Mark 3 (1:21-34): Jesus has all authority

If you claim to be God, you have to prove it

Anyone can claim to be anything - “I play in the NBA”

Jesus was not only going to claim that He was God, he was going to show it

Jesus was not only going to claim that He was God, he was going to show it

Many people claim to be Jesus or God, but no one has proved it

Jesus did it by showing that he had the authority or power over both the supernatural and the natural

Mark 1:21–34 KJV 1900

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 1:29–34 KJV 1900

And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 1:

I. Jesus has power over the supernatural

A. Do you believe in ghosts?

What about angels? Demons?

Another way to say it is, do you believe in the supernatural?

Some people believe in them and some don’t, but the question is, are they real?

Some people believe in them and some don’t, but the question is, are they real?

Is there a supernatural world we don’t understand?

Is there a supernatural world we don’t understand? A world of angels and demons

According to the Bible, there is and Jesus has authority over it: today, even demons obey

According to the Bible, there is and Jesus has authority over it: today, even demons obey

B. Jesus has authority in teaching

Mark 1:21–22 KJV 1900

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark

1. Jesus was in a synagogue

a. Sabbath was Saturday ()

b. Synagogue was a Jewish place of worship

Synagogue was a Jewish place of worship

They had a temple

They had a temple

They have a synagogue

They have a synagogue

2. Jesus was teaching

Jesus taught

Most teachers would teach what others said

a. Most teachers would teach what others said

Jesus taught with authority (1:22)

b. Jesus taught with authority (1:22)

C. Jesus has the authority over the supernatural

1. There was a man with a demon

Mark 1:23 KJV 1900

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

a. Demon possession is real

Even today, there are those alive who are demon possessed

b. Christians do not have to fear

There is no need to fear this because our God is stronger, and if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives inside you

2. This demon knows who Jesus is

Mark 1:24 KJV 1900

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

a. Demons are fallen angels

Revelation 12:4 KJV 1900

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

b. Satan once led a rebellion against God

c. Some are in chains, awaiting punishment, but others roam the earth

2 Peter 2:4 KJV 1900

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

3. Jesus casts out the demon

Mark 1:24–28 KJV 1900

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

Mark 1:25–28 KJV 1900

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

a. Why did Jesus tell the demon to be quiet?

Demons are evil

Jesus does not want the testimony of a demon

b. Jesus wants us to confess on our own that He is God

The demons obey, but we don’t

These demons obeyed God

Man does not

How well do you obey God?

We should want to serve not because we have to like demons but because we love God

II. Jesus has authority over the natural

A. Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law

Mark 1:30–31 KJV 1900

But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

1. Simon’s mother-in-law had a fever

You can go to Jesus with your requests (30b)

Jesus healed her

2. Jesus healed her

She was immediately healed (31b)

She was immediately healed

She was completely healed (31c)

She was completely healed

B. Then the crowds came

Mark 1:32–34 KJV 1900

And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

1. That evening after sunset

Why after sunset: Jewish law

We think of days as morning and evening, but there’s were evening and morning

2. Jesus healed them all

Jesus cares

This is how we know He was God

3. Once again, the demons were forbidden to speak

It was a forced confession

They did not love Jesus

Knowledge is not enough, you must believe

Jesus has all authority

Jesus has all authority: over demons, over the natural, over you

He wants us to obey Him and love Him, but He wants us to do so willingly

Do you believe and do you obey with a willing heart?