Confronting Demonic Influence: Jesus' Authority and Deliverance
Summary
### Summary
Today's sermon, titled "Demons and Pigs," delved into the often-ignored topic of demonic influence and spiritual warfare. We began by exploring the Greek word for demon, "demonized," which means to be affected or influenced by demons. This is a reality that many Christians shy away from, but it is crucial to confront it head-on. Ephesians 2:2 and Acts 5 were cited to illustrate how disobedience to God can open doors for demonic influence, even among believers. The story of Ananias and Sapphira was a stark reminder that pretending with God and lying can fill our hearts with the enemy.
We also discussed the importance of not giving place to the devil, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:27. Christians can give ground to Satan through disobedience, and reclaiming that ground requires deliverance. Walking in the Spirit, as commanded in Galatians 5:16-17, is essential to not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. This walk requires consistency and balance, not just sporadic bursts of spiritual fervor.
The sermon emphasized that while a born-again Christian's spirit is regenerated and not possessible by evil spirits, our minds, wills, and emotions can still be affected. Persistent faith and knowledge of the truth are necessary for spiritual growth and protection. James 4:7 reminds us that submitting to God and resisting the devil will make him flee.
We also touched on the story of the man possessed by a legion of demons in Mark 5. This story illustrates the destructive power of evil spirits but also highlights Jesus' authority over them. The demons begged to be sent into pigs rather than be left powerless, showing their desperation in the face of Jesus' power.
Finally, we were reminded that no matter how chaotic or destructive our lives may seem, Jesus has the final say. His authority is greater than any demonic influence, and through Him, we can find deliverance and peace.
### Key Takeaways
1. Demonic Influence and Disobedience: Disobedience to God opens doors for demonic influence. Acts 5 and Ephesians 2:2 illustrate that even believers can be affected if they give ground to the enemy through disobedience. It's crucial to confront this reality and seek deliverance. [45:55]
2. Walking in the Spirit: Consistency in walking in the Spirit is essential to not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. Galatians 5:16-17 teaches that this walk is not a suggestion but a commandment. Consistent spiritual practices help us resist the enemy's influence. [51:19]
3. The Power of Persistent Faith: Persistent faith and knowledge of the truth are necessary for spiritual growth and protection. James 4:7 reminds us that submitting to God and resisting the devil will make him flee. This requires a continuous, active relationship with God. [55:41]
4. Jesus' Authority Over Demons: The story of the man possessed by a legion of demons in Mark 5 shows Jesus' authority over evil spirits. Even the most chaotic and destructive forces must bow to Him. This reminds us that no matter how dire our situation, Jesus has the final say. [01:19:21]
5. Deliverance and Peace: No matter how chaotic or destructive our lives may seem, Jesus offers deliverance and peace. His authority is greater than any demonic influence, and through Him, we can find true freedom and restoration. [01:29:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[43:34] - Introduction: Demons and Pigs
[44:17] - Understanding Demonic Influence
[45:09] - Disobedience and Demonic Influence
[46:50] - The Story of Ananias and Sapphira
[47:41] - Giving Place to the Devil
[48:23] - Deliverance from Evil Spirits
[49:39] - The Power of Worship
[50:14] - Christians and Demonic Influence
[51:19] - Walking in the Spirit
[52:25] - Consistency in Spiritual Walk
[55:04] - The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
[56:24] - Being Full of the Holy Spirit
[57:20] - Practicing Sin vs. Occasional Sin
[58:23] - The Importance of Detachment
[01:00:00] - The Need for Continuous Filling
[01:01:20] - Submitting to God and Resisting the Devil
[01:02:07] - Jesus' Authority Over Demons
[01:03:22] - Deliverance in the Church
[01:04:14] - Ezekiel's Vision of the Temple
[01:05:06] - The Temple of the Holy Spirit
[01:06:32] - Modern-Day Spiritual Warfare
[01:08:15] - The Need for Deliverance
[01:09:30] - Jesus' Prayer for Us
[01:10:04] - The Good News: Jesus' Authority
[01:11:02] - The Power of Jesus' Prayer
[01:13:27] - The Danger of Letting Our Guard Down
[01:15:15] - The Power of the Mind and Will
[01:16:38] - Using God's Power
[01:17:23] - The Story of the Demoniac and the Pigs
[01:19:21] - Jesus' Authority Over Evil Spirits
[01:20:36] - The Destructive Nature of Evil Spirits
[01:22:15] - The Demons' Desperation
[01:23:28] - The Need for a Move of God
[01:24:29] - Jesus' Permission and Authority
[01:25:04] - The Destructive Power of Evil Spirits
[01:26:59] - Jesus Has the Final Say
[01:27:33] - Conclusion: Jesus' Authority
[01:29:24] - Worship and Prayer
[01:33:41] - Closing Prayer and Healing
[01:35:24] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:2 - "In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience."
