The Remarkable Authority of God's Word

And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “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.” 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. 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!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region” (Luke 4: 31-37).

There had been other teachers. They had heard others claim to know and expound truth. But this one was different. When Jesus spoke the crowd was astonished because in word and deed, Christ’s teaching possessed and demonstrated the remarkable authority of God’s word.

When Christ spoke, His word revealed authority. Jesus did not address the demons. As He taught the people, His words provoked the demons. They were compelled to identify themselves because they were confronted by the authority of Christ’s words. Jesus taught that true disciples are known and set free from deception by abiding in His word… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). He also exhorted true disciples to preach His word because it confronts the world with authority that identifies and defeats spiritual forces… “He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons” (Mark 3:14-15). Are you so immersed in God’s word every day that His sin-confronting authority is revealed through you?

When Christ spoke, His word removed opposition. When the demon revealed his presence and mockingly identified Jesus as “the Holy One of God”, the Master rebuked him and commanded him to leave his host. In truth, Jesus could have agreed with the demon, but the Son of God would not share His glory with an unclean demon. Jesus could have argued with the demon, but the Son of Man would not lend undue credibility to a servant of Satan. Jesus demonstrated His ultimate authority by commanding the demon to leave… “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Through His word, Jesus gives His disciples authority over sickness and demonic forces… “He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” (Luke 9:1-2).  Are you exercising the authority of God’s word to remove the enemy from your life and the lives of others?

When Christ spoke His word was reported to others. Jesus words displayed His authority and defeated His enemies so thoroughly that those who saw and heard Him were changed. They could not deny the power of His teaching and they could not contain the impact of His truth within themselves. They spread the news abroad and it reached “every place in the surrounding region”. Eventually, people began bringing the sick and the oppressed to Jesus that He might speak healing and deliverance into their lives… “That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him” (Mark 1:32-34). As the first disciples preached the gospel, the crowds brought the sick and oppressed to be healed and delivered too… “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word… For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed” (Acts 8:4,7). Do the sick and oppressed come to you for help because it is reported that you are living in the authority of God’s word?

As we grow up into Christ we will draw others to Him as we learn to enjoy and employ…

The Remarkable Authority of God’s Word.