

• Imagination
• Emotion
• Connection
• Relational

E. Happiness begins with touch, the power of prayer in Jesus’ name, and prioritizing.

F.   Three kinds of people in the text.

• Those who needed help
• Those who brought family, friends, and neighbors
• Those who watched

• We are healed to serve.
• Who is your authority?
• Who are you listening to?

3. A passionate follower of Christ is passionate about God’s Word.

(Mark 1:22, NLT) “The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.”

4. Teachers are powerful.

• They know who they are teaching.
• They change.
• They create.
• They heal.