Tag: Authority of Jesus

Posted on

Following the Finger of God

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 11:13-23. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on Good Friday – April 18, 2025.

We just read the familiar story of the crucifixion of Jesus, and while it would be easy to linger there, our sermon series, Journey to Jerusalem, moves us to Luke 11:14–23. Surprisingly, the themes in this passage actually echo what we just saw at the cross. Here again, Jesus performs a miracle—casting out a demon from a mute man. It’s not the first time we’ve seen this, and by now, in Luke’s Gospel, it almost feels routine. But something has shifted. The opposition to Jesus isn’t just skeptical anymore—it’s growing hostile.

Instead of marvelling or asking honest questions, some begin accusing Jesus of being in league with demons. In Luke 11:15, they say, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons.” Others aren’t as aggressive but still resist belief, saying in verse 16, “while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.” Both reactions still exist today. Some accuse Jesus or Christians of being harmful or deluded. Others say they’ll believe if God just proves Himself—on their terms.

We saw this same mindset at the cross. The crowd scoffed, “If you are the Christ, save yourself!” The soldiers mocked, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” It’s a mindset that makes faith conditional: “I will believe in Jesus if He gives me what I want.” Whether it’s wealth, healing, or a specific answer to prayer, the demand is the same—“Do this, and then I’ll believe.”

But Jesus doesn’t operate on our terms. Who are we to demand a sign from God? In fact, in Luke 11:29, He says, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Sign-seeking is not faith—it’s bargaining. And God doesn’t negotiate salvation. He gives it freely by grace, through faith. Ephesians 2:8–9 makes that clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works.”

And that’s what this is—works-based belief. “I will believe when…” is just another way of earning your way to God. But faith doesn’t wait for proof. Faith says, “God is able… but if not…” Just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said in Daniel 3, even if God doesn’t do what we ask, we will still trust Him.

And here’s the thing—people who demand a sign often move the goalpost. Even if Jesus had stepped down from the cross, those mocking Him would have just asked for something else. Just like Pharaoh in Exodus who saw ten plagues and still hardened his heart. If your faith depends on your demands being met, you’ll never be satisfied.

On the other end, some claim Jesus isn’t the only way—they say He’s one truth among many. That’s the spirit of postmodernism: all truths are equal, and no one can claim exclusive truth. But Jesus confronts that thinking. In Luke 11:17–19, He logically dismantles the idea that He casts out demons by Satan’s power. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. And by that same logic, postmodernism crumbles. If everything is true, then nothing is true.

Jesus doesn’t leave room for multiple truths. He says in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” That’s not a suggestion. It’s a claim. And it’s either true or it isn’t—there’s no middle ground.

Finally, Jesus closes this section with a powerful phrase in Luke 11:20: “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” The finger of God—just like in Exodus, when the magicians of Egypt saw God’s power and could no longer deny it. Jesus is stronger than any enemy. He’s not just another voice in a crowd of opinions. He is the King who conquers, the Truth who saves, and the God who calls us to believe—not on our terms, but on His.

Posted on

The Majesty of God’s Word

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:37-43a. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on November 3, 2024.

The last time Jesus performed an exorcism, the reaction was striking. In Luke 8:28, the crowd asked Jesus to leave, trembling in terror at His power. But in Luke 9:43, after Jesus cast out a demon from a boy suffering seizures, the crowd responded differently: “And all were astonished at the majesty of God.” This shift in reaction reflects something profound—Jesus’ majesty wasn’t just reserved for mountaintop moments like His transfiguration. It was displayed even in the midst of human suffering.

This exorcism followed the Transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John glimpsed Jesus’ divine glory alongside Moses and Elijah. Peter misunderstood, suggesting that tents be built for all three figures, as if they were equals. But Jesus stands far above even the greatest prophets. Reflecting later on this moment, Peter declared, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). What they saw on the mountain was now revealed to the crowd through Jesus’ authority over evil.

However, the story begins with the disciples’ inability to help. A desperate father brought his afflicted son to them, but they could not cast out the demon. Luke 9:40 recounts the father’s plea: “I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” How could the disciples, who had been given authority over demons (Luke 9:1) and seen Jesus perform countless miracles, fail here?

The answer lies in where they placed their trust. Instead of relying on God, they relied on what had worked before. This shift is a common pitfall, one even Moses succumbed to. When God instructed him in Numbers 20 to speak to a rock to provide water, Moses struck it instead, as he had done previously. Though water flowed, Moses’ failure to trust God led to severe consequences. He acted out of habit, not obedience, and was barred from entering the Promised Land.

