ASTONISHED AT HIS TEACHING, AMAZED AT HIS HEALING
Text:

They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new
teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ (Mark
1:27)
Reading: Mark 1:21-28

Hymn: At the name of Jesus (StF 317)
Believe in demons or unclean spirits was very normal in Jesus’ days. People believed
that the world was full of demons who caused human beings trouble, such as strange
diseases, disability, accidents, and natural disasters. For this reason, every means were
used to ward off evil spirits from children, women, newly married couples, and other
defenceless people. There were exorcists who used elaborate incantations, spells, and
magical rites to drive away the demons and in many cases, they failed.
But then someone different, God himself, with authority came to the synagogue where
a man who had been attacked by evil spirits, was and things changed. With one
command: ‘Be quiet, and come out of him’, Jesus drove out the demons. The man who
was possessed by an unclean spirit was made clean and set free. It must be
acknowledged that Jesus had earlier taught in the synagogue with authority. Thus,
Jesus’ extraordinary healing and extraordinary teaching worked together.
Consequently, the church needs authoritative teaching, rooted in the word and the power
of God, through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We cannot continue to teach what
people want to hear. We must be soaked deep with the eternal word of God and preach
Jesus and him crucified. It is this word of God that brings the wonder and amazement
which eventually lead people to faith in God. But we must also present Jesus to the
world as one who also has authority to heal. Our knowledge of science, medicine,
mental illness and other evidence-based discoveries may cause us to doubt the existence
of demons. However, there are things that people go through that are strange and
difficult to explain. The existence of evil spirits need not frighten us. The knowledge
that our Lord Jesus can drive them away must give us assurance. Do you have personal
experience of strange attacks and illnesses that medical science cannot explain? Come
to Jesus and he will heal you.

Pre-recorded Sunday Service at Cyncoed
led by Rev. Kofi Amissah.
Please see link below