First Baptist Church of New Holland PA

MARK 1:21-34 - WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE?

IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS #8

A small business I was acquainted with changed hands from the father to the son. The Son bought the business, but the father did not retire. This created a problem for one of the employees who used to receive conflicting orders from the two men.  The employee rightly asked the question, "Who's in charge here?"

Have you ever served on a committee that had no appointed chairman, or a chairman who didn't give any leadership? There is often confusion because nobody is in charge. But when somebody takes charge and the other committee members cooperated things start to get accomplished. The question, "Who's in charge here?" must be answered.

"Who's in charge here?" is also a question that must be answered within your life. Someone or something is going to be in charge of the decisions that you make and the actions that you take.  It can be yourself, a habit, a person, a hobby, an organization, or any number of things.

So, "Who's in charge here?"  Who runs your life? Allow me to remind you of the one should be in charge of your life. The one you should allow to run your life is none other than the Son of God. Why should he run your life? He has the authority to lead and guide you better than anything or anybody.

According to Webster's Dictionary, authority is "The power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action or make final decisions."  In our text we find that Jesus has that type of authority.

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER DECLARATION (THE MESSAGE) – Vss. 14-15

• The events in John 1-4 took place before this round of preaching in Galilee.
• Jesus announced the Kingdom of God was at hand. He was and is the King!
• Two responses – “Repent!” and “believe in the Gospel”
• The message has not changed! Luke 24:46-48,                  Acts 2:38, Acts 20:20-21, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4,  Romans 10:13

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER DISCIPLES – Vss. 16-20

• This was not the first encounter with the Lord Jesus. John 1:40-42
• The invitation was to full time discipleship.
• As they followed Jesus, spent time with Jesus, learned with Jesus and obeyed Jesus they would become fishers of men.
• To believe in Jesus is to be a Christ-follower, a disciple. After his resurrection Jesus instructed His followers, to go into all the world and make disciples. Matthew 28:18-20
• To be a disciple today is to follow Jesus, spend time with Jesus, learn from Jesus and make disciples.
• Is Jesus the authority in your life? Luke 9:23-24

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER DOCTRINE (TEACHING) - Vss. 21-22

• Jesus taught with authority because He is God. Mark 13:31
• Jesus’ Words are to be obeyed. Matthew 7:21-27
• Because Jesus is God, all Scripture is inspired by Him.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21

• God has given us His Holy Spirit and gifted individuals in order for us to learn and grow. John 16:13-14, Ephesians 4:11-12

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER THE DEVIL AND DEMONS - Vss. 23-27

• Demons are the Devils “angels”. Jesus has authority over the Devil and His Demons. 1 John 3:8
• Satan will meet his demise. Matthew 25:41
• 1 Peter 5:8-9, James 4:6-7, 1 John 4:4. Ephesians 6:12