The Immediate Effect of His Authority

[0:00] Well, we are in Mark's gospel now. If you have a Bible, please turn to Mark chapter 1. We're going to be learning from Peter's experience and Peter's story of Jesus.

[0:25] We're going to be from Mark 1 verse 16 to verse 34. Let's go.

[1:03] And Jesus said to them, Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men. And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were in their boat mending nets.

[1:21] And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.

[1:34] And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit.

[1:47] 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.

[2:02] And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this?

[2:15] And you're teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. And immediately his fame spread everywhere, throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

[2:29] And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever. And immediately they told him about her.

[2:42] And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. And the fever left her. And she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.

[2:57] And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak because they knew him.

[3:15] Amen. Amen. We pray that God blesses the reading of his word. I was reading this weekend that President Trump has signed over 50 executive orders.

[3:29] Perhaps you've heard about some of them.

[3:42] Maybe you're interested. Maybe you're not. Some of these executive orders will have greater impact than others. And not everyone agrees on whether they will be good or not. Some of these orders will take effect straight away.

[3:56] But others can take months or years. If at all. They have to go through agencies and reports. Investigations and regulations.

[4:06] And although the president is vested with great amount of authority. Some of this can still be appealed. Reviewed. And sometimes refused.

[4:17] Refused. And then when a new president comes into office. These executive orders can be reversed. Now can you imagine this was the same for Jesus.

[4:31] Imagine when he called a disciple. It had to be reviewed. Then they had to file some reports. Investigations. Regulations. Before they would follow him.

[4:42] Imagine when he went to cast out a demon. The demon appealed. And refused. Or imagine when he healed somebody.

[4:53] It was later overturned. Refused. Reversed. Revoked. Is Jesus' authority limited like this? You see every other person in history.

[5:05] Whether they were a rabbi or a ruler. From Socrates to Maccabees. From Caesar to my aunt. My momadies. My momadies. There's a name.

[5:16] Famous rabbi. Whether they were the pope. Or the president. Or some lunatic dictator. There has always been a limit.

[5:29] To their influence and authority. And they themselves are bound by many limitations. But not so with Jesus. Now I wonder.

[5:42] Have a think about this. If you were the president. What would your executive orders be? What would be first on your agenda?

[5:54] What would be at the top of your priorities? This is what I'm going to do. With the power and authority vested in me. I'm going to do this. What would you use your authority for?

[6:04] You see one of the things that Mark is keen to show us. Right at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Is that he is not like any other rabbi or ruler. Or anyone who has come before.

[6:17] He didn't need to work his way up through the ranks. Political ranks. He didn't need to win any votes. The authority and effect of his executive orders.

[6:28] Seems to be a result. Of his role as the son of God. Who pleases the father. And possesses the spirit. Yet what is surprising perhaps.

[6:41] Is what he does. With his authority. What does Jesus do? What's his executive orders if you will? All this authority.

[6:52] Limitless. Unlike any other ruler. And what does he do? Well we see. I'm going to say three things. We will categorize them into three things.

[7:04] He has the authority to choose and call. People. He has the authority to teach and command. And he has the authority to remove and rebuke.

[7:16] And so we're going to. We're going to look through these things. But what do you find surprising? What do you find surprising perhaps. Anything about him doing these particular things.

[7:26] That surprises you. Or any other details in the passage. That you might find surprising. So let's see. Let's see as we explore these three areas.

[7:39] And so in the first. The first paragraph. We see his authority to choose and call. In the other gospels. We get some more information.

[7:49] About how Jesus chose and called people. But Mark. Doesn't give us a lot of information. In fact he seems keen to just. Present that there is no other reason.

[8:01] For these men to follow Jesus. Other than. Being completely compelled. By his authority to call. No other reason. Imagine.

[8:14] Our time this morning. If in the middle of our time. Someone came through those doors at the back. And said to you. Came up to you and said. Follow me.

[8:25] And I'll make you an offer. You can't refuse. Would you go? What would it take. For someone to come through the door this morning. What would it take for you to just up and leave?

[8:37] Who would have to walk through that door? That you would just go. In the middle of the service this morning. Imagine this.

[8:50] I was trying to think of an example of this. An example that is maybe. Unfamiliar to all of us. Imagine a CEO.

[9:01] Of a multinational corporation. Walked through the door. For example. Exxon Mobile. Right. Which is the oil and gas.

