Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

A Teacher with Authority

Bryan Schneider · September 17, 2022

Mark 1:14-45

sharonrpc.org/sermons/a-teacher-with-authority

Summary

Jesus announces the victorious good news that God's kingdom has drawn near and commands hearers to repent and believe.
Simon, Andrew, James, and John respond immediately to the King's call, leaving livelihoods and even family to become fishers of people under Jesus' ultimate authority.
In Capernaum, Jesus teaches Scripture with inherent authority rather than merely displaying technical knowledge like the scribes, and the congregation is astonished.
An unclean spirit correctly identifies Jesus as God's Holy One but hates him, proving that accurate knowledge without worship, love, and obedience is not saving faith.
Jesus commands the spirit to be silent and depart, and creation in the spiritual realm must obey the King's word.
The disciples bring Peter's sick mother-in-law to Jesus before seeing any precedent for physical healing, and her immediate restoration produces grateful service.
Crowds seek Jesus from mixed motives, but his healings and exorcisms attest the truth of his message rather than replacing his central mission to preach.
Jesus renews ministry through solitary prayer, touches and cleanses an excluded leper with compassion, and calls every hearer to allegiance, learning, obedience, repentance, faith, and love for him rather than merely his gifts.

What does the royal background of 'gospel' add to Jesus' announcement?
Which sins and rival loyalties must be left as the kingdom draws near?
What do the first disciples surrender when they answer Jesus immediately?
How does Jesus' teaching differ from grammar without sight of God's glory?
Why is the unclean spirit's correct confession not saving faith?
What does Jesus' command over the spirit reveal about his authority?
Why do the disciples bring Peter's mother-in-law to Jesus before witnessing a healing ministry?
What different motives might bring people to the crowded doorway?
Why does Jesus leave an eager crowd to pray and preach elsewhere?
Do you love Jesus himself or mainly the benefits you hope he will give?

Gospel of the kingdom: The victorious good news that God's promised King and saving reign have arrived in Jesus Christ.
Repent and believe: The commanded response of turning from sin to God and receiving Christ and his good news by faith.
Discipleship: Learning from, following, obeying, and sharing the mission of Jesus under his ultimate authority.
Teaching with authority: Christ's inherent right and Spirit-empowered ability to declare God's Word rather than depending on borrowed human prestige.
Unclean spirit: A fallen spiritual being that knows Jesus' identity, opposes his holiness, and remains subject to his command.
Attesting sign: A miracle that confirms the truth of Jesus' identity and preached message.
Compassion: Jesus' deep mercy toward an excluded sufferer, expressed by touching and cleansing the leper.