Jesus, Vanquisher of Demons Luke 8:26-39
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
The theologian G.k. Chesterton is credited with saying:
People think that when they do not believe in God they believe in nothing, but the fact is they will believe in anything.
G. K. Chesterton
He influenced another well known theologian and author C.S. Lewis who later wrote:
In his preface to The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis writes:
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence, the other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them...”
C. S. Lewis
Both of these saying are profoundly accurate. We live in a world that for the most part has rejected the true and living God and everything to do with Him and as a result have gone mad. Society is overly fascinated with new age ideas like transcendence, alternative realities (gender confusion), pagan mythology, sexual promiscuity, infanticide, and drug use. Even the fascination with super heroes in our culture is related to humanities rejection of God.
All the while, we have, at the same time become overly obsessed with all things relating to the occult. Witchcraft, spiritism, astrology, fortune telling, palm reading, seances and Ouija boards and the focus on the paranormal have all become staples.
Have you noticed how dark and demonic horror movie trailers have gotten?
Even among so-called christians, the hyper focus on casting out demons is at a fever pitch. Especially among those who would align themselves with the New Apostolic Reformation. Groups like Bethel Church in Reading California where Bill Johnson is the pastor and Kris Valoton is the “in house” prophet have brought occultic practices like grave soaking, christian tarot cards, and fortune telling into mainstream practice. (Thats why we don’t sing their music!). It’s not just in those circles Greg Locke a former independent baptist has built his whole platform around wild predictions and casting our demons. People like him because he “tells it as it is” but he’s a divisive heretic, adulterer and a charlatan. Nothing more than a ministerial version of a ‘90’s shock jock. Who makes wild statements like “children don’t have autism, they’re demon possessed.” That’s just two prominent false teachers peddling this stuff, the list could go on and on.
Then there are people, conservative christians who have a knee jerk reaction to all of this stuff and instead act like demonic activity doesnt exist. That is an equal danger .
Paul Harvey April 3, 1965 did a radio broadcast titled “If I were the Devil” let me read it to you and you tell me if it sounds like the world we live in:
“If I were the Devil..... if I were the Prince of Darkness I'd want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I would have a third of it's real estate and four-fifths of it's population. But I wouldn't be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree, thee.
So I'd set about however necessary to take over the United States.
I'd subvert the churches first, I'd begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve, "Do as you please."
To the young I would whisper that the Bible is a myth, I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what's bad is good and what's good is.. 'square'.
And the old, I would teach to pray after me.... "Our Father, which art in Washington."
And then I'd get organized. I'd educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I'd threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa.
I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could,
I'd sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction,
I'd tranquilize the rest with pills.
If I were the Devil I'd soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves.
Until each in its’ turn, was consumed.
And with promises of higher ratings, I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the Devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects but neglect to discipline emotions, just let those run wild!
Until before you knew it, you'd have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
Within a decade, I'd have prisons overflowing, I'd have judges promoting pornography.
Soon I could evict God from the courthouse,
Then from the schoolhouse,
And then from the houses of congress.
And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science.
I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.
If I were the Devil I'd make the symbol of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas.... a bottle.
If I were the Devil I would take from those who have, and give to those who wanted, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.
And what will you bet... I couldn't get whole states to promote gambling, as the way to get rich.
I would caution against extremes:
In hard work
In patriotism
In moral conduct
I would convince the young that marriage is old fashioned, that swinging in more fun. That what you see on TV, is the way to be.
And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed, with diseases for which there is no cure.....
In other words if I were the Devil I'd just keep right on doing what he's doing.
Ignoring demonic activity is just as bad as over fascination. If Satan cannot pull you down with disbelief, he will just as happily push you overboard with an obsession about him.
Both extremes, make text like we have before us today seem unimportant or far out. But, demonic activity is alive and well today, it just presents itself differently.
Jesus entrance into this world to finish the work of redemption seemed to set off a fury of demonic activity unlike any time before.
Prior to the new testament interaction between Jesus and demons, there is only one recorded instance of demonic activity in the Old Testament in Genesis 6:1-4. There are some other illusions to it Lev, Deut, and Psalms. But that’s it. Even in the New Testament outside of the Gospels and Acts there are no references to demon possession until you get to the book of Revelation. Where, during the “great tribulation” there is going to be global and open demonic activity that will exceed the time of Christ.
During his time on earth, Jesus went to war against the demonic and in doing so demonstrated his power over Satan as he again and again delivered people from demonic bondage.
We will do so by dividing our passage up into three parts.
