This one.
Yeah.
Work it.
Yep.
There we go.
You guys look like a little orchestra.
There we go.
Black and white.
I can't hear you.
Welcome to Faith offers Church.
We'll begin our evening service
by singing a song number 351
We sing a song number 351
Tell it to Jesus
Song number 351, Call to Jesus.
Song 351, on the first.
Are you ready? We are.
Tell it to Jesus. Tell it to Jesus.
He's the greatest one.
He's no longer a stranger.
What is it? Tell it to Jesus.
All that you are in trouble and not fighting.
Tell it to Jesus. Tell it to Jesus.
What's the main thing you wish for?
Tell it to Jesus. Tell it to Jesus.
Tell it to Jesus. He's the greatest one.
He's no longer a stranger. What's the main thing you wish for?
Tell it to Jesus.
Take your hymnals and go to song number 100.
Day by day. Next song will be song number 100.
Song number 100, day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
Day by day.
All the first.
All right, we'll be singing song number 113, a wonderful piece.
Song number 113, 113.
Are we the cats with spades back as I won the team of the first?
Far away with the dance of my speed,
I lose a melody sweeter than a song.
It's the best of my strings, let it dance,
It's making balls out of my soul,
Let it in, let it fall.
It is me, it's hard to hold,
I am not loving at all.
It's been over my spirit forever,
I've made it, it felt just like a once in a while.
I've vanished right now in this wonderful place,
Let it in, let it fall out of my soul.
So sweet little power can I give of life,
Let it in, let it fall out of my soul.
It's me, it's hard to hold,
I've made it, it felt just like a once in a while.
It's been over my spirit forever,
I've made it, it felt just like a once in a while.
I've vanished tonight in this wonderful place,
Let it in, let it fall out of my soul.
Oh, death from all danger,
My night and my day,
As long as my life is still,
It is me, it's hard to hold,
I am not loving at all.
It's me, it's hard to hold,
I've slipped it forever,
I've made it, it felt just like a once in a while.
It's me, it's hard to hold,
I've slipped it forever,
I've made it, it felt just like a once in a while.
As we all know,
A strong whisper and song that sing,
In the land of the free,
Kingdom shall be.
It is me, it's hard to hold,
It's me, it's hard to hold,
I'm not loving at all.
It's me, it's hard to hold,
I've slipped it forever,
I've made it, it felt just like a once in a while.
Oh, death from all danger,
As long as my life is still,
It is me, it's hard to hold,
I've slipped it forever,
I've made it, it felt just like a once in a while.
Make me a strong man,
Let the shadows wander,
Let me stand and speak,
It's me, it's hard to hold,
It is me, it's hard to hold,
It's me, it's hard to hold,
I've slipped it forever,
I've made it, it felt just like a once in a while.
The man I should sing at this time will pass the offering plate.
As the plate goes around, you can follow along as we read from Ephesians chapter one.
As the play goes around, you can turn your Bibles to Ephesians, chapter number 1.
Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 1 of the Bible reads,
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful who Christ Jesus.
Grace be to you, peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heaven and places in Christ,
according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy, without blame before him for love,
having predestinated us into the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise and the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted and beloved, in whom we have redemption through his blood and forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace, wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
having made known unto us the mystery of his will,
according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself,
that in dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together and one all things in Christ,
which are in heaven, which are on earth, even in him,
in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated,
according to the purpose of him, who worketh all things, after the counsel of his own will,
that we should be to the praise of his glory, the first trust of the Christ,
in whom ye also trust him, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation,
in whom also, after that ye believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession,
until the praise of his glory.
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, in love unto all saints,
ceaseth not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom,
and revelation in the knowledge of him, that the eyes of your understanding do you like,
that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory
of his inheritance are the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us for,
who believe, according to the work of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ,
when he raised him from the dead, and set him on his own right hand, in the heavenly places,
far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,
not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and I put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head, and over all things, to the church, which is his body,
the fullness of him, the hilly of all in all.
Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, thank you for this opportunity to hear the preaching of your word,
and let us pray that you would bless Deacon, fill him with the Holy Spirit, to preach boldly unto us,
and help us, your children, to receive and apply it to our lives, and that we may grow by it.
We love you so, sons, and we pray for that.
So, Ephesians chapter number one, I'll actually be coming back to Ephesians,
but if you want to go over to Mark chapter number one, I'm going to continue on with the series.
We started several weeks ago going through the book of Mark, and just looking at,
looking at it a little bit more closely, slowing down, taking a little more time,
to kind of go through these sections of scripture, and just making application, of course, as we go.
And I just want to look at verses 25 through 28, if you remember the story leading up to this.
Jesus is calling his disciples, and of course, he's going into the synagogue.
It says, verse 23, and there was in the synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out.
So, that unclean spirit is what we would call a devil, or, you know, an evil spirit.
Okay, so a man with an unclean spirit is somebody, obviously, that is possessed.
So, he has this unclean spirit, and when Christ comes into the synagogue,
this unclean spirit within the man cries out, saying,
Let us alone what we have to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth.
Remember, last time we were in Mark, we looked at the significance of that name, Jesus of Nazareth.
Art thou come to destroy this? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
And they were all amazed in so much that they questioned among themselves, saying,
What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits.
And they do obey him, and immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
So, I'm just going to look at those three or four verses right there, verses 25 through 28.
And what's interesting about this passage is that when Jesus casts out this devil,
the people, when they see that, it says they're amazed, right?
It says in verse 27, they were all amazed in so much that they questioned among themselves,
saying, What thing is this? So, they're taken aback by the fact, not that Jesus did this,
but that this was done at all. Notice they say, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this?
So, this is something new that they're seeing. This wasn't something that was taking place.
This wasn't any old Sunday or Saturday, rather, in the synagogue.
