I Free You

Series

Our preaching series is “The Life of Jesus for Us.”

We are exploring how Jesus, the Son of God shows us his life-giving power. He overcomes four traditionally identified blocks to spiritual growth: self, the world, evil, and death.

This week our theme is how Jesus overcomes the block that emerges between us and God because of the oppositional power of evil.

Context Reading 1

The greatness of the Lord’s works.

Reading 1

Psalm 111 ESV

Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Context Reading 2

Jesus at the beginning of ministry.

Recent events. Baptized by John the Baptist and identified as the Son of God. Went into the wilderness to withstand the temptations of the Devil. Then he came preaching his message: The Kingdom of God is at hand. He called his disciples and they followed him.

Today we hear a story about his first teaching engagement in a synagogue (a Jewish church).

Reading 2

Mark 1:21–28 ESV

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Introduction

1973 movie. It was named the scariest film of all time by

Entertainment Weekly; Movies.com; Rotten Tomatoes and by viewers of AMC in 2006

In 2003, it was placed at No. 2 in Channel 4's The 100 Greatest Scary Moments in the United Kingdom.

No. 3 on Bravo's The 100 Scariest Movie Moments.

“The Exorcist” depicts the demonic possession and an exorcism - casting out of the the evil spirit - conducted by two RC priests.

I saw this movie by accident, when, as a child I snuck out into our living room to watch late night tv and happened to catch it. Took my by surprise and freaked me out!

I’ve never gone back to watch it.

I’ll sometimes watch a monster movie, vampire, zombies, that kind of thing. But I’m careful about movies about the demonic. I’ll tell you why.

Demons are real. They are fallen angels and they are hostile to us. That is partly why Exorcist is so scary. Our souls instinctively react against evil, we intuitively know that demons are a threat against our freedom and relationship with God. The core of our humanity.

my dog instinctively knows to retreat from incoming thunder. on a walk, races toward home. In the home, immediately flees under a table. I don’t have to tell him. He has survival instinct.

God has endowed us with the spiritual survival instinct. We are wired to sense evil, abhor it, and get away from it.

Yet, “evil spirits wander through the world for the ruin of souls.” Not just in movies, in real life. By God’s mercy, I hope that none of us ever experience it in the direct way described in our story today.

Yet Mark records a particular example how Jesus deals with a demon so we can have some view of how he overcomes evil for us.

Exegesis 1: A man who is possessed interrupts

Jesus is teaching in a synagogue (Jewish church). The people are astonished at his teaching.

Matthew, reports that Jesus taught from Isa 61: the Spirit of God is upon me, to proclaim good news. Today this is fulfilled.

You have heard it said, by elders and tradition, but I say unto you.

The people are being drawn into the presence of God. A fuller understanding of the Scriptures than ever heard before. O to hear a sermon from the Son of God himself! The WORD is preaching the words!

Suddenly a man interrupts. Stands and starts shouting.

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!

He was with an unclean spirit.

“had by”/”possessed by” = controlled by.

“Unclean” means not allowed in the sanctuary on a human level.

On a spiritual level it means one cast out from God and inappropriate in God’s presence.

We talk about a man being not in his right mind. Controlled by a passion or delusion. This man was not in his right soul. His soul was being controlled by an evil spirit.

The man was in synagogue. Part of his life was dedicated to God. But likely also had another side of life going on that made him vulnerable to evil.

traditional ways described in the Bible

Idolatry, worshiping something other than God.

practicing any kind of magic or divination or sorcery.

persistent sin.

All of these are strictly forbidden by God. For our safety.

Engaging in them are like walking out in the storm. it is only a matter of time before the lighting strikes.

However it came about the rupture between God and this man was serious enough that even though the man was in synagogue, the unclean spirit could take control at will.

The demon speaks, not the man.

What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — The Holy One of God.