The encounter (v.26-29)
The exorcism (v.30-36)
The epilogue (v.35b-39)
Along the way we will notice the “modus operandi” (method of operation)of Satan and his purpose. But, more importantly we will see Jesus power and ability to end and heal the harm that the devil and his minions have done.
1.) The encounter. (v.26-29)
1.) The encounter. (v.26-29)
vs. 26 tells reveals to us that this encounter took place the morning after Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee. The region of the Gadarenes (or Gerasenes, depending on your translation) was directly across the lake from a purely jewish area and it was a place that the Jews would have found to be unsavory. It was a place predominately inhabited by Gentiles and the few Jews that were there intermingled with those Gentiles on a regular basis having little regard for Jewish rules and regulations.
Jesus has gone from confronting a violent storm to confronting a different but equally violent storm of another kind.
The description of this demon possessed man is gut wrenching and pitiful.
And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.
Demon possession can vary in scope and influence and this man was at its extreme.
A.) Civilized Possession
This is the far more common form of demonic possession we see today and was probably the most seen even in Jesus day. It’s not as blatant and obvious.
14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
It is entirely possible for someone to be under the control of the demonic and appear completely normal. They can even be spiritual leaders inside of a church or on TBN.
That is not what Jesus encountered here. This man was under what we will call
B.) Gross Possession
v.29 describes the demon as an “unclean spirit”.
You see those who are under this kind of demonic possession and influence typically will descend into a filthy lifestyle both physically and morally. It is not a mistake that in our society as we have seen a rise in interest in the occult and outright Satanism we have also simultaneously seen a dramatic increase in drug abuse, pornography and obscenity.
This poor man had not only been reduced to nudity but as well we are told that he was living in the tombs which would have been carved into the cliff sides and wouldn't have just been full of corpses but also vermin who fed on those corpses.
v.29 even tells us:
For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
This man was uncontrollable and dangerous to anyone he came into contact with.
Mark’s telling of this account gives even more detail to this mans torment
And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
This could have been a poor attempt to drive out the sprits who were dwelling inside of him but also could have been their form of inflicting further harm upon him.
Get the picture of this man, wild eyed, naked, bleeding cuts, scabs, infections, dirty and likely ill. As a result everyone would have kept their distance.
He was unloved, repulsive and unwelcome because he had become dehumanized. He was living in absolute misery.
He was a lurid example of gross demonic possession.
But, lest we think that everyone who lives in this deep of degradation is always demon possessed. The Bible also tells us that sin is endemic to every human being on the planet and their is no depth to human depravity.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
All of this brings to mind a question that must be answered:
Why do demons drive people to the depths of degeneration?
Why do demons drive people to the depths of degeneration?
In order to answer that question, we have to realize that Satan and his demons hate God and will attempt to attack him any way they can. The most hurtful form of attack is to go after the pinnacle of God’s creation, humanity.
Humans were created the image of God (Imago Dei).
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
We were created with the sole purpose to bring glory to God by showing his image through our character and lives. Satan hates this so he sets out to distort and destroy the image of God in man in any way he can.
To distort and degenerate the divine image of God in man is a direct assault of God’s glory. Anything that dehumanizes and animalizes humanity is in line with Satan’s schemes to attack the glory of God.
Attitudes, habits, addiction, sexual practice, mental preoccupation etc.
That is why we must fight against these things in our lives.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
“Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it while you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you.”
John Owen, Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers (1656)
This confrontation on the beach between Jesus and this demoniac was inevitable.
Luke 8:28–29 (NKJV)
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man...
This man used Jesus name for a reason. There was a popular belief that you could control or dominate another through the use of his/her name. The demon inside of this man used Jesus name not as a confession of his deity but un an attempt to control Jesus which is why he followed the use of Jesus name with a plea for Jesus not to harm him.
This led up to our next point,
2.) The exorcism. (v.30-36)
2.) The exorcism. (v.30-36)
Jesus stops the demons attempt to control him by addressing the demon
30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.
Again, this is terrifying.
Legion- Brought to the Jewish mind a thought of large number, efficient organization and unparalleled strength. This is because a Roman legion consisted of a combination 6,120 foot soldiers, horsemen and technical personnel.
This demon possessed man didn't just have one demon inside him, which would be bad enough, but a whole army of evil spirits.
Now it was time for Jesus to display his power over them.
31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.
32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them.
33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
Jesus cast these demons out from their victim into a herd of pigs there on the cliffs as they begged him to do; who then violently stampeded over the edge of the cliff one by one shrieking violently as they plunged to their deaths. These pigs became a vehicle for the judgement of God upon these demons.
Now, we don’t know why Jesus cast them into the pigs and allowed for this to happen, there is much speculation, but the Bible doesn't tell us, so it really does us no good to speculate. We just know that’s what Jesus did.