The disciples faced a similar issue. They had seen success in exorcisms and healings before, but this time, their faith faltered. Jesus addressed their lack of faith directly in Matthew 17:20, saying, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

What about us? How often do we fall into routines, trusting in past methods or our own strength instead of relying on God? Whether in ministry or daily life, it’s easy to go through the motions and lose sight of the One who empowers us. But God calls us to a deeper trust. Philippians 2:13 reminds us, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

To experience God’s renewing strength and majesty, we must seek Him intentionally—through Scripture, prayer, and worship. Let’s not let familiarity breed monotony. Instead, let’s marvel at His creation, like the northern lights or Niagara Falls, and be reminded of His glory. As Isaiah 40:31 promises, “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”

Ultimately, it’s Christ’s work in us that reveals His majesty. When we take up the rhythms of faith—reading, praying, and worshiping—we align ourselves with His power. Let’s trust in Him fully and find strength to carry on, proclaiming His glory in all we do.

Posted on

Sending of the Twelve

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:1-9. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on September 22, 2024.

When I first started in ministry, one of the key events each year was the Christmas musical at Morningstar Christian Fellowship. I was part of the band and orchestra, which was a joy, but as a pastoral intern, my responsibilities expanded. In the late summer, I’d spend hours preparing sheet music for the orchestra, choir, and cast. Our rehearsals would begin on Sunday afternoons and continue with sectionals during the week. All the practice led up to the dress rehearsal—this was the full run-through before the actual performance, done with costumes and makeup, no stops unless something major went wrong. It was the “show before the show,” and we sometimes even invited friends and family to get a preview.

In a similar way, today’s passage from Luke 9 describes a “dress rehearsal” for the ministry of Jesus’ disciples after His resurrection. This is the first of two practices, with the second one covered later in chapter 10, where Jesus sends out 72 others. In Luke 9:1-2, we read, “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” At this point, Jesus has already performed incredible miracles—healing the woman with the issue of blood, raising Jairus’s daughter from the dead, calming the storm, and more. These acts are just a small portion of His works, as John writes in John 21:25, “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

Now, Jesus is delegating that same power and authority to His disciples so they can preach the kingdom and heal the sick. The key here is that this power is delegated. Anyone who has worked in an organization with a hierarchical structure knows how crucial delegation is. You can be given responsibility for a task, but you need authority and resources to complete it. Jesus gives His disciples both the authority (the right to proclaim the kingdom) and the power (the ability to heal and cast out demons). The Greek word for power here is δύναμιν (dynamin), which is where we get the word “dynamite.” It’s a reminder that this power is explosive in its potential.

This same authority and power have been given to us. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” And in Acts 1:8, we read, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” We are called to carry out this task with both boldness and humility. We are to be emboldened by the power Jesus gives us, yet humble enough to remember that it’s not our power but His.

Unfortunately, we often allow fear or the world’s intolerance to silence us. But we are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:6-7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Romans 1:16 tells us, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Despite the challenges we face in sharing the gospel, we are called to be bold. At the same time, we should never let the power we’ve been given go to our heads. It’s delegated, just like when General Douglas MacArthur was stripped of his command because he forgot the source of his authority.

The disciples understood this well. In Acts 3:6, when Peter heals the lame beggar, he says, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Paul, too, approached his ministry with humility, as he writes in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, “I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

In Luke 9:3-6, Jesus gives specific instructions to His disciples: travel light, live among the people, and if a town rejects them, shake off the dust as a sign of judgment. This is not just practical advice, but a reminder to stay flexible to God’s leading, live among those we minister to, and to not be discouraged by rejection. In Romans 14:12, we are reminded that, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Ultimately, everyone must answer to Jesus, and our task is to faithfully proclaim the gospel.

As Jesus’ disciples spread the word about Him, many were confused about who He was. Herod, for example, heard about Jesus and wondered if He was John the Baptist raised from the dead or perhaps one of the prophets. In Colossians 1:15-20, Paul gives us a clear answer: Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, and through Him, all things were created. He is the head of the body, the church, and through His death and resurrection, He reconciles all things to Himself.

We too are called to declare who Jesus is with boldness, remembering the power and authority He’s delegated to us and carrying out the task with humility.

Posted on

Waiting on Jesus

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 8:40-56. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on September 15, 2024.

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 8, we encounter a remarkable “two-for-one special” of miracles that reveal Jesus’ authority over disease and death. These intertwined stories—Jairus’ desperate plea for his dying daughter and a woman’s silent, faith-driven act of healing—teach us profound lessons about waiting on Jesus.

When Jesus returned to Galilee, a crowd eagerly awaited Him. Among them was Jairus, a synagogue ruler—a man of status and influence. Yet, this respected leader fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading for his only daughter, a twelve-year-old girl on the brink of death (Luke 8:40-42). Imagine a person of immense dignity, like a grandfather in his finest attire, abandoning all decorum to beg in public. Jairus, in his desperation, cast aside pride, status, and likely even the risk of alienation from other Jewish leaders who were wary of Jesus.