This was something of note, something out of the ordinary when Jesus came in and commanded this unclean spirit to come out of the man.
And they're saying, What new doctrine is this? And then notice this, For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits.
He has the ability to just command these spirits to come out of these people. This is something that is new to us.
So, we don't want to get the impression that they were just casting out devils all down through the Old Testament,
and that this is actually something that was given to Jesus. Jesus has this authority. He has this ability
because of the fact that Jesus is the final authority over everything. Jesus has rule and reign over everything,
even the spiritual realm. And if you want to go back to Ephesians chapter 1, keep something in Mark 1.
Let's go to Ephesians chapter number 1. The Bible says in 1 Peter chapter number 3,
Jesus is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being subject unto him.
So, the angels, the authorities, and the powers are subject unto Christ. And they're seeing this in Mark chapter 1.
They're beholding this first hand. They're saying, Wow, this is a new thing that with authority he cast out these devils.
So, it's a new thing, meaning this isn't something they were seeing all the time. This is something that is noteworthy,
also, it shows us that Jesus has this authority. He has this power. He has the authority to command these unclean
or evil spirits to come out of people. And that's something you'll just see all throughout the Gospels.
Jesus does this repeatedly, okay. Look at verse 18 of Ephesians 1. The Bible says,
The eyes of your understanding be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance to the saints. This is Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, right,
that they would know these things. The eyes of their understanding would be enlightened,
and that they would know the hope of his calling, right, the resurrection, the riches of the glories of inheritance and the saints,
what awaits us in heaven, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe.
That God has, or Paul rather, is praying and wants the Ephesians to know that God has this great power toward us-ward.
That God isn't limited when it comes to the power that he has in our lives. That God can move on our behalf, right.
The exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.
Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him in his own right hand in heavenly places,
far above all principality, all power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,
not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and hath put all things under his feet,
and gave them to behead over all things to the church.
So Paul here is really stressing the fact that God has great power toward us-ward who believe, right.
And we know that because of the fact that Christ is far above everything, right.
I mean, he gives this list here in verse 21, all principality, power, might, dominion,
every name that is named in this world and in that which is to come.
And that, not only that, all things are put under his feet, okay.
That is how much power Christ has, okay.
And that's why he is the authority that can cast out these devils.
And I'm emphasizing this point because from time to time I've been asked by people,
well-intentioned people, is it possible for Christians to be possessed?
And it's a hard no, okay. That's a no. It cannot happen.
Or they'll ask things like, is it possible for somebody to, you know, put a hex or a curse on somebody, okay.
And look, we might chuckle at that and we might think that's kind of a silly question,
but the fact is that we live in a spiritual realm and there are people out there that dabble in the dark arts,
that are involved in the occult.
And they believe with all of their heart that they have this power to do things like this to people, okay.
And sometimes people come out of those backgrounds, they've been associated with that,
or maybe they have family or something like that.
They know people who are involved in those things.
And as Christians they have legitimate questions about this, okay.
I'm not saying that those things aren't real. I believe that those things are real.
I believe, you know, in Satan and the angels and all of that,
and that people can get in contact with evil spirits
and they can maybe even have the devil work on their behalf, whatever, okay.
You know, it's a shame to even speak of those things which are done to them in secret.
Those aren't things that I desire to look into that much.
But that doesn't mean it's not a reality.
I'm pointing this out so that when people come to me and say,
hey, can a Christian be possessed? Can the devil afflict one of God's own children?
No, he can't, okay. Why?
Because Jesus has power over all of those things.
He, you know, when we got saved we are under his watch and care, okay.
They're looking at Jesus saying, wow, with power he commanded the unclean spirits.
It's not like Jesus had to, you know, strike a deal with them or, you know, negotiate with them.
He said come out of the man and they had to come out, okay.
Meaning he has the final authority to say he rules over all things.
All things are put under his feet, right.
He's far above all these things.
Every name that is named in this world and in the next,
he has power over all of these things including the devil and his angels.
That's why I do not believe Christians can be possessed, right.
We say, well, that was when Jesus was here on this earth, okay.
But the fact is that if we're saved we're indwelled by the Holy Spirit and Christ is in our hearts by faith.
We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
There's no room for the devil anymore, okay.
Christ's power is not limited by our proximity to him, okay.
I know that Christ is at the right hand of God but his Holy Spirit resides within us.
God is all powerful, God is all present and Christ is that powerful, right.
And that's what he's pointing out in Ephesians chapter 1.
I mean if you read it again, all these things are put under his feet.
There's nothing that's off limits to him and it's his power toward us who believe.
God works that power towards his children.
You know, we have essentially, you know, if we're in a ring so to speak with the devil,
you know, or with the world, you know, Jesus is our corner man.
You know, to put it lightly.
You know, he's the one that is going to step in for us.
He's the one that's there for us to help us and support us and guide us and lead us.
And quite frankly, you know, there's no evil thing formed against me shall prosper as the scripture says.
So no, I do not believe it is possible for a Christian to come under some kind of a hex or a curse
by, you know, put on them by some Satanist.
I don't believe God gives them that power. I think that's off limits to them.
I do not believe that an unclean spirit can come and inhabit God's holy temple which is the believer.
We are the temple of God.
I don't believe that God would permit Satan to come into a believer.
Now I will say this if you want to keep something there in Ephesians and go over to Ephesians chapter number four.
We're done with Ephesians chapter number one and you can go over to Ephesians chapter four.
That while Christians cannot be possessed because God has power over them, they're indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
They certainly can be influenced by the devil.
They cannot be possessed but they certainly can be influenced.
Whether that's through an actual devil or just through demonic philosophy that's out there.
You know, if we as Christians are taking in the things of the world, we're listening to the world's music,
we're watching the world's films, we're reading the world's books, we're following this world's system.
We are going to be influenced by the devil because he is the source of a lot of those things.