[9:12] Corporation. Funnily enough. The CEO of Exxon Mobile. Is called Darren Woods. He's here today. Different one.

[9:24] But the CEO of Exxon Mobile. Okay. Multinational. Oil and gas corporation. Imagine he walked through the door. This morning. And he was looking for somebody here.

[9:35] To join his global leadership team. To oversee operations. Who do you think among us he would pick? Can you think of any?

[9:46] Like. I bet that your answer is probably not me. You're probably thinking. Well it wouldn't be me. It would be someone else. I don't know if there's anyone here.

[9:57] That he would pick. To be on his global leadership team. To oversee operations. Who among us would not feel. Underqualified for that role.

[10:09] And to be honest. Most if not all of us. Would feel like the job. Was a million miles away. From what we are used to. And what our skill set is. You see.

[10:21] Perhaps the first surprise. With Jesus here. Is not that these men. Would immediately leave. Their jobs to follow him. But that. The Messiah. Messiah turns up.

[10:34] And he would choose. Fisherman. In the first place. Is that not a surprise? The Jews have been waiting. Hundreds of years. For the Messiah to turn up.

[10:46] And he finally shows up. And he chooses. Fisherman. What is that all about? What business does a fisherman. Have in the leadership team.

[10:57] Of the Messiah? You would think. That the Holy One of God. Would choose people. Who are. Well. More holy.

[11:11] People like the scribes. Perhaps. Or the religious leaders. The priests. Certainly. Certainly. If you're looking for. Holy people. To be in the leadership team.

[11:22] Of the Holy One of God. You're not going to look. Down at the shore. For some fishermen. See. Peter even says. In Luke's gospel. Depart from me.

[11:35] For I am a sinful man. Oh Lord. You've heard the statement. That Jesus eats with. Tax collectors.

[11:45] And sinners. That isn't just the people. That he spent time with. That is his 12 disciples. Tax collectors. And sinners. Why on earth.

[11:57] Would the Messiah call. Such an unholy people. We do actually get the answer. In Mark chapter 2. But for now.

[12:08] It's sufficient to say. That it was a surprising choice. Unlikely. Unexpected. So. You came to church today. Well done.

[12:19] But do you belong here? What if we saw. All of your sins. Laid bare before us. Imagine that. Imagine we got us. Stephen. Can you put so and so's sins.

[12:31] Up on the screen. What if we knew. The truth about you. Do you belong. In such a holy. And saintly. Company. Well worry not dear friend.

[12:44] You are in good company. We are all. Unlikely candidates. To be chosen by the son of God. Every one of us. If it were up to us. If we could see ourselves.

[12:57] When he called us. Would we. Choose us. I don't think so. I imagine this moment. When Jesus. Choose his disciples. That his angels.

[13:09] Are wondering. What on earth. He is doing. Calling a couple of fishermen. Yet the amazing thing is. Jesus has. The authority to choose.

[13:20] It's his choice. There's no criteria. That he's bound by. There's no rules. That he has to follow. When he makes. A choice. There's no qualifications.

[13:31] That the candidates. Must have. His father in heaven. Was pleased with him. Yeah. We read that. Didn't we? His father in heaven.

[13:41] Was well pleased with him. And that includes. Being pleased. For him to choose. Pleased for him. To choose fishermen. Rather than Pharisees. His father.

[13:51] Was pleased. With Jesus. To choose. You. Isn't that a wonderful thing? What business. Do any of us. Have here this morning. But the father.

[14:04] Was pleased for Jesus. To have the authority. To choose. Us. He has the authority. To choose. And the authority. To call. So when he comes.

[14:16] By these fishermen. He chooses. And he calls. And his authority. Is evident. In how they leave. Their livelihoods. Behind. And follow him. Think about.

[14:27] All the Christians. Who have ever lived. Since that moment. Till today. My dad. Always used to say to me. Particularly. When a girl split up. With me.

[14:37] Or something like that. He used to say. You cannot change people. You just can't change people. So what. Was it that compelled. All the people.

[14:48] Throughout history. To follow Jesus. What compelled them? What compelled them. To follow Jesus. Changing the course. Of their lives. It was the authority.

[14:59] Of Jesus. To choose them. And to call them. Another surprising thing. Is what Jesus. Offered them. Follow me. And I will.

