Authority

Spiritual Leader

Jesus chose Capernaum as the center of his ministry in Galilee. Once he chooses his center he begins to declare his authority. The people there listen to him as he teaches. Jesus teaches with unheard of authority. Even the Demons listen to him. Beyond that, the Demon claims to know who he is and speaks his name. When we arrived here in Chrisney, our desire was to preach and teach with authority, but authority is given. Mark 1:21–22 (NRSV)

The Man with an Unclean Spirit

(Lk 4:31–37)

21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

A King inherits his authority because of his bloodline. His relationship with his father affords him authority that is given without the son having earned it in any way. A CEO of a corporation is given authority to rule a company by the title he is given. A dentist is given the authority by the diploma that hangs on his/her wall declaring that they have achieved and been given the right and ability to work on your teeth.

The Scribes in that day taught with the authority that was given to them by the scriptures. Knowing the word allowed them to teach the word. But Jesus taught with a much higher authority. Mark 1:23–24 (NRSV)

23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “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.” I want to walk you through this last scripture because there are some very important things to consider. 1. An unclean spirit-why did this unclean spirit decide to be revealed in this moment? Unclean spirits or demonic beings-people or objects possessed.

Jesus’ very presence in the synagogue arouses the spirit, not to confront Jesus but because the spirit assumes that Jesus is going to destroy him. 2. The unclean spirit knows who Jesus is-notice that the spirit knows who Jesus is-God is spirit, Jesus is Spirit. If you worship in spirit you too will know when the spirit is stirred. Today, in most communities, no one lives or worships in the spirit, so they are not aware that unclean spirits are among them. Why then would these spirits want to be among the followers of Christ? To deceive and confuse the followers. Satan continues to lead his unclean spirits or demons to deceive the people who claim to be Christ followers. 3. What does the unclean spirit mean by destroy us? Probably one of the most difficult things we will do as Christians is pray for our neighbors to be released from captivity.

Mark 1:25–27 (NRSV)

25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Jesus does not destroy the person who has been possessed, but releases the captive from the unclean spirit. As followers of Jesus it is our duty to claim such authority, not by us but through He who set us free. Whether it is unclean spirits or sickness, Jesus wants us to claim the authority and power in His name so that the captives can be set free.

After Jesus cleanses the Synagogue of the unclean spirit his popularity grew. In other words people paid attention to what He could do. Apparently no one before had such authority, especially over unclean spirits.

Ask yourself, what was Jesus doing by showing such authority? It was notoriety nor fame that Jesus sought but people who would believe that He was the Son of God. Without belief there can be little authority. So, the question I have for you today is this, in the healings that we have seen here at Cornerstone, what was it that brought it to happen? God. Was it only God? Was it the person who was healed? Was it in the pastor who prayed? I would tell you it was all these things. The pastor prays for God to heal and sometimes a healing occurs, but I tell you without faith of the person who is afflicted prayer often times is ineffective.

As Christians, it is our mission to take the sick to the Savior. We must first of all be able to recognize the sick. After Jesus cleanses the Synagogue the work begins and the disciples begin to bring to Him those who want to be healed. Mark 1:30–34 (NRSV)

30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. So, lastly, Jesus will not let the demons speak because He does not require nor does he want the testimony of the Devil. Possessions are a direct result of Satan’s fall from grace. Jesus came to permanently restore the lost to relationship with the Father, not to necessarily drive our demons. If you look forward in the passage you will find that Jesus soon told His disciples that He wanted to move on. Jesus teaches us and then He expects us to pick up our cross and teach with the authority He gives us.

So, today, I expect all of you to continue to bring forth those who want to be healed. Teach them to have faith by the testimony's of your faith.