He is the one that is using those different mediums to promote his philosophy.
So we can come under the influence of the devil but we cannot be indwelt or cursed.
We can bring a curse upon ourselves by disobeying God and following the devil and going after the philosophy of the devil.
God will chasten us but Christians can be influenced.
Look at Ephesians chapter number four. Look at verse, we'll just begin there in verse 24.
And that you put on the new man which is created after God which is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Wherefore putting away lying speak every man's truth with his neighbor.
For he remembers one of another, be angry and sin not, let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
Neither give place to the devil, it says in verse 27.
Now why would Paul have to tell the Ephesians, hey don't give place to the devil if it weren't possible.
Now he didn't say don't be possessed by the devil.
Don't go through some incantation and invite some wicked spirit into your body to be inhabited by him.
That's not what he's saying when he says give place to the devil. Meaning in our lives, in our attitudes, in the way we conduct ourselves.
In our spirit let's not give place to the devil.
And verse 27 is in the midst of this litany of exhortations.
To put away lying, to speak truth, to not be angry, to not give place to the devil.
To steal no more it says in verse 28.
Look at verse 29.
If we give place to the devil, what it means is that we're going to do things that are contrary to the word of God.
Contrary to the spirit of God and we're going to grieve the holy spirit of God.
It doesn't mean we're going to be possessed. I don't believe that's possible.
But we certainly can be influenced by the devil and in turn grieve the holy spirit of God.
Look at verse 31.
So giving place to the devil is not being possessed by it.
It's when we don't do these things.
When we do allow bitterness and we do allow wrath and anger and evil speaking.
And we are not kind or tender hearted and we're not forgiving.
That's giving place to the devil in the Christian's life.
That's how we can be influenced by the devil.
But that doesn't mean we are possessed by the devil.
If you want to go over to Luke chapter number 8.
Go over to Luke chapter number 8.
We'll look at another instance in which Jesus cast out an evil spirit in Luke chapter number 8.
And just again to further prove to folks that Christ is the authority when it comes to this concept of being possessed by the devil.
If a Christian is possessed by the devil it's because God let that happen.
And God's not going to let that happen. That's not something he permits.
Luke chapter 8 verse 26.
And this is why when people ask is it possible to be vexed or cursed by somebody?
Is it possible to be possessed by the devil?
What you're kind of saying is well God must not have that much power then.
Paul must have been wrong in the book of Ephesians when he said that he's above every name.
Above every name that is named.
That all things are put under his feet.
That he's far above all principality and power.
That was just Paul waxing eloquent.
That was just him being overly dramatic.
No that was Paul stating fact.
And when we sit there and start to entertain this idea that we as Christians can be possessed or cursed.
What we're saying is well God must not be that powerful.
Maybe the fact that he's in heaven now and he's so far away.
It's like a Bluetooth connection or something with the Holy Spirit.
You get more than 30 feet away and all of a sudden it starts cutting in and out.
You start losing the reception.
That's not how it works with the Holy Spirit.
We're indwelt. We're sealed under the day of our redemption.
We can have the fullness of the Holy Ghost every single day of our lives.
We're not limited unless we give place to the devil and quench the Holy Spirit.
Jesus has this authority over the devils.
Look at Luke chapter number 8. Let's look at verse 26.
It says,
So it sounds like the devils know exactly who's in charge here.
They're not like what do you want Jesus? What? What are you going to do?
They're saying don't torment us.
They're afraid of what he's about to do to them.
Look at verse 29.
What do we see first of all? That the devils are afraid of Jesus.
Then it says in verse 29 that he commanded them.
Going on in our story it says,
So he's commanding them and what are they doing?
They're beseeching or as it says they besought him.
Meaning they're begging him.
They're not commanding him.
Alright if we're going to come out you make us go.
This is where we're willing to go.
They're not negotiating.
They're afraid they're going to be cast into the deep.
Meaning the ocean.
That he's just going to cast them into some deep dark crevice down in the earth somewhere.
And they're beseeching him that they could go into the herd of swine.
They're saying let us go into these animals.
Which brings up an interesting point.
Can animals become possessed with devils?
It certainly appears that way.
That it could happen. It's something that may be possible.
There's some animals that I'm convinced are.
You go out soul-winding and these chihuahuas just come out of nowhere.
Just barking all the time.
It's like man isn't it convenient whenever you're soul-winding how often dogs find you.
Or the manner in which they find you.
How many times have we walked into a fence.
Fenced off yard thinking this is safe.
And then we're deep into the yard knocking the door and all of a sudden.
The Saint Bernard.
The rabid Doberman or whatever comes around the corner.
It's like the devil was in that dog.
Like not yet.
Wait for it.
Let him get close.
The devil's trying to stop our efforts.
Stop our efforts.
I don't know that any of that's true.
But it is certainly. It's sus.
Is that how the kids say it?
It's sus.
Gotcha.
I'm hip. I'm with it.
It's highly sus when the dog waits for you to get deep into the yard.
Maybe there's a devil at play there.
I'm not saying that's a fact.
But it certainly could be.
So they're beseeching him not to go out into the deep.
In verse 32.
And there wasn't heard of many swine feeding the mountains.
They besought him that they would suffer.
That he would suffer them to enter into them.
And then it says there at the end of verse 32.
And he suffered them.
Meaning he permitted it.
He allowed it.
He put up with them.
He granted them their request.
Okay.
And again this wasn't negotiations.
Nothing like that.
They were going to be commanded.
They're convinced when he shows up.
Are you going here to destroy us?
Don't cast us into the deep.
Can we go into the swine?
You know what?
Go ahead.
Go into the swine.
I'll permit that.
So again this just shows us that Christ has complete control over unclean spirits.
That's why I do not believe it's possible for a Christian to be inhabited by the unclean spirit.
