Jesus wants us to be fruitful, not just impressive. His teaching should transform us, not just make us look religious.
Sermon Title: THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE WORDS
Sermon Text: MARK 1:21-28 (ESV)
Sermon Series: THE KING HAS COME: THE START OF SOMETHING NEW
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
MARK 1:21-28 NIV
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “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!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 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 evil spirits and they obey him.”
28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Authority without expertise is dangerous. Expertise without authority is powerless.
I. Jesus’ Authority in Teaching
Amazed | Gk: ekpléssó
“to astonish, to amaze, to be struck with amazement.”
Real holiness is not just about what you do or don’t do, it’s about who you are becoming.
Jesus wants us to be fruitful, not just impressive. His teaching should transform us, not just make us look religious.
Are you settling for religion, or are you seeking real transformation?
II. Jesus’ Authority Over Evil Forces
EPHESIANS 6:12 NIV
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
HEBREWS 2:14-15 NIV
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--
15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
The good news is that Jesus’ authority over evil is not just a past event; it is active today in our daily lives.
Are we living in the victory of Jesus’ authority, or are we still acting like we’re losing the battle?
JOHN 8:36 NIV
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Jesus’ victory is not just something to admire, it is something we are called to walk in every single day.
III. Jesus’ Authority and Our Response
It’s one thing to be impressed by Jesus, but it’s another to submit to him. It’s one thing to talk about his power, but it’s another to live under his authority.
Amazement doesn’t transform us. Faith does.
JOHN 6:66 NIV
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
Jesus did not come just to be admired — he came to be followed.
Are we just onlookers, simply amazed by Jesus and admiring his power, or are we disciples, who respond to his authority and follow him?
“The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren’t actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them.”
Kyle Idleman