January 29, 2012

Sermon: Absolute Power

Scripture Lesson

Exodus 2:18-19; Mark 1:21-28

When they returned to their father Reuel, he said, ‘How is it that you have come back so soon today?’ 19They said, ‘An Egyptian helped us against the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock.’

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ 26And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He* commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

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Sermon Outline

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Swanson
Exodus 2:18-19; Mark 1:21-28
Absolute Power

I. Introduction - Calvin and Hobbes
II. Capernaum slides
III. Why do I think the Mark passage is all about power?
    A. The "no messing around gospel"
    B. Jesus teaches
        1. "He taught as one having authority" (1:22)
        2. "Not as their scribes" (1:22)
    C. The man with "unclean spirit"
        1. "Have you come to destroy us?" (1:24)
        2. "The Holy One of God" (1:24)
        3. "Jesus rebuked him" (1:25)
    D. Reactions
        1. "They were astounded" (1:22)
        2. "They were amazed" (1:27)
        3. Mark links the teaching with the exorcism (1:27)
    E. When an author wants to emphasize something
        1. It's repeated
            a) "Authority" (1:22, 27)
            b) "Astounded" (1:22), "amazed" (1:27)
        2. It comes at the begining or the end or both
IV. It is the same God of the Exodus (Ex. 20:18-19)
    A. Gives the 10 Commandments
    B. Attributes
        1. "Thunder and lightning" (20:18)
        2. "The mountain smoking" (20:18)
        3. "They were afraid and trembled" (20:18)
IV. What does this mean for us?
    A. Reverence - deep respect tinged with awe (Webster's)
    B. I thought Jesus was our friend
V. Conclusion - Edward Perronet (1726 - 92), "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"

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