03-DefiningJesus-JesusandPower (4-5) - sermon

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Defining Jesus #3

Jesus and Power

Mark 4:35-5:43

INTRODUCTION

Driving down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC, you see many things.  Besides crazy drivers, you cannot help but notice the big buildings. You cannot help but notice, and you naturally think about the power those buildings represent.

Power can be taken to mean 2 things

1.     Ability

2.     Authority

Jesus had both.

We said that we desired to “Define Jesus.”  We could define Jesus by his teaching (Give examples) and relationships (Give examples), but that might not be enough.  Eventually, you will have to deal with his power.

Today we are going to look at power and Jesus. 

THE STORIES

Four stories are told in rapid succession with little dialogue.  You see things differently when you go up to 30000 feet.

STORY #1 – Stilling of the storm

·          Disciples and he are in the middle of a storm.

·          He is asleep

·          They ask him if he cares

·          He calms the storm.

·          He speaks to them

·          They are amazed by him

STORY #2 – Demon possessed man

·          Response by some

·          They were afraid

·          They begged him to leave

·          He tells him to go and tell

·          And the man does

STORY #3 – Jairus’ daughter

·          A ruler of the synagogue begs Jesus to come

·          It is his sick daughter

·          Demonstrates faith

STORY #4 – Woman

·          On the way, a crowd followed

·          A woman touches him (describe)

·          He calls attention to it

·          She is healed

STORY #3 – Jairus’ daughter cont.

·          Report comes that the daughter is dead (We can only imagine what must have been going on in Jairus’ daughter’s mind.

·          He takes Peter, James and John and the parents

·          The miracle is done

Common threads in the stories

·          They are desperate situations.

o    The boat was filling.

o    The man had often been bound by shackles.

§   Community’s perspective

§   Man’s perspective (Isolated, rejected by community, unclean)

o    The lady had spent all her money.

§   Unclean, broke, been disappointed many times, embarrassed

o    The daughter was just about to die.

·          They all have a personal touch.

o    Does he really care? (4:38)

o    The man with the demon is sitting with Jesus.

o    He isn’t content to do a drive by miracle.

o    He goes to a home.

·          They are fear-evoking encounters (especially the first two, but the other 2 are implied).

o    They fear the storm, but they REALLY fear Jesus.

o    They fear the one who has the demon, but they REALLY fear Jesus.

o    Remember there were those that laughed at Jesus

·          They have faith at their core.

o    Examples

§   Why don’t you have faith (4:40)

§   What the Lord had done/what Jesus had done (5:19-20)

§   Jairus – Jesus, come and you can make my daughter well (5:23)

§   If I touch his garments, your faith has made you well (5:28, 34)

§   Crisis of faith – do not fear, only believe (5:36)

o    You need to be in a place where you can hear.

o    You need to listen

o    You need to respond with obedience.

o    That obedience demonstrates your faith.

A Picture of Jesus Arises

So, how is Christ unique?  These stories say more about Jesus than they do about us.

THE STORIES

·          Storms

o    This means more than Christ can calm the storms in your life (much like a good counselor might).  Although, there is no doubt, that he said, “I am leaving you peace” (John 14:27).

o    He is the one who has authority over creation.  This is the first ‘nature miracle’ in the book of Mark.

§   The disciples get this by asking “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?” (4:41)

·          Demon possessed man

o    This means more than Jesus can rescue you from your personal demons.

§   He deals with the isolation we feel

§   He deals with the rejection by the community

o    Surely, others have performed exorcisms, but this is unique.  Jesus is the only one who can deliver you from the evil one (Lord’s prayer)

§   Colossians 2:13-15 13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

o    The response is “Jesus you are the Son of the Most High God, and a burning desire to be with Christ. (5:7, 18)

·          Woman with blood-disease

o    Because of the nature of this miracle, we recognize that Jesus is doing more than dealing with disappointment.

§   Surely, she had been disappointed

o    He is the one who can make you clean.

§   He becomes unclean and takes away our uncleanness

§   Isaiah 53:4-6 4Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

§   2 Corinthians 5 – He becomes our sin.

·          Jairus’ daughter

o    He is more than a grief counselor.

o    He is the one who can raise the dead.

§   John 11:25-26 – He is the resurrection and the life.

§   Ephesians 2 – Spiritually, we were once dead, but God has brought us to life

This is the Jesus of Mark 4 and 5.

So, how do we respond?

UNBELIEVER – It might be easy to dismiss the miracles, but are you in danger of dismissing the one who can save you?  Is your unbelief really motivated by rational thinking, or is it fear?  Are you like the group of people begging Jesus to leave, not because they believe he’s a fraud, but because of the implications if He is not.

BELIEVER

·          Do you have the accurate picture of Jesus

o    He will not be contained

o    He is the only one to be counted on.  (not any sort of economic or political system)

o    Jesus is presenting himself as the only way of salvation

·          Do you see how Jesus is saying more than “Try harder” or “You need to get religion.”

o    Do you see him as your rescuer?

o    Do you believe in him as the one who can make you clean?

o    Do you trust in him as the resurrection and the llife?

What does the power of God demand that we do?  REPENT and BELIEVE

CONCLUSION

Yes, I saw the seat of power.  But the truth is Washington’s power could disintegrate.  Wall Street has already proven unable to control itself.  But, there is ultimatepower in another source.

Is it any wonder that He would say, “All authority in heaven and earth is given to me.”

Date Preached:

10/12/08      OBC Sunday AM

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