Mark 1:21-28
“Satan’s Worst Nightmare Has Come True!”(REVISED)
By: Rev. Kenneth Emerson Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA
A couple days ago I was reading a sermon on this same passage written by a colleague of mine.
In it, he wrote something to the effect of, “Back in Jesus’ day people still believed in demons and the devil, but of course, now we know better. We are 21st century people.”
I have to respectfully disagree that people no longer believe in demons and the devil.
From what I have seen, the majority of people do still believe in the reality of these evil beings.
For example, if I had not believed in the reality of the devil, demons and hell…
…I might very well have never decided to give my life to Christ.
And I am completely convinced that if I had not given my life to Christ, I would either be dead right now, or living under some tree somewhere…but probably dead.
If we are so ready to believe that there is a real God and that there are real angels, why is it so hard to believe that there are real demons and a real Satan?
I do believe that God uses the belief in the devil and hell to bring many into the life of Christ…
…but of course that is not where we are to continue to dwell as we mature as Christians.
From there, we begin our journey into the life of love and abundant life.
If there is no devil and no hell, then why not just live the way I want?
If there is no devil and no hell, then why did Jesus die on the cross?
And how do we even begin to explain the Fall, sin, evil, murder, and everything else that is opposed to the God of love and His plan?
Yes, modern medicine and psychology have come a long way, but even the most learned and sophisticated of doctors would have to admit that he or she does not have all the answers…not even close.
C.S. Lewis put it very well when he wrote, “There are two mistakes that people make concerning the devil. One is not to believe in his existence at all. The other is to have an unhealthy interest in him. Satan is equally pleased with both.”
In John chapter 8, Jesus describes the original murderer and the father of lies as the devil.
In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus says that there is an “eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
In Luke chapter 10 Jesus says, “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.”
The Bible talks about a real devil, and real demons over 175 times.
Who are we to say that these beings do not exist?
I have seldom met a non-Christian or a regular church-goer who does not believe in the existence of Satan.
Our church fathers have believed in the existence of Satan for 2000 years.
Many very sincere and effective mainline ministers claim to have been involved in exorcisms—even today.
And the evil spirit mentioned in our Gospel Lesson for today simply means a demon.
Angels were created to worship and praise God, to serve Him, and to act as His messengers.
The Bible tells us that angels are “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.”
We all have angels of God who care for us and help us…who have a strong desire to work in the lives of humans for our good.
And demons have a similar function, but a different master and a different agenda.
Their allegiance is to the devil…
…and they serve him out of fear and delusion.
Like angels, demons have a strong desire to work in the lives of humans, but their purpose is to carry out the schemes of Satan and to oppose God.
Just as God loves us more than we can imagine…for He created us out of love in His image…
Satan hates us more than we can imagine…for we are created in God’s image.
Satan uses his demons to tempt, deceive, and delude people so that we will not hear and accept the message of the Gospel and be saved…and without the saving blood of Jesus…there is no forgiveness of sins.
The Bible tells us in 1st Peter: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Peter warns us: “Be self-controlled and alert…resist him standing firm in the faith.”
Satan gained quite a foothold on God’s creation when he tempted Adam and Eve…and they gave in…Oh, how he must of laughed!
“He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?”
Eve replied, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”
But Satan lied, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Well, they surely did die.
But even before they died, misery crept in.
They realized they were naked, and they hid from God.
For Satan, the battle had been won.
But God…out of His immeasurable mercy, compassion and love promised—immediately that He would provide a means by which people could be restored to a right relationship with Him.
And the entire Bible is focused on this means.
The entire Bible is focused on what we know in our heart of hearts to be really true.
There is an antagonism between people and a being called the devil.
There is a titanic struggle between God and the evil one, a struggle played out in the hearts and history of all humankind.
And there is a promise.
A promise which was fulfilled when Jesus Christ rose from the grave—it was God’s victory over Satan—a victory in which all believers will eventually share!
And this is Satan’s worst nightmare…come True!!!
“Have you heard the good news?”
two boys asked a minister.
“No, what is it?” the minister replied.
“It is great news indeed,” said one of the boys, “and if it is true, your business is done!”
