JANUARY 19
UNSTOPPABLE AUTHORITY
We get a front-row seat to the incredible, jaw-dropping power of Jesus. His authority isn’t just something to admire—it’s unstoppable, mind-blowing, and life-changing! Jesus shows up, and everything changes. It’s not just a teaching moment—it’s a kingdom-shaking experience. Let’s dive into these fun and powerful points about the unstoppable authority of Jesus!
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When you think of someone who has authority, who do you think of? Why?
- We live in a culture where many people perceive authority as a “bad” thing. How do you perceive it?
- Even many do not like authority, our flesh/humanity is drawn to it, why do you think that is?
- Read Mark 1:21-28
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
- What about Jesus do you think makes the man cry out?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about God and how he views those who might be considered outsiders?
- What do you learn about humanity?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
- Jesus has authority when he teaches and when he interacts with the man with an unclean spirit. Do we carry the same kind of authority we have in our group/church life into our personal daily life?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Mark 1:21-28 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out,“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
PRAYER
Father, we read that all authority was given to Jesus as he was on this earth to prepare The Way for us. Forgive us for believing that portion, but not fully embracing the next, when Jesus tries to pass that same authority to us as we walk this earth. Lord, many times we have lived below where you would have us, and we have been victims instead of victorious, or we have lounged around lethargically instead of upright and in your authority. Today we walk with our heads high, with a readiness to take on whatever is in front of us. We hold tight to Ephesians 6, to be “strong in the Lord and your mighty power”, and put on your spiritual armor to take on whatever battle we must face. We do this knowing that is not by our power or our strategy, but by your spirit that is ever with us.
PRACTICE
Read Ephesians 6:10 – 20 every day this week, and literally put on the armor of God with His authority to take on the days ahead.
Ephesians 6:10 – 20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Take one more step in the direction of following Jesus by spending time with him alongside many in our church. How could you participate in Pray First (21 days of prayer) in a more significant way? Maybe it’s time to sign up to participate in 24/7 prayer at gatewaychurch.com/prayer, or at the very least fill out a prayer card and participate by making your petition known.