[15:10] Make you become. Fishers of men. Do you think. That they were always. Wanting. To be fishers of men. As a child. They're like. This is what I really.

[15:21] Want to do mum. I want to be a fisher. Of men. And maybe. They've always. Wanted to do that.

[15:31] Because they could never. Advance beyond carp. See. Jesus. When he says this. It's a play on words. But he isn't just. Being creative.

[15:42] Because they are fishermen. And. Some of the prophets. Of old. Actually. Spoke about. Sending out fishers. Sending out fishers.

[15:52] Like Jeremiah. And Ezekiel. And Amos. Jeremiah 16. The restoration. Of Israel. Would involve. God. Bringing the people. Back to their own land.

[16:04] And God. Said to. God. Said to them. Behold. I am sending. For fishers. Declares the Lord. And they shall. Catch them. But actually. What he's talking about.

[16:15] Is he's talking about. The nations. Judging them. And dragging them away. And a net. Into exile. It's a reference. To judgment. That the nations. Would come. And capture them.

[16:26] Like fish in a net. And drag them away. But. Just as they had gone. God will bring them back. Like fish in a net. And so. At this moment. When Jesus calls.

[16:36] Simon. Andrew. James. And John. The idea is. That fishers. Would be used. To bring people. Back. Bring people. Back to God. And give them life. Not death.

[16:47] And judgment. But life. Now. I don't know. How much of that. These disciples. Would have understood. We don't know. But one thing. That we should notice. Is that when Jesus.

[16:59] Calls them. He never says to them. Now. Simon. Peter. James. John. Andrew. Now. You are fishers. Of men. He doesn't say that. And this is really encouraging.

[17:11] He says. I will make you become. Follow me. And I will make you become. Now. You may wonder. Why Jesus chose you. You may feel.

[17:23] Like an unlikely candidate. For his kingdom. You may even feel. Like you are nowhere near. Being qualified. Or holy enough.

[17:34] To be who he has called you to be. But remember. That he is the one. That chose you. He is the one. Who called you. And he is the one.

[17:45] Who will make you. Become what he called you. Isn't that good? It's not up to us. He doesn't say. This is what I want you to do. Now you make it happen. It's not up to us.

[17:57] The one who has the authority. To choose us. And to call us. Has also the authority. To make us become. What he called us to be. Wonderful. And if that is true.

[18:08] Of us. Friends. Please remember. That. It is also true. For the person. Sitting next to you. Don't. Let us never think. To ourselves. Why are they not. Acting like fishers of men.

[18:20] Come on. Get a grip. Let us never think that. Because. If the person. Next to us. Is in the hands of Jesus. Then remember. That he chose them. And he called them.

[18:32] And he will. In his own good time. Make them. Become whatever he sees fit. What a privilege it is. To be called by Jesus. What a privilege. To be chosen by him. And what a hope we have.

[18:44] That he is the one. Who will make us. Become what God. Intends for our life. Our strictness. Or pressure. Is not going to compel anyone.

[18:54] Or make anyone. Become what God desires. But let it be Christ. Who compels them. And makes them become something. After all.

[19:05] He is the one. That has the authority. To do that. The next block. We look at. Jesus has the authority. To teach. And command. And so. Jesus has called.

[19:15] These people. And he goes into the synagogue. On the Sabbath. And he was teaching. This was a. A common thing. In the synagogue. They would invite. Visitors to.

[19:26] Bring a word. Yet they were astonished. I don't know. If you've ever been. To a church service. In your life. Where you've been astonished. At the teaching.

[19:37] And that's okay. The point is. Jesus is different. From everyone else. They are astonished. Astonished. Might be the first time. In that synagogue's history.

[19:48] That somebody's been astonished. At the teaching. But he taught. As one with authority. Not like the scribes. And they're the experts. There is no teacher.

[19:59] Like Christ. Just as the scribes. Were never. The scribes. Were never. Effective. To make anyone. Become. What God. Made them to be. My words.

[20:10] Cannot do that. Your words. Cannot do that. When you need to point people. To Jesus. He is the teacher. We learn from Luke. That even.

[20:22] At 12 years old. Jesus amazed. The teachers. In the temple. And we get the same idea. In Mark chapter 1. Jesus did not need. To improve. His skills.

[20:33] He didn't need. To go to. Oratory classes. He didn't need. To go on a training course. And develop. Develop. His. Teaching ability. I don't know.

