Spiritual Warfare - Mar 8, 2020

Spiritual Warfare

 

Text: Mark 5:1-20

Thesis: Jesus in the “Lord’s Prayer” taught us to pray “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13)

 

1. Jesus demonstrates His power over Satan by healing a man who was possessed by numerous evil spirits. (vs.1-13)
2. Jesus is confronted by a man possessed by evil spirits. (vs6-7)
3. The evil spirit knew exactly who Jesus was. (vs 7)
4. Jesus had confronted the evil spirit.

“For Jesus was saying to him, ‘Come out of this man, you evil spirit.” (vs8)

1. Jesus demanded the name of the evil spirit and the evil spirit replied, “My name is Legion, …for we are many.” (vs 9)
2. The evil spirit begged to be sent into a herd of pigs and Jesus gave them permission. (vs10-13)
3. Satan is under the authority of God.
4. Jesus healed the demon possessed man.

“When 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.” (vs15)

 

1. There were those in this region that were more concerned about economics than the salvation of their neighbor. (vs11-13)

“The herd (of pigs), about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.” (Vs13)

1. The people were informed about the healing of the demon possessed man and the drowning of the pigs. (vs16)
2. The peopled were not excited about the healing but distraught and Pleaded with Jesus to leave the region. (vs17) (If Jesus came to spend a day at your house, I wonder what you would do?)
3. The man that was healed begged to go with Jesus but Jesus told him to go home to his family and “tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (vs19)

 

III. Jesus is fighting our spiritual battles.

1. When it comes to our salvation Jesus defeated Satan on the cross.
2. Jesus is interceding for us this very day.

• “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19
• “Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” ( Romans 8:34)

1. Jesus warned the disciples, “That Satan desires to sift you like wheat.”
2. Jesus also told them, “but I have prayed for you.”
3. The Apostle Paul reminds his listeners that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against Satan. (See Ephesians 6: 10-20)