One, because they have the Holy Spirit.
They're the temple of God.
And two, that would be something that God would have to allow to happen.
And why in the world would God permit that?
There's no reason for it.
I mean look at the kind of condition you find yourself in.
When you're possessed by devils.
You know this guy's living out in the graveyard with no clothes on.
Cutting himself.
And beating people up.
It's not any kind of a life.
Okay.
If you look there.
Also towards the end.
It says in verse 35, and then they went out to see what was done.
Talking about the people of the village and the city and the country.
And came to Jesus and found the man out of whom the devils were departed.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Clothed and in his right mind and they were afraid.
They also which sought told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was what?
Healed.
Okay.
He was healed of these devils.
Meaning they're not going to re-enter into this man.
This is a condition that he has been healed from.
Okay.
So he's either healed or he's not.
Alright.
So I believe this is a great proof text to just show us the power that Christ has.
That's why I don't believe that Christians can be possessed.
Now some people might object.
And if you're there in Luke just go over a few pages to Luke chapter number 11.
They might point to this passage and say well you know it is possible for devils to re-enter somebody.
Like maybe there was somebody who was you know devil possessed and then they got saved.
And they were no longer possessed anymore.
And now they're saved but it's still they'll teach hey maybe it's possible that devils can still enter into them.
Okay.
And they might look at well you know the Bible says we just read that that man was healed.
Okay.
Wasn't a partial healing.
You know he healed it.
I believe he sealed that man off.
And that those devils weren't going to be allowed back.
Now people might object and point to Luke chapter 11.
And say oh no it's possible for the devils to re-enter into somebody.
Look at verse 14 of Luke chapter 11.
And he was casting out a devil and it was dumb and it came to pass when the devil has gone out the dumb spake and the people wondered.
But some of them said he casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
Beelzebub being Satan.
And others tempting him sought of him a sign from heaven.
But he knowing their thoughts and said unto them every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation and a house divided against itself falleth.
He's saying look I if I'm casting out you know say if I'm casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub then Satan's house is divided and will fall.
Okay.
If Satan be to verse 18 if Satan be also be divided against himself how shall his kingdom stand.
But because he say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils by whom your sons cast them out therefore they shall be your judges.
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils no doubt the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Look at verse 21 when a strong man armed keep with his palace his goods are in peace.
But when a stronger than he come upon him and overcome he taketh away from him all his armor where he trusteth and divided the spoils.
So he's using the example of somebody basically committing B&E right breaking in and taking captive the strong man and then spoiling his goods right robbing him.
And Jesus in this illustration is the one that's doing the robbing.
Why because he is the one that is stronger than he.
Right he's stronger than the strong man than the strong man who keep at this palace when a stronger than he shall come upon him he overcome.
He's like that's what's going on here.
Satan has a stronghold. I'm coming upon him and spoiling every all of his possessions.
I'm taking back what was it what he what was once is I'm taking it from him.
Look at verse 23 he that is not with me is against me and he that gathers not with me scatter.
He's saying you're there with me or you're against me a house divided cannot stand.
All right.
But then people will look at verse 24 and say well he's now he's talking about devil possession about someone being repossessed after having a devil cast out.
Okay.
Says in verse 24 when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest and finding and he saith I will return into my house once I came out.
And when he cometh he find it swept and garnished.
Then he goeth and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they enter in and dwell there and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Okay.
Now what's Jesus saying there why is he.
What is this illustration about verses 24 through 26 about a devil being cast out of a man and then returning with seven spirits worse than himself.
After that man has been swept and garnished right meaning the place has been cleaned up.
Well I believe you have to remember that he's speaking to the Pharisees.
He's speaking to the Jews he's speaking to the nation of Israel.
Right.
And they're opposing him.
They're saying you're doing this by Beelzebub meaning they're committing the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.
That's what it is literally to attribute the works of Christ to Satan.
That is the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.
And I believe what's going on here is that Jesus is using this instance where he is casting out a devil and he's making an illustration about the nation of Israel.
Okay.
Verses 24 through 26 I believe are Jesus his illustration of the nation of Israel.
Okay.
Because again it says when an unclean spirit has gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest and finding none saying I will return to my house once I came out.
When he cometh that he find it swept and garnished.
This is what Jesus is doing.
He's showing up in the nation of Israel.
He's sweeping and garnishing it.
Right.
You know John is saying make a straight path.
Right.
He's making a straight way in the desert.
He's saying prepare you know the way of the coming of the Lord.
Jesus is coming.
He's casting out devils.
He's healing people.
He's preaching.
He's cleaning up the place.
Right.
And he's casting out these devils and he's making things right.
However after he's gone after he's been rejected the state of Israel is going to be worse than when they started.
Right.
Because they were pretty bad to begin with.
Right.
They're rejecting Christ.
And then it says and then he goeth and take with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they enter in and dwell there and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
So I believe he's just using this as an illustration of the nation of Israel.
That after he's been rejected their state is going to be even worse.
You know and that that makes sense.
Right.
Because of the fact that you know Satan used them and used the Romans to crucify Christ.
OK.
And truly Satan you know found his people.
When they're willing to reject the Messiah and reject the Christ and have him crucified the last state is worse than the first.
So I'm just turning there because some people say well that you know as an objection well no look this is talking about a man being repossessed.
Right.
And this is an important topic you know maybe not so much to us here but there's whole denominations out there that make a big deal out of demon possession.
And they spend a lot of time you know casting out devils the charismatics the Pentecostals and things like that they get really big on this.
And they make a big show out of it out of casting out devils and they might turn to a passage like this as an objection.
But you know it's clearly talking about something else it's an illustration.
OK.
I don't believe that we have to cast out devils in here one I don't believe it's within our power to do it.
OK.
Two I don't think any of anyone that's saved and has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them is going to be possessed of devils.
OK.