[20:45] If you know this. But when I was first. Training for ministry. In Calderwood. My first sermon. Never made it. To the website. Perhaps some of you.

[20:57] Think it. They still shouldn't. But we improve. Over time. Don't we. Generally speaking. Some of you. Have been very kind. To say that to me. But we all learn.

[21:08] Develop. Improve. Improve. Improve. But that's the difference. Between us. And Jesus. Even the experts. The pros. The scribes. Couldn't hold.

[21:19] A candle. To Jesus. He came. With immediate. Authority. In his teaching. Suddenly. People were not. Sleeping anymore. In the synagogue. Furthermore.

[21:31] Jesus. Had the authority. Not just to teach. But to command. There was a man. In their synagogue. With an unclean spirit. And he cried out. I wonder. How long was the man.

[21:43] In the synagogue. Was he there. For years. How long. Does a person. Sit. With an unclean spirit. And the teaching. Does not bother him.

[21:55] And yet. Jesus. Turns up. And suddenly. He's like. Whoa. No. I do not want. This person. To hear this. Because I know. Who this is. Maybe he was always there.

[22:07] Maybe the unclean spirit. Just. Was not bothered. About what the scribes. Were saying. Every week. Maybe the unclean spirit. Was perfectly happy. For this man. To go to synagogue.

[22:17] Don't stop him. Going to synagogue. He's not going to hear. Anything good. Or compelling. Nothing with authority. And Jesus. Steps through the door. And starts teaching. And suddenly.

[22:28] The unclean spirit. Recognizes. The difference. Between Jesus. And everyone else. What have you. To do with us. Jesus of Nazareth. Have you come to destroy us. I know who you are.

[22:40] The holy one of God. Jesus provokes. A big response. Sinners. And spirits. Cannot stay comfortable. When Jesus speaks. And Jesus.

[22:51] Demonstrates his authority. By commanding. The unclean spirit. To come out. And I wonder. I wonder. If anyone else. Tried. With this guy. Before. Wonder.

[23:02] If some. Enthusiastic. Scribe. Thought. I'll help this guy out. No. Nothing's worked. Before. Jesus commands.

[23:14] And the unclean spirit. Convulsed the man. And let out a cry. And he came out. And again. The people are amazed. And notice the language. If you've. Read through the gospels. You'll recognize this.

[23:25] The language of. Jesus commands. X, Y, and Z. Even. X, Y, and Z. And they obey. Unbelievable.

[23:35] He commands. Even. So and so. And they obey. We're going to see that. Again. Later on. In Mark's gospel. He commands. Even the wind.

[23:46] And the sea. And they obey. He commands. Even the unclean spirits. And they obey. For the first time. This man. On the Sabbath. Finally receives rest. Yet it wasn't the scribes.

[23:57] That did it. It wasn't the synagogue. That did it. It was Jesus. So if we're here. In Mark's message. It's that Jesus. Has the authority. And so who are you going to.

[24:08] Trust with your life. Who can teach us. The truth about God. And about us. And about the world. Who can teach us. With words. And authority. That can make us. Become what we are called to be.

[24:20] Who is it. That commands your destiny. Do you command your destiny. Do we have authority. To decide. What is in us. And what is not.

[24:31] Can we remove. Do we have the authority. And ability. To remove what is in us. We don't. And so finally. The last bracket.

[24:43] He left the synagogue. He entered the house. Of Simon and Andrew. Notice Jesus care. For the mother-in-law. Mother-in-law.

[24:54] Is my. To Jesus. And. They tell him. Immediately. About this issue. And fevers. Wasn't a good situation.

[25:06] How many times. Have we been anxiously. Praying. For a fever. To leave one of our boys. I remember. Walking around the block. In the cool of the evening. With Levi. Just to try and break.

[25:17] A fever. After using. All the cow. Paul. We were allowed to use. But back then. Fevers were deadly. In the ancient world. Yet Jesus.

[25:28] Takes her hand. And he lifts her up. And the fever leaves. And she's. Serving them. Unbelievable. And then. Following this.

[25:38] Is an evening. Full of people. With all ailments. And oppression. Coming to the house. To be healed. And freed from it all. And one of the things. That is evident. In all of this. Is not only the authority.

[25:49] Of Jesus. But the great care. For the people. At every turn. He's freeing people. Not just for the sake of it. We see it with the disciples. He's freeing them. Freeing them.

