"JESUS DELIVERS"

>>>There are many theological topics that can be debated (spiritual gifts, Calvinism, tribulation/end times).

>>>What cannot be debated is the spiritual realm and existence/activity of demons.

>>>Demons are still real/active today.

*Ivory coast

*Addictions (drugs, pornography, etc.)

*“spirit guides”

*types of yoga

*aspects of mental illness (no physical/psychological explanation).

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>>>The book of Mark gets to the point.

>>>In Mark 4 Jesus and His disciples sail to the region of Gerasenes. This was the event where He calmed the storm the first time.

Mark 5:1–5 “They came to the other side of the sea, into the region of the Gerasenes. When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him. He lived among the tombs; and no one was able to bind him anymore, not even with a chain, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces; and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and cutting himself with stones.”

>>>Jesus got out of the boat and was (immediately) met by a man who was possessed by a demon.

*Matt. account says two men, but Mark/Luke focus on one.

*There was some sort of draw to Jesus (Man? Demon?)

*Jesus purposefully came to this region and found this man.

>>>The man lived among tombs/hills, cut himself, broke through chains/shacks, screaming.

*Chaotic-erratic-disorderly-depraved-violent. Outside Christ.

*Other demonic accounts: muteness/deafness/convulsions/foaming

>>>What is outside Christ is chaotic/erratic/disorderly/depraved/violent.

>>>Three categories

*Unsaved people who truly are possessed (demonized)-controlled by demons.

*Unsaved people who live in darkness-under influence of devil/demons (Ephesians 2:2)

*Saved people-can’t be possessed by demons but oppressed by demons.

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Mark 5:6–9 “Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; and shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do You have with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” For He had already been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he said to Him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.””

>>>The man ran up to Jesus from a distance.

>>>Acknowledged Who Jesus was and begged Him not to torture him.

*Demon speaking through man? Man speaking for both?

*Jesus had been telling the demon to leave the man.

>>>(v.9) Jesus asked the demon its name.

>>>Demon responded w/Legion-many demons possessed the man.

*“legion” was 4-6k troops.

*This wasn’t just the demon’s name but the man’s condition.-

>>>Real story. Real man.

>>>Think about what this man’s life had become.

*Living in tombs/hills-social outcast (driven out by city? Demon?)

*Chained/bound. People may have been abusing him or aggressively trying to help-no one could help him.

*Screaming/cutting-constant anguish. Cutting to harm himself/relieve pain-must have been scarred.

*Possessed by many demons

>>>Nothing is known about this man or his background/how he came to this point-no hope.

>>>But Jesus got out of the boat.

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Mark 5:6–9 “Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; and shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do You have with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” For He had already been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he said to Him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.””

>>>The demon had not come out of the man and sarcastically acknowledged Jesus as God’s Son.

>>>(v.9) Jesus asked the demon’s name.

*Ancient times: knowing the name=having authority.

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER YOUR DEMONS.

>>>Jesus exercised His authority when He asked the demon His name.

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Mark 5:10–13 “And he begged Him earnestly not to send them out of the region. Now there was a large herd of pigs feeding nearby on the mountain. And the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us into the pigs so that we may enter them.” Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the pigs; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea.”

>>>Twice Legion “begged” Jesus. He begged Him to not “send them out of the region”.

*Luke’s account: “the abyss”-where Satan will be bound for 1,000 years.

>>>Hell/abyss is for Satan and his demons, and Legion knows it. He is begging for his existence

>>>It is now starting to click with him that Jesus came to cast him out.

*The game changes when your demons have to face your God.

>>>(v.12-13) The begged Jesus to go into the nearby pigs. The literal translation is “He (Jesus) permitted them”. The demons could not go anywhere w/o the permission of Jesus.

YOUR DEMONS ARE SUBJECT TO JESUS.

>>>Different than just mere authority.

*(Illust.) The authority of the parent does not mean subjection of the child.

*Jesus has absolute authority, and the demons must obey.

*James George: “In the name of Jesus and in the power of His blood, I command you to leave my presence and go where Jesus tells you.”

>>>Only the power of Jesus can set us free from the bondage of demons.

*The devil is not afraid of us. But through the authority of Christ, he has to flee.

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Mark 5:15 “And then they came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had previously had the “legion”; and they became frightened.”

>>>The herdsmen recognized the man who had been possessed, and there was an obvious peace about him.

*Literal translation: “in a sound mind”.

ONLY JESUS CAN BRING OUR PEACE OF MIND.

>>>It doesn’t end with the demons fleeing. It ends with a man who had met Jesus.

*True “exorcism” is surrendering to Jesus.

>>>To be outside Christ (possessed (demonized)/following after sin/demonic oppression) is nothing but pain, disorder, confusion, etc.

>>>To be in Christ (salvation/overcoming) is what casts the demons away and brings us back into a right mind.

>>>(Illust.) Careful in how I come across (not arrogant or over talking)

>>>Became paranoid to the point I couldn’t/didn’t want to contribute.

>>>All those thoughts kept me from participating in teaching and ministry things.

>>>Came to a point and took it to the Lord. While praying, all the “voices” stopped and never came back. There was peace.

>>>Unbelievers: The Bible is clear-you are of your father the devil. Satan does have heavy influence over you (maybe even demonic strongholds).

>>>The brokenness/control on your life can only be fixed in Jesus, repenting of your sin and placing faith in Him.

>>>Believers: Demons can still come after you. They do not want you being the Christian you need to be.

>>>The “voices” may seem loud, but it’s because the demons can’t even touch you. They have to shout. You’re a child of God.

*You are spiritually equipped to call on Jesus and to send your demons to where He tells them to go.