Jesus Casts out Demons

Jesus came into the world to destroy the works of the devil.

Perhaps no miracle of Jesus was as mysterious as the casting of demons out of people. This confirmed the reality of evil spirits taking up residence in people, but still we know little about the invisible spirit realm and how it is that some people come to be demon-processed. Casting out demons was for Jesus, and still is for us, a dimension of the spiritual warfare that goes on between the forces of good and evil. Individuals today who are under the influence of demons, to the point that demons have taken possession of their life, can be free from demons by saving faith in Jesus Christ. All people who are saved by Christ are free from the bondage and dominion of sin over them and more often than we realize, those Christ saves are also freed from bondage of demons.

A few questions to begin the Sunday school lesson with: (1) do you believe demons are real? Why or why not? (2) do you believe demons are allied with Satan in doing evil? (3) what conditions do you think allow or causes a person to become a demon possessed? (4) have you ever seen a person whom you believed to be demon possessed? (5) have you ever seen a demon possessed person delivered by prayer and faith in Jesus Christ?

GOLDEN TEXT: 1Jn 3:8  He that committeth (commit, make commitment to) sin (offense, miss the mark) is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

…….When we think of the meaning of the word “sin”, we find that it isn’t too hard to fall into the category of sinner. Think about how many times we actually fall short. But when we think of making a commitment to living in a life of sin, it completely changes the status of being a sinner. While all fall short of the glory of God because of personal sin, not that we follow after or submit to the grip of sin (and knowing that no man is without sin, 1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ) to enter a relationship with God and escape the bondage of sin we must admit that we all have a sin problem. However, by a person not allowing God to take control of their life, and making a commitment to sin, they give the devil free opportunity to of control. This is where demonic possession is birthed!

ENCOUNTER WITH A DEMONIAC

A. Dwelling Among the Tombs

Mar 5:1  And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

Mar 5:2  And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Mar 5:3  Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

…….It seems to me that Jesus made it His sole purpose to immediately help a man who others had deemed dead already. The ministry of Christ is to rescue the ones who all others have lost hope in! The ones who everyone else rejects!

Mar 5:4  Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

…….The possession of the demons were so strong that it caused the man to have inhuman abilities, and at this point the attention of others had been drawn to him because of his evil outrage! That’s exactly what sin does. It puts a label on people that causes love lacking people to stay far away!

Mar 5:5  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

…….living in a life of sin will cause a man to self mutilate. Whether it is done intentional or unintentional, the pains of sin leave a lifetime of scars! This is the importance of obeying God immediately when He says to go and do! You will never know what God can prevent through your obedience!

B. Delivered by Jesus

Mar 5:6  But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

Mar 5:7  And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

…….Even though possessed by more demons than any other on record, the man still noticed the Lord and desired greatly of deliverance! When desperate sinners see the true Christ living and abiding, they won’t stay away! Though at times this man had no control of his own body, when Jesus showed up he still had the power to run to him and worship! This is the importance of taking advantage of the circumstance! When people come in wanting help from God, we must be there whole heartedly knowing that there is still hope!

Mar 5:8  For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

…….Jesus knew in order to set the man free He must come face to face with his demons! That’s the same method for any sin! If someone needs deliverance, we must meet it with God face to face. Sin does not like exposure in the presence of God. It knows it has no place!

Mar 5:9  And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many (approximately 2000, vs 13).

Mar 5:10  And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Mar 5:11  Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

Mar 5:12  And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Mar 5:13  And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

…….Many May think it strange that Jesus had mercy on the demons but he knew exactly what they would do when they went to the swine. A sad picture of this story is that people will possess themselves with problems that animals can’t even live with!

MADE COMPLETELY FREE OF DEMONS

Amazing Transformation

Mar 5:14  And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

Mar 5:15  And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

…….People are afraid of change! This man had been bound by the worst case of demons ever recorded and now people are afraid. May we never get so settled on the routine of today that we can’t see what God wants tomorrow!

Mar 5:16  And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

Mar 5:17  And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

……. It was so obvious that this extremely popular man had received a life changing miracle! People get so comfortable with the demons that when they’re gone, they don’t know how to act. We must live expecting the unexpected! Apparently these people now worried that these demons were freely roaming seeking other individuals to dwell, but they failed to realize that accepting Christ would bring a complete deliverance and prevent the powers of any demon to ever have control.

B. Willing Evangelist

Mar 5:18  And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

Mar 5:19  Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

…….When people are set free from sin, it is a normal thing to want to be sheltered and kept safe. But immediately Jesus charged the man to share his testimony with others, for its the testimony that brings power to the new convert to continuously refrain from sin. Our testimony not only shows people what God can do, but it also reminds us of what God has already done! Let people know!!!

Mar 5:20  And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

FAITH FOR DELIVERANCE

A. All Things are Possible

Mar 9:14  And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

Mar 9:15  And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

Mar 9:16  And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

Mar 9:17  And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

Mar 9:18  And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

Mar 9:19  He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

…….Jesus’ response to the disciples inability to cast out the demons was a message that God has left it up to us to have the power and authority to do so! While many churches and leaders fear the thought of a demon possessed walking in the room, we should have the Spirit given power to give help where it is needed!

Mar 9:20  And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

Mar 9:21  And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

Mar 9:22  And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

Mar 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Mar 9:24  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

…….This is the place we must all come to in our life’s personally! This man was completely honest and humble enough to admit his hindrance! Notice Jesus didn’t cast him away and refuse the healing, but completed the opposite!

B. Deliverance is Complete

Mar 9:25  When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

Mar 9:26  And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

Mar 9:27  But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

Mar 9:28  And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

Mar 9:29  And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

……. Jesus’ answer to them was, in effect, that they were not spiritually prepared by sufficient prayer and consecration to God to have adequate faith in God to cast out the demon. Prayer, fasting and a life devoted to God is the preventive maintenance that allows the Spirit to exercise its power in and through our life’s!

Mat 17:20  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

…….How powerful is your faith?!

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