Exousia

Mrk 1:21-28 (ESV) And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. [22] And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. [23] And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, [24] “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.” [25] But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” [26] And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. [27] And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” [28] And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

1. Be astonished at the authority of Jesus’ teaching.

Mrk 1:21-22 (ESV) And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. [22] And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

• Jesus’ words have authority because he is eternal God.
• Jesus’ words have authority because they are eternal truth.
• Jesus has all authority to speak the truth into our lives that we need.
• Jhn 7:46 (ESV) The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!”
• Satan wants nothing more than to steal our lives; to kill us and to destroy us. His primary method of destruction is to speak lies to us. Lies that bind us. Lies that lead us to destruction. Lies that kill.
• “What you feel is what is true.” “What you want is all that matters.”
• Jhn 8:31-32 (ESV) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• Jesus’ words have the power to set us free and to bring fulfillment to our lives.
• Jesus’ words are pure and clean. They have the authority to in turn purify and cleanse our lives as we follow them.
• Psa 12:6 (ESV) The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
• Jesus’ words are like a refining fire. Jesus’ words are like a hammer that breaks rock in pieces. Jesus’ words can refine our lives, but Jesus’ words also have the authority to break us—to shatter the lies that have invaded our minds and our hearts. The beautiful truth about the Lord is that he shatters us so that he can rebuild us.
• Jer 23:29 (ESV) Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

2. Be amazed at the authority of Jesus’ power.

Mrk 1:23-27 (ESV) And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, [24] “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.” [25] But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” [26] And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. [27] And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

• Satan wants to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to destroy the very works of God.
• Jesus came to give, to bring life, and healing to God’s prized creation—mankind. He came to destroy the works of Satan.
• Jesus has the power to set you free from whatever is ruling over your life.
• Jesus has the power to set you free what whatever has you bound.
• Are you bound in addiction? Are you bound in wrong thoughts? Are you bound in wrong feelings? Maybe you believe there is no hope for restoration in your relationships with your kids or grandkids? Have you lost hope that your marriage can be healed? Do you need freedom from lust or alcohol, or bitterness? Are you bound by guilt over past failures?
• Jesus has the authority and the power to absolutely set us free from the bondage that holds us.
• He commands unclean, impure, demonic spirits and they obey him. He removed the demon from the man and the man from the demon. He can do the same for you and for me.

3. Be moved to awe of Jesus.

Mrk 1:28 (ESV) And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Mat 11:23-24 (ESV) And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. [24] But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Jesus spoke truth and performed incredible miracles in Capernaum. They were often astonished and amazed by what he said and by what he did, but it did not move them to absolute awe of Jesus. It didn’t move them to bow down in worship and to turn and to follow Jesus. Incredibly, he said that if the works that were done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, then Sodom would have repented and remained, rather than being destroyed by the Lord.

Be astonished at the authority of Jesus’ teaching. His words will lead you to life and cleansing and freedom.

Be amazed at the authority of Jesus’ power. His power can set you free, can heal your life, can restore your heart. There is nothing too difficult for Jesus.

Be moved to awe of Jesus. Fall down and worship. Be in awe and follow the Lord. Trust him with your life.