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Pastor that's what you'd be with him now and fill me the spirit as he preaches and please just give us ears to hear God And Jesus then we pray. Amen All right, we're in Acts chapter 19 this morning and what I want to preach on this morning is exorcisms I want to preach on the subject of exorcisms a biblical study on casting out devils look down your Bibles at Acts chapter 19 and verse number 11 It says that God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons and the diseases Departed from them and the evil spirits went out of them verse 13 then certain of the vagabond Jews Exorcists took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus saying we a jury by Jesus whom Paul Preacheth and so what we see here is that the term exorcist is a legitimate term used to describe The act of casting out devils or as we would refer to them today as demons now here in Acts chapter 19 We see these seven sons of Siva who were basically described as described as exorcists. There were vagabond Jews There were sons seven sons of one high priest that weren't necessarily Christians. These were Jews who are adherence to Judaism They weren't saved but they referred to themselves as exorcists because their goal was to cast out devils cast out demons Etc. And let me say this is that although the term exorcist is only found once in the entire Bible, which is in Acts chapter 19 You know, there are plenty of places in the New Testament where the equivalent is used and in fact in verse 13 Exorcist is defined in that very verse look at verse 13 says then certain of the vagabond Jews Exorcist took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits in the name of the Lord Jesus saying we a jury by Jesus whom Paul preaches so that term a juror something or to a juror is the same term as Exorcist or to exercise a demon it means the same exact thing And in fact to extra to a juror basically means to command or to charge and that's exactly what we see throughout the Gospels Right when Jesus Christ comes and he sees a demon or someone who's possessed with the devil. He charges them He commands them to come out of that person And so we see that throughout the Bible there now, here's the thing though Jesus and the Apostles were very successful at it, right? They're extremely successful and you know, we see that throughout the New Testament We see it in the book of Acts that they're constantly casting out devils casting out demons However, these vagabond Jews they actually failed miserably at it Okay, you know they claim to be exorcist. They claim to have the power to be able to cast out devils Well, what happened to him? Well look at verse 14 verse 14 It says and there were seven sons of one Siva a Jew and chief of the priest which did so and the evil spirit answered and said Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are ye? I Mean, that's not a good sign, you know, and they're just like we a jury by Jesus who Paul preacher They're like, well, first of all, let's start off from the beginning and let's see. I ask ourselves a question. Who are you? You know, I know the authority of Jesus. I know the authority of the Apostle Paul I don't know your authority okay, and he says in verse 16 and the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them and Overcame them and prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded What does that mean? They got their hinder parts handed to them by this one demon? Okay, you know they thought they could come in the authority of Jesus whom Paul preaches they thought that can exercise the devil and a demon and Try to cast out these devils in the name of Jesus who Paul preaches and the demons basically or the one demon exercise them He cast them out of the house naked and wounded by the way What that means is they physically harm these people now What does that teach us that teaches us the demons can actually physically harm people, right? They can physically harm people whether that's through a demon possessed Individual or by other means we see according to the Bible that they can physically harm Individuals and we have that example there now Go to Luke chapter 11 if you wouldn't I'm going to show you an example of this because this is not an isolated Incident in the Word of God where there's individuals who are or claim to be exorcists who are trying to cast out devils This is something that I believe was commonplace Even in the New Testament we obviously understand that the disciples or the Apostles Excuse me along with Jesus Christ had this ability had this authority had this power But I believe there was another segment of the population of the religious population Who thought they could also do the same exact thing? Okay. Now, here's the thing though. There are phony exorcists is what they were They weren't real exorcists These weren't guys who actually had authority spake with authority had the power of God upon their lives They were phony exorcists in those days just as there's phony exorcists today and look today in 2020 you still have seven sons of Siva they might not be Jews, but you know, they're also referred to as Catholic priests There's all types of religious segments in this world who claim they can cast out devils They claim they can you know? Adjure these demons by the name of their gods and they claim to be able to do so But at the end of the day their phonies is what they really are Okay, and I'm explained to you why now you're in Luke chapter 11 I'm gonna reach you from Exodus chapter 7 and verse number 10 I'm gonna