Jesus teaches with confidence in the synagogue in Capernaum, surprising the congregation with his forthright style unlike the usual religion scholars who quibble and quote. When a man with an unclean spirit interrupts and yells at Jesus, Jesus rebukes the spirit and it leaves the man. The people are amazed at Jesus' new teaching and authority over evil spirits. After leaving the synagogue, Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law of a fever and that evening heals many sick and afflicted people who come to him, commanding the demons not to speak because they knew his true identity.

1. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Hebrews 12:2
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2. A Puzzlement
Mark 1:21-34
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3. Then they entered Capernaum. When
Mark
1:21
the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost
no time in getting to the meeting
place. He spent the day there
teaching...
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4. It was during the ‘meet-and-greet’ time that
someone discovered that Jesus was a visiting rabbi.
The next thing he knew, he was holding a cordless
mic and standing in front of them. “Good Sabbath,
Faith Village. Prepare to be amazed by God.”
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5. ...He spent the day there
Mark
teaching. They were surprised
1:22
at his teaching—so forthright,
so confident—not quibbling and
quoting like the religion
scholars.
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6. Today’s preachers didn’t invent utterly predictable
and unremarkable sermons. Been around a long time.
But unlike us, ancient people thought going to
church out of habit was at least better than not
going at all. Even if the sermons were like death
warmed over.
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7. Utterly Predictable
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8. 23-24 Suddenly, while still in the meeting
place, he was interrupted by a man who was
deeply disturbed and yelling out, “What
business do you have here with us, Jesus?
Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re
1:23-28
the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to
destroy us!”25-26 Jesus shut him up: “Quiet!
Get out of him!” The afflicting spirit threw
Mark
the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and
got out.27-28 Everyone there was incredulous,
buzzing with curiosity. “What’s going on
here? A new teaching that does what it says?
He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and
sends them packing!” News of this traveled
fast and was soon all over Galilee.
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9. Back then, if you wanted to find a demon, you’d
either stare down a pig or look up the wild-eyed
person muttering to herself in front of the 7-
Eleven. So most folks were dumbfounded when Jesus
confronted a bunch of unruly demons living inside a
fellow worshiper.
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10. What’s in a Name?
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11. Amazed by God
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12. 29-31 Directly on leaving the meeting place,
they came to Simon and Andrew’s house,
accompanied by James and John. Simon’s
1:29-34 mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up
with fever. They told Jesus. He went to her,
took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner
had the fever left than she was up fixing
Mark
dinner for them.
32-34 That evening, after the sun was down,
they brought sick and evil-afflicted people
to him, the whole city lined up at his door!
He cured their sick bodies and tormented
spirits. Because the demons knew his true
identity, he didn’t let them say a word.
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13. Miracle Worker

14. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Hebrews 12:2
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15. “They were surprised at his
teaching—so forthright, so
confident—not quibbling and
quoting like the religion
scholars.”
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968
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16. www.indiegogo.com/thekenfongproject 21