But again people want to go to church and just be wowed. They just want to be entertained.
You know they're going to go to a place where they can have some you know big you know so-called supernatural experience.
And that's what they're looking for. They're just looking for an experience. They don't actually go and learn anything or be told to do anything.
They just want to go and have an experience.
And you know let me look at the things people go and entertain themselves with it out in the world.
They go watch all the horror shows they go watch all these sensational movies they go watch all the you know just the supernatural stuff.
I mean they make movies about devil possession it's entertainment for people.
And that's all a lot of these charismatics and Pentecostals are doing they're just entertaining a crowd.
You know getting up and slapping people with their jackets and laying hands on them and making them shake on the ground.
And you know and getting up and talking in tongues and you know.
And just casting out devils so-called. It's a big show is what it is.
It's unbiblical.
Only Jesus has the power to cast out devils if you would go over to Acts chapter number five.
Acts chapter number five.
The Bible says and you'll say well you know I thought Jesus said that his disciples would be able to cast out devils.
Well you know that's true. I believe that was that the apostles were given.
You know that ability.
Like in Matthew 10 they come to Jesus saying you know even the even the devils are subject unto us.
Right. And Jesus is saying you know marvel not.
And he's saying I saw I beheld Satan as lightning cast from heaven fall from heaven.
So yes Jesus did give his apostles that power but it ended with the apostles.
OK. And it's something that Jesus granted them as a special sign.
Are you there in Mark or excuse me Acts five.
It says in verse 12 in the hands of the apostles and excuse me and by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.
Now there were other people other safe people beyond the apostles weren't there.
But it was by the hands of the apostles that these signs and wonders were wrought among the people.
What were these signs and wonders verse 15 and so much that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches.
That at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Like so people are just hoping that Peter's shadow would fall upon them in the street.
So that they would be healed of some disease.
OK. So these people I want to claim all these special miracles. It's interesting that they don't claim all of them.
They want to pick and choose which ones.
You know it's like OK if you're if you have all these special miracles that were given by Christ to the apostles.
You know why not this one.
You know this would be pretty handy wouldn't it.
You know if you were sick and we could just say hey you know brother so and so sister so and so has this special gift of you know being able to cast your shadow upon them and healing everybody.
I mean think about what it would do for the attendance around here.
You know people get sick it's like we'll come to church.
You know don't even bother with the night quill don't bother with the day quill don't bother with the home remedies just come to church and we'll get a spot you know we'll take one of those lamps that we had set up earlier today.
We'll set it up over here and we'll have brother so and so with the special gift stand on it will cast the shadow and you just walk under it.
I mean that's the gift isn't it.
That's what the gift is for Peter.
But no no no they don't want that one because that's a little bit harder to fake isn't it.
It's a little bit harder if you actually if you heard that like someone was trying to pull that off like actually fake that.
What if someone who was actually sick and just in sincerity was trying to get healed showed up and it didn't happen.
Because it won't it wouldn't happen.
It's just it wouldn't happen.
You know you'd show up with a sniffle or whatever and go into the shadow and be like I'm I'm no I haven't changed I think nothing's happened.
That's hard to fake.
It's a little bit easier fake to get out you know go on some big crusade like Benny Hinn or something like that and fill out some auditorium or some some pack out some giant place and then just kind of have the whole front several rows in on the in on the gag.
So when I start waving my arms around everybody knows to fall around fall down.
Or maybe there really is some demonic activity taking place in those in those services but not in the way in which you think.
Maybe when Benny Hinn's slapping someone on the forehead or slapping them with their coat it's actually a devil that's doing that to them.
As a as a as you know as a false because he's a false prophet preaching a false gospel.
So he's trying they're trying to just confirm him so more people would be duped and follow his false gospel with him straight into hell.
The devil works like that you know the devil and no marvel for his ministers are transformed into beings of light even Satan himself is transformed into a into a being of light.
They don't come to us with pitchforks and and red you know tails and cloven feet you know they they're ministers so-called they're they they're men crept in unawares right and they they preach damnable heresies.
So maybe Benny Hinn and all these other charismatics and these Pentecostals yeah they're they're they're you know they've got Satan's in the church service the devils are there but he's not there casting out they're working hand in glove they're working together to deceive people.
That's in all likelihood what's really going on because these signs these these casting out devils and other things these were grant are done by Christ and he granted the apostles as special signs.
Gave it to them so that they would have been confirmed the early church verse seventeen and these signs will follow them that believe in my name they shall cast out devils they shall speak with new tongues.
Right there's the vast majority of this is Mark sixteen verse seventeen this is the vast majority of Pentecostals and charismatics.
You know they'll go okay cast out devils yeah we could we could pull that one off speak in new tongues hey I can I can get up and start speaking gibberish.
You know we've all been a one year old at one point or two year old and just get up and start saying nonsense yeah we could do that.
They like that they shall take up serpents now I understand there's some backwoods Baptist out there too that want to go handle snakes.
You know and when they get bit they just say I didn't have the faith you know it's like okay.
I don't think you had the IQ but.
They like they'll even go for that one but and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them like well let's not get carried away.
With this drink and deadly things here it's like oh you got this you know they'll get bring me the bottle of bleach.
You know you have all these special signs you have all these powers you know let's get that shadow cast and while you're standing there let's let's start drinking Drano.
And watch you not not affect you because these are the signs that followed these apostles if someone attempted to poison them it wouldn't work.
You know and we see some of these things play out in the book of Acts Paul is bitten of a serpent and he shakes it off and everyone watches him waiting to fall down dead.
It doesn't happen doesn't mean he was a snake handler it just means that he was protected by God.
They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.
Look at Acts 19 verse 11.
So we see in Mark chapter 1 is that Christ has the power to cast out devils it's his and his alone.