give you an example of this in the Old Testament Exodus chapter 7 verse number 10 says that Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh and they did so as the Lord had commanded and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh before his servants and it became a serpent So this is a legitimate miracle that was done by the power of God, right? God said he told Moses and Aaron you're gonna go into Pharaoh. You're gonna get your rod You're gonna cast it on the ground. It's gonna become a serpent that's done by the power of God He gave him another miracle He said you're gonna put your hand into your bosom and when you bring it out, it's gonna be leprous as white as snow Okay, these were legitimate miracles that God enabled them to accomplish, right? And so they go before Pharaoh they take their staff They they throw it on the ground it becomes a serpent verse 13 verse 11 says then Pharaoh Also called the wise men and the sorcerers Now the magicians of Egypt they also did in like manner What does that mean when they didn't like manner they did the same exact thing? They took a staff they cast it on the ground and that staff also became a serpent and says now the magicians of Egypt They also did in like manner with their enchantments Now what is enchantment that is strongly associated with sorcery? Okay magic Verse 12 for they cast down every man his rod and they became serpents So, you know God's men comes and he'd cast down his staff It becomes a serpent Pharaoh says my guys can do the same exact thing. They do it They become serpents, but here's the difference Aaron's rod swollen up their rods So, yeah, they're both able to cast down their staff and create serpents out of them But here's the difference God's staff God serpent actually swallowed up their serpent. What does that show you? It shows you that God's authority is greater than theirs. Okay, and they can try to replicate God's miracles They could try to copycat and replicate them But at the end of the day, it's the finger of God that actually does the legitimate miracle So we see in Exodus that the magicians were able to replicate the miracle Of the rod using enchantments or what we would also known as witchcraft But they're using the power of Satan to do so, right and the difference is the Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods So you say well did you think they legitimately did that? You know you think it was you know legitimately the power of Satan that allowed him to do that Yeah, I believe it was the power of Satan. Here's the difference though The Bible tells us that they have a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof So it's the power of Satan. It's not necessarily the power of God. Okay, and Here's the thing you have them replicating those miracles and those plagues, right? But there came a point where they couldn't do it anymore, right? If you remember the story of the ten plagues they were able to replicate certain plagues But they got to a point where the magician said this is the what finger of God Isn't that interesting keep that in mind now? In 2nd Timothy 3 verse 8 it says now as Janus and Jamboree is referring to those magicians Withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds Reprobate concerning the faith, but they shall proceed no further for their folly shall be made Manifested to all men as theirs also was so look there came a point where the Egyptians They saw how the magicians are the Egyptians saw how the magicians Replicated all those miracles and they thought to themselves. Wow, this is legit But you know that came a point when they said well This is the finger of God they can no longer replicate those miracles and what happened their folly was made manifest In other words, they looked at them and said all these guys are phonies because Moses and Aaron are still doing miracles They're destroying Egypt and these guys can't hang Okay, and what this is talking about in 2nd Timothy chapter 3 is that the so-called exorcist of today the so-called Magicians of today their folly shall also be made manifest. They can only go so far is what it's stating 2nd Corinthians 11 13 says for such are false apostles deceitful workers Transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light Therefore there's no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness Whose end shall be according to their works folks I believe that magic is real I believe enchantments are real the magic is real the sorcery is real that witchcraft is real I believe it's by the power of Satan that these things are done But here's the difference Aaron's rod will always swallow up their rods God's authority is always greater than Satan's authority and they can try to replicate it as much as they want and try to copy You know God's miracles, you know False prophets and false teachers they can try to replicate the gospel But at the end of the day the gospel the true gospel is the power of God into salvation to everyone to believe it You know, there's a lot of false gospels out there They claim to be able to save someone take them to heaven cause them to escape hell But at the end of the day, there's no power in that gospel You know, they can sound the same try to replicate that message try to replicate that gospel But at the end of the day the true gospel of Jesus Christ is what saves That's what has the real power of God upon. That is the finger of God Now look at Luke chapter 11 and verse 14 Bible says about Jesus says here and he was casting out a devil and it was dumb and It came to pass when the devil was gone out