Theme: Let’s Talk
Summary:
Over the last few months we have explored conversations that Jesus had with others. I believe we have learned things about Jesus we never knew. Could you imagine yourself having a talk with Jesus face to face – one on one? What would He say to you? What would you say to Him? What questions would He ask you? What questions would you ask Him? What would be the topic of your conversation? What would you talk about? What would you want to talk about? Whenever Jesus had a talk with others their lives were impacted. They were either impacted positive or negative depending on how the individual responded to Jesus talk.
Thesis: Talking with Jesus changed people’s lives in the Bible. Have you talked to Jesus this week? Has it changed your life? We need to make time to talk to Jesus and learn from His conversations with others in the Bible because it has the potential to transform our own lives.
Scripture: John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me.
Series 3: Straight Talk
What is it?
It’s like when your spouse asks if the new outfit makes her look fat and you say, “Yes, you look like you have gained 30 pounds!”
It’s like when your wife asks if you love her new haircut and you say, “No you look like an orangutan!”
Straight talk is defined by The Free Dictionary as a direct and honest talk from one person to another. So in our case it would be a direct and honest talk Jesus would have with another person and for the ones listening to there conversation.
Scripture Text for series “Straight Talk”:
Hebrews 4:12-13:
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Our passage in Hebrew’s reminds us that God’s Word and words are living and active. God’s words are never dead but alive, they cut to the core of a person, they penetrate into your heart, into your soul, your spirit and even your mind. They slice open the truth about situations in your life. They judge you – did you hear that? They judge your decisions – but with truth – with insight that only God has about you and your attitude. God knows everything about you – more than you think He knows. He sees everything in your life – everything – He knows what you place above Him as an idol, He knows if you steal from Him, He knows if you sin secretly, and He knows if you love Him. He knows – this is why Jesus has straight talks with us because He knows all about us inside and out. He has straight talks with us to hold us accountable – so that in the end we will be found blameless by His grace. So in this journey of life He will re-direct us so as to keep us on the narrow road to eternal life through straight talks.
Straight talks are not like Pep Talks but I also think they are not as hard as a Hard Talks. So they are in between a Hard Talk and a Pep Talk. Straight Talks seek to warn us and lead us into the right paths of life. The key is whether we will listen to them or not!
T.S. - Let’s explore another conversation Jesus had not with a man but with evil spirit’s – this conversation and dialogue between Jesus and “Legion” was placed there by God to teach us how to deal with evil spirits.
Sermon 4: Jesus and the demon possessed man
Scripture: Mark 5:1-20
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.
2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him.
3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain.
4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him.
5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.
7He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!”
8For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!”
9Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”
10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside.
12The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.”
13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.
15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well.
17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.
19Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Introduction:
Questions to ponder:
1. As we read the story what impacted you the most about the spiritual realm?
2. Are you aware that there are evil spirits at work in this world? What does this say about the importance of spiritual warfare?
3. Jesus set this man free from and evil spirits and the town was amazed. Do you think the church should be on the offensive against these evil spirits?
Our subject is straight talk from Jesus and his willingness to address the demonic side of this world. People don’t like to talk about this world. They like to ignore it or pretend it is not there. Some want to deny it as myths that Christian make up. But according to the teachings and the ministry of Jesus there are demonic spiritual forces at work in this world and we need to be aware of their influence and their power. We also need to be aware as to who has the power and the authority to deal with them too.
Video intro: I have a video this morning to help you realize the lies and the deception of evil spirits to help make you aware of how they will try to influence your life. Listen to the conversation between these evil spirits.
Video Illustration– The Conspiracy of evil spirits is real! From bluefishtv.com
Have you heard – or can you see how these spirits work in this world? Have you heard their voices – have they gripped your mind and or heart? Have you seen them possess others with these evil mindsets? These spirits are real and very dangerous – they like to hide and lurk in the shadows of people’s minds and cause their destruction and pain. Their primary mission is to destroy your Christian testimony, to destroy you and your family. To raise chaos in the Kingdom of God – His church to make God look bad.
