Why Should I Obey God?

Luke 4:31–44
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Pastor Randy Smith

You know I love the National Parks. Last month our nation just added a new one. Do you know where it is? It’s in the great state of Missouri. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, better known as the St. Louis Arch and the history of the area, has been upgraded to “Gateway Arch National Park.” That brings the total to 60.

Frequently I am asked as to what my favorite National Park is. In a recent interview I said Dry Tortugas is the most fun, Yellowstone is the most diverse, Yosemite is the most beautiful, but my overall favorite is the Grand Canyon. I’ve hiked to the bottom four times and I never get tired of being in that location and taking in everything that this wonderful work of God’s creation has to offer. Unfortunately many people who travel there don’t get the same experience. I’m not saying they should hike the 9 miles to the bottom (that’s sort of insane!), but at least go into the canyon and enjoy the full experience.

This week I was reading an article that stated that of the 4.5 million people that visit the park annually, only 1% venture at least a 1,000 feet below the rim. That means 99% stroll from observation point to observation point and never have a meaningful walk inside the canyon. They go so far to get to this remote location and miss out from enjoying the full experience.

The Christian life works the same way. Barring physical limitations, people avoid going deep into the Grand Canyon simply because it takes work. They are content with walking a few steps and being shuttled around on an air-conditioned bus. Likewise, to really experience the joys of the Christian life takes work as well. Simply put, it requires spiritual sweat. It requires heavy lifting. It requires leaving our comfort zone, denying ourselves, acting contrary to the world, receiving persecution and demonstrating great humility.

And if we are going to go this deep with Christ which will entail personal suffering, we have to believe both that the rewards (in this life and in the next) will be greater whereby following Christ is definitely in our best interest.

So the question I’d like to answer today is this: Why should I follow Jesus?

I mean, really follow Jesus. I’m not talking about the refrain of swearing or attending church or praying before a meal. That’s good, but easy. I’m talking about forgiving someone that continually hurts me. I’m talking about considering someone more important than myself. I’m talking about refraining from all temptations of the flesh. I’m talking about not worshipping money. I’m talking about being wronged for the sake of church unity. I’m talking about serving others. I’m talking about reconciling tough relationships. I’m talking about limiting my freedoms if it means setting a good example for others or not causing someone to sin. I can keep going, but I believe you get the point.

These are of God’s Word!

So why should I follow God’s Word when it is extremely difficult? Answer: Because Jesus Christ has authority over you.

He’s not just the boss at work that you obey, but one that occasionally makes poor decisions and lives a despicable life. Let me make this very clear. Jesus Christ is Lord. What He says is true and always in your best interest. You show your love for Him and reveal His authority through unwavering obedience.

Jesus Christ is Lord over all. He has (and here is our key word this morning) authority over all. We can expect the world to challenge it. There is no excuse for those who claim to be His followers. In other words, I should never have to convince Christians as to why they should obey God’s Word. If you claim to be a believer, there is no debate. Moreover, it’s necessary!

Let’s dig into this passage and see what it says about our Lord’s authority. The first point I am calling, “Authority Revealed.”

Authority Revealed (verses 31–32)

So Jesus’ public ministry is underway. The first two events recorded in Luke 4 you will remember both centered on opposition. First it was opposition from Satan and then it was opposition from the people in Nazareth. The former sought to bring spiritual death on Jesus; the latter sought to bring physical death. Both parties questioned Jesus on His Word. In other words, the slogan of our age today: Who are you to say you are right? What makes your way better than my way? It was the same back then. Why do I have to listen to you, Jesus? We’re so offended at what you said, I think we’ll throw You off a high cliff (4:29).

So in verse 31 Jesus leaves the town of Nazareth (1,200 feet above sea level) and descends to the town of Capernaum (686 feet below sea level). Like in Nazareth, the text says He was “teaching them [in their synagogue] on the Sabbath.”

Verse 32 records their reaction. It says, “And they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.”

