Jesus' Authority and Our Power of Choice

Last week I talked about the power of Jesus and this week, I want to do the same. So, we will be talking about more power. I want to point out that Jesus has more power and His power is full power. He isn’t just more powerful; He is Full of Power! I mentioned about how the book of Mark was an action-packed book and I want to do a quick list of the things that took place in the 4 chapters that we were reading from.

Jesus heals a man with a deformed hand on the Sabbath. (He made some of those Religious leaders mad). He had large crowds following Him and He healed and cast out demons. He chose the 12 disciples. The religious leaders said Jesus was demon possessed and Jesus told them about the unforgiveable sin. Jesus tells the parable of the Farmer scattering Seed and how the soil is good or bad.

The Parable of the Lamp. (you don’t cover the lamp so it’s light will be hidden. The parable of the growing seed. Parable of the mustard seed. Jesus calms the storm. (Peace, be still!) and disciples saying, “Who is this Man? Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

Jesus heals the woman that had been bleeding for 12 years and heals the 12-year-old girl of the synagogue leaded. I love this story, and almost used it this morning.

Jesus is rejected in His hometown and couldn’t do but a few miracles because of the people’s unbelief. Jesus sends out the 12 to all the surrounding towns and has them to preach repentance. The death of John the baptizer, the feeding of the 5000+, and Jesus walking on water. That is a lot packed into 4 chapters. Let’s not forget our story of interest this morning from Mark 5 starting at verse 1…

I showed that short video last week of Hulk slamming Loki around like a little rag doll and made the statement of how God does that to Satan from time to time. The bible is full of great stories of God defeating the powers of evil because He is so much more powerful! God has ultimate power. Sometime we forget how much power God really has. Even when he is right here with us. But you know who doesn’t forget? Point 1 tells us…

1. Demons know Jesus has more power and they respect.

Mark 5:6-10

James 2:19

I have a confession to make. For those of you that know me, but yet don’t really really know me, I do not like to play board games or card games or family games. Not that they bore me. It is because I am very competitive. I don’t like to lose and if you are on my team and you play the wrong card or you make the wrong play, I am going to tell you about it. I will probably ask you if you have ever played the game before and how in the world did you become my partner.

I don’t know why I am like that. But if you make stupid moves you will hear about it. I don’t mind to play games with my grandchildren, because it is okay if they win against Grandpa from time to time.

Some people love a close game. I don’t know why, but it frustrates me. I would rather win by 1000 or lose by 1000 than to win with the last play of the game. So, usually I do not even play. It is just better for me and those around me, if I don’t. I think of it like this, if I had a problem with alcohol, I wouldn’t go to a bar to fix my problem. You wouldn’t encourage and alcoholic to buy alcohol and put it in their fridge to help them fight the urge to drink. Because it is a weakness.

Jesus didn’t have such weaknesses. Jesus has the power of God and the demons know it. Whenever Jesus was around, they would fall at His feet. They would beg not to be tortured before their time. They knew and know that they are defeated. They asked for permission to do things. Satan had to have permission to test Job.

Satan and his demons know where the real power is. They know that they do not stand a chance in a battle with God. What they do know, is that they can hurt God. That’s right. Do you know how? By getting you to disobey God, to hate other people, to be jealous, to take the Lord’s name in vain. By getting you to gossip, or lie, or cheat. They can’t beat God, but they get you and me to break His heart.

Demons respect God and we want to use Him like our personal genie that should give us everything we want. It is really sad that demons are more respectful of Jesus than we are. “What do you want from us Son of the Most High God?” “What do you want from me, Lord?”

Here’s another one… point 2.

2. Jesus has powerful authority.

Mark 5:11-13

Matthew 9:4-9

American presidents are as close to the most powerful, single, person in the world that you can get. American presidents are picked by a vote of the people and sometimes that causes a little bit of pride to step in and take over.

I am sure that we can think of really stupid things that presidents and American leaders have said and done. Some of them make us laugh and some make us mad.

• I’ve now been in 50…seven states? I think I have one left to go. Obama

• “There’s an old saying in Tennessee—I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can’t get fooled again.” George W.

• "A man I'm proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next President of the United States—Barack America!" Joe Biden

• "It depends on what the meaning of the words 'is' is." Clinton

• "Facts are stupid things." Reagan

• “People say I’m indecisive. Well, I don’t know about that.” HW Bush

• ''My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize.'' D Rep. Johnson from GA

• ''I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against it.'' John Kerry

• 'I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix.'' Dan Quayle

• ''Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.'' Marion Barry mayor of DC

Probably the dumbest thing ever done by a president was in 1841. Inauguration Day. William Henry Harrison gave his inaugural speech that kept him in the frigid temps for over 2 hours. He wanted to prove how strong and tough he was so, he didn’t wear a hat nor a coat. 30 days later, he died from pneumonia. Shortest American president tenure.

Politicians lose focus a lot of time when they get power. They say dumb things and do dumb things. Jesus continued to be humble and in control. Casting out demons. Dealing with the religious leaders. Healing the sick. Teaching His disciples and all those that followed Him. For you and me, all that power would probably go to our heads too, but not Jesus.

Jesus didn’t worry about what people thought. He didn’t worry about coming face to face with demons. His mission was to do whatever the Father told Him to do and He did it perfectly. There has never been a better teacher nor will there ever be. He spoke to the people through stories they could relate to. Some got it and some did not.

Let me give you one more powerful thing about Jesus.

3. Jesus is pro-choice, but not American style.

(He allows you to choose)

Revelation 3:20-21 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

Jesus is pro-choice. He wants to be part of your life but He will not force Himself on you and this is the topic that He is pro-choice about…

You can…

Reject

Mark 5:14-17

Or you can..

Accept

Mark 5:18-20

Jesus is at the door knocking. It is up to you to let Him in or keep Him shut out. The question of people trying to disprove God sometimes will be, “Can God create a rock so big that He can’t lift it?” “If He can, He isn’t all powerful, if He can’t He can’t do all things.” Let me tell you this. He did create something that He can’t lift and that is your freewill to choose or reject Him.

Some of us accept Him as long as He doesn’t expect too much out of us. That is not really accepting Him. Allowing Him to have control, denying yourself and taking up your cross every day. There is a song that says, Lord, I need you, oh I need you. Every hour I need you. Some days Lord, I need you more every second, because I will fail. I do fail, when I don’t deny myself.

It is your choice, how do you choose?

More Power (Full)