Big Idea: There are evil “authorities” that we should rebel against!!
Paul tells us that the primary battle, the main struggle in life is not physical, but spiritual and supernatural.
We talked about whether most people believe in the supernatural, demons, angels and the spiritual realm.
We learned a couple things from Mark 5:1-20
- Evil authorities can cause some serious damage!!
- Evil authorities must submit to the authority of Christ!!
1 Jn. 4:4
Ephesians 6 - Paul describes the spiritual world a bit here:
Supernatural Entities
- The Devil
- “Rulers”
- “Authorities”
- “Cosmic Powers” over this present darkness
- The "Spiritual Forces" of Evil
How should we rebel against these evil authorities?
What are some ways we can access the power of God?
- God’s Word (v.17)
- Prayer (v. 18-19)
- Armor (truth, righteousness, gospel-sharing, faith, salvation)
- We must rebel in God’s wisdom
Satan is a schemer (v. 11).
We are not able to recognize his attacks without the Holy Spirit’s help. (remember this is not a physical battle but a spiritual one)
Satan is a master deceiver… (makes deadly things appear beautiful; beautiful things appear boring and even negative)It is absolutely essential that we have the wisdom of Christ so that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil
High School - "Faith Over Fear" (Mark 4:35-6:6a)
Big Idea: Faith is required to follow the Son of God
2 Reasons for Faith:
1. Jesus brings chaos into order (4:35-5:20)
a. natural disaster: calming a storm
The developing faith of the disciples (faith is fragile)
b. supernatural disaster: calming a soul
The devoted faith of the Gerasene man
Application: What chaos are you experiencing today?
- Maybe like the disciples your surroundings seem out of control?
- family
- school
- future
- Perhaps like the Gerasene man the chaos is inside you?
- addiction
- loneliness
- destroying yourself
2. Jesus brings hope to lost causes
similarities between the diseased woman and Jairus’ daughter:
- 12
- both called “daughters”
- at the point of death
- both healings were scoffed at
- touch of Jesus provided healing
- touch made Jesus’ unclean
a. purity in place of pollution
b. life in place of death
Jesus shows that He can bring hope to lost causes!
What we need is the desperate faith that the diseased woman & Jairus possessed!
Application
Are you desperate for Jesus? Have you come to the end of yourself? Or are you still relying on your own efforts?
2 Obstacles to Faith:
- Fear
- Disciples - more afraid of Jesus then of the storm (“great” - mega);
- Villagers - Jesus is “alien like” (because of their sinfulness and Jesus’ holiness)
- Bleeding woman - afraid of exposure and punishment
- Jairus must have been battling fear, Jesus words are crystal clear (v. 36)
- Confidence (Mourners and Nazareth neighbors)
Confidence in their own understanding (self-confidence = pride)
How do we know if we have real faith??
Faith in Christ is evidenced in submission to Jesus' authority
Where do we see the authority of Jesus in our text?
Authority over our world
Disciple's (though confused) submit
Authority over the supernatural
The Gerasene man submits (doesn’t seem to have much choice); submissive to Jesus’ teaching
Authority over our desires
He is submissive to God’s plan for him
Authority over life and death
The diseased woman submits to Jesus’ inquiry
Unsubmissiveness Illustrated:
Gerasene Villagers (Fear)
Yet Jesus had mercy on them and sent the healed man back as a missionary
Capernaum Mourners (Mockery)
Understandably, death has a way of embittering and angering you
Nazareth Neighbors (Pride)
We don’t tend to submit to people we don’t respect and have faith in…
Application
- Are you submissive to the authority of Jesus Christ?
- Are there any areas you refuse to give to Him?
- Have you given Him your whole heart, life, body?
- If you are wondering if your faith is real… examine your heart submission (not perfection, but a direction!)
No comments:
Post a Comment