2. Galatians 5:16-17 - "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."
3. James 4:7 - "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:2, who is described as working in the sons of disobedience? ([45:09])
2. What does Galatians 5:16-17 command believers to do to avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh? ([51:19])
3. In James 4:7, what are the two actions believers must take to make the devil flee? ([01:01:20])
4. How did the demons react when they encountered Jesus in Mark 5? ([19:21])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does disobedience to God open doors for demonic influence according to the sermon? ([45:55])
2. What does it mean to "walk in the Spirit" and how does it help in resisting the enemy's influence? ([51:19])
3. Why is persistent faith and knowledge of the truth necessary for spiritual growth and protection? ([55:41])
4. How does the story of the man possessed by a legion of demons in Mark 5 illustrate Jesus' authority over evil spirits? ([19:21])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when disobedience to God may have opened doors for negative influences in your life. How did you address it, and what steps can you take to prevent it in the future? ([45:55])
2. Walking in the Spirit requires consistency. What specific daily practices can you implement to ensure you are consistently walking in the Spirit? ([51:19])
3. Persistent faith is crucial for spiritual growth. How can you cultivate a more persistent and active relationship with God in your daily life? ([55:41])
4. Jesus has authority over all demonic influences. How can this truth bring peace and confidence in dealing with chaotic or destructive situations in your life? ([19:21])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of not giving place to the devil. Are there areas in your life where you might be unknowingly giving ground to the enemy? How can you reclaim that ground? ([47:41])
6. Reflect on the story of Ananias and Sapphira. Are there ways in which you might be pretending with God or others? How can you strive for greater honesty and integrity in your spiritual walk? ([46:50])
7. The sermon mentioned the power of worship in driving away evil influences. How can you incorporate more worship into your daily routine to strengthen your spiritual defenses? ([49:39])
Devotional
Day 1: The Danger of Disobedience
Disobedience to God opens doors for demonic influence. Acts 5 and Ephesians 2:2 illustrate that even believers can be affected if they give ground to the enemy through disobedience. It's crucial to confront this reality and seek deliverance. When we pretend with God or lie, as seen in the story of Ananias and Sapphira, we allow the enemy to fill our hearts. This is a stark reminder that our actions and choices have spiritual consequences. Understanding this can help us remain vigilant and committed to living in obedience to God.
Ephesians 2:2 (ESV): "In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience."
Reflection: Think of a recent time when you were disobedient to God. How can you seek His forgiveness and make amends today? [45:55]
Day 2: Consistency in Walking in the Spirit
Consistency in walking in the Spirit is essential to not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. Galatians 5:16-17 teaches that this walk is not a suggestion but a commandment. Consistent spiritual practices help us resist the enemy's influence. Sporadic bursts of spiritual fervor are not enough; we need a balanced and continuous walk with God. This involves daily prayer, reading the Word, and being in fellowship with other believers. By doing so, we fortify ourselves against the enemy's attacks and grow stronger in our faith.
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure you are consistently walking in the Spirit? [51:19]
Day 3: The Necessity of Persistent Faith
Persistent faith and knowledge of the truth are necessary for spiritual growth and protection. James 4:7 reminds us that submitting to God and resisting the devil will make him flee. This requires a continuous, active relationship with God. It's not enough to have a one-time experience of faith; we must persistently seek God, study His Word, and apply it to our lives. This ongoing commitment helps us to stand firm against the enemy and grow in our spiritual maturity.
James 4:7 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you need to exercise persistent faith. How can you actively submit this area to God today? [55:41]
Day 4: Recognizing Jesus' Authority Over Demons
The story of the man possessed by a legion of demons in Mark 5 shows Jesus' authority over evil spirits. Even the most chaotic and destructive forces must bow to Him. This reminds us that no matter how dire our situation, Jesus has the final say. His power is greater than any demonic influence, and through Him, we can find deliverance and peace. Understanding and believing in Jesus' authority can give us confidence and hope in the midst of spiritual battles.
Mark 5:8-9 (ESV): "For he was saying to him, 'Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!' And Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?' He replied, 'My name is Legion, for we are many.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a situation in your life that feels chaotic or out of control. How can you invite Jesus' authority into this situation today? [01:19:21]
Day 5: Finding Deliverance and Peace in Jesus
No matter how chaotic or destructive our lives may seem, Jesus offers deliverance and peace. His authority is greater than any demonic influence, and through Him, we can find true freedom and restoration. This is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our struggles. Jesus is with us, and He has the power to bring us out of any darkness. By turning to Him and trusting in His authority, we can experience His peace and deliverance in our lives.