And it's it's non-negotiable when he says out they got to go at best they can they can ask to be thrown into some swine or something.
You know and they and even then they they besot him right.
So this is you know that's why I don't believe a Christian is going to be possessed or can be because God isn't going to permit that and God's not powerless.
Like oh man I wish I'd too bad about that whole devil possession thing sorry about that.
You're not going to get to heaven and be like Lord why was I possessed of devil all you know I tried but there's just nothing I can do.
I was too far away.
You know or somehow my hands were tied up here in heaven no.
God you know all things are put under his feet.
His name is above every name that is named.
He has that power.
Acts 19 verse 11 and God wrought special miracles by the hand of Paul.
Special.
What does that mean there?
Meaning they're unique you know special is a very special word it's only used twice in the scripture.
It's rare this isn't you won't see it all the time.
He wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul.
So that hit from his body so it's going to tell us what these special miracles were.
From his body were brought into the sick handkerchiefs or aprons.
Now I don't know if that's like a Kleenex or what but you know.
And diseases parted from it people had a disease they just say well here's here's Paul's hanky.
And I don't know what went on there like you took it and all of a sudden you're healed.
That's pretty cool.
And you can see why he would do that because you know Paul's a busy guy.
Right he can't be everywhere all the time.
You know maybe he's just like well here you know here take him that.
And let him touch that or something.
You know Peter just has to walk by and let his shadow fall on somebody while he's you know going wherever it is he's got to be.
It's pretty effective.
But these are special miracles the Bible calls them special.
These were done by the hands of Paul by the apostles by Peter not just by anybody.
And what's the last one it mentions there and evil spirits went out of them.
So the casting out of evil spirits or unclean spirits was something that was done by Peter by Paul by Jesus.
Because Jesus has that power and it was granted unto the apostles.
It's not for us today.
OK.
I don't believe that any of us should ever try to you know cast out devils.
It's not in our power. It's not our place.
Now go to James chapter number four James chapter number four.
Christians cannot be possessed because Christ is the final authority.
They can however be influenced by the devil.
OK. Through different things that are out there through worldly philosophy.
You know through you know their own flesh even.
Perhaps they could do things that are demonic in nature.
They could do things that are unchristian they could quench the Holy Spirit.
But we cannot cast out devils.
That was only for Jesus and those to whom he gave that ability the apostles those special special miracles as the Bible calls it.
However although believers cannot cast out devils they can resist the devil.
OK.
They can resist the devil.
And this is something that we actually need to do in our lives.
You know we don't want to get all caught up in these sensational things.
And people are drawn to sensationalism aren't they.
And we saw it in the passage.
I'm kind of getting ahead of myself a little bit but that's what people get so caught up in the sensational they forget about the practical.
Well can we pass cast out devils.
I don't know it's not going to be pretty cool if we could.
Yeah it would be pretty cool if we could.
But how about resisting the devil.
Why don't we start there.
Why don't we make sure we're doing the things that we know we can do and resist the devil.
James 4 verse 7 submit yourselves therefore to God resist the devil.
Oh except it's not possible.
No it is possible.
But there's a big difference between resisting the devil and having power over the devil to cast them out.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
And it doesn't mean you know I'm going to rebuke him in Jesus name and send him running.
What it means is when you resist the devil and resist the devil and resist the devil what he realizes is that he's wasting his time with you.
When he says I can't get this guy I can't I keep tempting him.
I keep trying to trip him up.
I keep you know tempting him and throwing sins in front of him and trying to get him back into his old ways or get him off the path or get him from following Christ.
Trying to get him to quench and grieve the spirit and he just keeps resisting me and resisting me and you know I've only got so much time and I can't be I'm not God I can't be in all places.
I've got to go work on somebody else I know I can get.
That's why the devil flees from us is when we actually sit there and consistently resist him and resist him and resist him.
And there'll be seasons of that I believe in our lives where we have you know the devil will be resisted will resist the devil he'll flee.
He'll go away for a while but you know what he'll come back and say let me try him again.
Maybe his guards down now.
Maybe he's not as vigilant.
Maybe now is a good time.
Draw an eye to God and he will draw an eye to you.
So we can't cast out devils but we can certainly resist them.
That's why this excuse that you sometimes hear from people is a lie.
And sometimes you know people say well the devil made me do it right.
That's a lie.
If you're saved the devil didn't make you do anything because he can't he doesn't have that power.
Now you know the demoniac of Gardera he could say the devil made me do it.
Why are you cutting yourself with stones and running around the graveyard naked.
Why are you breaking the chains of beating up people.
The devil made me do it.
That's that's true.
Right.
You know why you know why is this one man young man's one man son casting himself in the fire.
Because the devil made him do it because he's possessed.
But since you and I as God's children cannot be possessed by the devil.
And in fact we even have the ability to resist the devil.
We cannot use the excuse of well the devil made me do it.
Doesn't work.
OK.
I mean think about some of the simple things people do.
OK.
How about how about smoking.
OK.
Right.
And that's a sin.
Right.
I don't know if anybody in here smokes.
I don't know.
All right.
Usually you can pick up on that because it stinks so bad.
There's a Christian in here who was saved and said well I don't want to smoke but I do it because the devil makes me do it.
Oh well how would that play out.
Like you know you have the pack of cigarettes in front of you and you don't you don't want to reach for it.
But it's just like you know the devil's making me do it.
Oh I'm trying to stop.
Oh I can't I can't.
Oh you know I'm trying so hard not to smoke this but the devil's making me do it.
It's like no.
The devil didn't take over your nervous system and put that cigarette in your mouth.
You did that.
Now the devil might have gone.
Cigarette sounds pretty good right now doesn't it.
Right.
But he did not you know hold you down and shove a cigarette in your mouth and light it and go.
You did that.
OK.
And that's just a silly example but that's you know we can't use that about any sin in our lives.
