Empowering Authority

35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” 1 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones. 6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.” 9 Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. 11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.” 13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water. 14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

Authority Over Creation

Authority Directs

He directed travel plans. And He directed the wind.

God gives guidance to His people.

Through the Bible, written, spoken, and lived

By the Spirit, in our conscience

God has authority over creation.

We might see all the bad that happens in the world and think it’s out of control… But God is in control

Because He doesn’t act miraculously, doesn’t mean He isn’t miraculously holding all things together

Authority Is Calm

Jesus’ authority isn’t shocked, isn’t perturbed, isn’t bewildered. His authority is calm and confident when we are in the storm.

His strength, our weakness.

His wisdom, our foolishness.

His purpose, our floundering.

Draw on Jesus’ calm right when we need it!

Authority Draws

Jesus’ authority draws people to himself. It drew the spiritual leaders, the curious onlookers, the faithful disciples. And It drew the man with Legion demons - in the middle of that spiritual conflict.

It drew us when we hear of His love and forgiveness.

Let’s not be afraid to speak of God’s authority to determine transgression, to offer forgiveness, and to provide a way for redemption.

Authority Over Spiritual Realm

Authority Recognized

vs. 5:6-7

We struggle to see Jesus and His will sometimes

There is no such trouble in the spiritual realm.

They know Him and who He is - seemingly without fail

When there are spiritual struggles, do not underestimate the power of the authority of Jesus. Speak scripture. Seek the authority of Jesus to overcome the darkness.

John 1:5 ESV

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Authority Engages

v. 5:35, 6:8-9

Jesus does not ignore opposition or problems. He engages it. Jesus knew the spiritual darkness in the area across the lake. And He said “Let’s go.”

Jesus is meek, but He is not passive. His authority engages. That is why a wayward believer might be the most miserable person. Jesus has spiritual authority over them, but they are in disobedience.

As with Legion, there is no path of rebelion from Jesus that leads to life. If you find yourself at odds with the Lord, Give up! Give in.

Authority with Permission

5:14-20

Jesus left, with His love and message with Him, when they asked Him to.

They desired more what they had/lost than what Jesus offered

Then the man healed sought to follow Jesus

Jesus didn’t grant him permission, but did give direction. “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Jesus’ authority directs us to His purpose. But He doesn’ force us to follow.

Authority Over Me?

I doubt there is a legion of demons possessing you. Or that you are about to be tossed out of a boat and drown. But the distance between these things and the things happening in your life might not be too far!

But there are no shortage of questions, situation, decisions, and troubles that we can either keep rowing against or let Jesus lead.

From beginning...

Colossians 1:16 ESV

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

… to end.

Philippians 2:10 ESV

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

But will we receive His authority? Will we walk in it? What is your answer when the authority of God calls to you? How will you respond?