John 14:27 (ESV): "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need Jesus' deliverance and peace? How can you actively seek His help and trust in His authority today? [01:29:24]
Quotes
1. "Disobedience is the opposite of obedience. So you cannot be obedient if you're being disobedient. And the Bible, the Bible here literally calls us the sons of disobedience. And so we're, we're the sons of disobedience, the sons of the devil because we're disobeying God. And Acts chapter number five, I'm not going to break it down now, but it's the story of Ananias and Sapphira. And the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts five, Peter said to Ananias that Satan has filled your heart. He actually alluded to Ananias. He said, Ananias, Satan has filled your heart, Ananias. And this is Ananias is a, is a, is a church member. He's a leader in the church." [45:55] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you give place to them, he's not just going to leave because you decide to come to church today. You're going to need deliverance from these spirits because they have their own, by our own choice, given up ground to Satan. So he says, don't give place. Don't give ground. Don't give ground to the devil. And if you do, someone stronger than you has got to command him to leave. Amen. That's why we worship the Lord like we do. That's why I just spend over 30 minutes in here bringing our service, just begin to worship and praise and honor the one who the enemies cannot stay in the same room as he. And we give praise and honor and glory to him. Places that you have given the adversary he loses that foothold." [49:05] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. If it says if we walk in the spirit, we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh, then it would go to say that if we're not walking in the spirit, then we will fulfill the lust of the flesh. Well, I'm in church. I can't believe you're bringing this up today. Well, it's because the Bible says walk in the spirit. It's not a Sunday morning only suggestion. Matter of fact, it's not even a suggestion. It's a commandment. We sung a song a while ago about praising the Lord. How many knows that that's not a suggestion? You know, I'll suggest you praise the Lord. You know, that'd be a good thought if you praise the Lord. Uh-uh, it's a commandment. Praise ye the Lord is a commandment." [51:19] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What is lust? Anything that you're willing to trade or hinder your relationship with God to get. That, my friend, to you is lust. It can be over, it can be sexual, it could be material things, it could be something, social things, whatever it is that you're willing to trade your position in God with to get is a spirit of lust. And so we need to walk in the spirit so we don't give heed. We don't give place. We don't give up ground to that spirit of lust. That's doing what? Trying to get our, get our, get our dedication off of the things of God." [53:27] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The soul of born again believer is a process which is not automatic. And it requires persistent faith in God. And it, and it, and it requires knowledge of the truth. Do you hear what I said? Persistent faith in God. Not just whenever you need him. Although we may have confessed Christ in our life, we have denied Christ first place in our life. And we're not, have not put him first. I want to remind this church this morning that it's very important that we put God first in everything. If you put him first, there's no place for the enemy to, to supersede him. So we must be full of the Holy Spirit and full of the Word of God. Not just enough to get us by. Don't be afraid to get full of the Spirit of God." [55:04] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I'm here to remind the church that I'm speaking to this morning that our battle lies with that even though the enemy comes up against us, we will not allow him to attach himself to us. And whenever we allow him to attach himself to us, we need him to be detached from us. And the problem is, is that we come to church, we try to live as Christians, we try to raise our family the way we are too, but we have demonic spirits that have attached themselves to us and they don't attach themselves to us. And I'm here to tell you that we need to be, for them to be detached, we need deliverance." [58:23] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The same devil that's trying to wipe Israel off the face of the map is the same devil that's trying to wipe your family off the face of the map. The same one that's causing people that stands up and says, just have abortion on demand. Be trans everything. Lose your identity. The same ones that people deal with fear and doubt and condemnation and sicknesses. How many know that's a spirit of infirmity? We pray and ask God to heal our bodies. But we live under the oppression of fear and anxiety and depression and envy and lust and depression. You know what we need in the church? We need deliverance. We need to be healed. We need to be delivered. We need to be set free." [01:07:36] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I'm here to tell you that Satan has been planning and scheming before your grandmama winked at your grandmother. Before your mama met your daddy. He had a plan. He's got a scheme. He's been lying. He's been waiting. He's been like a predator on the prowl. And he's been doing that. But one little prayer from Jesus. One little prayer. One little thing that Jesus can do is more powerful than all the generations that the enemy has been using to try to tear down your generation. He can reverse the curse right now because we have faith in who Jesus is and what he's doing." [01:11:02] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The power of sin has access to your mind. How many believe that this morning? How many believe that you can be doing good sitting right here in church. And the devil will put some kind of crazy thought in your mind. And it's like, where'd that come from? Raise your hand. I'm the first one. I'll lead you. I'm going to be sitting in that front row. And the devil. Well, just, just, just, you know, who are we? Who are you to think you can get up there and preach like that? Tell the people about that. Boy, it's a battle. It's a struggle always here. And the devil has power to get into our mind. But I want to remind you this morning that he has no power over your will. Stuff comes in my mind and goes out of my mind. And I can't stop it. I wished I could. I try. It just keeps coming in there. But I'm here to tell you. No matter what. What comes in my mind and what comes out of my mind can never stop my will. I can will to do God's will. I said I can will to do his will." [01:15:15] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "This story is about. No matter how destructive. don't know who I'm talking to this morning. And no matter how. Chaotic. Your life gets. Jesus has the final say. Don't give up. I said don't give up. Come on let's just throw our hands up. And just worship him this morning. Oh Jesus. We just thank you Lord. Your name has all the power. Your name Lord. Has all the authority. God we pray right now. That no matter how destructive. No matter how chaotic. The enemy has come against us Lord. We thank you today God. That you have the final say. You have the final authority. Our power in heaven and earth has been given to you Lord. And Father we acknowledge you today Lord. We acknowledge you today God. That you are king of kings." [01:29:24] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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