Author & King

Main Idea:

As King and author of the universe, Jesus must have complete authority over our lives.

Introduction

If you know baseball at all, you’ll recognize the name, Lou Piniella. Though he was a decent player of the game he’s known more for his epic rants as manager.

In one particular game as the Cincinnati Reds manager he didn’t like a close call that was deemed out at first base. Lou immediately got into the umps face to give him a piece of his mind, threw his hat on the ground, kicked dirt at the ump which got him immediately tossed from the game.

But it didn’t end there. Lou ran over to first base, picked up the base and then hurled it twice into right field just to make sure the ump knew how angry he was.

These sort of temper tantrums were well known of Lou. In fact, if you were to google epic rants from baseball managers, Lou’s name appears on those lists frequently.

However, even after all of these meltdowns and tosses from the game, Lou would always walk off the field and into the clubhouse because the ump has the authority in the game. The ump has the authority to toss you from the game if he thinks it’s necessary.

All of us have an authority in our lives whether we realize it or not. Whether we like it or not. And all of us have a source of authority in our lives which determines even how we live, how we think, how we respond and act.

Here’s what I mean by that.

If reason governs how you live then you are going to respond and live the way you do and make the decisions that you do because of how you think and how you process information. For you it’s going to be consequences, results, and logic which will govern the way you live and why you do or don’t do the things you do.

For others, experience will govern how you live. For you, it’s about how you feel in the moment. For you, if it feels right, if it feels good, then full steam ahead. If something feels off or feels wrong, then you will pull back.

Maybe for others, tradition is what governs their life. So, we like things the way they are and how it’s always been done. Routine, schedules, and plans make sense of their lives and give them the comfort they need.

But what we need to look to as that which governs our lives is revelation. Meaning, we live the way we do because God has spoken.

If we have been created by an all-powerful, all-knowing God, as we believe here, and have been created with purpose and to have meaning in this life, then the Creator is going to have the sole right to dictate and determine how life works best.

And so, we know, this Creator, God Almighty has spoken to his creation. He’s spoken to us both through His written Word, the Bible and the living Word, Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Hebrews 1:1-2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

It’s the written Word which points us to the living Word. In other words, Scripture leads us to Jesus and it’s Jesus, as King and author of the universe who has the right then to demand complete and total authority and lordship in our lives. For His glory, but also for your joy.

What we’ll see today in our text is the basis for Jesus’ authority in our lives but we’ll also see his heart. Yes, he is King, yes, he is Lord, yes, he demands complete authority and reign over our lives, but he is gentle, caring, and full of love. He is a gracious and merciful King and so therefore to submit to this King will bring joy, completion, and purpose to your life.

Mark’s going to unpack three reasons why Jesus should have complete authority over your life.

The first reason we see is because of Jesus’

Authoritative teaching.

In verse 21 Jesus enters the synagogue, which was a place for assembly and worship that were found throughout Jewish communities. So, he enters the synagogue and begins to teach.

And so, right now there’s nothing too out of the ordinary happening. Teaching is what took place in the synagogues. These buildings were used for worship, for education, and even community gatherings.

Now, Mark doesn’t focus on what Jesus was teaching, but rather the focus here is on who is teaching and the people’s response to Jesus’ teaching.

We see their response in verses 22 and 27.

Look at verse 22 again.

Mark 1:22 “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”

Read verse 27

Mark 1:27 “And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority!””

His teaching blew them away. They were “astonished” and “amazed.”

But what blew them away wasn’t necessarily the fact that he was an amazing communicator but it was more that Jesus spoke as the author of the story rather than a studier of it.

Think of it kind like this.

About 20 years ago a miniseries came out called “Band of Brothers.” This series dramatized the history of “Easy Company.” They were the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, of the 101st Airborne Division. It followed their story from jump training in the United States all the way through major action all across Europe during World War II.

Now, the series was obviously portrayed through actors but at the beginning of each episode you’d watch a fairly brief interview with several unnamed older men talking about war. Now, you knew that these men were the actual men being portrayed by actors in the series but it wasn’t until the very last episode that you learned the names of these men and who they were.

The actors in the show were trying to tell a story of events that happened many decades before them. They did a great job but if you were to interview them, all they could do is speak of history and what they know about it. And I’m sure they did a lot of research into the lives of the men they were portraying. So, they probably knew a lot of information.

But it was the men who were being interviewed at the beginning who had to do no research of history and events of World War II because they lived it themselves. They were the ones who were dropped from a plane behind enemy territory. They were the ones who witnessed the ugliness and brutality of war. They were the ones who witnessed bravery and heroism. They were the ones who saw death and faced death themselves.

They were speaking more as the authors of those historical events not studiers of historical events.

