January 19, 2020

The Power of Jesus

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 8:26-39
Service Type:

Introduction

  • People could not understand why Jesus sat down with sinners
    • Jesus told 3 parables to teach His disciples and those who had criticised Him
  • This passage:
    • Another striking example of Jesus' love
    • Think of the previous passage - how Jesus calmed a storm
    • As they get out of the boat a demon possessed man has an encounter with Jesus Christ
    • Jesus had come for this man
  • For the Jew reading this there is a lot to take offense at:
    • Jesus is going to a Gentile area - The Decapolis or the Gadarenes
    • Pigs
    • The demoniac's dwelling place is amongst the tombs
  • A significant story - in Matthew, Mark and Luke
  • The passage contrasts the power of satan vs the power of Christ
    • Brief explanation
    • A summary verse - John 10:10
    • Satan's work is a destroying work, Christ's work is to set the captive free
  • Overview
    • The work of the evil one
    • The greater work of Jesus Christ
    • Our response

The work of the evil one

  • Some might think this is 'remote'
    • The work of the evil one is very real - examples
    • Also is 'sophisticated' societies
  • In New Testament days there were many cases of demon possession
  • Matthew - there were actually two demon possessed men
    • Mark and Luke - only focus on one, the one who was saved
    • Both are delivered from evil spirits
    • Only one was saved
    • Deliverance of spirits does not automatically mean conversion - Luke 11:24
    • The Jews had a ministry of deliverance from spirits - only Christ can truly set them free
  • Satan's work is to keep people in darkness - in sin
    • We must take responsibility for our own sin
    • Satan blinds people to sin - examples
  • How do we respond to this darkness, just like in the area of the Gadarenes?
    • Through the work of missions - Christ, the converted demoniac
    • Shine the light in the darkness
    • Bring the truth of the gospel
  • The demoniac - naked and degraded
    • Personal example
    • Nudity in today's society
    • He was deranged, including his personality: the spirits spoke through him
    • A danger to society
    • Self-destructive
    • No self-control (v29)
    • He once had a family
    • What a terrible existence - yet Christ has come for him
      • Consider the homeless, those with mental ill-health
  • What caused this man to become so?
    • Terrible example of Jim Jones - a terrible work of satan
  • Yet the whole passage shows the Lordship of Christ

The greater work of Jesus Christ

  • Is the demoniac drawn by Jesus or driven by the spirits?
    • Either way he came directly to the feet of Jesus
    • How did the disciples feel?
    • Jesus was in perfect control
  • The demoniac knew he was under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (v28)
    • The demons are fearful
  • Jesus commands the demons come out of the man
    • They were allowed to go into the pigs
    • The pigs behave madly and drown - another work of satan
    • A visual sign of the power of Christ
    • A human being is worth more than an animal
      • (Though the bible teaches to look after and care for animals)
  • The results (v35):
    • Clothed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, in his right mind
    • Instantaneous
    • Luke 4:18

Our response

  • How do we look today? - Jesus knows the real state of our heart
    • Are we still in the chains of sin?
    • The man is sent back to his house - he tells the whole city
      (v39)
    • Are we telling others of what Christ has done for us?
  • The message of the gospel is to return to Christ
    • Find joy and peace in Him
    • Do not continue in sin
    • He has died and risen for you
    • Christ has come to make people new
      • Just like the demoniac - explanation