Say well the devil made me do it.
Right.
What can happen is that we can be tempted.
When he's drawn away of his own lusts the Bible says.
And when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death.
But it starts with our own lusts.
A lot of times people want to use the devil made me do it as their excuse.
But really what it comes down to is it's just the flesh.
Satan gets way too much credit in a lot of Christians lives.
And the flesh not enough.
The real enemy in our life is the flesh.
That's why I'm not one of these there's a devil behind every bush Baptists.
You know the devil made me do it.
Oh the devil did it.
You know something happened something goes on it's the devil it's the devil it's the devil.
No it's it's the flesh.
You know it's you know some something happens in the church all must be Satan trying to just tear the church apart.
Or it's just the fact that you have people that get in the flesh.
All getting together in the same room repeatedly throughout the week.
For years on end there's stuff's going to happen.
Because people get in the flesh and they do things.
It's inevitable.
It would be so I'm saying it's like that's you know if we're going to say oh it's the devil that we're not really going to address the issue are we.
You know if we're not actually recognizing the enemy for who he is how can we do anything about it.
You know we've been duped when we sit there and say the devil made me do it.
No your flesh did that.
Nine times out of ten it's the flesh.
And again obviously if we we wouldn't be told to resist the devil if he wasn't trying to you know pull one over on us.
But I don't think it's the devil anywhere near as much as some some Christians.
Like to say it is it's sometimes that's just a convenient excuse.
Now in closing let me just again go back to what I said earlier.
You know a lot of people you know are going to insist that no all this stuff is possible casting out devils and you know all this kind of stuff speaking in tongues all these special gifts are for all of us.
Because people prefer the sensational to the practical.
They don't want to come to church and be told hey your flesh is the problem deal with it.
Because that's hard.
You know that's difficult.
That's not easy.
It's like hey you're that flesh it's going to be with you every day of your life for the rest of your life.
That's your problem.
It'd be a lot easier if you say oh no oh you got a problem.
Just come up here for a second.
No just come here and I'll just matter the object words and just go like this.
OK you're good.
You know I'm going to slap you with my coat.
I'm going to walk through the auditorium and just sprinkle everybody water.
And just mumble some mumbo jumbo and you go oh oh my problems are over.
That's a lot easier isn't it.
It's sensational though.
But it's not practical and it's not reality.
But that's why people like that stuff because it's ooh ah it gets us all worked up.
You know and I can see this play out you know in people.
I think I think probably all of us have a little bit of this where we were more interested in sensational things and practical things.
And a great example of this you know is my YouTube channel.
Right because if you just go down and you look at how many views certain sermons get you can see this playing out with people.
People don't click on acts 16 Deuteronomy 24.
You know I just I just thought you know let me just go look at it from the last you know the 30 results the last 30 live streams that have been up there.
What are the highest ranking ones.
Bye bye Babylon.
Because everyone knows what that's about.
End times prophecy.
The coming wrath of God.
Destruction.
It's biblical.
It's exciting.
But it's probably a little bit more you classify it more as a sensational type of sermon right.
Not that it's sensationalism it's certainly biblical everything in it.
But it has more of that catchy title because they know what the topic's about.
Right.
I mean I have 2700 subscribers.
Thank you.
Right.
Hey we had 2500 in September so we're growing right.
I won't tell you who the top five videos are.
None of them are mine.
It's cool though.
I'm not bitter.
But I'm really not.
I don't care.
I think it's funny that you know I have all these hundreds of sermons on there and it's like the top five are like Pastor Anderson and then one Pastor Shelley.
You know it's like Black Lives Matter what he preached from like the truth about Black Lives Matter or something like when this is faithful word north like you know over half a decade ago.
I'm still getting outranked by that one.
But whatever you know I don't know.
But again like that's a sensational topic isn't that title.
Kind of oh man the truth about Black Lives Matter.
A lot of libs are going to click on that one.
What's this guy going to say right.
It's sensational.
Bye bye Babylon.
And then worshiping Satan.
Right.
Which is brother Thornton.
I abbreviated it.
You know.
His title was you are literally worshiping Satan by participating and following.
It's a little wordy.
Little lengthy.
You know so I just kind of shortened it up for him.
But you know that was my next highest video.
What was one of the lowest ones.
Lame offerings.
Remember that sermon.
Lame offerings because everyone knows what that's about.
You know don't be lame.
But who wants to sit there and listen to that.
You know.
Some of you probably were sitting here so I don't want to hear this.
You know.
Who's going to proactively go and click on that.
They're going to see all these other sermons come up and say oh here's one that's going to tell me what a loser I am.
And I'm going to click on it.
No.
That's why that one's got 49 views.
Worshipping Satan has 149 views.
And bye bye Babylon has 257.
Now those sound like Mickey Mouse numbers to you but those are a little bit higher for typical for what we get on the channel.
But it just you know I'm just using an example to make my point is that people prefer sensationalism to the practical.
And that's why people a lot of people get wrapped up in a lot of these charismatic Pentecostal type things.
And why people you know are more concerned about whether or not we can cast out devils when they should be concerned about resisting the devil.
It's something that the Bible flat out tells you to do to resist the devil.
If you would go to John chapter number six.
John chapter number six.
And I'll close there.
Look we want to we want to be people who are not caught up in the sensational but the practice because you know and you say what does this have to do with Mark 1.
But I'll just read to you from Mark chapter 1.
After he cried after he casts out the devil in verse 27 it says they were all amazed and so much that they questioned among themselves saying what thing is this.
What new doctrine is this for with authority command even the unclean spirits and they do obey him.
And verse 28 it says and and immediately his fame spread throughout all the region rammed about Galilee.
When did it when did his fame just take off.
After he had done this new thing and done the sensational thing quote unquote.
When they've done something that kind of wow people by casting out this devil.
Was it his baptism.