This is what we’re seeing in our text today. The Scribes that encounter Jesus were studiers of the law, of the Scriptures, but Jesus spoke as the author of history. He was there at creation, he was there at the fall of Adam and Eve. He’s the one the prophets spoke of. He’s not telling a story, he is the story and it blew people’s minds.

Let me show you an example of this taking place in Jesus’ teaching.

In Luke 4, Jesus enters another synagogue in Nazareth and like he does here in Capernaum, he begins to teach and Luke records this interaction. Listen to what Jesus says and does.

Luke 4:16-21 “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.””

Do you hear Jesus speaking as author and not student or studier? He is the fulfillment of the Scriptures.

And so, this type of teaching demands sole authority over our lives. He’s the author of life itself.

I like how theologian, William Lane puts it.

“Jesus’ word, presented with a sovereign authority, which permitted neither debate nor theoretical reflection, confronted the congregation with the absolute claim of God upon their whole person”

This is what Jesus’ words do. They claim complete and total authority over our whole lives.

A second reason why Jesus demands authority over our lives is because of his:

Authority Over The Spiritual Realm

Notice what takes place starting in verse 23.

Mark 1:23-25 “And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!””

If you have any familiarity with the gospels you know that Jesus is going to have several demonic encounters. This is the first one that Mark records. He’ll mentions several other encounters later on but throughout the entirety of the New Testament the term “unclean spirit” or “demon” which is what it’s referring to is used 63 times.

And so, since we’re going to run into this a few more times in Mark’s gospel I think it’s important that we at least briefly touch on what is happening and who “demons” are and what they do. But I want to make clear that the focus here in Mark’s gospel is not on who demons are or what they do, but the one who has authority even over them.

Demons are fallen angels. In Revelation 12:4 we read that at Satan’s rebellion against God about one-third of the angels fell with him. We see in Mark 1 that some of these spiritual beings, now referred to as demons are free to roam the earth, but we also see in Jude 6 that some are confined even now, and will never be free.

Jude 6 “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day.”

We see in our text today that they are powerful and can obtain control or some authority over some human beings though they are not all-powerful, or omnipotent as we see in their interaction with Jesus.

Their main objective is to promote disunity, false doctrine, confusion, and oppression that would hinder Christian growth.

Demons can oppress believers but they cannot possess them as we’re seeing demonic possession in this text today. And the reason for that is because believers are filled with the Spirit of God. And as John says in 1 John 4,

1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

So, we don’t walk in fear because we walk with Christ who is all powerful. And so notice Christ’s power over the spiritual realm here.

Notice in verse 24 how the demon recognizes Jesus right away. Did you catch that?

Mark 1:24 ““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.””

Now, the word, “us” may be referring to multiple demons in the man or the demonic realm as a whole. Either way, what is noticeable here is the demon’s clear recognition of Jesus’ divinity and authority. “I know who you are…the Holy One of God.”

Now this demon, follow me, just proclaimed a correct theology. He spoke truth. Jesus is the Holy One of God. Isn’t that how Mark begins his gospel?

Mark 1:1 “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

Friends, this should awaken us to the reality that salvation is not about knowing correct theology but about trusting in and following the one whom we speak of.

That’s the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. We’re following Jesus. We’re trusting in Jesus with our entire being.

Gospel Proclamation.

We submit to Jesus’ authority because Jesus has power even over the spiritual realm. At the word of Christ, in verse 25, the demon obeyed and left the man immediately. There was no fight, there was no debate, there was no back and forth. This wasn’t a boxing match. It was clear submission and obedience at a word.

He is an awesome King.

Lastly, we submit to Jesus’ authority because he has:

Authority Over Suffering

In the remaining verses of our text today, Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law from a fever. He restores her to full health with just a touch of his hand. It shouldn’t surprise us that Jesus’ fame is spreading like wildfire around the region.

I mean, if you would have just witnessed Jesus casting a demon away with the man being restored to his right mind I think our conversations, twitter, facebook, and instagram feeds would be filled with that news as well.

And it’s why in verses 32-34 that that evening people were bringing everyone they could find that were sick or demon-possessed. And Jesus healed them and cast out demons.

You know what he’s doing? You remember what Jesus read in that synagogue in Nazareth that Luke recorded?

Luke 4:18 ““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

He’s showing that he’s the Messiah, the Savior of the world. The one we needed. He’s showing that he’s the author and King of the universe. Jesus was bringing a disturbance to this broken world and calling us to submit to and follow him.

Application

Jesus’ presence and coming into this world has brought a disturbance to both humanity and the spiritual realm. Life itself will never be the same again. This is what a King does, he changes things.