[26:00] To follow him. And become something. In God's kingdom. He's freeing people. In the synagogue. To finally hear the truth. And he's freeing people. From all their ailments. In order to serve him.

[26:11] Yet one of the most surprising. Things in this passage. I don't know. If this surprises you. If you've noticed it. If it's puzzled you. One of the most surprising. Things I find. In this passage.

[26:21] Is the very last line. Verse 34. Not that he would. Forbid. The demons to speak. But the reason. It says. That he would not.

[26:32] Permit the demons to speak. Because they knew him. And that made me think. Well doesn't he want to be known? Is that not the reason. That he came? Is that not what all of this is about?

[26:44] Why is he. Forbidden them to speak. Because they know him. Well. Found some help in a commentary. And. Reflecting and meditating.

[26:56] And just thinking about this. It's not as simple as understanding his identity. It's not that simple. As I said before. And Mark. Jesus is not looking for glory hunters.

[27:07] He's looking for humble repenters. So simply knowing who he is. Will not guarantee. That you will be in his kingdom. Because the demons know who he is.

[27:18] And they're not in his kingdom. Isn't that what James says in his letter? The demons believe. Even the demons believe. And they tremble. With fear. And so think about this.

[27:30] If simply understanding who he is. Does not guarantee. That one is even for Christ. Then it makes sense. That Jesus' mission. Isn't solely focused.

[27:42] On showing people his identity. Jesus isn't just concerned. That you realize who he is. It's me. And so one commentator.

[27:53] Helpfully says. Jesus' mission. Is not simply to get people. To realize who he is. Is. As if it were some kind of. Cosmic identity parade. His mission is to confront people.

[28:05] With the decision they have to make. To recognize him. Yes. But then to decide for him. To follow him. To love him. Because without that.

[28:17] The most complete knowledge. About Jesus is useless. We can spend as much time. In a church. Like they spent in a synagogue. We can sing a thousand songs.

[28:29] And hear a thousand sermons. We can even realize. That Jesus is the holy one of God. But unless we actually. Decide for him. And respond to his call. And confront our sin.

[28:40] Repent and believe. To follow him. And trust him. And love him. Then we cannot expect. To be with him. In his kingdom. Even if we're here every week. Week in and week out.

[28:52] But when you accept his authority. And follow him. You are trusting the one. Who can make you become. What no one else can make you. You're following the one.

[29:03] Who can teach you. And command your mortal body. Out of the grave. You are looking to the one. Who can remove. What nothing else. And no one else. Can remove.

[29:14] And the one. Who can silence. All the accusations. Of the devil. Who lost you. Out of his kingdom. You see. Jesus authority. Has not diminished.

[29:26] One bit. But he's not looking. To force people. Into his kingdom. He wishes to compel. Those who would be humble. Rather than proud. He wants to call people.

[29:37] Through repentance. Rather than self-righteousness. Jesus. And so. If you're going to follow anyone. Follow him. Follow him.

[29:48] If you're going to listen. To anyone. Be taught by his words. If there's. One thing. That you hear today. Is that don't. Bother about this sermon.

[29:58] Or anything like that. Just go into the Bible. And look at Jesus words. And listen to him. And obey him. And if you truly want rid.

[30:12] Of sin. And darkness. That we all know. Clinges to us. Then trust the one. Who can remove fevers. And remove diseases. And remove unclean spirits. He can remove our sin.

[30:23] That condemns us. And he can silence the devil. Who accuses us. Because he alone. Has the authority. Because he alone. Is the Christ. The son of God. Amen.

[30:33] Let me pray. Lord. Please give us confidence. In your authority. And please.

[30:46] Quiet our. Quiet our minds. Please help us. In our hearts. To trust you. And love you. And respond to you.

[30:56] And see. That you are indeed. The Christ. The son of God. That you have been given. All authority. And that you can do. What no one else. Can do. Help us to.

[31:08] Be humble. Repenters. Help us. To follow you. And help us. To trust. That it's not about. Our performance. But to trust.

[31:19] That you can make us. Become. What you have created. Us to be. Jesus. We thank you. Thank you so much. That you. Do not leave us.

[31:30] In the darkness. Or in our sin. That you do not come. And condemn us. And judge us. But you come. And choose us. And call us. Please help us. To respond. In Jesus name.

[31:41] Amen. And전. Thank you.