Lewis Memorial UMC

For a little over 2 weeks things had been pretty quiet here around the church. The end of the year is usually that way as so many people are on vacations or traveling to family gatherings and many other activities. But probably the biggest reason for the quietness is that the kids from our wonderful Mother’s Morning Out program were not here! Please don’t hear this the wrong way – I love the fact that we have a MMO program here and Joanne Percival and her teachers do a great job! I love hearing the children’s laughter down the hallways and watching them go by my office with their beautiful smiling faces. But trust me – it is much quieter when they are not here. At first the quietness is welcomed, but then I find myself missing the little boys and girls. They started back this past Tuesday and I was glad to see them again. One of the things I have noticed about the teachers and how they communicate with their little students is that there is a time to teach them with softness and a time to teach them with authority and power! My father was a public school teacher for about 30 years and he told me about the different teaching techniques he would have to use to motivate and to show that he was serious.

I believe Jesus must have been the same way and we can see that throughout scripture. You can even see that in His dealings with His disciples at times. There were times when Jesus spoke softly and with peace and comfort. Then there were times when Jesus spoke strongly with authority and power. Based on this scripture reading out of Luke we can see that the people also noticed Jesus’ authority and power and what a difference it made.

Right before this story Jesus was in Nazareth which was the town He grew up in and He called it home. But something happened there on this particular visit when His authority and power were not welcomed and He was basically thrown out of town. So, as we just read, Jesus went down to Capernaum which was about 20 miles away. We read that His teaching astounded the people there because He taught with authority! I wonder why that astounded the people. Were they not used to that? Did they usually hear weak teaching? Did the spiritual leaders teach weakly instead of with authority?

Now I don’t think speaking with authority and power means screaming and yelling and pounding the pulpit! But I believe it means speaking with passion AND with a peace knowing what you are talking about. You can see that in this situation that Jesus faced.

First of all it’s rather interesting that the unclean spirit in the man knew who Jesus was and it also seemed to speak with a certain amount of authority and power. Look at verse 34 again in Luke 4. Remember, Jesus was teaching earlier and the people were astounding by His authority. Now here in verse 34 the unclean spirit tried to throw his power around a little. We are told that he cried out in a loud voice, “Let us alone! 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!” Right here a power struggle has broken out! I can’t help but think that many of us have somewhat similar power struggles with God still today. We may not use the same words, but we certainly might act as if we don’t need God’s help because we can handle it ourselves. Our own power is sufficient! In some ways we DO say “Let me alone Jesus! I can take care of this situation all by myself!” Power struggles are nothing new to God, but our lives would be so much easier if we would just trust God more and yield to His perfect will for our lives!

Now look at verse 35. The unclean spirit showed his power but look at how Jesus handled it. “But Jesus rebuked him saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!” Somehow I don’t think Jesus said this with his “inside voice!” I don’t believe Jesus spoke in a low, monotone voice! I don’t believe there was any doubt whose authority won! At once the demon came out of the man without harming him and once again the people who witnessed this were amazed! “For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits and out they come!” With a great authority and with awesome power Jesus cast out the evil that was within that man that day in Capernaum. With that same authority and power Jesus is willing and able to do the same for us still today!

We may not think so, but we need Jesus to clean us out every once in awhile and He has the authority and power to do it. But we have to ask for cleansing and want to be healed from the unclean spirits that might dwell within us. Now I am not saying that all of us are filthy animals and have all kinds of evil thoughts and acts going on in our lives. But we are sinful humans in need of all that Jesus offers us and that includes cleansing us from all of our sins. Sometimes we need to be silent and let Jesus do His thing in our hearts and minds and souls. When you said yes to God and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you gave Him the authority and power to guide your steps and lead you on your journey on this earth. This means we must trust Him completely. With this authority and power Jesus can both cast out the bad within us and guide us down the paths of righteousness for His sake. If you are in need of this cleansing power in your life then don’t leave here this morning without asking Jesus to cleanse and heal you. Don’t let the sun go down on this day before you trust God enough to turn everything over to Him. Don’t go to sleep tonight until you give up the power struggle you are in with God and let His Holy Spirit guide you to live fully for the Lord.

There is another part to the authority and power of Jesus Christ that I want us to think about today. Look with me at 2Timothy 1:7. One of the best things Jesus did for us was live His life as an example for us to follow. Among other things He said that He left for us His peace, His light, and the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul reminds us in his second letter to Timothy that Jesus has also given us some of His authority and power as well. Paul wrote, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” God, through His Son Jesus Christ, has given us the power and love and self-discipline to have strong spirits which enables us to live for the Lord.

The next time you are feeling down from the weight of this world then remember the power in your spirit. The next time you feel afraid when God gives you an opportunity to witness to your faith then rely on your strong, loving, powerful spirit! The next time you are feeling tempted by Satan’s power then remember your self-discipline that lies within your powerful spirit! For God has not given you a timid or cowardice or scared or intimidated spirit, but a spirit of power and love and self-discipline!

Authority and power! God has shown it since the beginning of time. Jesus showed it in his teachings. And we are to rely upon it, which the Lord has given to each of us to help us through this life. Let it lead you daily! Lean upon it in hard times! Celebrate God’s authority and power within you with every new day He gives you.