Jesus' Authority (2)

Jesus Called His Disciples

The Call to Salvation

Jesus picked up the message of repentance where John left off and carried it to completion. Mark 1:15 (ESV) saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

It was a message preached to all people. Repent and Believe

The Call to Service

It is a Personal Call.

Jesus called Peter and Andrew to “Follow Me.” this was a personal invitation to each to enter into fellowship with the Lord.

Every time God calls a person it is personal. He calls you into relationship with Himself.

It is a Purposeful Call.

Their new purpose was to become “fishers of men.”

They were joining the greatest work of all eternity, pointing other people to Jesus.

There were two primary functions of the call Ephesians 4:11–12 “11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”

Those casting nets - the evangelists.

Peter was outspoken and a natural leader.

Andrew was always leading people to meet Jesus.

Those mending nets - the equippers.

James and John typify the pastors and teachers, the servants of the church who get the people ready to fulfill their function.

Christ calls his followers to be engaged in the ministry of reaching the lost through evangelism or equipping the church.

It is a Powerful Call.

“I will make you...” Jesus does the transforming work.

It is God, “who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

They learned “Christ” so thoroughly that the temple leaders were latter astonished. Acts 4:13 (ESV) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

They had also marveled at Christ’s teaching.

Mark 1:21–22 (ESV) And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

They had been astonished at Christ’s background.

John 7:15–16 (ESV) The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.

The source of the power is God.

The powerful call demands a response.

Theirs was immediate. They left all to follow him, not knowing what was coming.

They would see the most incredible days the world has ever known. Leper’s healed, dead raised, blind receive their sight, the death burial and Resurrection of Jesus.

What is your response?

The Power of His Doctrine

The rabbis of the day always cited another rabbi for authority. The Talmud and Midrash were the thoughts of the rabbis on the Scripture.

He taught as one with authority. His source was his own, not another.

He knew of what he was speaking: John 3:11 (ESV) Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

He had the authority of the Father. When the Pharisees questioned his authority he said, John 7:16–17 (ESV) So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.”

His teaching brought clarity; Love your enemies - Matthew 5

His Power over Demons

Satan’s purpose is to “steal, kill and destroy”, his evil minions do the same as they are in rebellion against God.

Demons seek to destroy their host.

The Gadarene demoniac was driven to destroy himself (Mark 5)

Even today people are driven to destruction through addictions, oppression and fear.

Jesus has the power to deliver from the bound of Satan.

Hebrews 2:14–15 (ESV) Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

If they can’t destroy, demons seek to deceive.

Paul warned against the deception that comes by adding to God’s Word. 1 Timothy 4:1–3 (ESV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Paul also warned against the deception that comes from denying portions of God’s Word. 2 Timothy 4:1–4 (ESV) 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

If they can’t destroy or deceive, demons seek to distract others from receiving the truth.

When the clarity of Jesus’ message was being preached this man rose to distract from that truth.

Notice that the demons recognize who Jesus is, but they remain in rebellion.

Jesus’ has the authority to rebuke and silence his opposition so that the truth would be heard.

Even though the demons are in rebellion they still must submit to Him.

“And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear for God hath willed, his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him, his rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.”

Jesus has the power to deliver you from fear and deception.