Mark Sermon Week 13 - Waging War

Intro/Welcome

1 John 5:19 (ESV)

19 ...the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Do you believe this?

Let that sink in. Let’s think on this.

Exercise: Sit in silence and listen:

What do you hear when you think about this? (write it down)

The whole world lies in the power of the evil one

Fear, Not true? Impossible? Superstition? Overstated?

Book

We’ve been studying the book of Mark and we’ve seen Jesus do remarkable things.

He has healed people,

he has taught with authority,

he has even calmed a storm by his voice

From the beginning of his ministry he has been at battle with the spiritual forces of darkness

The first thing he does is go do battle with Satan in the Wilderness

He defeats Satan by the Word of God

Mark 1:15 (CSB)

15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The Kingdom of God as opposed the the Kingdom of Darkness

There is a clash of Kingdoms.

Jesus came to wage war.

1 John 5:19 says that the “whole world is under the power of the evil one”

But

1 John 3:8 (ESV)

8 ...The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

You and I were born into a war

Today we have perhaps the most detailed and specific instance of Jesus waging war against the unseen demonic realm.

Jesus is DEMONSTRATES his authority and power over Satan and demons, but he will soon DELEGATE that authority to his disciples

In particular there are three things he is going to teach them:

The PRESENCE of the Enemy - Demonic

The POWER over the Enemy - Demonic

The BATTLE PLAN to defeat the Enemy - Demonic

Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil, so wage war

Bible

We’ll be in Mark 5:1-20.

my name is Justin

Welcome everyone and online

READ THE TEXT

Mark 5:1-20 in your bible.

Pray

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (CSB)

4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Luke 4:18–19 (ESV)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Context

Remember where we are in the Book of Mark

Jesus begin his ministry in Mark 1-3

In Mark 3:13-19 he calls the 12 Apostles

In Mark 6:7 he’s going to commission them to go and do the works he has been doing.

In between he is training them.

Jesus wasn’t just training the apostles.

2 Timothy 2:2 CSB

2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

He’s discipling, disciple-makers.

The Presence of the Enemy

Mark 5:1 (CSB)

1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes.

Jesus just calmed the storm, they responded with fear!

They grew in their wonder of Jesus

Geography:

Fairly certain where this even likely occured

MAP AND PICS Kursi (Pics)

Real place, real event, real time

The list of cities in the Decapolis is inexact but most include Damascus, Raphana, Dius, Canata, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippos, Pella, Gerasa, and Philadelphia. They were under the administrative control of the Roman governor of Syria and were distinguished from their surrounding environment by their Greek way of life, in culture and religion. Passages in Josephus suggest that their relations with Jews was one of hostility (Life 65 §§ 341–42; 74 § 410).

Mark 5:2–4(CSB)

2 As soon as he got out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit (a man having demons - Luke 8:27) came out of the tombs and met him. 3 He lived in the tombs, and no one was able to restrain him anymore—not even with a chain—4 because he often had been bound with shackles and chains, but had torn the chains apart and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him.

Luke 8:29 (CSB)

29 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.

Matthew 8:28 (CSB)

28 When he had come to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him as they came out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.

Mark 5:5 (CSB)

5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains, he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.

Demon-possessed

This is a severely disturbed man and the towns people knew of him.

He lived out among the dead (the tombs) — in the caves in that region

This man was possessed by a demon — lit. had demons with him.

Jesus is in enemy territory here.

This is about as bad as it gets.

Super-human strength, violent, isolated and would inflict self-harm (cutting)

these are all demonic manifestations

what you might call ‘extraordinary manifestations’

But also ordinary manifestations — Deception

How does one get possessed by a demon?

Maybe you are wondering:

how does this sort of thing happen?

How did the man find himself in this condition?

I think there are a number of factors:

1. We are born into war and on the wrong side

1 John 5:19 (ESV) 19 ...the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

We are all born into the world in a condition of spiritual deadness

We are not alive to God we are dead in our trespasses (Eph 2:1-3)

Ephesians 2:1–3 (CSB)

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.

3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.

2. People can open themselves up to more of the demonic

Practices in the Occult, witchcraft, wicca, Quija boards (sold as a kids game)

channeling, spirit guides, manifesting, tarot cards, etc.

Lev 18:9-15, 19:24-32 prohibit and warn against these kinds of things.

Leviticus 19:24–32 (CSB)

You are not to practice divination or witchcraft....31 “Do not turn to mediums or consult spiritists, or you will be defiled by them; I am the Lord your God.

Gal 5:17ff mentions sorcery as a work of the flesh

We may think these things are harmless, but they can open doors to the demonic in your soul.

i. Unrepentant Sin (Romans 6)

ii. Unresolved Anger

Ephesians 4:26–27 CSB

26 Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity.

OPEN DOORS

Matthew 12:43–45 (CSB)

43 “When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest but doesn’t find any. 44 Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ Returning, it finds the house vacant, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first. That’s how it will also be with this evil generation.”

