Authority over Darkness
July 11|Encounters with Jesus Series
July 11|Encounters with Jesus Series
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” Mark 1:27
Read: Mark 1:21-28
Listen: Mark 1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
A man begins to shout as Jesus teaches. Heads turn as the man, possessed by an impure spirit, challenges Jesus. The spirit knows who Jesus is—the Holy One of God. The spirit also knows and fears Jesus’s authority and power to destroy and remove darkness. The people likely wonder how Jesus will respond. His teaching reveals he’s not a typical teacher of the law. Then at Jesus’s simple command, the spirit shrieks and flees. The people are awed by the authority of Jesus’s teaching and his power over darkness.
We might encounter darkness when we turn on the television, scroll the internet, or select a movie or book. Jesus has the authority and power to drive out the darkness that threatens us. We can trust Jesus with the things we struggle with or allow into our lives that do not belong. He has the power to heal and restore us because he is God.
Paul reminds us we do not need to be anxious but can bring every situation to God in prayer, and his peace will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7). Then he says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). God will enable us, through the help of the Holy Spirit, to focus on the things that honor God and bring peace.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Confess any areas where you have allowed darkness into your life. Ask God for his help to replace those things with what honors him. “God, I confess that I have allowed darkness into my life through_________________. Please forgive me and help me replace that with things that honor you. Help me resist temptation through your authority and power. Amen.”
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
July is SOLITUDE. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.