Observations

“YOU”I know who you are, The Holy One of God. The devil knows that Jesus is unique, spiritually. Jesus is not angel, not even an incarnated angel. Not just a man. He is man and God. At the river, you are my Son in whom I am well pleased.

“US”There is more than demonic spirit, either in the man or in the world, both. Not a unique or isolated being. Comports with the general biblical picture that not only the greatest angel (Lucifer) but other angels were cast out of heaven and are now called Satan/Devil and demons.

“WHAT?” He is not sure what Jesus is up to, but whatever it is, he opposes it and fears it. All evil being are opposed to God’s kingdom and plans.

“DESTROY”Jesus has the power to destroy “us”. The unclean spirit knows that God’s decree is the destruction of evil, and wonders if that event is at hand right now. And, importantly, identifies Jesus as the one who has the power to do it. (2 Peter 2:4)

Big point that I want us to see. INTERRUPTION. Worship is going on. People are coming toward Jesus and the kingdom. The devil manifests in order to block that process. Just as the individual man was blocked from God, the spirit wants to prevent people from coming to Christ.

Implication 1: Evil interrupts our relation with God.

The goal of evil spirits is to keep us from Christ and a true knowledge and experience of God.

Warning from this story: Avoid all things that drive a wedge between us and God.

Forbidden practices that are popular today.

For us today - no magic, mediums, no ouija boards, fortune telling, occult. All of this is strictly forbidden by God and will make us vulnerable to evil. (Deut 18:9-14, Gal. 5:20)

God offers us all we need for the future, the comfort of eternal life for departed loved ones, grace and character for any events.

So, please, DO NOT engage in any of those things.

deepening of sin.

God tempts no one. (James 1:13-14) Tempted by the world, the flesh, the evil. Satan called the Tempter (Matt 4:3, 1 Thess. 3:5)

Who ever commits sin is the slave to sin. (John 8:30)

Matt. 12:45 after cleaning up, 7 more spirits.

isolating.

Shared beliefs about God. Faulty view of God, you are a kill-joy.

with other people, I’m not going closer to God and I’m going to keep you away too.

You are children of the Devil, for you do not enter the kingdom of God yourselves, and you prevent others! (Luke 11:43)

don’t play into demonic strategy and goal of separation.

Exegesis 2: Jesus acts as the Holy One with Power.

Jesus does not allow this interruption to win.

Rebuked him. Rebuked the evil spirit. (not the man) Upon the man himself Jesus has compassion.

how horrible to not have control of one’s self!

Be silent and come out of him.

Why not let the Demon speak? Reveal is divine identity.

Jesus will reveal his identity on his own terms.

I am the way, the truth, the life. (John 14:6) Will not let his truth be mixed with the lies of hell.

Come out him.

exorcism. expulsion. Get out.

A display of convulsion, cry, and came out.

overcome by Jesus’ absolute power. No arguing. No putting up of a fight. Jesus says and it is done.

Came out of the man.

In another story, clothed and in his right mind (Mark 5:15). Or able to talk. Or laying unconscious. However he was, he was now free.

Implication 2: Jesus divine power is absolute.

Jesus is the absolute power against evil.

all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18)

In my name they will cast our demons (Mark 16:17)

Evil is powerful. More powerful than us. But not more powerful than God, who is omnipotent.

between omnipotence and any level of power there is an infinite gap.

Difference between 1 and 10 = 9. 1 and 100 = 99. 1 and infinite? infinity!

When evil is present we want to immediately to Jesus.

Prayer.

Lord’s prayer: Deliver us from evil. (Matt 6:13)

Saturate our lives with prayer, Scripture, godly fellowship.

the lamb is safe with the flock and with the shepherd.

Lion seeking to consume, 1 Peter 5:8.

Faith to extinguish the darts of the enemy. Ephesians 6:16.

Submit to God, resist the Devil, he will flee from you. James 4:7.

