Authority & Power

calendar_today November 3, 2024
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Sermon 13 in Series

Luke 4:31-44

[31] And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, [32] and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. [33] And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, [34] “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” [35] But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. [36] And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” [37] And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

[38] And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. [39] And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

[40] Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. [41] And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

[42] And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, [43] but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” [44] And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.
   What was the “Nazareth application” addressed to children in the sermon? How does this apply to adults as well?
2.   How does our culture view/depict demons and demon possession? What do we learn about demonic activity from this narrative?
3.   Why should we not be fearful of demons? At the same time, why must we be vigilant and armed?
4.   In what ways does this passage draw attention to Jesus’ authority and power? How does it anticipate his victory and the new creation?
5.   How do these descriptions of healing show Jesus’ compassion? How does this bring comfort to his people?
6.   How does Jesus prioritize preaching at the end of this narrative? How are we sometimes more concerned with earthly provision than the eternal message?
7.   What is the kingdom of God that Jesus referred to in v. 43? How is it both present and future?

References: Ephesians 6:10-20 (corporate reading); Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 1:4; Mark 1:22; James 2:19; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14; Genesis 3:15; Mark 1:29; Matthew 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:4; Revelation 21:4; Mark 1:35; Luke 4:18; 10:9; 17:21; 11:2; 22:18.

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