Order of Worship

4th of January 2026 | 10:30 (Espoo)

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

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31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,34 “Ha![b] What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

I. The Authority of His Word vv 31-37
II. The Authority of His Presence vv 38-41
III. The Authority of His Mission vv 42-44

If you believe in Jesus as your Saviour and King, you are welcome to the Table. 

Please hold the elements until all have received; we will all take them together. 

The bread is gluten free, the cup is alcohol free.

Introduction
1. When you hear the word authority, what kinds of reactions or experiences come to mind?
2. Can you think of a time when order or clarity came into a situation because someone knew what they were doing and acted decisively?
 
Into the Text
3. In verses 31-32, Luke says the people were astonished because Jesus’ word had authority. What seems to make Jesus’ teaching different from what they were used to hearing?
4. Why do you think the unclean spirit responds so strongly to Jesus in the synagogue in verses 33-35?
5. What do you notice about how Jesus uses His authority when He heals Simon’s mother in law in verses 38-39?
6. In verses 40-41, why do you think Luke emphasises that Jesus laid His hands on every one of the sick?
7. In verses 42-44, why does Jesus refuse to stay in Capernaum even though the people want Him to remain?
 
Apply the Text
8. Where in your life do you find it easiest to recognise Jesus’ authority but harder to submit to it?
9. How does seeing Jesus use His authority to restore rather than to control shape the way you trust Him?
10. As we think about the start of a new year, what might it look like to allow Jesus to bring order and restoration into one ordinary area of your life this week?