The debate over evil has raged for centuries if not millenniums. There are those today who want to deny that there could be another realm to this life – the world of the unseen spirit realm – Why? Because they cannot touch, taste, feel, smell or see them. This spirit realm does not move within the realm of the 5 senses for the most part. Yet it is there according to Jesus and reading about the ministry of Jesus you see He addressed it and they addressed Him. He encountered real life spiritual forces of evil in his ministry and we will too – the key is will you be able to recognize them when they attack you or others? We have one of the cases of Jesus and demons before us today in Scripture.
I can testify first hand that I too have personally dealt with evil spirits face to face. They are real and they are active behind the scenes of your senses to destroy you and the church of Jesus Christ. I have talked with missionaries who have had to battle evil forces on the mission field. This realm is real – it is active and is has a mission to destroy the testimony of Jesus.
Leith Anderson is President of the National Association of Evangelicals and long time pastor of Wooddale Church in Minnesota by Mpls. and he notes:
Read this story to hundreds of millions of people from Asia, Africa, South America and other parts of the world and they will tell you in a minute what was this man’s problem. They would say he was demon possessed. The evil spirits had somehow gotten inside of him and were running his life. It is terrible and frightening tragedy, although not terribly uncommon. Read this story to hundreds of millions of Europeans and North Americans and they will tell you that he was mentally ill. Some might even venture to offer specific diagnosis and attach a name to his disease. Others would say that there is not enough detail to diagnose, but there is no doubt that some psychosis has seized his mind and shattered his life. They would further explain that 2000 years ago what we call mental illness was called demon-possession and the severity was rated by assigning smaller or larger numbers. Mary Magdalene was less mentally ill with seven demons but this man was more serious with 6000 demons. So which is it? Mental illness or demon possession? To this day there are people who run the extreme of interpretations. Some deny that demons exist and some see demons in absolutely everything that happens. The truth is probably somewhere in between. Certainly mental illnesses are common. They are not unlike other diseases of our bodies. Which can be diagnosed, named and treated. People don’t choose them. Certainly demons are real. They are spirits that are the agents of evil. No amount of modern sophistication can wish them away.
I too can testify that evil spirits are real too from my own encounters with them in ministry but first let me share two stories told to me by friends on the mission field:
Share personal testimonies:
Jon in Guinea West Africa dealing with The Devil Society.
India in Bona Gona Pali with the woman who was delivered from demons at Dr. Nichols Jesus Festival and the transformation in her life and community.
T.S. – Let’s look closer at our text to see how Jesus handled the evil spiritual world.
I. First Contact
a. What happened when Jesus stepped into the demon’s territory? Did you know that demons have territories – areas of assignment to raise chaos in?
i. Did he (they) runaway and hide? No because they knew that they could not hide from the Son of God. He knew they were there and came across the sea to cast them out!
1. He (they) roamed and lived in the caves and tombs around this town – this was there domain to roam free and torment this man and others who came close to them.
2. They lurked in the darkness and lived among the dead.
3. They tormented the man in the darkness of night and even in the day as he cried out in pain, as he screamed in horror at their evil torment from the inside.
4. They caused him to cut himself and cause pain on himself because their possession was so terroristic and sadistic.
5. Demons are not out to help you they are out to terrorize you and inflict pain on you to the point where you want to die – even kill yourself.
ii. Did he (they) come to fight with Jesus like they had done with the others? They had overpowered everyone in the region and were the strongest. No they did not even try to over- power Jesus because they knew Jesus was stronger than all of them.
1. This man (they) had supernatural strength according to our text.
a. He (they) broke chains, broke off restraints from his (their) wrists and ankles made of metal.
b. He (they) overpowered everyone else.
c. He (they) was stronger than everyone in the area and the police could not control nor overpower him (them).
i. Evil has power – supernatural power within its realm but not in God’s realm.
ii. Listen to me they have their territory but only at God’s bidding!
d. But they Legion knew Jesus was stronger and that’s why they came to Him and bowed before Him!
i. Did you catch that in our story – they came to Jesus and bowed before Him!
1. The evil spirit knew who Jesus was when everyone else could not comprehend it.
2. They the evil spirits had a holy reverent awe and honor for Jesus – that many people of the day including the religious leaders did not have.
a. Many people today do not bow to Jesus but the demonic realm does – that should open your eyes!
