Mark 1:21-28
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 evil 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 evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all 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! News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
“What Happens When Jesus Goes to Church?”
*The interesting fact about this passage is that it took place in Capernaum. The literal translation of Capernaum means “a village of comfort.” How many churches are in a place of comfort and need Jesus to show up and bring authority and change?
1. He brings instruction.
Jesus entered the temple and immediately began to teach.
There are things that we MUST learn from Jesus – it requires that we be teachable.
Jesus can teach in a moment what we cannot teach in a lifetime.
2. He brings change and freshness.
“Authority” = “exousia”
a. The power of choice; the liberty to do as one pleases
b. The power of influence and of privilege
c. The power of rule or government
The primary reason that the authority of Jesus isn’t realized in churches is that His authority goes unacknowledged.
The people were amazed in that what Jesus was teaching/saying/doing was not like what they had always heard or seen in church.
Tradition in and of itself is not wrong, but the danger is when tradition becomes an idol or it becomes sacred.
The seven last words of a dying church; “We’ve never done it that way before.”
The message of Christ will ALWAYS be accompanied by authority. If there is no authority in the message, is it really from the Lord?
3. He brings healing and deliverance.
A man who was in the synagogue was possessed by an evil spirit. It wasn’t until he was confronted with the authority of the message of Jesus Christ that the spirit felt compelled to react.
When the demon spoke, he was speaking out in wonder and fear because the spirit knew Who Jesus was.
How many spirits have felt comfortable in the house of God because the authority of Christ and His message are not present?
I for one think that unclean spirits and unclean hearts should be exposed and feel uncomfortable in the House of God.
MANY TIMES THE SPIRITS HAVE BEEN COMPELLED TO REACT AND CRY OUT, BUT THEN AS A RESULT OF FEAR OR A FLESHLY APPROACH, WE HAVE RETREATED AND RETURNED TO BUSINESS AS USUAL.
Jesus had and maintained authority in the synagogue regardless of who spoke out in opposition.
4. He causes a stir.
Jesus again caused a commotion and the commotion of Jesus got people talking among themselves.
The stir created by the authority of Jesus Christ didn’t only stay inside the synagogue. The people began to spread the word in the neighborhoods and community about Jesus.
When the Lord is allowed to operate in authority within His House, He doesn’t need for us to “market” Him.
There is nothing like the power and authority of the Lord to get people talking.
The Gospels do not record a large percentage of the ministry of Jesus as having taken place in the “church”.
The Bottom Line:
1. We need Jesus to come to His House and instruct us in His ways.
2. We need Jesus to come to His House and bring a freshness and authority.
3. We need Jesus to come to His House and bring healing and deliverance.
4. We need Jesus to come to His House and stir us to action.