the dumb spake and the people wondered But some of them said he casted out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devil's what is he saying? Oh this Jesus fellow he's using Satan's power in order to cast out these other demons and devils, right? They're basically saying that he has an unclean spirit Verse 16 says and others tempting them sought of him a sign from heaven But he knowing their thoughts said unto them every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation And a house divided against the house Falleth if Satan also be divided against himself How shall his kingdom stand because he say that I have cast that I cast out devils through Beelzebub So what is he saying? He's saying look if Satan is casting out his own demons and devils then his kingdom is gonna fall That would be a nonsensical thing and strategy for Satan to do to allow his minions to be able to cast out devils legitimately Because at that point his kingdom would fall so what does that tell us? Well, there's a form of godliness that they have it looks like they're casting out devils, but they're not really doing that Okay, it's my sleight of hand. It's not what's really taking place. He says there in verse number 19 And if I buy Beelzebub by the way Beelzebub is Satan That's another name for the devil Satan and if I buy Beelzebub cast out devils by whom do your sons Cast them out Therefore they shall be your judges now when he's talking about sons first and foremost who is he addressing the Pharisees? So when he says sons, he's referring to the Pharisees disciples you know the the spiritual sons and offspring of the Pharisees and he's saying look if I'm casting out devils by the power of Satan then how are your people casting out devils? Because I'm God is what he's saying and I'm the one who gives authority to people to cast out devils and I know I didn't give them authority to cast out devils So what he's saying is this no you're casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub is what he's saying Verse 20, but if I look what it says with the finger of God Cast out devils no doubt the kingdom of God has come upon you isn't that interesting that in Exodus we see the magician saying though This is the finger of God and what does Jesus say? Hey, yeah, these guys can cast out devils But you know what? I'm doing it with the finger of God. What is that talking about? He's saying this is the true authority This is the real authority. This is the legitimate deal. Okay? He says the kingdom of God is come unto you So let me just say this by way of introduction is that false religions? Due to a certain extent cast out devils or they make an appearance of casting out Devils and like I mentioned look the Catholic Church is your modern-day example of the seven sons of Siva Because they literally have a segment of their clergy that specialized in exorcisms I mean, there's a famous movie out there called the exorcist Right. How many actually seen the movie be honest? Okay, how many saw the sequels? Okay, be honest How many watching it this October I'm just kidding don't raise your hand And those are based off of true stories now, obviously they greatly exaggerate what's taking place there and whatnot But but these are things that take place and the Catholic Church and look don't be offended by this because this is this is true The Catholic Church claims that they're capable of casting out Devils But they can exercise demons and devils, you know by these Enchantments is what they are which is interesting because in enchantment another word that we is similar to that as well a chant Right the power of Christ compels you the power of Christ compels you and it's just like They're just like coming out and stuff. It's all a show It's all a show folks And and it's interesting because it's just like they cast out these Devils and say hey, but they could return You know You got to be careful because they can come back and they could possess you again And then you got to call the Catholic priest again And then they got to cast that out again folks when Jesus cast out Devils they were permanently evicted And when someone gets saved, they're permanently evicted from that house. They're permanently evicted from that property Why because he's legitimate Okay He's not a phony exorcist. He's the real exorcist Now go to Matthew chapter 7 if you would Matthew chapter number 7 and look the Catholic Church are not the only ones that believe this Or to practice this there's many religions out there that claim to be able to do the same You know even within the Buddhist culture, for example in Southeast Asia, Cambodia They go to witch doctors in order to help them cast out Devils and demons You know by their enchantments and it doesn't legitimately do anything, you know It gives it's like it's like a spiritual placebo is what it is Makes them think that they have they no longer have those demons and no longer have those Devils They won't be oppressed and possessed by these people. It's false It's phony and what it's meant to do is deceive the nations is what it's doing. Okay? now look Here's the thing is someone casting out a devil like if you say well I saw someone casting out a devil and I think that person is legitimate. I think that person is a Christian I think that person is a man of God false because there is no casting out Devils today We don't cast any devil out That was a gift that was given to the Apostles to confirm the message that they had, okay Now there is a spiritual meaning behind it and we'll get into that in just a bit But if people claim