3. They saw Jesus – the Son of God – they knew His position in the Kingdom of Heaven.
a. They paid Him honor!
b. Do you?
ii. They knew they were outgunned by the Son of God!
1. He knew He had all power!
a. They knew that – they submitted to Him – even though they were in opposition to Him.
iii. Do you know that if Christ dwells in you – you too can help see people delivered from evil!
1. My own Testimonies to the power of evil spirits:
a. Outreach and the prostitute girl in the basement.
b. The Jesus Lightning Amen group encounter at Outreach.
c. The little boy at Chris and Liz’s apartment complex.
i. James 4:7: 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
iii. Did he (they) deny who Jesus was? No, they had to address Him by His position and authority “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”
1. They called Him by name!
a. James 2:19: 19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
2. Demons – the evil spirits loose in this world are fallen angels and still subject to Jesus and His authority!
a. Don’t miss this important point!
b. How do you deal with the demonic realm? You use the name of Jesus! He is your authority but you better be in right relationship with Him to deal with demons!
i. But don’t mess with demons without Jesus because they will clean your clock.
ii. Acts 19:11-17: 11God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,
12so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 17When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.
iii. Today many people use the name of Jesus as a curse word and I want you to know that is rooted in evil – did you hear me the demons want you to use His name as a curse word because if you use it with reverence and authority they run for cover.
iv. They want you to mock and curse Jesus!
3. They demons knew and acknowledged His power and authority, “Swear to God you won’t torture me.”
a. Listen carefully – all who practice evil will be punished by God and the demons knew that – they know it’s coming but they just are not sure when!”
b. You should know this too – evil will be punished by God because He is a holy God and evil cannot be in His presence!”
i. They know their day is coming!
c. They also said, “Send us among the pigs, allow us to go in them.” They begged Jesus to do this – they knew He could cast them in the abyss in that moment – they did not know if their time was up for eternal punishment.
i. Jesus sent them into the pigs and the pigs killed themselves!
ii. Could you imagine the living horror this man went through for all those years being tortured by demons?
1. There are many in our world in the same position and we can with the empowerment of Jesus see them set free.
2. But are you afraid to take on evil?
3. Does evil keep you quiet?
4. Does evil cause you to be a coward in the Kingdom?
iii. Have you ever wondered why Jesus let the demons go into the pigs?
1. Jesus wanted everyone in that region to know that this man had demons in him – he was possessed by evil spirits. So he let them go into the pigs to show you and they that this realm is real and it even causes live stock to kill themselves.
2. You cannot call this a mental illness – right- a mental illness is not cast out and enters another life form which then kills itself – there is a spirit world of evil – and it’s gunning for you Christian!
T.S. – First Contact with the evil spiritual world can be intimidating but when we know our mission and who has the authority then they run for cover not us Christians.
II. The Mission
a. Jesus crossed the Sea to see this man delivered and set free from evil.
i. He was on a mission from God to set the prisoner free – recall what He read in Isaiah when he started his ministry.
1. Matthew 4:12-17:
a. 12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
i. This man was in total darkness but Jesus broke forth with the life.
ii. Jesus brought the light into darkness – the demonic realm and set this man free!
ii. Jesus crossed the sea to confront evil – make no mistake about it!
1. Do you see this?
a. Jesus went out to confront evil – face to face!
b. Do you?
2. He crossed the sea to confront evil – to stop it in its tracks to take back what was stolen. To get rid of evil and show the world who has the power.
a. He’s got the power!
3. He wanted to show people that He has the delivering power and the power to renew a life consumed in evil.
a. Why-To reveal who He is and why He came!
b. His mission is to deliver people from evil.
4. He came to bring these people and the man trapped in a nightmare true hope and true light.
iii. This man was heard by others at night and day crying out in agony and torment – He would cut himself to stop the voices of evil tormenting his heart, mind and body.
1. This man was naked, most likely filthy dirty and scary looking, scarred from the cuttings and considered dangerously insane.
a. But Jesus spoke and the demons left and the man was restored to a sound mind and right heart.
b. One word – one voice – the ultimate power of the Son of God in action.
2. When Jesus spoke the devils went – no fight – no struggle – The Word of God spoke and they had to go where He sent them!
