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At Grace Family we focus our worship on Sunday to impact our lives every other day of the week as well. We also believe no one is perfect but everyone is welcome to worship God with us. So, no matter where you're from, what you've done, or what your week has been like, let's worship God and learn from His word together today.

The Gospel of Mark

- The shortest Gospel

- Probably the first Gospel written

- Written to believers in Rome who would endure great persecution.

Mark 1:21-24

"21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. 23 Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil[h] spirit cried out, 24 “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Jesus was unmatched in his preaching.

Jesus doesn't just teach the scriptures. He wrote the scriptures and is the Word of God.

Mark 1:25-28

"25 But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. 26 At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.27 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” 28 The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee."

Why do demons appear so much in the New Testament?

Jesus shows ultimate authority over the powers of darkness.

The people who are present are confused and start asking questions.

The demon is never confused.

Mark 1:29-34

"29 After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. 32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak."

Jesus shows ultimate authority over sickness and disease.

Jesus repeatedly uses his authority to serve others.

Mark 1:35-39

"35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons."

Even Jesus needed solitude and prayer.

Jesus left where he was needed to receive what he needed. 

Mark 1:40

"40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said"

This man shows unbelievable faith.

Mark 1:41-42

"40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. 41 Moved with compassion,[i] Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. "

Jesus heals him through touch even though he didn't need to.

Mark 1:43-44

"43 Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: 44 “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy.[j] This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”"

Why did Jesus give this command?

- He wanted to slow the news.

- He wanted to keep preaching and not just healing.

It is so easy to pursue Jesus for what he can give rather than who he is.

Mark 1:45

45 But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him."

Isaiah 53:4

"Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;

    it was our sorrows[a] that weighed him down.

And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,

    a punishment for his own sins!"

Ultimately Jesus takes the weight of the leper's sorrows and sets him free.

What does Jesus' authority look like in your life?

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