No.
Was it when you know he was went into the into the into the into the desert places and was tempted of the devil.
No.
It was when he went in the synagogue.
You know and cast out a devil.
Was it when he went in there and preached.
No that didn't do it for him either.
But when he goes out and does this thing that is impressive to man is just something impressive to behold.
And see that's you know sensational his fame takes off right.
And he's and it says immediately his fame spread.
About abroad throughout all the regions round about Galilee.
Everyone starts talking.
You know Jesus came in the synagogue.
You boy you should have been in church.
You should have skipped out on that service.
Jesus showed up and cast out a devil never seen anything like it.
Really. Wow.
Right.
And this is human nature.
This is this is what people want to see.
This is the kind of stuff but you know what that's what is that's not what's needful for us.
It's not the sensational it's the practical.
Look at John 6 verse 59.
These things said he in the synagogue as he taught in Capernaum.
Many of therefore of his disciples when they heard this said this is in hard saying.
Who can hear it.
And he's talking about the manna coming down from heaven how he's that bread of life so on and so forth.
He's preaching and they're saying look the things that he's saying are hard.
This isn't hard saying who can hear it.
Right.
So they're kind of scoffing at the preaching kind of.
I don't know if I like this.
Right. Can you just cast out a devil.
That's what we're here to see.
Can you just do some great miracle.
Right.
Like Jesus told after he fed you know the multitudes.
And they followed him the other side of the lake.
He said you didn't come.
You came for the bread.
You came because you ate and were filled.
You came not for spiritual meat but for carnal meat.
This is human nature.
OK.
Now look at verse 66.
And it's interesting and look I'm not one of these people that gets into like new the whole numerology or the Bible code or stuff like that.
But whenever it's kind of at least a coincidence it's interesting.
So John 6 verse 66.
6 6 6.
Right.
There's not a lot of those in scripture.
From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with him no more.
Actually no more walked with him.
And walked no more with him.
That's what I meant to say.
Right.
It's kind of interesting that that's in that verse.
Right that he's kind of being betrayed.
Right.
Because of the hard saying.
Right.
And look this is the way people are.
They just want to see something they just they just want the barn burner sermon every Sunday.
You know but here I guarantee you.
That if I got up every Sunday and just tried to preach some sensational quote unquote or just barn burner sermon or just some rip your face sermon or just you know some controversial subject.
Just every Sunday I'm getting up preaching against the homos every Sunday I'm getting up and just preaching you know all the things that the world would take issue with.
That stuff would become old to you.
It would.
And then I'd have to find a way to have to up my game.
You know like okay well let me try to you know come up with some other barn burning type sermon to impress everybody.
But you know that's not the purpose of church.
That's not why we're here.
That's not why I'm doing what I'm doing.
You know you say those are some pathetic YouTube numbers.
I know.
And I don't care.
I really don't care.
You know I'm not pandering to the Internet.
I'm not trying to just make a name for myself.
Look I believe those days are gone.
Going viral for the right reasons right.
Not that there's we'd ever go viral for the wrong reasons but in the way in which we want to go viral.
It's probably never going to happen.
Okay.
That's not the motive of for me.
That's not a motive for me.
That's not why I'm doing what I'm doing to have some kind of as I put her to put recently in a sermon some kind of micro fame.
Some just fleeting you know very isolated fame among a very small group of people.
What does that accomplish.
Big whoop. Who cares.
You know that's why I don't get up every Saturday or excuse me every Sunday and try to do something sensational.
You know that's why we're not like these Pentecostals and things like that.
We don't have to rely on that.
And what we all need to understand is that our nature is to just seek out the sensation of what we really need to be doing.
Is applying the Bible practically to our lives.
What are the practical things that the Bible teaches us the day to day things that aren't going to draw a crowd that isn't going to wow anybody.
But it's going to lead you to having a blessed life.
You know a life that God would be pleased with.
You know God's not going to look down and say well it's been a while since you cast out a devil.
You know do you even love me.
Right because that's not even something we do.
But he will look down and say it's been a while since you've resisted.
It's been a while since you tried to you know mortify your members upon the earth as you're told to do in the epistles.
It's been a while since you tried to put up a fight against Satan.
And your flesh.
You know that is something we could impress God with.
Say Lord you know I'm not perfect.
I you know I haven't been perfect in every single way.
But I'm trying.
I'm trying to get a victory over the flesh.
I'm trying to resist sin.
I'm trying to resist the devil in my life.
You know that God will bless that.
But you know what.
Not a lot of other people are going to be impressed with that are they.
Let's you know someone came and say hey I quit smoking.
I'd say I'd say good job.
But I'm not going to say wow.
Aren't you something.
People quit all the time.
Right.
I got some victory over sin in my life.
That's that's great.
You need to do that.
But I'm not impressed.
Why would that impress anybody.
You know we've all probably say that about things in our lives.
But those are the things that we need aren't they.
But what is the what's going to bring the fame.
What are people going to get excited about.
You know casting out the devil.
Right.
The sensational things we need to worry about the practical resisting the devil.
Let's go ahead closing the word of prayer.
Dear Lord again thank you for.
Your.
Your word Lord thank you for the Bible.
Lord I pray you'd help us to read it.
To know it and to apply it to our lives.
And Lord help us not be people that seek out vain glory.
Or that we're not led.
To do sensational things for the praise of men Lord but that we would.
Do that which is needful that which is practical Lord in the in the in the in the shadows Lord in the in the prayer closet.
And when the door is shut when nobody else sees Lord that.
We would be found of you and no one else.
Reading praying memorizing and Lord walking in the spirit.
Not resisting him not grieving him Lord.
We ask these things in Christ's name Amen.
OK we'll go ahead and sing one more song before we go tonight.
OK we'll sing one more song before we go tonight.
We ask these things in Christ's name Amen.
.