Then in unison the two boys said, “The devil is dead.”
Sadly, this is not the case.
The struggle continues…
…it is a struggle for souls.
Someone once wrote, “Satan is never more dangerous than when he walks in velvet slippers.”
When we look at our Gospel Lesson for this morning…we see that at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth the demons had no problem identifying Who He was.
The demon living inside the man in the synagogue cried out: “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
God had invaded Satan’s turf, it was time for the real war to begin!!!
Basically what the demon says is: “You have no business with us!”
And this is the same thing that the demons are still angrily shouting today…
… “Go back to Palestine!”
… “Go back to the pages of the Bible!”
… “This is the 21st Century…You have no business with us!!!”
Throughout the Bible Satan is pictured as the ruler of a host of angels and the controller of the world, who especially governs all people who are not Christians.
We hear the cry of Satan and his demons in the 21st Century language of unrestrained individualism---
“I will live my life according to my own rules—You have no business with us Jesus of Nazareth…Holy One of God!”
Anxiety and depression have increased at the same alarming rates that our rebellion against God and living life in accordance with God’s Holy Spirit has escalated.
It is not politically correct…in this 21st Century world…to talk about sin.
And as Christians, we too are sometimes a bit too eager to follow the political correctness of the world.
Sleep with whoever you will…
…don’t let anybody tell you how to live your life…
…Do whatever your impulses desire…
…There are no rules…
…If you lust after it…don’t worry about practicing self-control…go get it!!!
But this is not the kind of abundant life Jesus has promised to all those who come to Him.
This is the kind of life that brings disease, depression, meaninglessness, confusion, delusion, and death.
Satan is opposed to God and he seeks to alienate all people from God.
Satan works his evil will by tempting persons, by hindering God’s workers, by accusing Christians before God, and by controlling those who resist the gospel.
1st John chapter 3 verse 8 tells us: “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”
What a reason to praise God!!!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The devil has now been bound and cast out of heaven by the death and resurrection of Jesus…but he is still a dangerous enemy.
Therefore, Jesus Himself prays for us and has given us the powerful weapons of prayer, faith, and His blood.
That is one reason why it is so important for all of us to develop regular intentional daily devotions with God as we start out each new day.
This helps prepare us, and focus us, and give us strength for whatever the world may have in store for us.
This is why it is so important for all Christians to come to church every Sunday—whether we feel like it or not…
…and to attend Bible Study, Sunday School, come to United Methodist Men’s functions, or join a circle of the United Methodist women.
This is where we find loving people who become our friends, and are there to help us out when the going gets tough.
It is also important for us to put our faith into action by serving others, visiting those who are sick, witnessing to others about the saving grace of Jesus, and inviting those who do not have a church home to come and worship with us!
We are called by Jesus to continue casting out demons by these powerful weapons of spiritual warfare.
Satan can still cause physical illness when he is allowed to by God…he’s like an angry dog on a leash!
And people can be delivered over to Satan for disciplinary reasons that can be for our good in God’s providence.
But above all…Satan’s end is sure!!!
Paul writes to the Christians in Rome: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
And the Book of Revelation tells us that the devil, who deceives people, will ultimately be thrown into the lake of fire.
In the 21st century, it is so easy for us to be deceived.
Yes, we have some amazing medicines.
We can turn on light switches…and it’s like magic.
We can even destroy the world through weapons of mass destruction.
And there are those who may tell us that because we have become so technologically advanced—that beings such as demons and Satan have ‘somehow’ been proven to be nonexistent now that humankind has become like God.
But we know…deep down in our hearts that the struggle continues…
When Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished,” He meant that the means by which people can be saved has now been completed.
And when He rose from the dead, He demonstrated that He has the power over the demons, Satan, hell, and death.
And we win only as we enter into Christ’s victory for us!!!
Let us pray: Rid us, O God, form thinking that we have all the answers—and no longer need to trust in you. Rid us, of those distortions and powers that ruin our lives and the lives of others. Help us to be a congregation that strives to bring the peace that Jesus Christ offers into the world around us. And accept our thanks for the way Jesus, the Christ, comes into our lives, willing to drive out demons and restore sanity to our being. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
