Jesus' Priority of Prayer and Preaching

What kind of authority does Jesus Christ possess? In Mark 1:21-39 Jesus enters the local synagogue on a Sabbath morning and teaches with an authority that amazes His hearers. So disturbing is the authoritative teaching of Jesus that a man with an unclean spirit cries out in a defensive move against Jesus. "Are you come to destroy us?" is the demon's question. He recognizes that Jesus has authority not only to teach and command a following, but also to pronounce the final judgment on those who rebel against Him. The unclean spirit is terrified. Jesus commands him to be quiet and to vacate the man he's held under his control. In a final act of hostility, the spirit convulses the man, shrieks in defeat and departs. The synagogue is astonished. Rightly, they see Jesus' authority over the spirit-world as an affirmation that what He teaches is authoritative.

Jesus then proceeds to heal Peter's mother-in-law. No words are recorded in this account, just the touch of His hand. It's an immediate and complete recovery. She begins to serve her house guests. He has authority over disease. The word spreads and by sundown the whole town is at the front door of Peter's house to have Jesus deliver them of demons and heal them of diseases. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has authority over all things. And when He calls you to repent and believe or to leave everything behind and follow Him, you must.

Jesus is God's unique Son and Anointed One. He's calling you to repent, believe, and follow Him. Live in submission to and confidence in His authority. There's no place of greater blessing than to be living your life according to His gospel and under His care.

John Muir, the well-known naturalist was once overcome by the beauty of Yosemite and famously said, "The mountains are calling and I must go." Have you ever felt called by something? Has it struck a chord so deeply inside of you that you knew you had to act?

As the Gospel of Mark begins to unfold, Jesus first issues a general call for anyone who is listening to repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15). But then he goes deeper, calling a number of specific people - 5 to be exact - to drop everything in life and follow him fully.

His call is short and powerful, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." It's a personal call, a purposeful call, and a call that demands a response from each of us as we encounter Jesus. Will we follow him?

Jesus did not come primarily to educate, to motivate, to feed and heal, or even to set a good example of commendable living. He came to save sinners like us, to transform our lives, and to teach us how to reach other sinners with the good news too! Do you hear him calling?

It is good news that Jesus Christ, the Son of God has entered the world. The Gospel of Mark shows us that coming from Nazareth, Jesus is of humble earthly origin and by participating in John’s baptism clearly identifies himself with repenting people. Though He had no sin that needed to be confessed, His baptism in the Jordan river was a powerful statement of His saving purpose for sinners. How extraordinary that the sinless Jesus would willingly identify with people like us!

Jesus’ baptism was also a powerful moment of anointing by the Holy Spirit. Jesus would live out His earthly days in the power of the Spirit. Whether battling the devil’s temptation along the way, casting out demons, healing the sick, rebuking the self-righteous religious leaders of Israel, or preaching the gospel, Jesus was empowered by the Spirit to accomplish all that the Father had sent Him to do. The same Holy Spirit empowers people like us for service. What an encouragement to see the gospel record of what a Spirit-anointed life can accomplish.

Jesus’ baptism was also a powerful moment of approval by God the Father. “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” was the testimony from heaven. This declaration would sustain the Son of God through the intense years of ministry, temptation, conflict, suffering, and crucifixion. All that Jesus did was the perfect delight of God the Father’s heart. For the believer being united to Jesus Christ through salvation means that we also have the approval of the Father. Though we have not lived a sinless life, Jesus did for us. Though we have not fulfilled all righteousness, Jesus did for us. And now being united to Jesus by faith, we also have the eternal approval of God the Father. Trust, hope, and rest in this relationship with the Son of God!

Don't you long to hear some good news? Whether it's through the national media outlets or from a long lost friend, we love to hear good news. Problem is, most of what we hear and pass along tends to be not-so-good news.

The second book of the New Testament is titled "The Gospel of Mark," but it could just as easily be titled "The Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Mark was a close associate of the Apostle Peter, a ministry companion of Paul and Barnabas, and very likely the son of a wealthy woman who hosted Jesus and His disciples in her home. In his writing Mark draws upon each of these relationships to give us a fast-paced, detailed, personal account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Throughout our study of the Gospel of Mark we'll be challenged to personally answer the question, "Who is Jesus?" His true identity as the Son of God places a deep and personal call upon all of us to follow Him as true disciples. With His authority as King, Jesus calls us to believe in Him, openly profess our faith in Him, and to obey all that He commands.

Overwhelmed much? In the constant barrage of information and expectation that most people face daily, it's easy to be overwhelmed with life. Maybe you've even felt that way in church or as you tried to wrap your mind around the 1000+ pages in the Bible.

And it is real, there are lifetimes of truth to learn in the depths of the Bible. Truth about God, about people, about human life and beyond. But God does not intend His truth to be overwhelming. He wants to teach you His ways, and even as children, God's ways can be grasped and understood.

That's why Jesus came - God in a human body. So that we could see firsthand what God is like. So that He would live perfectly, die on the cross taking our punishment for sin, and rise again.

And that's why there are single verses and small chapters in the Bible that boil life down for us into simple and easy to understand terms. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." "Love God & Love Others." "Live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

Proverbs 3 is one of those simple yet powerful sections of the Bible. And it teaches us that God's way, the path of wisdom is simple yet profound: Trust God. Fear God. Honor God.

God is full of compassion and power for healing all that weakens and debilitates us whether physically or spiritually. He intends the church to be a place where people can find healing for the greatest and deepest needs of our lives. The body of Christ is designed to be a place of comfort and safety, of genuine sympathy and understanding, of personal care and healing. And He has equipped us with the powerful tool of prayer for one another.

Whether we are the ones suffering or see others around us suffering, God's call is for us to pray for one another in order that we may be healed. Let's commit ourselves to being the kind of church family that quickly sympathizes and surrounds the hurting ones with powerful prayers for healing.

We're in need of healing. Every one of us. For some, this includes the healing of physical illness, but for all, it includes our spiritual faults, weaknesses, and sins. That's why the Holy Spirit moved James to include both kinds of needs in this very important "one another."

God is full of compassion and power for healing all that weakens and debilitates us whether physically or spiritually. He intends the church to be a place where people can find healing for the greatest and deepest needs of our lives. The body of Christ is designed to be a place of comfort and safety, of genuine sympathy and understanding, of personal care and healing. And He has equipped us with the powerful tool of prayer for one another.

Whether you are suffering or see suffering around you, God's call is for us to pray for one another in order that we may be healed. Let's commit ourselves to being the kind of church family that quickly sympathizes and surrounds the hurting ones with powerful prayers for healing.

What is the worst storm you’ve ever been through? What was your response? Does it ever feel like God is sleeping or numb to the situation you are in? This question stirs up fearful thoughts. But, “ why are you so afraid?” This is the question Jesus asked His disciples while in the boat during the storm in Mark 4.

Though the mountains fall or the oceans roar, God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46). Our loving God promises to be with us and to never leave us. The truth that needs to be applied to our lives its that Jesus LEADS us “through the valley of the shadow of death”, we should fear no evil, for HE IS WITH US. We can truly rest in faith during any storm. So, in what areas of your life are you tempted to respond with fear rather than faith? We must ask Jesus to give us His rest of faith, and worship the One who commands all manner of winds and waves.

The book of Hebrews can be read in about 45 minutes. Throughout the book, the reader encounters the tension of being exhorted to persevere in faith and be encouraged that God will faithfully preserve those that are His. The focus of the Christian's faith must be Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews reminds the reader that Jesus is better.

As we look at the life of Abraham and Sarah, we are reminded to press on. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.