Astonishing Authority

Astonishing Authority Astonishing Authority Jason Grissom / General Authority; Exorcist of Demons / Mark 1:21–28 The Gospel of Mark can be divided into two sections . . . The AUTHORITY of the Messiah. (1:14-8:21) The AFFLICTION of the Messiah. (8:22-15:47) The word authority means the power or right to enforce obedience. Mark will show us in his own unique way how Jesus establishes his kingdom on earth. Mark will establish Jesus Kingdom authority by showing us his deeds while remaining silent about his doctrine. Matthew shows Jesus as the great expositor of scripture while Mark shows his as the embodiment of scripture. Matthew is filled with the messages of Christ while mark is filled with the miracles of Christ. However, they are both showing us the same picture, Jesus establishing his Kingdom. Jesus establishes his kingdom authority through communicating his doctrine. That is to say, what they believe. Mark 1:15 ESV and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:21–22 ESV And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. Page 1. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:08 AM May 20, 2018. Look at the location of his communication. Capernaum Listen to the words of Jesus concerning this city. Matthew 11:22–24 ESV But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” He did not choose this city for its spiritual life but its strategic location. It was a crossroads city. The main east - west trade route went through the heart of this city. It was a mecca for fishing. It was a city of influence. Church The city of Capernaum as I have already stated had a proliferation of synagogues or churches. Synagogue means gathering place. It was a place used for three purposes: It was a church It was a classroom It was a courtroom This was a church that was ritualistic in its services without rebirth. They had sermons without The Spirit. It was a place that had religion without repentance. It was a place with rules but no relationship. Listen to their language concerning his communication. Astonished This word astonished means to be knocked outside of ones self. A modern translation; he blew their mind. Why were they astonished at Jesus teaching? What made His teaching so different? Page 2. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:08 AM May 20, 2018. Authority Jesus spoke with authority. This word authority means; power and right to enforce obedience. Jesus did not ask them to consider His teaching, but he commanded them to obey His teaching. The scribes taught through recitation or regurgitation. There was no life in their teaching because their was no relationship. There was no power in their teaching for they lacked God’s presences. They opened up the Scriptures, but the Scriptures had never been opened up to them. They could recite the Scripture but could not recognize the Savior of whom the Scripture spoke. They knew about Messiah but did not acknowledge him. You can know all about Jesus but never acknowledge him. Acknowledge means to admit to be real or true; to recognize the existence, truth, or fact of. They were dedicated to their craft but dead to Christ. Notice what happens when Christ begins to teach. Mark 1:23 ESV And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, This text is proof of what most of us know to be the truth. Demons are dedicated to attending church. Satan is not fighting churches, he is joining them. This event serves to further reveal Jesus as Christ. Remember Christ means anointed one. It is a term of royalty. It is a term referring to a King. Remember Jesus words in verse 15; “the kingdom of God is at hand.” Isaiah prophesied this concerning God’s Kingdom. Isaiah 61:1–2 ESV The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; Jesus establishes his kingdom authority by casting out demons institute a particular kind of ministry but inaugurate the Kingdom of the Messiah. This event serves to validate his credentials. Jesus establishes his kingdom authority by casting out demons. Page 3. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:08 AM May 20, 2018. Jesus will cast out many demons during his brief ministry. He does not exorcise demons of “sin” but “suffering”. He will exorcise demons that are hindering gospel proclamation or hurting people. Jesus is not establishing some type of cottage ministry. He is not a spiritual version of “Dog the Bounty Hunter”. He is not seeking demons but His speaking with authority draws them out. Jesus primary ministry is evangelism not exorcism. These Gospel exorcisms are only a foretaste of a greater exorcism that will take place when Christ destroys the works of the devil on the cross. Hebrews 2:14 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, Colossians 2:15 ESV He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Demons not only know the person of Jesus but they acknowledge the power of Jesus. Mark 1:24 ESV “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” Jesus does not destroy the demons he simply drives them out. At the inauguration of his Kingdom he cast them out of the helpless. At the consummation of his Kingdom he will cast them into hell. Demons not only know the person and the power of Jesus but they know the purity of Jesus. Mark 1:24 ESV “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” Jesus has power over Demons because is totally righteous. We have power to fight demons attacks because we have the righteousness of Christ. Ephesians 6:13–14 ESV Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Matthew 28:19–20 ESV Page 4. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:08 AM May 20, 2018. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We are not called to cast of demons but to call people to repentance. We have not been given a ministry of exorcism but evangelism. Mark 1:15 ESV and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” In our calling of people to repent we may uncover someone possessed. Few and far between but without a doubt a real possibility. As Christians we must be able to identify what is a demonic struggle and a depravity struggle. As Christians the reign of sin has been broken but sin remains. As Christians the power of Satan’s kingdom has been broken in our lives Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. but Satan still pursues us in daily living. Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Christians have the power and authority to rebuke Satan. However, this is not a primary event in our lives. After Jesus ascends into heaven there is only two possibly three occurrences of demon exorcism. Our primary function in our daily Christian life is to resist the devil. James 4:7 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Why resist and not rebuke? First let me say that most rebuking sounds like this; “I rebuke the demon or spirit of anger”. Anger is not a spirit but a sin. We must resist Page 5. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:08 AM May 20, 2018. remaining sin through our appropriation of Scripture and the Spirit. By resisting the temptation to sin from Satan we build spiritual muscle. Rebuking does not build spiritual strength only resisting. Satan wants us to be unbalanced. He wants us to blame him for all our problems. He wants us to fixate on him solely. In doing this we set ourselves up for failure. We must realize that Satan is limited in the life of a believer to baiting the hook. James 1:14–15 ESV But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Our resistance and the further application of Christ defeat of Satan becomes easier as we become more aware of our remaining depravity and Satan’s devices. He has devices for our desires. Seductions for our sin. His influence is strong because our ignorance is great. For those who fill Satan’s oppression in their lives today resist him and he will flee. Stand firm on Christ Word. Speak forcefully Christ Word to your heart. Psalm 119:36–37 ESV Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Victory is not a possibility. It is promised! Quit living like a victim and start living like the Victor you are in Christ. Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His Name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle. At the name of Jesus Satan’s host doth flee; On then, Christian soldiers, On to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver Page 6. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:08 AM May 20, 2018. At the shout of praise: Brothers, lift your voices, Loud your anthems raise! Satan oppression will beat you down but Spirit filled confession will lift you up. 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. Notice lastly THE EFFECT OF HIS KINGDOM AUTHORITY. Mark 1:28 ESV And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Let’s return for a moment to Matthew 28:19–20 ESV Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Why have we been given authority? To cast out demons? Luke 10:19–20 ESV Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” We have been given this authority but this is not primary. We have been given authority to call people to be disciples. The man in our text was freed from his demonic spirits but he was not freed from the sin that would damn his soul to hell. Jesus alleviated his suffering but he did not absolve him of his sins. Casting out demons is not our primary ministry but calling people to discipleship. We are not called to the ministry of exorcism but evangelism. Our kingdom authority is advance God’s kingdom into all the world. It is to spread his fame where there is gospel famine. And as we go we will encounter demonic Page 7. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:08 AM May 20, 2018. opposition but greater is our God than the god of this world. Greater is The Spirit than the elementary spirits of this world. Resist your adversary by being filled with Scripture. Resist your adversary by being filled with the Spirit. Colossians 3:16 ESV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Onward, then, ye people! Join our happy throng; Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song. Glory, laud and honor Unto Christ, the King; This through countless ages Men and angels sing. Page 8. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:08 AM May 20, 2018.