Teaching With Authority
February 2, 2003
Mark 1:21-28
4th Sunday after the Epiphany
Galena-Warwick United Methodist Charge
Warwick & Galena, Maryland
Rev. Dr. Lawrence D. Jameson
back to our church home page
Mark 1:21-28
21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath
came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22The people were amazed
at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the
teachers of the law. 23Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by
an evil spirit cried out, 24"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!"
25"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26The evil spirit shook the
man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27The 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." 28News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
God has called us
to be a “teaching church”.
What is a “teaching church?”
It is a place where people are drawn in,
because they feel loved.
It is a congregation where children are respected and nurtured.
It is a church that parents
love to visit.
It is a ministry where
we lift up Jesus Christ
as personal Savior and Lord,
and encourage everyone,
no matter how young or old,
to repent and believe the Gospel.
A “teaching church”
follows the example of Christ
the great Teacher.
In today’s Gospel lesson, Mark 1:21-28,
we heard about the very first time
Jesus taught in a synagogue.
It was in Capernaum, not far from
where Jesus grew up.
Those were exciting days.
Jesus had just started his earthly ministry.
Just weeks before, he was baptized in the Jordan River.
He was tempted in the wilderness.
The disciples had just started to follow him.
And now, for the very first time in public,
Jesus began to teach.
His impact was profound.
He taught in a way that was completely different
and new.
The Scribes and the Pharisees taught
by quoting Scripture and past teachers,
carefully reviewing old information.
Jesus spoke directly from his heart.
His words were fresh and different.
And what is more,
every word he said
was backed up with actions you could see.
Jesus not only taught:
he taught and healed.
Those who were demon possessed were set free.
The blind were given sight.
The lame walked again.
All of this happened in public places,
where everyone could see and hear.
The words which Jesus spoke
were backed up with actions of kindness and power.
That’s what Mark 1:27 means
when it says:
“A new teaching — with authority!”
Just last Sunday
I stopped into the Sunday School (in Galena)
on my way to worship.
Our Sunday School Superintendent, April Elburn,
was having a teachers meeting.
I am so proud of our Sunday School!
The teachers were in a circle
and they were talking about plans for the coming year.
They had a conversation
about how we encourage children
to accept Jesus as personal Savior and Lord.
It was a sensitive and intelligent conversation.
We don’t challenge the children in that way every Sunday,
but we are not afraid
to say that coming to know Jesus personally
is what our Sunday School is all about.
Learning the content of the Scripture is important.
Learning how to behave is also key.
But knowledge and behavior alone
cannot make you a Christian.
The core value that defines what our Sunday School
is all about is this:
we offer children and adults
the opportunity to have a personal, forgiven relationship
with God through Jesus Christ.
Once a person accepts Jesus
then real learning can begin
and significant behavior improvement starts.
When Jesus is inside your heart,
you want to learn more about the Bible,
and you want to learn how to please God by what you do.
And do you know what really thrills me?
The Sunday School teachers already knew that!
They were just talking about
how to be sensitive and tactful
how to include parents into that process.
Dear ones,
that is teaching with authority.
It is not an authority that
bullies or intimidates.
It is not an authority that
hurts at all.
It is the simple power of God
to change people from the inside out.
And the best thing is,
that God has given us his own authority
to invite men and women, boys and girls
to know Jesus.
Prayer
Bless, O Lord, all who grieve for the seven
astronauts who died yesterday when the space shuttle Columbia was lost. Comfort
the families of Rick, Bill, Mike, Kalpana, David, Laurel, and Ilan.
Thank you for the sacrifice and courage of all those who serve our country in
space exploration. Lift up our President, George W. Bush, the members of
Congress, and all our leaders in these difficult and dangerous days. Protect our
soldiers overseas and at home, and help us to be a nation which seeks your
justice, and your peace. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.