I was joking around with Sergio recently as to how he taught his recent Sunday school class. If you were in there you know he dealt with several sensitive and controversial topics. But it seemed whenever he wanted to make a point that he knew might ruffle some feathers he would quote something I said in a sermon, sometimes a sermon from decade ago: “As Pastor Randy accurately and clearly said back on September 6, 2005…”

Like, “I got the senior pastor on my side on this one and you didn’t seem to have a problem when he said it 13 years ago!”

Well, the teachers of Jesus’ time basically did the same. Yet here is where they would differ much from Sergio. Not only did they shy away from teaching God’s Word, but they also failed to take a personal stance on any subject. Their teaching basically consisted of quoting the esteemed rabbi’s that went before them. As one commentator said they were in bondage to quotation marks.

Then Jesus comes on the scene and He begins to teach the Word (verse 32) with authority. In the long run this will bring great antagonism from the religious establishment because they felt their power threatened and their authority was questioned, but in the onset of His ministry we see it brought wonder and amazement at such a fresh and definitive message. Like any good preacher today, He didn’t preach about God’s Word. He preached God’s Word. And when He preached God’s Word it was understandable, interesting and expected to be obeyed. This is the authority of Christ’s Word! This is the authority of Christ!

Well it’s easy to say you have authority, but how can you prove it? I could probably put on a bathrobe and stroll the beaches of Seaside Heights this summer, say all kinds of strange things and claim to be a prophet of God. I might even gain a following, but who’s to say I should be listened to? Or put into our context this morning, I’m telling you the need to obey God’s Word because Jesus is the ultimate authority, but how can I know He is the ultimate authority? You know, the old saying, “Talk is cheap.”

Jesus is going to prove it!

This was the whole point from Mark 2. They lower the paralytic through the roof. Jesus declares his sins are forgiven. Jesus is challenged on His authority to forgive sins. So Jesus asks the question, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? (Mk. 2:9). In other words, anyone can say you are forgiven, but how many people can instantly heal the paralyzed?

Our Lord proved His authority through His miracles.

That takes us to our second point. Let’s specifically see how Jesus did this.

Authority Demonstrated (verses 33–41)

OVER DEMONS

Verse 33 says there in the synagogue, same day, “there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon.”

The resume of a demon: Fallen angels under their leader, the devil. Able to dwell inside of people. Able to afflict and destroy lives, oppressing everyone and possessing some unbelievers. Able to be resisted bybelievers. Primary tactic – deception. Primary goal – draw people away from God’s purposes.

As the demon spoke through the man the man cried out very loudly, verse 34, “Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are – the Holy One of God!” We see the same in verse 41. “Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.”

People, even the disciples, struggled to get it, but the demons clearly knew who Christ was. They recognized Him every time. James 2:19 says they “believe” in Christ and “shudder” in His presence. The lovers of darkness hate the light. They were always agitated in Christ’s presence. They knew that their days were numbered. They knew that Jesus was (as the verses say) “the Holy One of God” and “the Son of God.” And though it was more out of fear than reverence they knew Christ has a greater authority than they did.

Verse 35, “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet and come out of him!’ And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm.”

No weird rituals or incantations. Instant and complete delivery. Just a few words. The power and authority of His word.

This is not a call for Christians to perform exorcisms. This is an example of Jesus proving His authority over the supernatural world. For this is a foretaste of His mission. For years, Satan has been building up his forces. Jesus is beginning to disarm them. This foreshadows His work on the cross when He will defeat the devil and his demonic legions. And that will lead to their ultimate defeat when He returns, throws them all in the Lake of Fire and begins His universal reign fully showing all His ultimate authority.

Remember what we read last week? The Messiah has come, verse 18 to “release the captives” and “set free those who are oppressed.” This was a demonstration of the preliminary steps. This was the beginning of the end for Satan, not the final death blow, but raiding his outposts, leading to his ultimate defeat. This is not about just healing one man. This is ultimately showing how Jesus will soon attack the problem at its source. The authoritative King is here. Luke 11:20, “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Our Lord’s authority over demons shows His authority. This is a lesson for us! We as humans should trust, follow and obey Him.