Demonization

You can think of it like a house.

You can leave your doors unlocked or even open

and intruders can come inside a reside

We don’t know about this man

we do know that he lived in a gentile region with pagan religion.

We don’t know his story, his sin

This man is clearly under the influence of the demonic

Goal is always self destructin — Pigs

deception leading to self destruction

This is the firs thing the disciples must acknowledge:

Presence of the Demonic

But secondly, where is the Power over the Demonic?

The power for defeating the enemy is found in Jesus Christ

The Power over the Enemy

Mark 5:6–13 (CSB)

6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and knelt down before him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice, “What do you have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you before God, don’t torment me!”

8 For he had told him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”

9 “What is your name?” he asked him. “My name is Legion,” he answered him, “because we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the region. ( Luke 8:31 “31 And they begged him not to banish them to the abyss.”)

11 A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. 12 The demons begged him, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.”

13 So he gave them permission, and the unclean spirits (demons) came out and entered the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned there.

This super-human strength, violent demon-possessed man takes off running towards Jesus

can you imagine what the disciples were thinking?

they were probably half-way back in the boat.

Then it says he knelt down — the word there is “worship”

as in to lay prostrate and worship something.

Jesus has this dialogue with the demons.

he actually allows them to go into the pigs — we’ll get to that

the point is:

Jesus has the power over Satan and Demons

Ephesians 1:20–23 (CSB)

20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens—

21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Why the Pigs?

I’ve thought too much about this.

It does reveal that demonic intention for everyone is self-destruction.

Jews — pigs unclean animals.

But I think the answer lies in what happens next:

Mark 5:14 (CSB)

14 The men who tended them ran off and reported it in the town and the countryside, and people went to see what had happened.

These guys are watching this whole thing take place

They watch their entire head of pigs, in a frenzy run off a cliff

It says they RAN

different from when the man ran to meet Jesus

This word is used of running in order to ‘avoid danger’

Mark 5:15–17 (CSB)

15 They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and told about the pigs. 17 Then they began to beg him to leave their region.

Everyone comes out to see what happened.

Their Experience of the man

They knew this man, his violence, his power

and here he is sitting before them, totally changed.

Their response: fear

This man was powerful, but something even more powerful is here.

This terrifies them.

It is something they can’t control

The Story

Then the eyewitness tell exactly what happened.

what happened to the man

what happened to the pigs.

their Response:

‘please leave’ — in fact they beg Jesus to leave their region.

WHY?

This was something unknown to them

therefore uncomfortable and uncontrollable.

I think this is the ‘ordinary’ manifestations of the demonic.

They want nothing to do with Jesus

This Jesus who might disrupt their lives

cause them discomfort

They just want him to go away

don’t mess with my life

I’m perfectly comfortable where I am.

they are deceived and spiritually blind.

They do not / cannot see who it is that stands before them.

We see this in the book of acts as well, the riot at Ephesus b/c Paul’s ministry had so disturbed ‘normal operations’

the buying and selling of idols

that a riot ensued.

There is hostility to the gospel of Christ.

There are entire geographical regions in the world today that are under the influence of the enemy

They are deceived

they are spiritually blind.

They are hostile to Jesus.

But Jesus has a plan

The Presence of the Demonic

Jesus is the power over the demonic

The Plan to defeat the Demonic

Mark 5:18–20 (CSB)

18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged him earnestly that he might remain with him. 19 Jesus did not let him but told him, “Go home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed.

This man has experienced radical transformation and all he wants to do is be with Jesus

Jesus says Go, I have a mission for you.

Go and tell all that God (Jesus) has done for you

and the mercy (forgiveness) he has had on you.

This man will be a much more effective witness for Jesus to his own people.

His family and friends, all those who knew him

would not be able to deny the radical change and freedom that this man had experienced

over time they would soften to the message of the Gospel.

He went all over the Decapolis = Ten Cities

MAP - Region to the South East

The list of cities in the Decapolis is inexact but most include Damascus, Raphana, Dius, Canata, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippos, Pella, Gerasa, and Philadelphia. They were under the administrative control of the Roman governor of Syria and were distinguished from their surrounding environment by their Greek way of life, in culture and religion. Passages in Josephus suggest that their relations with Jews was one of hostility (Life 65 §§ 341–42; 74 § 410).

He has been enlisted into the Kings Army

In fact, in Mark 7:31 Jesus and the disciples will return to the Decapolis to preach the Kingdom of God

What is his mission?

To witness to the power of God in his life

To witness to the mercy of God in his life.

This is how to defeat the work of the enemy.

It is the gospel message.

This is the Battle Plan

for Jesus to radically transform people and send them out as a testimony, as a witness

through the Power of the Holy Spirit

Dealing with the Demonic

What have the disciples learned?

The Presence of the demonic is real

Jesus is the power to defeat the enemy

Jesus had a plan to defeat the enemy.

But this is not just for the 12 disciples, but all disciples of Jesus.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, so wage war

What does that look like for you?