3. Do you hear this – there was not battle – Jesus said it and they obeyed!
b. The mission is clear by Jesus own words:
i. Matthew 28: 18-20:
1. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
T.S. – The mission – our mission – our church’s mission is to drive back the forces of evil from people’s lives! When we do this and confront evil we will see people delivered and set free from their tortured worlds and renewed through the power of Jesus. But you have to accept this mission and confront evil so as to make an impact.
III. The Impact
a. Did you hear how the people responded – The people of the region asked Him to leave.
i. Can you believe it – they cared more about the pigs than the man being set free.
1. They can tolerate the demonic man so long as the demons torment Him and leave their pigs alone.
2. People today can tolerate evil as long as it does not impact their world – but hear this it is impacting your world or will impact your world.
3. People are afraid of what will happen when Jesus shows up in a person’s life – I have heard stories of people who get delivered from evil and their family and friends reject them.
ii. The demons invaded the pigs – by the way considered to be unclean by the Jews – the demons drove the pigs mad so they killed themselves.
iii. But the people did not want Jesus around to set more people free and have it impact their economy or way of life!
1. This is still happening today in our world.
2. Jesus is asked to leave because His ways mess with our livelihoods and businesses.
3. Jesus is asked to leave when we do crooked deals in our work.
4. Jesus is asked to leave when we sneak off into the place we should not be and play with evil spirits.
iv. Jesus honored their request and He left. He will do the same to any region or nation who asks Him to leave. He will honor the request – He will not force Himself on anyone – He wants to be wanted. Yes, His name or presence will cause issues in the public realm of life because when He is there – there is conviction of sin and evil has to flee – but people would rather have evil than Jesus.
1. Chuck Swindoll noted the following: I don’t know many people aged 35-50 who don’t have a sense that they were born into a healthier country, and that they have seen the culture deteriorate before their eyes…You don’t have to look far for the fraying of the social fabric. Crime, the schools, the courts. Watch channel 35 in New York and see your culture. See men and women, homo-and hetero-, dressed in black leather, masturbating each other and simulating sadomasochistic ritual. Realize this is pumped into everyone’s living room, including your own, where your eight –year-old is flipping through channels. Then talk to a pollster. You too will declare you are pessimistic about your country’s future; you too will say we are on the wrong track” Peggy Noonon, “You’d Cry Too If It happened to You.” Forbes, September 1991 taken from Swindoll Ultimate Book of Illustrations and Quotes, page 148.
a. Our country has asked Jesus to leave – He will and then all Hell will break loose in this nation!
2. Reference the Democratic Convention a few years ago which revealed how some feel about God in our country and government.
a. This happened Sept 5 Wednesday night in 2012 at The Democratic National Convention:
i. The floor of the Democratic National Convention erupted Wednesday over a sudden move to restore to the platform a reference to "God" and recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital -- after heavy criticism from Republicans for initially omitting them. Democrats, though, were hardly in agreement over the reversal. A large and loud group of delegates shouted "no" as convention chairman, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, called for the vote late Wednesday afternoon. Villaraigosa had to call for the vote three times before ruling that the "ayes" had it. Many in the crowd booed after he determined the language would be restored. The battle marked the biggest platform fight so far in either party's convention, and signaled Democrats were worried the prior language could have been politically damaging in a tight election year. A senior campaign official told Fox News that President Obama personally intervened to change the language in both cases. On the "God" reference, the official said the president's response was "why did it change in the first place?" Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., told Fox News that he pushed to restore the Jerusalem language."I wanted a change (back). I talked to several people close to the president," Levin said, without saying whether he spoke to the president. "The '08 platform stated (the policy) correctly ... that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel."In the section referencing "God," the change effectively restored language that had been in the 2008 platform. It now says: "We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values, and interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential." The initial 2012 platform language said this: "We gather to reclaim the basic bargain that built the largest middle class and the most prosperous nation on Earth -- the simple principle that in America, hard work should pay off, responsibility should be rewarded, and each one of us should be able to go as far as our talent and drive take us." The change came after both Mitt Romney and GOP running mate Paul Ryan criticized the omission. In an interview with Fox News, Romney said the omission signaled the "party is veering further