today like for example, you have Pentecostals Who claim they can cast out Devils and I literally I've been in the Pentecostal Church Where they like they have this segment of the service where they cause people to come up They lay hands on them and they start frolicking and sizzling You know, and it's just like then the demon is taken out of them And people think well that has to be the power of God. That's the finger of God Well, look what the Bible says in Matthew 7 22 Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord Have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out Devils? Ain't that interesting and in thy name done many wonderful works and then I will profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity So we often focus on the many wonderful works the fact that they prophesied in his name to call him Lord Lord But keep in mind there's an element there that they said we're able to cast out Devils And folks in context of Matthew chapter 7 he's addressing the Pharisees Because they are the false prophets of that day and you know what he's referring to He's referring to them who are casting out Devils these so-called vagabond jewish exorcists Who are going around trying to cast out Devils and and buy their enchantments and do these types of practices? And you know what? They think that that is godliness But it's not okay And so we see that taking place there now go to go with me if you would to Matthew chapter number 10 go to Matthew chapter number 10 Now Let me say this is that only unsaved people and when I say unsaved I'm talking about people who don't have Christ in them They have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. They don't have eternal life only unsaved people can be possessed by Devils Okay Only unsaved people can be possessed by Devils Christians people who are saved cannot And the reason for that is this is because the Bible says That when we believe on Jesus Christ, we're actually sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise until the day of redemption It says in whom you also trusted after that you heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation And whom also after that you believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise Which is the earnest of our inheritance unto the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory The Bible says Ephesians 1 13 through 14. So the Bible clearly tells us that when we get saved we're sealed with the Holy Spirit And if we're sealed with the Holy Spirit, there's no more vacant. There's no more vacancies available They can Satan or his devils can no longer possess that vessel That is the only guarantee that you have you you're not going to be possessed by a devil Other than that, you know, you're kind of like free reign But only unsaved people can do it now save people They can't be possessed but they can be oppressed They can be influenced They can be attacked by Satan You know if you open yourself up to demonic You know oppression that's why the Bible tells us In fact, the Bible specifically says that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers Against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places. It's saying that we spiritually battle A a different realm a spiritual realm which is a demonic realm, right? And this is why the Bible specifically says that we should neither give place to the devil There's a lot of people who are Christians who are influenced by Satan They're being oppressed by Satan because they've given Satan's they've surrendered ground into Satan You know, they've allowed themselves to get involved in certain practices demonic witchcraft or you know some sort of Sorcery that will open doors for demons to attack that individual and it happens And look, let me just say this is that they can be influenced Christians can be influenced by Satan and his demons think about this Ananias and Sapphira What does the Bible say of them Satan hath filled thine heart to lie against the Holy Ghost? And I believe Ananias and Sapphira were dead and the proof is that is that they died God killed them. That's what God does to his children when they like go too far you understand Or how about this Peter? Peter was influenced by Satan at one point because he's like be far from me lord And Jesus turned around and said get thee behind me Satan I mean, how would you like? Jesus just Call you Satan And I don't believe he's saying that he was possessed by Satan because I believe Peter was a saved man I believe he's being influenced by Satan himself. It's not possessed but he is being oppressed And so it's it's important to understand this that hey, you know, if you're unsaved you have the potential to be possessed by a devil Okay, and yes it exists today. There's people that when i've gone soloing i've knocked on doors I legitimately believe this person was a possessed person They're possessed by a devil In fact, let me just share some of these stories, right because I know you want to hear them They're like forget everything else pastor just tells these stories I remember we went to Belize and and literally As soon as we got off the bus to our to our designated area We were met by a person that I believe was possessed by a devil He started yelling at us and screaming at us for no reason. He didn't even know who we were He started just like pointing his finger and yelling us and milan was trying to preach the gospel to an individual and he's like Interrupting him and I had to rebuke that guy to get him away from milan because he's trying to disrupt the gospel presentation