The Authority & Sufficiency of Scripture. Pt. 5 Jesus Christ has Authority over heaven and earth.

Good morning...

Jesus exercised complete authority over the spirit world. 

Mark 1:23-27  And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,24  Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26  And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27  And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

In this text we read about Jesus casting out a demon. This is something that Jesus did regularly in the gospels. and it reminds us that we face an active enemy who wants to ruin people's lives. 

It is relevant to our study to see that even a demon was compelled to acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ, the Holy, Son of God. Jesus rebuked this evil being and he came out of the afflicted man. 

Note also the reaction of the people to the authority Christ exercised. It caused quite a stir among the worshipers at the synagogue. First, they were shocked and frightened at what they witnessed. They questioned among themselves trying to understand what happened. 

Second, the people began to think about Jesus Christ because He cast out the demon by speaking a word. They unanimously agreed that Jesus acted with complete authority. 

In fact, the word translated "authority" in this text is one that means absolute power to do as one pleases. It refers to legal power and governmental rule. It refers to a crown and kingship. It is a word that denotes someone who has complete and sovereign authority. Jesus spoke the word  (Commanded the word) and the demon obeyed. 

Jesus has absolute authority over the  resurrection of the just and the unjust. 

John 5:25-29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

In John 5 Jesus is teaching the multitude and in this text we see that sweeping and unlimited authority is given to Christ from the Father. Jesus is discussing the resurrection in this passage and He says the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God. Every man, woman and child in graves around the world are going to hear His voice. 

Jesus teaches us that there are two different resurrections: a resurrection of life and a resurrection of damnation. Who will be the judge at both resurrections? Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Why? Because the Father gave Christ authority to execute judgment. 

What will the two resurrections be like? We have a few pictures in the gospel of Matthew. The Parable of the Talents; the Parable of the Sheep & Goats and the Parable of the 10 Virgins. Matthew 13 also records a preview in the parable of Wheat and Tares and the Parable of the Fish and the Net.

We recently taught on these parables and it would be beneficial for you to read them with regard to the process of separating good from bad that will happen at the resurrection. 

Jesus has authority to control the elements of nature. 

Mark 4:36-41  And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? 

The authority of Christ extends to the elements of nature. In this account Jesus and the disciples were sailing across the sea of Galilee and encountered a great storm of wind. Now, remember that the disciples were seasoned fishermen before they followed Christ. They knew how to handle adverse sailing weather but this was a storm far beyond their abilities to manage. 

The disciples were panicking because the boat was rapidly filling with water and in danger of sinking. They called out to the Lord who had fallen asleep. Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind and said "Peace be still" to the seas. What was the result of Christ speaking to the winds and stormy sea? The wind stopped immediately and the sea suddenly became calm. 

What was the reaction of the disciples? They were filled with the fear of God and said "What manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" Jesus spoke with absolute authority and the elements of nature obeyed His commands. 

The authority of Christ is total and complete. 

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

This passage is often called the Great Commission but it also has a broad statement about the authority the Father invested in His Son. The resurrected Son of God speaks to His disciples prior to His ascension to heaven. 

How did Jesus begin? He told them that "all power is given unto me." That is a declaration of the Lordship of King Jesus. All "power" is the same word translated "authority elsewhere in the New Testament. It refers to the absolute right and legal authority to do that which pleases God to do. 

How much power was given to Christ? All power in heaven and all power on earth. 

What have we learned?

We have learned more of what Jesus meant when He declared that He was one with His Father. The works Jesus did were the Father's works. The words Jesus spoke were the Father's words. Thus, Jesus always acts with authority and speaks with authority.

The authority that Jesus Christ possesses is absolute. What does this mean to you and me? We must listen to what Christ says and put it into action. We must submit to His authority because this is the path to blessing. Jesus taught about many things that directly impact all people. 

For example, Jesus said "Ye must be born again." The power of the gospel can shatter the sin darkened heart and lead a person to genuine repentance and faith in Christ. That is the good news of the salvation Jesus brings to all.

Jesus said "I am the way , the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by me" (John 14:6). There is only one way to a relationship with God and that is through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

When Jesus speaks He is the source of absolute truth. Jesus said He was the resurrection and life. Those who are born again can enjoy eternal life in heaven with Christ. 

Are we submitting to the authority of Jesus Christ today? I pray that we are and that we seek to know Him more intimately each day that He grants to us. I pray that we come to know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10).

May we rejoice that we have a path to the Father through the new birth. May we have happy hearts filled with praise for our risen Lord and Savior. 

Bob