They were astonished at His teaching
Sermon summary of Cannon John Hall
22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Surely the scribes had the ultimate authority? But we learn that there are two types of authority; Positional and relational.
People with positional authority use their authority because they should be respected because of their position. Perhaps Vicars, Bishops, teachers, attendants, anyone who uses authority purely because they are in a position.
This though is ungodly as is made clear in;
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus acted on relational authority!
Relational authority is when we recognise in someone an innate authority. Jesus was humble, deeply human, allowing people to meet him. People were so used to the scribes teaching them, because they had position that Jesus astounded them.
The evil spirits knew him but they would not bow down to him.
I believe intellectual knowledge is worthless - how much worth has Jesus got in our lives.
Martin Luther King said in the life of a Christian; “we can say Christ is saviour…but can we say Christ is our Lord”
Back in the passage in Mark it says;
his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
If we are to have an effective mission it must be on word and deed. A church committed to Christ’s mission. The Blackburn Dioscese is supporting a organisation that is trying to put into action good works.
Mosamariah is an Aids ministry in Africa in a response to the Aids pandemic. http://www.mosamaria.co.za
We have to change peoples lives regardless of colour or creed. Many people in Africa think it is impossible for them to get aids. Advances in medical treatments mean you can live long lives, but thousands of children need feeding as well. The only time they get a good meal is during school terms. So during the Christmas period many children will suffer.
So one of the ways we can help is by providing transport so people who need treatment don’t have to make that decision; do they spend the money on transport or their children’s meals. We take them to the doctors for free.
The good news in action is not about positional authority or lauding it over the poor people. It is about relational authority.
Pope Francis stated that feeding the poor is not communism but is the gospel.
Remember Jesus is your Lord, Jesus is your Saviour, Jesus is your God.
Go well, live life to the full. Live it well in Him. Let all the people here at Fulwood show that people will see and be astounded at the works done here.
Amen.
