VIDEO
JESUS has authority over all things
This sermon was given on 01/18/26 at Pax Christian Church.
SPEAKER
Brian Lucas is one of the Co-Lead Pastors at Pax Christian Church.
SERMON SERIES
This sermon series is “The Gospel According to Mark”
NOTES
Find the full notes below on this page, or in the YouVersion Bible App.
NOTES:
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
All of the events of this passage take place on the same Sabbath day.
There are two major settings for this passage, with a common theme running through all the events Mark describes:JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERYTHING.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every namethat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earthand every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Jesus is Creator: He made everything, which gives Him authority over it.
JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERYTHING.
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
not as teachers of the law… Jesus does not appeal to “Rabbi So-and-so says…” but instead teaches from his own authority and understanding.
This is only something JESUS can do. We do not, and should not, claim our own authority to present some new, previously hidden meaning in the text of scripture.
The fact of Jesus’ teaching in this way is evidence that He is different, and hints at his divinity. He teaches with the authority of the One who issued the Scriptures, not merely a student of them.
JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER THE SCRIPTURES JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERYTHING.
Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER THE DEMONS. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERYTHING.
It’s a little weird that a demon-possessed man was just chilling in the synagogue. No one has addressed this?
“impure/unclean spirit” = “demon”
Jesus essentially tells the demon to shut up.
The demon speaks Jesus’ name and a true title. Possibly trying to control/get power over him. This was a common idea in that culture: names = power.
Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone greatand all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spiritbecause the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them moneyand said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
Some will claim that to truly act in power, you have to get Jesus’ name right:Yahushua or some other Hebrew/Aramaic version of it.
Some will claim you have to speak at the right frequency to manifest power.
Some will attach a formula or particular way of wording your prayer to activate it.
Power from God is not a spell, or knowing the “right way” to say His name.
That is how, for us, we ask “in his name” and receive. Because we are asking the One we know, not saying an incantation.
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERYTHING.
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
So… Peter was married. Interesting note about clergy being celibate (especially for those who consider Peter to be the first Pope…)
JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER SICKNESS AND HEALTH. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERYTHING.
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER THE DEMONS. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER SICKNESS. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERYTHING.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
REFLECT : How is God speaking to you through his word today?
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