"Truly Natural"

The title for this sermon series comes from a quote by theologian Jurgen Moltmann:

"Jesus’ healings are not supernatural miracles in a natural world. They are the only truly ‘natural’ thing in a world that is unnatural, demonized and wounded.”

We often think of Jesus' healings as "defying nature," but the truth is that they show us how the world was intended to be. God created the world to be free of illness, disease and injury. In the fall, humans made creation unnatural, corrupting it with sin. In his healings, Jesus gives a glimpse of what the natural order, as God intended it, was made to look like.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is presented primarily as a healer. In this sermon series, we will be looking at Jesus' healings in Mark, seeing how these healings show us what God intends for creation and for our lives.

SERMON OUTLINE:

I. Authority
A. How should authority be used?
B. How does Jesus use his authority?

II. Chaos
A. Complete disorder and confusion.
B. Chaos is bad.

III. Humans
A. We all have capacity to contribute to chaos.
B. Humans never have complete authority.

IV. Jesus has authority.

Quotes from the Sermon

Authority -

the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Chaos -

complete disorder and confusion.

"Chaos is bad." - Deep Thoughts from Pastor Jon

NEXT STEPS:

1) Make a list of every area in which God has given you authority.

2) Reflect on how Jesus used his authority.

3) Write down ways in which you can use the authority God has given you for the purposes Jesus used his authority.

4) Pray that God would make you more like Jesus.

GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1) What does it mean to have authority?

2) In what ways has God given you authority?

3) How do you see Jesus using his authority in the Gospel of Mark?

4) What examples can you think of where humans used the authority God had given them well?

5) What does it mean to use authority well?

6) How can you use the authority has given you well?

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