Foundations of Faith Week 2: The Authority of the Kingdom

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Worship:

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Introduction:

We’re continuing our series, “Foundations of Faith.” If Week 1 showed us that following Jesus requires movement (Jesus calls us in normal everyday life, it requires urgency and a response, requires leaving something and results in new purpose/mission), this week shows us who we’re actually following and His authority (the authority of the Kingdom).

Authority is a loaded word for many of us. We’ve seen authority abused. We’ve seen power used to control, manipulate, or harm.

But the authority of Jesus is different. His authority doesn’t crush—it restores. It doesn’t bring fear—it brings freedom.

Transition: Before we walk through this passage, let me paint a picture many of us can imagine.

Illustration (Threaded Throughout)

“The Sheriff in the Room”

In a small-town courtroom, tensions are high. Voices are raised. People are frustrated. Then the county sheriff quietly walks in.

He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t threaten. He simply stands there.

And suddenly, everything changes.

Not because of fear—but because authority has entered the room.

That’s the kind of authority we see when Jesus steps onto the scene in Mark 1.

Mark 1:21–34 CSB

21 They went into Capernaum, and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. 22 They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes. 23 Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, 24 “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee. 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town was assembled at the door, 34 and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Transition:

Body:

I. Jesus’ Authority Is Recognized in His Teaching (vv. 21–22)

Mark 1:21–22 CSB

21 They went into Capernaum, and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. 22 They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.

ILLUSTRATION CUE – POINT 1: “The sheriff didn’t need to raise his voice. His presence alone changed the room. That’s what people sensed when Jesus taught.”

The people were astonished—not because Jesus was louder, but because His authority was inherent. The scribes quoted others. Jesus spoke truth directly.

Matthew explains it this way:

Matthew 7:29 CSB

29 because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

Transition: But Jesus’ authority doesn’t stop at words—it confronts darkness.

II. Jesus’ Authority Confronts Evil (vv. 23–26)

Mark 1:23–26 CSB

23 Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, 24 “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.

ILLUSTRATION CUE – POINT 2: “When real authority walks in, disorder reacts. Darkness always knows who’s in charge.”

The unclean spirit recognizes Jesus immediately. Luke records the words clearly:

Luke 4:34 CSB

34 “Leave us alone! What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

People may debate Jesus—but darkness doesn’t. Evil knows authority when it sees it.

Transition: And Jesus doesn’t just confront evil—He restores what’s broken.

III. Jesus’ Authority Brings Healing and Restoration (vv. 29–31)

Mark 1:29–31 CSB

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.

ILLUSTRATION CUE – POINT 3: “The sheriff doesn’t bring order to harm people—he brings safety. Jesus’ authority does the same.”

Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law. And notice what happens next—she gets up and serves.

Authority leads to wholeness, not fear.

Paul later explains why Jesus has this authority:

Colossians 1:17 CSB

17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.

Transition: But amazement alone isn’t enough.

IV. Our Response to Jesus’ Authority Matters (v. 27)

Mark 1:27 CSB

27 They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

They were amazed—but amazement doesn’t equal obedience. You can recognize authority without submitting to it.

ILLUSTRATION CUE – CLOSING: “When the sheriff steps into the room, things can’t stay chaotic. The only question is whether people respond to his authority—or resist it.”

Conclusion:

When Jesus steps into a life, things can’t stay the same. The question isn’t whether Jesus has authority. The question is whether we’ll rest under it.

Gospel Invitation

Some of us resist authority because we’ve only known authority that hurt us. But Jesus used His authority to save—not to control.

He went to the cross, took our sin and shame upon Himself, rose from the grave, and now offers forgiveness and freedom.

Salvation begins when we stop fighting His authority and start trusting it.

Romans 10:9–10 CSB

9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

You can pray right now:

“Jesus, I believe You died for my sin and rose again. I submit my life to You today. Be my Savior and my King. Amen.”

Devotion Summary

Jesus’ authority restores rather than crushes. True freedom comes through surrender.

Questions

Where are you resisting Christ’s authority?

What would surrender look like practically?

Weekly Challenge

Pray daily, submitting one specific area fully to Christ.