Joint Heirs Adult Bible Fellowship Luke, Week 39, Luke 8:26-39 June 10, 2018 Tim Powell, Teacher The Fate of Demons and the Power and Authority of Jesus Luke 8:26-39 Introduction: Of all the founders of other religions, not one claimed to be God, and none were able to demonstrate God s power. Only Jesus claimed to be God and He proved it. Only God s Holy Word is directly from God. Only God s Holy Word proves it is from God by facts and prophecies. Only God s Holy Word was written over centuries to create one Word of God. Only Jesus proved His claim to be God by His overwhelming proof of miracles over life and death and all of creation. Only Jesus pays for our sins. The one thing we must learn is that Jesus has the power and authority over all of creation; even when circumstances present a situation that is out of our control, God's got it and God s got you. "God is bigger than the elements and greater than the situation." Lesson: I. Quick Tutorial on Demons. (See lessons on Lk. 4:1-13.) A. Who is Satan? Satan is a created angel with high ranking authority who rebelled against God by wanting to be in control and take God s place. Eze. 28:8-18 Satan s original position before God, his rebellion against God, and his fall from Heaven Isa. 14:12-14 Satan s rebellion against God and fall from Heaven Jn. 8:44 Satan is the Father of lies. 1
Jn. 14:30 Satan is the Prince of this world. Satan is a deceiver; he is an adversary; he is an accuser. 2 Co. 11:13-15 Satan counterfeits what God does; he and his demons can appear as angels of light. o Can come into churches and influence people to share only partial truths while mislead. Eph. 2:2 He is at work in those who are disobedient. B. What are the goals of Satan and his demons? Overall goal: To do anything he can to thwart the purposes of God. Satan seeks worship. To devour you spiritually, neutralize your testimony, make you doubt, and interrupt your walk with Jesus. 1 Pe. 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. o He wants to devour your testimony. Jn. 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. C. What do I need to know? God is the one and only God; and God is bigger and stronger, and through Jesus gives you power to battle Satan's strategies in your life. o A Christian need not fear demons. o Demons cannot possess a believer because we have the Holy Spirit in us. 1 Jn. 4:4 You, dear children, are from God, and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. II. Jesus' Purpose to Travel to the Region of the Gerasenes (Lk. 8:26-27) A. To save a sinner who is ready to be freed from Satan and his power. 2
B. To confront and show that Jesus is God and greater than Satan and his demons. Jesus always has a purpose in everything He does or allows and in the circumstances we face. o When difficult things happen to us, God s purpose in allowing that may not even be about us but to reach someone else who is watching us. III. The Purpose of Satan and His Demons Is to Create Chaos and to Destroy. (Lk. 8:27b, 29b) During this time, demons were especially active because Jesus was physically present on the Earth. IV. Even the Demons Recognize Who Jesus Is. (Lk. 8:28) See Lk. 4:34. Jesus is the Son of the God, Most High!! o Jesus said that He was the only one who came down from Heaven. V. The Fear of the demons before Almighty Jesus. (Lk. 8:29-31) The demons not only recognize who Almighty Jesus is, but they acknowledge Jesus' authority and power over them. o The demons beg Jesus not to send them into the abyss. Mt. 8:29 What do you want with us, Son of God? they shouted. Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time (kairos)? o Chronos normal passing of time o Kairos a specific instant in time that is of peculiar significance or of great importance in history. o Abyss The bottomless pit. The demons already know that there will be a time comin when Jesus will throw them into the Abyss. Rev. 20:1-3 Mt. 25:41 Rev.20:7-10 3
Points to note: o It is important for us to remember that God is the God of history, and the God of the future. o God has the times fixed from the foundation of the world, and they are irrevocable. o A Christian should never be a pessimist, because no matter what happens in this world, in politics or in wars or with our health or our lives, we know that God is God, and God is on the throne! o God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us; nothing can separate us from the love of God, and He will take us to Heaven to be with Him forever at the appointed time. VI. The Authoritative Power of Jesus (Lk. 8:32-33) We have nothing to fear because God is God over the seen and the unseen world. o The demons had to ask for permission to go into the pigs. o The pigs ran over the cliff and drowned God has a great sense of humor. VII. The Public s Reaction (Lk. 8:34-37) They were overcome with fear because of the power Jesus displayed with the man and with the demons and with the loss of their pigs. So they asked Him to leave. There is no record that Jesus ever came back to that area again. VIII. The Victory of a Transformed Life (Lk. 8:38-39) The man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him" (Lk. 8:39b). This man had an impact on others by telling the story of his encounter with Jesus. 4
Application: The demons not only recognize who Almighty Jesus is, but they acknowledge Jesus' authority and power over them. God is God over kairos... the events of history and the future. BE CONFIDENT OF THIS! The one thing we must learn is that Jesus has complete power and authority. Even when circumstances seem to present a situation that is out of our control, God's got it, and God s got you! "God is bigger than the elements, and greater than the situation. Jesus always has a purpose in everything He does and in every circumstances we face. Challenge: Ask God for the opportunity to share how much Jesus has done in your life. 5