Becoming a Stronger Disciple
(Mark 1:21-34) 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 so 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.
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the
home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and
they told Jesus about her. So He went
to her, took her hand and helped her up.
The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after
sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and
Jesus healed many who had various diseases.
He also drove out many demons, but He would not let the demons speak
because they knew who He was.
Jesus has the power to provide all a disciple
needs.
1.
Jesus
Has The Power To Provide RESTORATION
(30-31) “Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with
a fever, and they told Jesus about her.
So He went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on
them.” (33-34a) “The whole town gathered at the door and Jesus healed many who
had various diseases.”
A. When disciples pray – coincidences happen!
B. Physical restorations are always at Jesus’ discretion.
C. Physical restoration is not always the best thing for us.
D. Jesus has the power to restore IF He determines it’s best.
2. Jesus Has The Power To Provide PROTECTION
A. Jesus protects us from forces of evil.
(23-27) 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 so 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.”
B. Disciples cannot be demon possessed because we
are already Holy Spirit possessed.
(1 John 4:4) “The
One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
C. We don’t need to look for demons under every
rock.
D. But the devil and his demons ARE seeking to
destroy us.
(1 Peter 5:8) “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
E. We need to put on our spiritual armor.
(Ephesians 6:12-13a) “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil. Therefore put on the full armor of God.”
F. We need to ask the Lord every morning for His protection.
(Matthew 6:13) “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
3. Jesus Has The Power To Provide INSTRUCTION
(22) “The people were amazed at His teaching,
because He taught them as One who had authority, not as the teachers of
the law.” (27a) The people
were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching - and with authority!’”
A. Jesus is the source of all truth.
B. Jesus’ truth is the source of abundant life.
(John 10:10) “I
have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (KJV “and that they may have it more
abundantly.”)
C. Patrick Morley
1)
“Most men only
know enough about God to be disappointed in Him.”
2) “Most men will give the best years of their lives to ideas that never had any possibility of making them happy.”