The Authority of the King

The Authority of the King

Following the Servant
Mark 1:21-28

The way Mark begins in chapter 1 is a series of logical and natural steps:
1.     Through John the Baptist, Jesus recognizes God’s call to action
2.     Jesus is baptized and receives God’s seal of approval and what He needs for the task.
3.     He’s tested by the devil.
4.     He chose disciples in order to write His message on their hearts.
5.     Now He deliberately launches His campaign in a synagogue.

As Jesus preached in the local synagogue, people noticed that His teaching was much different from other Jewish teachers.  He spoke the truth of God plainly and all who heard knew that this was God’s message taught with authority.  Jesus’ teaching here was violently opposed by evil satanic powers but Jesus has authority over evil spirits and news of this spread throughout the region. This is a picture of God’s kingdom and shows His absolute authority over all creation.

All of us have authorities in our lives that
we look to that determine how we think and live.

LOGIC                                                             FEELINGS

TRADITION                                                    GOD’S WORD

Jesus should have absolute authority in my life . . .

1.   Because of His (1:21-22, 27)

A.   His teaching is (1:21, 22)

B.    He taught with (1:22, 27)

If we want to communicate Jesus in our walk and talk, we must submit ourselves to the
2.   Because of His (1:23-28)

What else can we know about demons?

(1) A third of the angels fell with Satan in his rebellion against God (Revelation 12:4)
(2) Some are now free to rove (Mark 1:21-34).
(3) Some will still be free during the tribulation (Revelation 9:13-19).
(4) Others are confined now, never to roam freely (2 Peter 2:4;  Jude 6).
(5) They are powerful, but they are not all-powerful (Mark 1:24).
(6) Their activity may have increased during the time of Christ, and it will be the same as the end time draws near (see Revelation 6–19).
(7) They are under Satan’s control (Ephesians 6:11-12).
(8) Though not always because of demons, they can promote disunity, spread false doctrine, cause disease and mental difficulties, and hinder Christian growth.
(9) Through Christ, we have power over demonic forces. (1 John 4:4)

A.   Demons (1:23, 24)

“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder” James 2:19

B.   Demons (1:25-28)

Jesus’ authoritative teaching was backed up by authoritative .

Do Christians have authority over demons?

No, we don’t—not on our own, but .

Operating under God’s authority, however, we have His power within us, which causes us to .

“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 will be with you always, to the very end of the age”
Matthew 28:18–20

Daily Meditations

 
Memory verse: “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.”                          Mark 1:27
 
Monday
Read Mark 1:1-28. Other than revelation, which source of authority—reason, experience, or tradition—exerts the most influence in your life?
 
 
How is the respect we show for the Bible, the written Word of God, different from the worship we owe to Jesus, the living Word of God?
 
Tuesday
Read Mark 1:21-28. Which teachings of Jesus do you find astonishing?
 
 
How can a person show respect for a teacher or preacher of the Bible while still examining the Scriptures to verify their message (read Acts 17:11)?
 
 
 
Wednesday
Read Mark 1:21-28. What are the advantages to being raised in a “good, Christian home”? 
 
 
What are the disadvantages?
 
 
 
Thursday
Read Mark 1:21-28. What examples of evil are “natural” and what are demonic? 
 
 
 
What evidence have you heard of or seen that demons are active right here?
 
 
 
Friday
Read Mark 1:21-28. Why would demons have better theology than some people?
 
 
 
What does Jesus’ absolute authority over demons mean for us today? How can it affect your life?
 
 
In what ways can demonstrations of the authority of Jesus be used to spread the gospel today?
 
 
 
Saturday
Read Mark 1:21-28.  Go back over any of the above questions you haven’t answered and reflect on them.  If you’ve memorized our key verse from Mark (10:45), review it. If you haven’t yet memorized this verse, review it and work on memorizing it.  Then spend some time working on the memory verse from this week.