Shut Up, and Get Out

Psalm 111 | Mark 1:21-28

Jesus’ Teaching and Authority

The rabbis either out of true humility, or falsely so never attributed the authority to themselves. They referred to the Word of God and also to the teachings of others.

We today, I today am only authoritative in my teaching inasmuch as I am exegeting, or expounding and explaining the truths contained in God’s Word, as I am led and taught by His Holy Spirit.

Jesus was not this way. HE was and IS the authority.

Note in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) the pattern of “You have heard it said… But I say to you…”

Note that it is said of Jesus that at HIS name every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that HE is Lord. (Phil 2:10-11)

This may seem unrelated, but as you will see is foundational to a Biblical discussion and understanding of demonic activity, possession, and exorcism.

The Reality of Possession

Real Demonic Presence

The Garden - Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?””

Azazel / Scapegoat - Leviticus 16:8 “And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel.” 1 Corinthians 5:5 “you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

The Gadarene Pigs - Mark 5:1-20

The 72 - Luke 10:17 “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!””

Judas - John 13:27 “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.””

The Locusts - Revelation 9:1-6 And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.

The Witch of Endor - 1 Samuel 28:11 “Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.””

As your pastor, concerned for your lives, souls, and children, let me say emphatically to stay away from Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers, Astrologists, Mediums, Spiritualists, Psychics, Spirit Guides, Seances, Ouija Boards.

Sometimes there is a dangerously slippery slope between curiosity and participation in things that are not fit for God’s People, and worse inviting evil influence and real damage to our witness and homes.

Many are just charlatans trying to make a buck off of people’s grief, fears, or curiosities. Then again, many are also true necromancers and/or practicers of black arts that are sometimes granted insight, visions, information, or some show of power derived from real demons, whether they know them as such, or are dangerously deceived into consulting with what they think are powers for good.

The Invitation of evil

1 Corinthians 8 - Food offered to Idols

1 Corinthians 8:4 “Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.””

1 Corinthians 8:7 “However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.”

1 Corinthians 8:13 “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”

Romans 14:21 “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”

Paul here does not make sweeping legalistic demands that we can never do anything which might offend someone. Instead he urges relational and circumstantially specific caution. Let us endeavor to never intentionally do things that might make it seem that participation with or inviting some evil influence is acceptable for a Child of God.

This requires intention and discernment. This requires commitment and prayer.

Persuaded, Persecuted, Possessed

Persuaded - indirectly influenced by messaging from the world around us (remember Satan was described in Genesis 3 as the most subtle or crafty in all creation

Persecuted - We are every one of us susceptible to direct attacks from dark forces. This can take many forms:

Use of others in our lives as pawns;

Illnesses of the body

Assaults on the mind and emotions

Nightmares

Direct manifestations

Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Ephesians 6:16 “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;”

Possessed - Consumed, Dominated, and Abused

Regenerate Children of God cannot be possessed.

1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome [the spirits of antichrist], for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Matthew 12:28–29 “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.”

Demonic possession of lost souls is no laughing matter. It is a powerful tool to harass the cause and Church of God, and to dissuade sinners from faith and repentance unto salvation, and I am afraid is more pervasive than we are aware or care to admit.

The Reality of Exorcism

Movies - mockery of the truth

Sons Of Sceva - Acts 19:11-20

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 1)

Exorcists were common in the ancient Near East. For example, among the Dead Sea Scrolls (circa 250 BC–AD 50), a text containing an incantation formula designed to exorcise demons was discovered. Jesus distinguishes Himself from other exorcists in that He did not rely on complex incantations. He could simply command the demons and they would leave their hosts.

Acts 19:13–15 “Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?””

Parallel this with gimmicks masquerading as evangelism

Jesus

Jesus IS the authority. HE is Lord.

The person of The Holy Spirit is rightfully sometimes called The Spirit of Christ.

I again today affirm the credal language from the 4th century stating that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son.”

It is the Holy Spirit who anoints faithful reading and proclaiming the Word of God.

It is the Holy Spirit who carries our prayers of intercession to the throne room for Divine Decree

It is the Holy Spirit that keeps God’s People safe from demonic possession, provides the antidote to demonic persuasion, and carries us through, or rescues us from times of demonic persecution.

ALL this at the will of the Father, and the Son; Jesus, who is the Lord of Lords, and the Lord of Glory.

Church Family, I want us to be aware of the reality and dangers of demonic activities in this life. I Want us to understand the unquestioned sovereignty of God over the dark forces that plague us, and I want us to know that no pageantry or clever devices of our own will result in the casting out of demons, or soul salvation. It is Christ Jesus, and He alone who has the authority. Stand in awe; bow in worship of Him who is not only savior, but LORD; Jesus of Nazareth.

1 A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing. You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same; and he must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.

4 That Word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!