And so, the question for you this morning is has he changed you? Has your life been disrupted by the great Servant King? Are you listening to his word and submitting to his authority over your life?

From the moment Jesus opened his mouth to teach, hearts have been changed, lives have been rattled.

Jesus speaks and teaches as the author of the human story. What he calls us to is not a life of safety, security, and comfort but one of sacrifice and risk, but also one which leads to meaning, purpose, joy, and contentment found in glad submission to his Lordship.

And so, what’s it look like for you to have your life disrupted by the teaching of Jesus? Is your life disrupted by Jesus for his glory and your joy?

Where’s it begin and where is it sustained?

It begins and is sustained through consistent, disciplined, and meaningful time spent in God’s Word.

God’s Word is a mirror which reflects back to us who we truly are, where we need change, and who we must trust in for love and acceptance.

Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Our true selves are revealed when looked at through the prism of God’s Word. Now, that reality is what oftentimes hinders us from meaningful time in God’s Word, yet, remember what it brings about? 2 Timothy 3 - “we’re complete and equipped for life.”

A couple weeks ago, Amy and I were out in Utah and were able to fit in a couple hikes up in the mountains. Now, we didn’t tackle any difficult hikes, they were both easy to moderate, but still, the higher elevation and the terrain still made it rather exhausting but we didn’t need to do any extensive training or preparation for those hikes. We just got in our car and drove over to them.

However, if we were to purchase two tickets today for Nepal to go climb Mt. Everest that’s not something we could just go do. Most experts who have climbed that mountain recommend at least one year of intense physical training before you set out on that mission.

One expert recommends running at least 7-8 miles every day up a hilly terrain with just one day off a week for rest. If you can’t run up a hilly terrain then you would need to run with about 50-60lbs on your back on a treadmill just to prepare. Others say you need to gain weight because you should expect to lose about 20% of your weight on the climb.

I think all of us would recognize that a climb like this would be extremely difficult, physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting and quite dangerous. Nobody in their right mind would just attempt to tackle that climb without preparation so that they’re equipped to do it.

We know this, but how many of us seek to navigate the journey of life without being equipped to do so from the author of life itself? Is not life itself filled with difficulty? Is it not physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting? Is not the temptation to drift away from our great God all around and within us? Is not our eternal future dependent upon Christ alone?

And God, in his grace and love, has given us His Word so that we would be equipped and prepared and yet, still many of us attempt to tackle life on our own strength and in our own power and understanding.

We are built up through consistent, disciplined, and meaningful time in God’s Word.

Consistent - our time in God’s Word cannot be haphazard or when we happen to have free time but instead our time with Him must be primary and a regular part of our day.

Let me encourage you to set aside a regular, recurring time during your day where you engage with God through His Word and allow it to speak to you.

There’s nothing wrong with scheduling time with the Lord in His Word. I actually think that shows purpose and intentionality.

Disciplined - Scripture itself refers to time in the Word as “training” and “labor.” Meaning, it does not come naturally to us and is not easy.

My wife is up at around 4:30 most mornings to head into the gym to exercise and work out. Now, our bed is way more comfortable at 4:30 in the morning and sleeping is way easier than running and lifting weights. And so, exercise is not something that comes naturally and easy to her but it’s something she’s disciplined herself in because she knows that her hard work will result in healthiness and vitality.

Reading God’s Word is difficult. It requires work and effort to dig and mine for transformational truths. It isn’t always the easiest thing to read and study. And oftentimes what it reveals to us is areas we need to repent of. And so, we need to discipline ourselves to work through it because of the fruit and results it’ll bring about in our lives.

Meaningful - Our time with God in his Word cannot be rushed. In a day and age where speed is sought out and is everything and constantly at our fingertips, time with the Lord where God presses on us through His Word and sanctifies us takes time.

I’ve heard it said this way, “The Christian life is no superhighway. It’s a crawl.”

Change takes time and so we must be patient and still allowing the Spirit of God to work. But for change to take place, our time with God needs to be meaningful.

And so have a plan for what you read and study. Write things down, underline, journal, ask lots of questions, meditate upon His Truth. Study God’s Word with others. Find someone to read through the Word with so that you grow together in grace.

God’s Word must consume our thoughts, heart, and soul.

I love how Elyse Fitzpatrick explains it in her book, “Because He Loves Me.”

"Unless we're very intentional about meditating on these truths [God’s Word], they slip from our thoughts like misty dreams that evaporate in the morning light. That's why Luther said we must "take heed then, to embrace...the love and kindness of God...[and to] daily exercise [our] faith."

Jesus is the King to be obeyed and followed. It’s not enough that we know correct truths about him, that truth must change us to our very core. Are you being changed by him?