We Worship With Jesus In God's House

WE WORSHIP WITH JESUS IN GOD’S HOUSE (Outline)

MARK 1:21-28 - January 30, 2005 - EPIPHANY 4

INTRO: Once again the Lord has provided us with another day of his grace, and especially another day of/for worship. As believers we value our Sundays as the day in which we are privileged and blessed to come into the Lord’s house, in his very presence, to worship and praise our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sunday is a special day, but not always for everyone. Sadly, our society has turned Sunday into just another ordi-nary day. Many consider their Sunday as the day of shopping, a hunting day, fishing day, meeting day, or sleep-in-late day. Today’s text reminds us of the important value of Sunday, our day of worship. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting to-gether, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching"(HEBREWS 10:24,25).

Today we have gathered together to hear God’s word, to encourage one another as we grow in our own Christian faith. Together we consider God’s blessings for us today with the theme: WE WORSHIP WITH JESUS IN GOD’S HOUSE. I. We see Jesus’ authority and II. We share Jesus’ miracles.

I. WE SEE JESUS’ AUTHORITY

A. Many events in Jesus’ happen in this first chapter of Mark. In the first verses John prepares the way.

1. Next, John baptizes Jesus. Jesus is tempted in the wilderness and John is imprisoned.

2. In the verses right before our text Jesus calls his first disciples: Simon, Andrew, James, John.

B. Thus our text begins: They went to Capernaum. This was Jesus and his first disciples.

1. Jesus called, they followed, and ministry begins. Capernaum becomes Jesus headquarters.

2. Nazareth had rejected Jesus. Verse 21. The Sabbath came and Jesus goes to worship.

C. He was invited to speak. Verse 22. The people were amazed at the authority of Jesus’ teaching.

1. After all, Jesus was only the carpenter’s son and from Nazareth. Jesus taught God’s gospel!

2. The teachers of the law were overly concerned with laws and traditions.

3. The gospel teaching of Jesus seemed new. Verse 27a. The gospel was fresh and refreshing.

D. Our world does not always see the authority of Jesus. All to often, too many are looking for a display of earthly power, might and strength. The authority of Jesus is in the power of the word of God. When the disciples wondered about Jesus claim of being the bread of life, Jesus reminded them of the impor-tance of the authority of Scripture. "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life"(JOHN 6:63).

E. Believers see the authority of Jesus in God’s holy word. Without the word of God mankind, everyone would be lost for time and for eternity. How disastrous that would be. We began to see the importance of being able to gather around God’s word and be strengthened by hearing, reading, singing and studying the Gospel of God together. Jesus’ authority, which we are privileged to see with eyes of faith, is in that word of God and that word of God alone. "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ"(ROMANS 10:17).

F. It is also important for us to understand that Jesus was not a usurper. Jesus did take his power but was given it by virtue of being part of the triune God. Jesus is far more than the carpenter’s son or the son of Mary. Jesus is also God’s Son. As God’s Son Jesus has divine power and authority to do and control all things. "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way"(EPHESIANS 1:22,23).

TRANS: WE WORSHIP WITH JESUS IN GOD’S HOUSE as we see Jesus’ authority in the holy pages of divine Scripture. As believers we also worship with Jesus in God’s house as

II. WE SHARE JESUS’ MIRACLES

A. The setting is the Sabbath. God’s own Son is in God’s house to worship. Jesus teaches with authority.

1. Verse 23. A demon-possessed man had come into the synagogue. This was extraordinary.

2. The unclean were not allowed in the synagogue. The people were to see and hear more.

B. Verse 24. The man possessed knows Jesus. He confesses that Jesus is the son of man and God.

1. This man is also frightened of Jesus’ power. The divine always threatens Satan.

2. No wonder. Verse 25. Simple commands: Be quiet…come out! Satan obeys.