Jesus has all authority and power Mark 1:14-3:6

‘The ACC Zimbabwe Zambia Sweden Denmark Nigeria Iran Germany India Sri Lanka Poland West Indies Hungary Romania Australia Sierra Leone etc

Culture Workshops 3 rd March and 24 th March Lunch together after church 12:30 – 1:30 pm Culture Workshops for all – 1:30 – 2:30 pm (DVD will be provided for children upstairs)

Jesus has all authority and power Mark 1:14-3:6

Last week Who was Mark? Mark 1:1-13 (Marks’ introduction to his book)

Last Week Mark 1:1 Gospel = ‘Good News’

Mark’s Gospel Two halves

Mark 1-8 Jesus’ Identity

Mark 9-16 Jesus’ Mission

Mark 1:14-3:6 Ten Stories Jesus … Calls the first disciples Drives out an impure spirit Heals many Prays in a solitary place Heals a man with leprosy Forgives and heals a paralysed man Calls Levi and eats with sinners Answers questions about fasting Is Lord of the Sabbath Heals on the Sabbath

Mark 2:1-12 Jesus forgives and heals a paralysed man

Mark 2:1-12 The scene was set (Vs 1-2) The 4 friends came (Vs 3-4) Jesus saw their faith (Vs 5a) Jesus prioritised forgiveness (Vs 5b) The religious teachers objected (Vs 6-7) Jesus knew their thoughts (Vs 8) Jesus demonstrated his authority (Vs 9-12)

Mark’s Focus Jesus’ Power and Authority

Jesus has authority… To call people (1:16-20) To teach (1:21-22) Over evil spirits (1:23-28) Over sickness (1:29-31) To forgive sins (2:1-12) Over nature (4:35-41) Over death (5:35-42)

Our problem …

Dubious authorities make us distrustful …

Human authority is often a joke

Opposition to Jesus’ authority Mark 2:6-7 – teachers of the law object to Jesus saying he can forgive sins Mark 2:16 – teachers of the law and Pharisees complain that Jesus eats with ‘tax collectors and sinners’ Mark 3:2-6 – some people in the Synagogue accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath when he heals a man

Rebellion against God Ignoring him Breaking his laws Going our own way

What we need to do Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’ Mark 1:14-15

Repent

Did Jesus come for good people or bad people? ‘On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ Mark 2:17

Believe

Reminders for Christians Because Jesus has all power and authority and has demonstrated it with power ….. 1) There’s no need to fret or be anxious ‘ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7

Reminders for Christians 2) Are there areas of your life where Jesus has less than 100% authority? the way you spend you time the way you spend your money what you do when you are alone your thought life the way you speak your relationships your attitudes your commitment to church your passion for evangelism and mission

3) Jesus’ authority gives us our confidence in our mission ‘Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go …’ Matthew 28:18-19