But then there's another time when him and I were were going up this hill I was witnessing to this lady and he was witnessing or i'm sorry I was witnessing to this one lady and this one guy came and milan began to witness to him later on We found out that guy was possessed And i'll explain to you why he's talking to him. I get this lady saved She goes on about her way and i'm waiting for milan and this guy just looks really fishy And he's just like Saying weird stuff to milan Just kind of like looking at him weird and then he's asking milan questions and milan answers him and he just stares at milan and then milan was like, um What do you have to say about that? And he's like i've already said it So And I remember I didn't he told me this conversation afterwards, but I remember being afar I was I was like peter I was falling afar off I remember thinking I was like, oh man, I gotta get close because it looks like this guy's gonna hit milan Because he just looked demonic And then he just like laughed and just walked away You know Now look we often think people who are possessed are like are like this guy right here The ones in act chapter 19, but sometimes it's just an individual who's possessed by a dumb spirit By an unclean spirit that is meant to try to distract you to disrupt you To try to hinder the work of god or to cause you to be afraid Let me say this we should not be afraid of possessed people You know god did not give us a spirit of fear but a power love and a sound mind You know if you're out there soul winning and you get confronted with someone who's possessed by a devil you rebuke that individual and you Just be about your way Okay, if they're trying to disrupt you and curse you and you know for a fact You know, you're you have the discernment to say I think this person's possessed This person seems to have like a demon on them It's just like just rebuke that individual to get away from you and walk away Okay But let me say this is that and by the way when I say rebuke i'm not saying like, you know Exercise that demon out of that individual. That's not what i'm saying at all I'm saying rebuke the individual and i'll get into this in just a bit But let me say this is that some people who are possessed by demons they can still be they can still be saved Because we have plenty examples of people in the bible who were possessed by devils and they got saved Some examples here mary magdalene Out of whom went out seven devils I mean good night She was possessed by seven devils And she got saved, you know joanna and suzanne who were also possessed by devils the maniac of gadera Who was possessed by devils and then later he was sitting and clothed and in his right mind became a soul winner in his hometown I mean these people were possessed by devils and they got saved now you think to yourself. Well, how is that? I thought only like reprobates Are possessed by devils. How do we know which one or how do we know? You know, this is an individual who's possessed by devil that can still be saved But this individual is possessed by a devil who's a reprobate cannot how do we know the difference? Well, here's the thing when someone becomes a reprobate They've rejected the gospel. They hate the lord their conscience is seared. They no longer have the will to choose to believe right Whereas an individual who's possessed by devils is not Inhabited by devils 24 7 like a reprobate is and they still have the ability to choose to believe the gospel So they still have a free will to choose It just means they've been playing with the ouija board or something right They've opened themselves up to demonic oppression They're being possessed whether it's because they've been doing drugs or smoking weed They're drinking they're doing you know some other form of drug and they get possessed by a devil That person still has an opportunity to be saved Because they haven't rejected the gospel You understand they still have a choice the reason the reprobate is possessed by devils because he hates the lord and he's rejected the gospel He hates god, but which point you know, like for example when we get saved we get sealed With the holy spirit of promise until the day of redemption, right? Well a reprobate who gets damned is sealed with an unclean spirit until the day of damnation They're permanently damned by that point you understand But there's obvious instances when an individual is possessed by devils He's not permanently possessed You know, he is, you know possessed in a sense of if you remember in the bible You know actually in this very scripture We see that jesus talking about a person who has an unclean spirit The unclean spirit departs from him He brings seven more unclean spirits with him And he finds the house clean right and then they possess them So that shows that people who are not saved who are possessed by devils. It's almost in a sense They're like a they're like a hotel for devils sometimes They just come in and out in and out in and out based upon the choices that they make the influences they allow in their lives You know and look there's certain cultures that are more prone to be involved in that stuff than others I'll give you an example hispanic cultures is often a culture that has allowed satanic influences through witchcraft Let me let me just tell you this. There's something called santeria Right Santeria and you know where where they pray to these Uh, it's a demonic thing. They pray to death They have all these idols and they they light candles for these things they offer them food this these are devils folks