This would however have served as a powerful demonstration to the once demon possessed man that he was set free.
A.) Jesus Power demonstrated
34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.
35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
The destruction of the pigs combined with this man sitting clothed and in his right man was a powerful demonstration of Christ power over the forces of darkness.
This man, who once lived in the tombs, naked, howling and cutting himself was now wearing clothes, talking and in control of himself. This was dramatic. What a display of the power of Christ!
The night before a single word from Jesus had calmed a storm on the sea and now he’s calmed a spiritual storm raging inside of this man in the same way. Only God can do that!
Jesus had undone the work of Satan in an instant.
This tells us something about Jesus.
If even demons flee at the command of Jesus and their victim is immediately restored to mental and physical health; then there is no sin He can’t deliver you from and no scar He can’t heal!
If even demons flee at the command of Jesus and their victim is immediately restored to mental and physical health; then there is no sin He can’t deliver you from and no scar He can’t heal!
It doesn't matter how deep into the depths of depravity you have descended, you maybe have even been demon possessed yourself. You might think, pastor, you can’t even comprehend how deep into the rabbit whole of sin I have climbed. I’m a lost cause.
Listen, as a pastor and counselor I have walked with people through all kinds of situations, I’ve heard things I can’t repeat and wouldn’t if I could. I’m not naive, I understand how deep into sin people can go. I’ve read and studied the Bible enough to know there is no depth to human depravity.
But, I can also boldly stand here today and proclaim that I have full confidence in the transforming power of Christ! I’ve seen the naked clothed and in their right mind!
Are you deeply cut and scarred?
Do you have filthy habits?
Is your mouth obscene and out of control?
Are your words hurtful and biting to those you love?
Are you dishonest?
Maybe your scar is sexual (hetero or homo) and you feel like life is disfigured and beyond help?
Listen to me, you are not beyond help!
You are not broken beyond repair!
The same Jesus who calmed the stormy sea is the same Jesus who can calm a storm tossed soul and he can do it with just a single word!
Here the words of the Apostle Paul from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
If Christ is your savior, then all of that has changed! Your raging soul has been healed. If you haven’t experienced this, today can be the day Jesus brings peace to your soul.
3.) The epilogue. (v.35b-39)
3.) The epilogue. (v.35b-39)
The reception to Jesus casting the demons out of this man teaches us almost just as much as the miracle does.
A.) The Gerasene reaction
You would think these people would have rejoiced and thrown a party, but you wold be wrong.
Look at what their reaction was:
35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.
37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.
Their response was fear. Not healthy and awe inspiring fear that comes from being in the presence of God and seeing him preform an amazing miracle like the disciples had when he calmed the storm. But, the kind of fear that worried them that Jesus might require something of them. So that asked Jesus to leave.
This fear took a very specific form for them, it was fear for economic loss. Those pigs were a source of large revenue for them. The average herd of pigs was in the neighborhood of 2,000. Thats a lot of bacon! A massive business had just been destroyed in one giant blow. They were afraid that if Jesus stuck around, he’d go about changing even more about their way of life.
The Gerasenes preferred pigs over people. Profits over the salvation of souls.
It brings the mind the question of: what do we value most? Far too many people turn their backs of Jesus because they’re afraid he will disrupt their lives too much. Is that how you think today? He might require too much of me?
Be careful, Jesus might just get in the boat and leave never to come to your shores again. His grace is endless but his mercy runs out!
B.) The demoniacs reaction
His reaction was very different from the others.
38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
He pleaded with Jesus to let him come along with the other followers.
But Jesus said no. Why? Because this man would be a more effective witness where he was.
He was a gentile, his presence with Jesus on the other side of the Lake would have been a distraction, but on this side of the lake he could be a missionary.
So that’s what he did. He went all over the city, telling people all about what Jesus had done for him. In fact, Mark tells us he went beyond his own city.
20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.
Decapolis was a ten city region.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
This event is the second of three in a row that are put together to help us focus on the power of Christ.
Last week, Jesus calmed a storm. Showing his power over creation.
This week Jesus power over evil. Showing us that even Satan and his demons are subject to him.
Next week we will see his power over death and sickness.
The point is this, Jesus can deliver you from anything if you come to Him. Not just from your past sins, but your present ones too. He cant to only save your soul, but he can bring restoration to your hurt.
But, not if you do what the Gerasene people did, they sent him away. Tell Jesus to leave you alone and he just might do that. You tell him enough and their will come a time he’ll quit giving you the opportunity of repentance and faith.
Trust him today, come to him for healing today from your sin today, respond now before it’s too late.