As Christians we need not have any fear of the demonic
Very few references to demonic activity in the Old Testament
Example of King Saul - he was not possessed but oppressed
Mediums and sorcerers - Example of the witch of Endor
Example of the affliction of Job by satan
Very few references to the working of satan
The story of the Bible is over God's victory
An exception in Genesis 6
The New Testament - examples
Jesus tempted by the devil in a diabolic way
Luke's gospel - the first miracle is that of casting out a demon
Many examples of those who were demon possessed
Why are there so many references to the demonic/why does the devil manifest himself so?
Had the Jews begun to practice the dark arts?
Maybe, but it is mainly because the devil is terrified - the Son of God had come
They cannot but manifest themselves
Usually the devil works in very clandestine ways
The devil must acknowledge Jesus Christ
The miracle in the synagogue
Jesus was in the synagogue
He loved to preach in the synagogues (v15)
The people were astonished at His wisdom and His Divine authority
A man in the synagogue was demon possessed
The spirit is of an unclean demon
He cried out "let us alone" - maybe a reference to multiple demons or speaking our behalf of all demons (v34)
The demon recognised Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ rebuked the demon
He silenced the devil with a word
The demon threw him to the floor, but he was not hurt
The Lord Jesus Christ protected him
Jesus was sovereign over satan
Jesus had come to proclaim liberty and to save
Jesus had come in the Jubilee Year
He cast out many demons
Demons came out of many people crying "You are the Christ, the Son of God"
The people's response (v36)
They were all amazed
They realised it was by Jesus' word that he was healed
Yet many in the end did not love or follow Him
Jesus pronounced a woe on Capernaum
Have we ourselves really come to know Him, are really repentant, really love Him?
Demon possession
Not a mental health problem
Not a problem that can be fixed with psychiatry
Actual demon possession
Jesus is Lord over this realm
He has cast out the demons
He fill finally cast them into the lake of fire
The ruler of the world is cast down
Christians need not fear - Jesus is sovereign over the spiritual realm
His sovereignty over sickness
Because of Adam's fall - disease and sickness entered into this world
Jesus was born without sin
Jesus was without sickness or infirmity
He came to bear our sickness and infirmity
Quote from Matt 8:16-17
Jesus physically healed people
Jesus came to heal both body and soul - the whole person
We believe in the resurrection - to have a perfect resurrection body with no sickness
Jesus had compassion and healed many
The apostles were given the power to heal sickness
It seems this power was withdrawn at the end
Jesus came to heal people
It was a proof that Jesus was the Messiah - Quote from Matt 11:3-5
The church is not to reclaim the gift of healing
We are to pray for people and have concern for people
We are not apostles
We care for the body
It is a different time today - we are not in the early church
The 'health, wealth and prosperity' gospel is not of God
Jesus healed completely
Peter's mother-in-law was healed immediately from her high fever
She regained all her strength immediately
She served them immediately
His healings were instantaneous and complete
Jesus healed every one He laid hands on
Miracles of healing are not prevalent today
20 miracles in the Old Testament, none in the 750 years before Christ
Jesus was able to perform miracles as He was the Son of God acting in the power of the Holy Spirit
Christ has great compassion
Christ has great power
2 Cor 1:3-5
1 Thess 5:14
3 John v2
His sovereignty in all circumstances
The people of Nazareth couldn't accept Jesus' words - they took Him to the brow of the hill to throw Him off
He walked through their midst
The people of Capernaum wanted to keep Him
He answered that He would preach in other cities
Jesus is sovereign
Jesus came to point men and women to heaven, away from sin, to a life of righteousness, to speak of the Kingdom of God, to preach repentance, that they should believe in Him
This should be the mission of the Church too
Preaching should be the heart of the Church
Have you responded to God?
Do you believe in His work?
Do you believe He is sovereign in all circumstances?
