Letting Go Of Hurt Series

Friendly Fire Sermon Series

(Inspired by Perry Stone’s book, “Judas Goat”)

“Letting Go Of Hurt” 3 of 3

2/2/2014 Chester’s FBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson

Introduction:

A In Matthew 15 We see Jesus ministering at a place out of His normal circuit (Tyre & Sidon) when a Canaanite woman came to Him about her daughter. (Son of David - Messianic title)

Matthew 15:22 (KJV)22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

1 In the NT there are three words that describe the work of the devil/demon in a person’s life. (Demonic possession, Demonic oppression, Demonic vexation)

a Demonic Possession (Strongest level of control; dwells in the human spirit)

aa To be totally controlled by demon, Puppet on a string that fulfills the thoughts/desires of the demon possessing him/her.

bb Mark 5:1-9 (KJV) 1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 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. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 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. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

Gadarenes Demoniac (cut himself, broke chains, lived in the graveyard.)

cc The man’s life was in ruins, mind tormented & his body abused - Jesus stepped into the graveyard & set him free.

b Demonic Oppression (Exercises power in the spirit or controls the mind & thought process)

aa Acts 10:38 (KJV) 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Prevents you from thinking clearly; Feelings of hopelessness, despair, darkness.)

c Demonic Vexation (To disturb, trouble, harass)

aa Matthew 15:22 (KJV) 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Luke 6:18 (KJV) 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.

bb Vexation can be spiritual, physical, mental.

cc Spiritual will keep you from light/truth of gospel; Physical causes illness.

Luke 13:11-13 (KJV) 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Mental will impact your thinking, create negative & depressing thoughts.

2 Believers can not be demon possessed. But both non-believers & believers can come under attacks of vexation & oppression.

a I will introduce these forms of demonic attacks to help us deal with the subject of unforgiveness in a believers life.

b Withholding forgiveness has demonic roots.

B Matt. 18 has a parable of a king who forgives one of his servants of a tremendous debt then finds out that the forgiven servant refuses to forgive a fellow servant of a much smaller debt.

1 Matthew 18:34-35 (KJV) 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

a The unforgiving servant had refused to release his co-laborer and was put in prison until he learned to forgive.

aa Not federal prison - This place had a tormentor!

bb Whip, put on a rack, stockade, beat until he confessed of his crime - or paid for his crimes.

b I believe when a Bible-believing Christian refuses to forgive/release others they can forfeit the protective covering/spiritual hedge.