CONVINCED: What Are Demons?
Luke 4:31–33 (ESV) And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority2. And in the synagogue1 there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice3,
Jesus ministry is often viewed taking place in a field or at a lake but it was daily in the synagogue or temple
Luke 19:47 (ESV) And he was teaching daily in the temple.
This is important as Jesus/disciples presence and emphasized the importance
Acts 2:46–47 (ESV) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Jesus teaching included the unique ingredients, authority and power (see next week)
Jesus came in contact with a man, in the synagogue who had the spirit of an unclean demon
The spirit was active in the life of a follower of Biblical Judaism, in the synagogue, the early version of the church
The spirit was triggered by Jesus' presence, teaching with authority causing an extreme response.
Luke 4:34–35 (ESV) “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus1 of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?2 I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!”3 And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.4
Demons/spirits recognized Jesus. No other names of recognition were mentioned.
Demons/spirits recognized Jesus’ role in a future judgement or destruction they would face.
Matthew 8:29 (ESV) And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
Jesus was demonstrating and implementing an unexpected judgement by kicking them out of peoples lives.
Jesus typically told demons/spirits what to do; and refused to allow them to speak.
He did not ask the Father to do it, nor did He ask the demon to comply. He commanded.
Anti-sensational approach. One time he asked question, “what is your name” but allowing them to speak was atypical.
The demon did not harm the man him but did throw him down
Typically demons/spirits function was focused on individual limitation or harm
Mark 9:25 (ESV) And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
Matthew 17:15 (ESV) said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.
Mark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
This encounter was minimized.
Luke 4:36–37 (ESV) And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power1 he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place2 in the surrounding region.
Authority and power defined Jesus ministry, the ministry of his disciples, and the function of the New Testament Church.
Auhtoirty/Power at work generates good news. I believe that there is deficiency in fact based evangelism that is not partnered with power and authority. This is the Church of America’s biggest problem.
Key Facts About Demons/Spirits
Spiritual Beings With Unknown Origins
They Oppose God - demons are spiritual entities aligned against God’s authority. They are often associated with Satan, the adversary.
Matthew 12:24-26 – “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.’ … If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.”
They Negatively Impact People To The Level They Are Allowed
Mark 5:3–4 (ESV) He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him.
Their Presence Is Marked By Self Harm
Mark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
They Cause Physical Ailments
Matthew 9:32–33 (ESV) As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”
They Lie & Deceive
They don’t just deceive others, they deceive you about them.
Most subtle - they are not real
Even more subtle - Rosemary’s Baby
John 8:44 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
They Impact Adults & Children
Mark 7:25 (ESV) But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet.
They Gain Access By Invitation, Proximity & Attack
Invitation - partnering with the spirit world, sex with many people
Proximity - around you and allowed to stay, family tree, things you’ve agreed with
Attack - most of
Job 1:8–10 (ESV) And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) and do not give the devil a foothold.
1 Corinthians 6:15–18 (ESV) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
They Are Alive And Well Today
Demons tend to be a fringe topic for the modern American church and personal recognition tend to be even more so. They are alive and well. We give them medical and genetic assignments and live with them often medicating them. They are present during
Night tremors
Addictions
Self Destructive Behaviors
Disease
Suicide
Self Harm/Mutilation
1 John 3:8 (ESV) The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
Mark 3:14–15 (ESV) And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.
Mark 16:17–18 (ESV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”