"The people were amazed that Jesus had authority because most are used to observing people who teach without a life that corresponds to what they preach. Teaching plus living the teaching equals authority." Mark 1:22
12 Reasons Why Jesus Had Authority:
1. He had someone to prepare the way for Him (Mark 1:2-5)
a. He built upon the work of others before Him.
b. He operated in the delegated authority the Father set up. He was a team player. He was even baptized by a lesser man and minister that was under His authority and ministry.
2. He walked with an open heaven (Mark 1:10)
a. An open heaven signifies the Father’s favor upon a person because of obedience to their assignment.
b. Heaven was “torn” open meaning God will do violence to the spirits in the second heaven to grant a person favor.
c. The Spirit descending like a dove shows that Jesus walked delicately and sensitively with the Lord.
3. Jesus didn’t minister until He was affirmed and sent out by His Father (Mark 1:11)
a. He prepared 30 years for 3 years of ministry.
b. He didn’t go prematurely.
c. He didn’t go without His Father’s smile of affirmation. Too many act as bastards with no legitimacy and then wonder why there is no authority and fruit.
d. The church has replaced affirmation with the laying on of hands. Commissioned ministers need more than hands laid on them; they need hugs and affirming words spoken over them as a father ministers to his children.
4. He passed the test in the wilderness with both the “wild animals” and the “angels” (Mark 1:12-13)
a. We must not think we are called only to walk with angels!
5. He knew His timing (Mark 1:15)
a. He told people to repent to receive the new kingdom age. He changed their religious paradigms. When you are smashing religious paradigms, you better know the timing of the Lord!
6. He evangelized and developed new converts (Mark 1:16-20)
a. Those who continually have a heart to evangelize will have great authority from the Lord (see Acts 1:8).
7. He was known and respected in heaven and hell (Mark 1:24)
a. Like Paul the Apostle (read Acts 19:1-7).
8. He didn’t allow demons to speak and hurt his assignment (Mark 1:33)
a. Too many allow satanic voices to prematurely get them to reveal or do ministry before they are ready. b. Too many allow satanic voices dim their vision by allowing them to speak.
9. He ministered freedom to those called to wait on Him (Mark 1:29-31)
a. Too many times we expect people to wait on us, but we are unwilling to heal them first!
10. He spent solitary time with His Father (Mark 1:35)
a. Many ministers never get away from the clutter of people and all their accompanying needs and voices. It is only in times of solitude that we can really know our own hearts and what the Lord is doing deep within us.
11. He was filled with compassion (Mark 1:41)
a. His ministry motivated by compassion brought outcasts into the mainstream of society.
b. His compassionate ministry was a witness to the professional religious leaders in the area.
c. His compassionate ministry resulted in His fame being broadcast all over the region.
d. His compassion started with speaking powerful positive words over the outcast (Mark 1:40).
12. He knew his geographic assignment (Mark 1:38)
a. Many move to another location and then ask God to bless their endeavor.
b. Our geographic assignment really matters to God. For example, only those who were present in the physical building of the upper room in Acts 1 and 2 were chosen by God to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
c. There is not only a spiritual calling in our life but a geographic assignment God has called for our spiritual giftings to be released and manifest most. A person who has apostolic authority in New York City may not necessarily have that same level of grace upon them in Africa, where there are other apostolic leaders in the region to care for the churches. Read 2 Corinthians 10:10-12.
