"With Authority"; No More Snoozers!

May 19

Read: Mark 1:21-45

“With Authority”- No More Snoozers!

“And they were astonished at (Jesus’) teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” (v.22)

The ministry of Jesus is one that came “with authority”… it came with “POWER”. Although we may not be able to easily define the difference between human-powered ministry and Holy-Spirit fueled ministry… we wan most definitely identify it in the wild. Look at the crowds around Jesus. They knew right away that something was different about the way that he taught and acted. This is why the crowd was “astonished” at his ministry. Spirit-filled ministry is astonishing for everyone involved. It is “powerful”… it comes with “authority”.

Take for instance the “scribes” mentioned here. You see, the people of God in the synagogue where Jesus was teaching had heard plenty of sermons… plenty of scripture readings and explanations. The scribes were not bad speakers. The scribes knew the bible well. So what was it that astonished the crowd? Was it that Jesus had better sermon illustrations? Did Jesus read them a part of the bible they had never heard before? I don’t actually think so. What stood out to the crowds was his “authority” literally, the “power” with which he spoke. Jesus was not speaking by his own power… he was leaning into the Spirit and speaking the very words of the Father… that is why his teaching landed WITH POWER. This is why they leave “astonished”. I am sure the scribes had taught many nice things, regarding many bible passages, with plenty of good explanations… but if it was delivered / driven by their own power and direction… it was lacking “authority”. I think of John 3 and the truth that Jesus speaks there: flesh will always give birth to flesh, and The Spirit gives birth to the spiritual.(cf. John 3:6) Our own fleshly efforts, as well intentioned as they might be, can only birth more fleshly efforts… authority-lacking-teaching and ministry. This sort of ministry has no LIFE… it is dead.

We have all been there… let us be honest. I call them “snoozers”. These are the times of teaching where someone is saying nice things, and they are saying them well…but they land with no power. These are the times when teaching is filled with correct facts and novel ideas, but it lacks the “life” of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we consult other theologians (alive or dead) asking them what to say as opposed to FIRST asking the Holy Spirit. I can hear the objections now… “Are you bashing commentaries? Are you telling pastors not to study?” NO. I am not. But what I am calling attention to is something that the scriptures show us here and the crowds can all identify: there is teaching WITH AUTHORITY and there is teaching that LACKS AUTHORITY. It is not just a matter of true or false… it is a matter of origin and power. Sometimes true things lack power in the moment because they are not the RIGHT true things to be said. Like the crowds… I think we can all tell the difference between the two when we spot them in the wild.

So what does this mean for us? How are we supposed to live in light of this? First off, spend some time around those who function in this same manner… find those people who are ministering in the Spirit… or “filled with the Spirit” as the scriptures say. (cf. Acts 6:3) Ask those believers around you when they have experienced this “authority” of God and then set out that same place / person for yourself. Secondly, begin to develop the habit of asking the Holy Spirit what you should say or do in a situation. Ask the Spirit to lead you, pause for a moment and listen before you speak or act. Not every right / true thing needs to be said at every moment. There are a multitude of “good things” to be done but you can’t do them all. Our goal as the people of God is to say and do the RIGHT true and good things that are “born out of” The Spirit in us… this is GENUINE SPIRITUALITY. Lastly, begin to learn and develop your spiritual gifts. The first step is simply asking others if there are any ways that they have experienced God’s presence, power, truth, or ministry through you. Let them know you are trying to discern your spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:7 says that “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” God is manifesting his Spirit in you for the sake of the body… for the “common good” of others. Ephesians 4:12 teaches us that these gifts are given “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” This is why we ask others. They know when we are delivering “snoozers” and when we are functioning in the Spirit with “authority” and “power”. The more time you spend functioning in your gifts,, the better. When the Spirit is infused into everyday / common things or familiar ideas and actions… they are brought to LIFE… they receive “authority”… they land with “power”. The time has come for us to stop functioning in our own fleshly gifts and talents, and begin to lean more heavily into the Spirit. This is why Jesus could read a familiar passage of the scriptures to the crowd, and even tell them familiar things… and they responded with “astonishment” and “awe”. This is why Jesus taught with authority and people (and demons) LISTENED. Jesus is calling you into the same sort of ministry and experience. No more “snoozers”… no more “sleepy” and “dead” ministry that sprouts up from my own ideas. “Less of me and more of YOU Lord!” God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - are giving you authority to carry out the Lord’s work in his Kingdom! Love you guys. - JDP