and further away into an extreme wing that Americans don't recognize." "(That) this party purposely removed God from their platform suggests a party that is increasingly out of touch with the mainstream of the American people," Romney said. "I see it as being as out of touch and detached." Democrats also restored a section on Israel that had previously been left out. The language on Jerusalem now states "it is and will remain the capital of Israel. The parties have agreed that Jerusalem is a matter for final status negotiations. It should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths." The switch on Jerusalem puts it in line with what advisers said was the president's personal view, if not the policy of his administration. The administration has long said determining Jerusalem's status was an issue that should be decided by Israelis and Palestinians in peace talks, but has been careful not to state that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. The White House wouldn't say whether the change in the Democratic platform language reflected a change in administration policy. Republicans argued that not taking a position on Jerusalem's status in the party platform showed the president was weak in his support of Israel. "They now say they are not certain what the capital of Israel may be. I think that's another example of Israel being thrown under the bus by the president," Romney told Fox News, before the platform revision. Democrats, when the revision came to a vote, were clearly divided Wednesday over whether to bow to pressure and make the changes. Some delegates claimed after the vote that the platform change didn’t actually win the two-thirds majority necessary to pass – though it was only gauged by a voice vote.“The majority of the delegation here at the Democratic National Convention supported the previous language and instead after three attempts to vote and it failed twice, and for whatever reason it still failed but was still pushed through,” said Rashida Tlaib, of the Michigan delegation. Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, head of the platform committee, downplayed the turnaround. "I wouldn't call it an error," he told Fox News. "It was a clarification…"
1. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/05/democrats-restore-references-to-god-jerusalem-in-platform/
3. We too like these people from this region – yes we have - in our nation - hear this - we have asked God to leave the following areas of our life:
a. To leave our schools.
i. So how is that going?
b. To leave our courts.
i. So how is that going?
c. To leave our government both federal and state and also local government areas.
i. So how is that going?
d. To leave our places of business.
i. So how is that going?
e. For some to leave our tv’s, our computers.
i. Swindolls notes, “Former Secretary of Education, William Bennett, published The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators revealing how shockingly we have drifted as a nation. His book states, “In the past thirty years violent crime has increased 560 percent; illegitimate births 400 percent. There has been a rippling of the percentage of children living in single-parent homes. Teenage suicide increased more than 200 percent.” Interesting also, in the past thirty years there has been ‘A drop in SAT scores of almost 80 percent.” (Page 148).
v. The now demon free man asked to go with Jesus. But Jesus told Him to stay!
1. Why?
a. He wanted him to spread the news of his deliverance.
b. He wanted him to share his testimony so more people could be free.
c. The Lord wants you to do the same with your life and testimony!
d. The Lord wants you to tell others how to be free from evil.
2. The result was: The people were amazed.
a. I would love to see people amazed at what Jesus is doing here at CHC – How about you?
b. But for people to be amazed you have to say something to them – you have to tell your stories to others!
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from this message?
Jesus wants to talk with us about spiritual forces of evil and make us aware that they are real and at work around us. But we have the power to drive them out with His name and authority but we have to confront evil in it’s tracks to see it cast out. But remember people will not like what happens and they may ask you to leave their region because of the impact of the deliverance.
Why do we need to know this?
We need to know that evil is real it’s not a fairy tale it is out to destroy your life – to kill steal and destroy you and your family. Demons – evil spirits are not out to help you but to kill and destroy you. Don’t believe the media!
What do you need to do?
Confront evil in the authority of Jesus and do not be afraid.
Why do we need to do this?
So we can see many people delivered from darkness and torment and set free in Jesus!
We need to realize that demons are linked to many things in our society so we need spiritual discernment! Demons are linked to lies, division and dissension, lust, rape, murder, and the list goes on. They are working to destroy this nation!
Since this is our last message from our theme “Let’s Talk!” Here is what we need to know:
Jesus wants to talk with us every day about our life, our problems our choices. He will use Hard Talks with us to get our attention, he will use Pep Talks to encourage us too but He will also be straight forward with us on things we need to know to live the blessed life. So go talk to Jesus – have a conversation with Him every day this week and see what He says to you!