What does that look like for us today?

How do we recognize the presence of the demonic?

How do we utilize the power of Jesus over the demonic?

In the West we mostly deal with the ordinary demonic as opposed to the extraordinary.

Here’s the truth

All demonic activity begins with deception.

And all demonic activity ends with self-destruction

Satan is called the father of lies.

It is his primary ‘scheme’

Paul says in 2 Cor 2:11

2 Corinthians 2:11 CSB

11 so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

He lies about who God is

He lies about who we are

Satan and Demons first entice you to sin (James 1:4)

the lie that it will be better than God

Then they accuse — constantly

Revelation 12:10 (CSB)

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down.

The Truth destroys the lies

Sam Storms: Patton

I am reminded of a scene in the World War II movie Patton. Patton’s intelligence service has intercepted a German radio transmission bearing news of the impending attack by Germany’s most decorated military leader, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

On the morning of the battle, Patton is awakened by his aides. A book lies open on his nightstand. It’s title: The Tank in Attack by Erwin Rommel.

As Allied forces spring their surprise, and quite successful, assault on the enemy, Patton smiles as he peers through binoculars at the carnage of battle. “Rommel,” shouts Patton, “you magnificent [expletive deleted]. I read your book!”

How do you win a battle? You read the enemy’s book.

Recognizing Deception

What are some ways you may have been lied to?

This often occurs in the words that have been spoken over us.

“We are not good enough”

“Nobody will love you

“Nobody wants to be around you.”

“You are Worthless”

I hear this stuff comes from my girls at times.

I always ask, ‘who told you that’?

Words have power

and we have all had words spoken over us.

When these words are combined with powerfully destructive experiences like verbal, physical or sexual abuse

They can develop deep questions of identity.

This is the work of the enemy.

3 Questions to Wage War

What am I hearing?

Is it from God?

What is true?

1. What am I hearing?

Pay attention to what you are hearing.

and ask: Where is this thought coming from?

You know that some of the thoughts you have did not come from your own mind, but have been demonically influenced.

EXERCISE:

so let’s try a little something.

Close your eyes — take a deep breath.

Answer this question in your mind:

Who are you?

Does God love you?

How does God feel for you?

2. Is this from God?

Ask based on what I know of God in the Bible, is this something he would say to me?

God so loved the World.

CONVICTION is from the Holy Spirit — it draws us to God to experience mercy and forgiveness

CONDEMNATION is from the Enemy and it draws us away from God and into isolation, shame and patterns of self-harm.

like the demon possessed man.

EXERCISE:

What sort of things came to mind? What did you hear?

write them down

3. Ask ‘Is it True?’

EXERCISE

Are they true?

What is the Truth?

What does God say.

Speak the truth into the lies.

Speak — demons cannot read your mind — they are not omniscient, but they can influence your mind.

but the Truth destroys the lie

The Truth of the Gospel

1 John 3:8 (CSB)

8 ...The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the devil’s works.

2 Corinthians 10:4–6 (CSB)

4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds.

We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. 6 And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

What is the Truth of the Gospel?

He is loving and kind (John 3:16)

John 3:16 CSB

16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

He will punish the wicked — but Jesus was punished for our wickedness and sin (2 Cor 5:21)

2 Corinthians 5:21 CSB

21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

He died for us b/c he loves us even while we are sinners (Romans 5:8)

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There is no condemnation (Romans 8:1)

Romans 8:1 CSB

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,

Our sins have been nailed to the cross (Col 2:15)

Colossians 2:14–15 ESV

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

I have been made new

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

Once the lie is recognized we demolish it with the truth.

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 CSB

4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

the truth of God’s Word — of Who God is and what God has done in Jesus.

the power is in Jesus the truth

we cast out the demonic lie by the truth and power and authority of jesus

it is casting our demons

we’ve be got to say it out-loud

Other Application

Now this sort of thing is happening in a 1000 different ways all throughout your days.

This is what it means to engage in warfare.

It’s why God’s Word is so important — the TRUTH

It’s why the Spirit is given — to lead us into TRUTH

to empower us in our weakness

to remember the Cross

Examples from my life:

Elise and I will do this often.

My girls get the craziest ideas — “I am so bad”

Praying offensively! Proactively

Matthew 16:18 (CSB)

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Prayer!

Closing

Maybe some of you are deeply affected by this.

Maybe you have messed with the occult and have opened some doors into your life

I want to give you an opportunity to speak to someone, to be prayed for.

We also have leaders in our church that specialize in walking through this stuff with people.

You can email me: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

fill out a next steps form

You can come talk with us right now if you need prayer or to just talk.

We have a team of leader standing by

in room adjacent to ymca

Don’t walk out of here not getting prayed for

take courage — don’t listen to the enemy.

Closing Prayer

praying for freedom.

1 John 3:8 (ESV)

8 ...The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 4:4 (CSB)

4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Matthew 16:18 (CSB)

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.