Storms, Demons, Disease and Death Subject to Jesus

Storms, Demons, Disease and Death Subject to Jesus

Series: The Gospel Truth

Text: Luke 8:22-56

Introduction: (What?)

Today stress, PTSD, suicides and mental breakdowns are at an all-time high. Most of these are caused by the increasing sense of having no control until one reaches the breaking point. These affect both Christian and non-Christians. However, one thing that Christians have going for them is that we have a Savior who can deliver us. That is not to say that we should not seek medical or emotional help, because God often uses these, but it is to remind us that we are not alone.

Examination: (Why?)

1. Sleeping through the Storm

Lk 8:22-25 “One day he and his disciples got into a boat, and he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they were sailing he fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger. They came and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who then is this? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him!””

Henry Blackaby told a story about being on a fishing vessel in the North Sea. His father told him that if a storm came up to keep his eye on the captain. “If the captain is not stressed, you can relax”, his father said. That is a good lesson for us. If the LORD of the universe is not stressed, we can relax. We need to keep our spiritual eyes and ears tuned to Jesus, regardless of our circumstances.

Did Jesus know that a storm was coming? Maybe. Was He concerned if a storm did come? Not at all because He knew that by faith He had authority over the elements. After all, He created them.

What we must remember as we read this story is that the disciples were what we would call “baby Christians”. They had not been following Jesus very long. What they experienced here was a steep learning curve. Like them, we learn more from dealing with dire circumstances than we do when the winds and waves of life are calm. First they saw the humanity of Jesus…He was bone-tired and sleeping like a baby. Next they saw His awesome faith in action as He spoke to the elements, and they obeyed. Another thing that we must recognize is that even Jesus functioned by faith during His time here on earth. Notice His question to the disciples, “Where is your faith?” In Matthew it is not a question, but a rebuke; Matt 8:26 “He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” In Matt 6:30 Jesus addressed the idea of worry and used the same phrase “you of little faith”. “If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?”

On our recent trip it seemed that everything that could go wrong, went wrong so far as our travel and events were concerned. I found myself worrying about how Rae was going to navigate steps in a stadium, how we were going to make it home when our flights kept being delayed and we missed connections. It seemed that all of our plans failed. And yet, here we are, safe at home and today at church. My worry did nothing but increase my stress level. Faith in what I know to be true (God is in control) could have saved me a lot of stress. Faith is the antithesis of fear and of worry. in Romans 12:3 Paul said,“For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.” Faith is God’s gift to the believer. It is the same gift that makes salvation a reality according to Eph 2:8 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—” If you are a believer, you have been given “a measure of faith”. The disciples had been given a measure of faith, yet they didn’t utilize it. The next time you are tempted to worry or fret or be afraid, just say to yourself, “God’s got this” over and over until your believe it.

2. Jesus vs 6K Demons

Lk 8:26-39 “Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When he got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before him, and said in a loud voice, “What do you have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places. “What is your name?” Jesus asked him. “Legion,” he said, because many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to banish them to the abyss. A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged him to permit them to enter the pigs, and he gave them permission. The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside. Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’s feet, dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered. Then all the people of the Gerasene region asked Him to leave them, because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, He returned. The man from whom the demons had departed begged Him earnestly to be with Him. But He sent him away and said, ‘Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you. And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town how much Jesus had done for him.”

We have a tendency today to think that demons are not active in our time. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many unsaved are actually demon-possessed. Deliverance has to precede salvation. Unfortunately, many who are believers are demon-oppressed. This “is a spiritual attack from a demonic spirit which seeks to influence a person’s thoughts, emotions, and even their actions.” (Clarence L. Haynes, Jr.) Some of the indications of demonic oppressions are:

Abnormal Fear

Inability to rest and nightmares

Prolonged periods of unexplained depression

Just as Jesus had the power to free the man (men) of demonic possession, He has the power to deliver you from demonic oppression. And when He does, it will be though your faith in Him and His Word. John reminds us in John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.” And when He sets you free He admonishes you to ‘Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.”

3. Chronic Illness and Death; No Problem

Lk 8:40-56 “When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’s feet and pleaded with him to come to his house, because he had an only daughter about twelve years old, and she was dying. While he was going, the crowds were nearly crushing him. A woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years, who had spent all she had on doctors and yet could not be healed by any, approached from behind and touched the end of his robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are hemming you in and pressing against you.” “Someone did touch me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched him and how she was instantly healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, ‘Your faith has saved you. God in peace.’

While He was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader’s house and said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother the Teacher anymore.’”

When Jesus heard it, He answered him, ‘Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be saved.’ After He came to the house, He let no one enter with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother. Everyone was crying and mourning for her. But He said, ‘Stop crying, because she is not dead but asleep.’ They laughed at Him, because they knew she was dead. So He took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, get!’ Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then He gave orders that she be given something to eat. Her parents were astounded, but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.”

There are times when problems occur in bunches. In this instance Jesus was already on His way to deal with a dying 12 year old girl. One would think that it would be a priority. However, as He was going, He suddenly stopped and said, “Who touched Me?” His response to what others considered to be a random event was because of His sensitivity to spiritual and physical needs. He sensed both despair and pain in the touch and moved immediately to meet the need. The fact that healing went out from Jesus was based on the faith of the one who touched Him. The woman touched Him as an act of faith born out of her desperation for healing. It is important to note that because of her illness she was ceremoniously unclean and thus could not be around friends or family and couldn’t go to church. Also, anyone who came in physical contact with her would be considered unclean until going through a ritual prescribed by Mosaic law. Not only was she jeopardizing the crowd around her, she was jeopardizing Jesus.

Jesus, God in flesh, didn’t ask “Who touched me?” because He didn’t know, but rather so that she could be identified and could give praise to God for her healing. What she got was much more than physical healing…she got saved. The same faith that brings salvation also brings healing. That being said, we should not foolishly neglect seeking health-care from those whom God has provided. The plan should be “pray first, then go to the Doctor”. At the very least the Dr may verify that you’ve been healed.

Not only is Jesus triumphant over demons and disease, He also is victorious over death. In the midst of the healing of the woman, word came that the 12 y/o had died. Jesus told the man ‘Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be saved.’ Notice the terminology…will be saved. Not only will she live again physically, but she will also live eternally with God. Once again faith is the catalyst for a miracle. In this instance it is the faith of the father.

Application: (How I will respond to these truths)

Regardless of your physical health, your primary need is for spiritual healing…salvation. That happens when you, by faith surrender your life to Jesus.

In James 5:13-16 “Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”

If you are in need of physical, mental or emotional healing, you are invited to come to the front when the deacons and I will anoint you with oil and pray for you. While this is not a guarantee of immediate healing or deliverance, it is in keeping with God’s Word.