Call the pastor and elders of the church to intervene.

exorcism is an extreme intervention. Practiced by most Christian communities in some form or another. (RC is the most famous, but it is not exclusive). Often vetted with other care givers, psych. etc. James 5:14.

Exegesis 3: The crowd is amazed.

Demon gone, Jesus and people remain. Jesus is in they synagogue, the people are there. The man is there. The spirit is not.

the word synagogue means gathering, coming together. The people are with Christ and the spirit is gone.

The crowd is amazed. They were already astonished at his authoritative teaching. Now at his power to back it up.

Even THEY obey him.

Recognition of the difference of spiritual affliction and physical/mental problems.

A spiritual power and authority that makes real impact to overcome blocks to Kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God exists not in words, but in power — Paul. 1 Cor. 4:20.

At once, his fame spread everywhere.

Jesus the teacher. Jesus the exorcist. Jesus the miracle worker.

People begin to flock to him.

Observation:The unclean spirit sought to disrupt. Jesus’ power turns it into a vehicle to bring more people to himself.

the people talked with those who were there.

With the man himself. He would have testified to his horrible state and how thankful to Jesus. Warned against evil and proclaimed for Jesus.

in Acts, the testimony of freed girl demoniac resulted in Ephesians burning all their occult books. (Acts 16)

Drawn to Jesus’ power not for their harm, but for their freedom. The Kingdom of God more powerful than the kingdom of evil.

Implication 3: We are to focus on Jesus as the one with authority.

Jesus can turn even the activity of evil toward good.

Does not make evil good. The demonized man was wrong to have gotten involved with evil. The man was still wrong to stand up and interrupt. But Jesus’ saving power turns it toward the greater good of bring people to himself.

So, evil intends to alienate us from God, but Jesus overcomes it and turn it to his glory and our good.

This is important so that we do no despair of ourselves or our world.

This evil has invaded my life. It is all ruined now. Nothing good can come out of this: that is the demonic lie that seeks to keep us from God.

Not believing in redemption can become its own sin and block to God. Don’t believe that. Instead, silence that thought. And listen to Jesus.

Jesus: No, all is not lost.

The gates of hell shall not prevail. The kingdom of God will. (Matthew 16:18)

When we trust that Jesus sets us free, proclaim it, worship God for it.

Psalm 111. I will give thanks in the congregation, Great are the works of the Lord!

Revelation: the great dragon cast down, the saints worship:

Rev. 19:1-2. Salvation and glory belong to our God, he has judged evil and avenged his servants!

When Jesus frees us from evil, he is able to help others through us.

Scared straight program.

The take away becomes not so much, evil is so powerful and bad…but God is so powerful he can rescue us and bring good out of it and has in Christ. …

Conclusion

Exorcist: Scary movie. Evil is a scary reality.

We must avoid it at all cost.

Instead we want to gather close to Jesus and one another in his spirit.

Jesus is all-powerful, protects his flock.

We direct all praise and thanks to him.

Intercessory Prayer

Let us pray for the needs of the world, saying, Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

…For the healing of Earth and all its creatures; Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

For the church’s willingness to cast out demons in its midst, for congregations that are in turmoil, for the healing of divisions between the followers of Christ Jesus; Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

For leaders of nations, for those who have great wealth, for those who have too much power, for those who have destructive weapons, and for those who have none; Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

For those who are victims of others’ idolatry, for children who have no one to listen to their cries for food and shelter, for parents who cannot answer the needs of their children, for peacemakers and diplomats, for those who give through charities, and for those who use the law to make policies for the greater good; Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

For all who are in pain and in need of care, especially those we name now aloud or silently, … [A time of silence is kept.] Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

For the wisdom to fear you rightly, the power to withstand changes in our own lives that bring us closer to you, for the ability to give thanks for the people who have brought us to this time— our ancestors, teachers, pastors, and the martyrs of every age; Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.

Into your hands we commend all those for whom we pray and those it would be easy to forget. We ask your blessing on all your people, that we may come at last to the truth around your banquet table that has no end; through Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.