Verses 36 and 37, “And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, ‘What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.’ And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district.”

You see the progression? First, power over “unclean spirits.” Second, a demonstration of authority. Third, “What is this message?” Fourth, the message is trust and obey. Do what He says!

OVER SICKNESS

But Jesus is not done. Not only will Jesus show His authority over demons, but He will show His authority over sickness. Not all sickness is from the devil, but we can say all sickness is the result of the curse which the devil started and which the devil perpetuates.

Verse 38, “Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon’s home.” Simon of course is Peter, a man Jesus will soon call to be a disciple of His (in the next chapter). Continuing, “Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her.” Verse 39, “And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and waited on them.”

People keep missing the point of these passages! It’s more than Jesus is compassionate to the suffering. It’s more than Jesus is the exorcist and healer. It’s more than we should think any illness is of the devil and it’s God’s will for everyone to be healthy. It’s about demonstrating and foreshadowing. It’s about the Kingdom of God coming. It’s about defeating the devil, sin and death. It’s about Jesus righting all the wrongs. It’s about moving closer to God’s glorious reign. It’s about a day when total wellness will be experienced. It’s about a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord. It’s about worshipping Christ. And it’s about His kingdom that has come as He reigns in the hearts of His people showing that they trust His authority by submitting to Him as Lord of their lives.

Authority Proclaimed (verse 42–44)

Let me move on to our final point. Because it was our Lord’s mission to redeem this world, it was essential that the heart of His mission be proclaimed and rightly explained. You see, frequently we observe in the Bible that people following Jesus missed the point. They only appreciated Him in providing for their physical comforts. They liked the free food. They liked the amazing miracles. Here it says in verse 40 all the sick were coming to Him and He was healing them all. They liked to be healed. And when you have a healer like this, you do not want a guy like that to leave your town!

Verses 42-44, “When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them. But He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.’ So He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

So last week we saw the people wanted Jesus to be the Messiah of their own desire. You know, one that assumes the Jews are naturally saved and One that exclude the Gentiles from salvation. And now this week we see the people want Jesus to be the Messiah who just brings to their town health and wellness.

No, the ministry of Jesus is to (verse 43) “preach the kingdom of God to other cities” because as He said, “I was sent for this purpose.”

So what is this message? It is that the world has been corrupted with sin. Things are broken from God’s original creation. Wrong is applauded. Diseases afflict. Satan rules. Pain is prevalent. Death is a reality. God is neglected. And no human or government or pocketbook can turn this around.

The only hope we have is God. And as we learned last week, this was the plan for His Messiah, the Christ, the Promised One. He would, verse 18, make rich in grace and give spiritual sight and release the captives. And He came to preach this message. And He entrusted this message to His Apostles. And they entrusted this message to all His followers.

The message is that God has begun to act. In His love and mercy, He has chosen to turn things around. He has chosen to forgive all who rebel against Him and deserve hell because of their sin. He has chosen to allow Himself in the ultimate demonstration of grace to take the penalty on the cross that we deserved. He has chosen to exert His authority and defeat death and sin and Satan. And He has chosen to save some and promise them an eternal kingdom in glory. He has chosen to allow His kingdom to come in partial form as He dwells in their lives. And He has chosen to use these individuals who have turned to Christ in faith and repentance to show that they no longer live for themselves, but for Him. They will honor His authority and obey Him from the heart. He has chosen through these people to show His authority that one day will be recognized by all.

Friends, if we cannot, or maybe I should say desire not, to do as Jesus says in Scripture; we short-circuit the whole process by failing to show Christ to the world, by failing to acknowledge Him as our Lord and frankly by showing less reverence and faith than the demons.

The moral of this sermon is not going deep into the Grand Canyon. The moral of this sermon is to go deep in your faith with Christ. Will we submit to His authority in all things, despite the personal cost, to reveal to this world that Jesus is truly Lord? The Kingdom will come for all to see and acknowledge, but it has begun and is shown to all by Him ruling in the hearts of His children.