As Jesus agreed to go with him, hope must have swelled in Jairus’ heart. But their journey was interrupted. A woman, suffering from a twelve-year-long discharge of blood, reached out in silent faith to touch the fringe of Jesus’ garment. She had spent all her resources on doctors, to no avail, and lived as a social and religious outcast due to her condition (Luke 8:43-44; Leviticus 15:25-27). Her faith was bold yet humble—believing that even the slightest touch of Jesus’ garment could heal her.

Immediately, her bleeding stopped, and Jesus, knowing power had gone out from Him, asked, “Who was it that touched me?” (Luke 8:45-46). Amid the pressing crowd, the woman stepped forward, trembling, and shared her story. Jesus’ response was profound: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace” (Luke 8:48). With this, He restored not only her health but also her dignity and place in the community.

But imagine Jairus in this moment—watching precious time slip away as Jesus stopped for someone else. His worst fears were realized when messengers arrived, saying his daughter had died. “Do not trouble the Teacher anymore,” they said (Luke 8:49). Yet Jesus turned to Jairus with reassurance: “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well” (Luke 8:50). Despite the mourners’ laughter at His declaration that the girl was “not dead but sleeping,” Jesus entered the house, took her hand, and said, “Child, arise.” Her spirit returned, and she got up immediately (Luke 8:52-55).

Both Jairus and the bleeding woman show us the power of faith in the face of desperation. Jairus teaches us to trust in Jesus’ timing, even when it feels delayed. The woman reminds us that faith often takes bold, even unconventional, steps. And through both, we see that Jesus’ authority transcends human limitations. His timing is perfect, and His power is sufficient.

As we wait on the Lord in our own lives, let us remember His words: “Do not fear; only believe.” Whatever delays or interruptions we face, His plans for us are always for good (Jeremiah 29:11). Let us wait with faith, trusting that He will act in His perfect time.

Posted on

Trembling at God’s Word

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 8:26-39. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on September 1, 2024.

Did you know the Exorcist franchise now includes seven movies and a TV series? The original 1973 film, infamous for its terrifying portrayal of demonic possession, reportedly caused some moviegoers to faint or feel nauseated. While I’ve never seen the original, I recall a night in my early 20s when I watched Exorcist: The Beginning with friends. We didn’t plan to see it, but after an evening of all-you-can-eat sushi, we wandered into the theater. The film had been out for a while, so the theater was nearly empty, just us and a scattering of seats. Initially, we found this amusing and decided to spread out. But by the end, every one of us had huddled together, unnerved by what we’d seen. Even as Christians who believed in the existence of demonic powers, we were shaken, realizing the gravity of what Scripture teaches about the spiritual realm.

C.S. Lewis warned of two errors concerning the demonic: disbelieving in their existence or becoming excessively fascinated. Most of us fall closer to disbelief, brushing off the concept as myth or exaggeration. But the Bible doesn’t leave room for such dismissal. In Job, we see Satan walking “to and fro on the earth” (Job 1:7, ESV). In Ephesians, Paul reminds believers to be strong in the Lord and to “put on the whole armor of God…against the spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:11–12, ESV). These passages affirm that the spiritual battle is real, and we are not wrestling against mere flesh and blood. But while we must not dismiss the existence of the demonic, neither should we obsess over it. Balance is key.

Luke 8 gives us a vivid example of demonic possession. A man possessed by many demons lived among the tombs, naked and out of control. His torment was evident; the demons dehumanized and marginalized him, making him repulsive and frightening to others. When Jesus arrived, this man’s transformation demonstrated the power of Christ. The demons recognized Jesus as “Son of the Most High God” (Luke 8:28, ESV) and obeyed His command to leave the man, entering a herd of pigs that subsequently drowned. This account highlights two truths: the destructive power of the demonic and the supreme authority of Christ.

Some may try to explain this possession as a psychiatric condition. While mental health is a genuine concern, Scripture consistently portrays cases like this as spiritual battles. Hollywood’s exaggerated depictions can distort our understanding, but real spiritual warfare often manifests more subtly. The devil’s aim is to deceive and lead us into sin. As 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (ESV). Therefore, we must stay vigilant and rely on God’s strength.

Ultimately, Jesus’ authority over all things, including the demonic, offers hope. When the man was freed, his response was to proclaim how much God had done for him. This should be our response too. By submitting to God and resisting the devil, we draw near to Christ, who reigns in power and righteousness (James 4:7–8; Psalm 96:9–10). Let this truth ground us in faith, knowing that Jesus is Lord over all.