Mark 1:21  And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
22  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23  And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24  Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26  And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27  And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
28  And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

Jesus did not come to this earth as an entertainer. He demonstrated what was important then and what should be important to us today. He traveled around Israel much. He met many people and He taught them the truth. On the Sabbath He would enter the temple or a synagogue and teach the people. He did not “invent” a new brand of “truth”. He expounded on the truth that the nation already had from the past. It was the truth that was given through Moses and the prophets. The truth had been greatly corrupted by the Pharisees and their friends.
We read that the people were astonished at his doctrine. We are also given the reason for this. They could see and hear that He taught them with authority. He was not like the scribes. They taught as well, but they could not speak with that same authority. Their teaching was based on human imagination and human opinion. Jesus declared the truth. A true Bible teacher does not speak in an apologetic manner. He speaks with conviction. He speaks the truth.
We have just been plunged into another “election” campaign. We will hear politicians going across this country lying to us about their plans for the country. Media people will shelter the worst of the liars and will lie to us about those they do not like. Yes, it will be quite a zoo until April 28. Many people will ignore what is happening and they will mark their X out of complete ignorance. Others will be wilfully deceived by the deceivers as they go around wasting time and money on worthless talk.
If people would invest quality time attending a true church they would learn things that would help them to see their need to be saved first of all, and then they would be able to discern the real needs of this country and pray and encourage people to consider those real needs. Morally, this country is bankrupt. The open hatred for Israel is also a major downfall in this country. We need to hear and know the truth. This country is so far from the truth, that the truth is a shock too great for many to accept.
As Jesus was teaching the truth in the synagogue on that particular day, He encountered a man with an unclean spirit. This man did not sit there quietly. He cried out. The unclean spirit did not want to hear what Jesus was saying. He demanded that they be left alone. The devil does not want to hear the truth. He knows his end is not good. Even though he knows that, he persists in his wickedness. He chose to rebel against God and there is no salvation for him or the angels that fell with him.
We see here that the unclean spirit knew Who Jesus was. He knew where Jesus had grown up. Many of the people also knew where Jesus had grown up but they did not bother to check where He was born. Thus many people dismissed Him as being the Messiah, because they knew the prophecy concerning His birth, but they did not accept the fact that He was born in Bethlehem.
The unclean spirit was concerned that Jesus had come to destroy them. He also knew that Jesus was the Holy One of God. The devils know more than many people are willing to accept. People have the opportunity of turning to God in repentance and being saved. The devils do not have that opportunity.
Jesus not only taught the people with authority, but He also dealt with this unclean spirit with authority. He commanded this spirit to hold his peace and come out of the man. Jesus did not need the devils telling people Who He was.
We read that the unclean spirit did not leave willingly. He tore the man and cried with a loud voice and came out of him. The devil is never pleased to release one that he has bound in sin. His nature is to destroy, not to help. He has demonstrated this fact over the past six thousand years. Many have suffered due to their rejection of the truth and their willingness to be bound by Satan and his minions. We are not told what this man had done to open himself up to being possessed of this unclean spirit. We know that many are opening themselves up to possession today through drugs and meditation through yoga and martial arts as well as through rock music. The Bible tells us we do not need to be ignorant of the devil’s tactics.

II Corinthians 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

It is important to be a part of a true church that will teach the truth. We read in our text that the people were also amazed at Jesus’ authority. They had never witnessed such a thing before. This should have been enough to convince them that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God.
We read that His fame was spread abroad throughout the region of Galilee. There was a superficial recognition of Who Jesus was, but not that needed humility and repentance that would cause them to believe in Him as their Saviour and Lord.
We are no different today. We are more open to receive a lie than to accept the truth. The truth confronts us in our hearts. It speaks against the pride that controls many. It is a shame that so many will insist on having their own way which is leading to destruction, rather than humbling themselves and receiving the truth which will set them free.
God’s salvation is still the only way to know His peace. God’s salvation is still just as powerful today as it was in Bible times. God can still set the captive free. It is important to humble yourself and receive the truth. There will be some discomfort in turning to God for salvation. Sin has many barbs that dig into the soul and they affect the physical being as well. Drugs and alcohol are addictive. It will take some real effort to reject their clutches but in Christ that is possible. Broken relationships can be healed when true humility is adopted.
It is amazing to see what God can do in the heart and life of a truly repentant sinner. The Gospels show us the power of God over any and every vice that the devil can throw at us. There is nothing too hard for God. A person needs to trust in Him to know His peace and blessing. Sickness and death is a reality, but bondage to sin can be destroyed in Christ.
It is important to know Him. It is important to submit yourself to hearing the truth and allowing the truth to work in your heart and life.
Pastor Bartel