They're like, well, you know I'm trying to like get this person to to to give me money or i'm trying to get this person to like me or To marry this other individual. Those are enchantments That's satanic Well, i'm trying to succeed in my job work hard Don't line a candle Don't pray to the devil for those things Right And let me just say this I can give you some horror stories that I will not give here in this sermon Because it'll just scare the fire out of the young people here Of legitimate stories of demonic oppression of people who have been possessed by devils They've been harmed by devils because I come from a church where a lot of kombodians were reached and kombodians from southeast asia are heavily involved in Uh buddhism and all types of demonic things and I can tell you some stories. It's just like what in the world is going on Scary, you know, so that should that should encourage some of you if you're not saved to get saved Because if god before us who can be against us, right? So demonic oppression or demonic possession is very much a real deal And when we go out there and preach the gospel We need to make sure that as we're preaching the gospel we understand. Hey, we're not these pentecostal exorcists That are able to remove demons from people We just can give them the word of god the gospel get them saved And that person that demon will vacate that body because the holy spirit will come in because the flesh prophet is nothing It's the spirit that quickeneth, right? That's what the bible tells us So why were exorcisms done in the bible? Let's talk about that. Look at matthew chapter 10. Why were exorcisms done in the bible? Because look you can study the gospels you see this over and over again a large part of jesus ministry Was to cast out devils We often focus on the fact that he preached the word of god, which is the most important he preached the gospel He fed the 5000 he healed the deaf and the blind but you know, he also did he cast out devils I mean that was a large part of his ministry The bible says that many would bring people who were possessed by devils to him to be cast out Because he had the authority to do so Now why did he do that? Well number one because jesus wanted them to be saved that's why Okay, and as I mentioned in order to be saved they can't be possessed they can't be inhabited Permanently by a devil. Okay. Look at matthew 10 verse 5. It says these 12 Jesus sent forth and commanded them saying go not into the way of the gentiles And into any city of the samaritans enter you not but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of israel And as you go preach saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand heal the sick Cleanse the lepers raise the dead cast out devils freely you have received freely give so we see here He tells them hey aside from preaching the word of god aside from healing you need to make sure Can you turn this down brother rain have them turn this down a little bit? I hear a little ringing A big part that they need to do Or what they needed to do is cast out devils and that was a sight to see was it not? To be able to see such a thing where people are coming and they're throwing themselves in the fire And in the water they're harming themselves and he comes and just cast them out and what are the devils saying? They're saying has thou come to torment us before the time What does that tell you that tells us that demons know they're going to split hell wide open They know they're going to go to hell And in fact, they know that jesus christ whose god himself was going to be the one who's going to be casting into hell To torment them and they're saying have you come to torment? Hey, you said you were going to come to the end of the world I still got some time And what do you do he would often take some like in one story He took the demons and they went into the swine and they ran off the hill and just drowned right Because he loved people More than he loved anybody else. He loved souls more than the animals And the proof of that is the fact that he was willing to save one individual the maniac of gadera In order to save that individual He allowed those demons to go into the herd of swine which ended up going off a cliff and drowning in the ocean Just killed it didn't even eat those animals all that bacon gone to waste all that ham gone to waste But you know what he was willing to sacrifice a herd of swine to save one individual Because that's what matters. Amen Go to mark chapter 5 if you would It says in luke chapter 8 verse number 1 it came to pass afterward that he went throughout every city and village Preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of god and the 12 were with him and certain women Which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities mary called magdalene out of whom went seven devils And joanna the wife of choosa harret stewart and suzanne and many others which ministered unto him of their substance it says So that shows us that possessed people can be saved Okay, so we don't want to have this view that you know Oh, man, if this individual is possessed because they're involved in heroin they're doing drugs cocaine and doing all manner of drugs Oh, this person is just they're they're they're reprobate. We can't even deal with these people. No, some of them still have a free will They have a choice. They're bound by satan They're bound by drugs. They're bound by their habits or their sins and that is destroying their life Look at mark 5 verse 15 and they come to jesus And see him that was possessed with the devil And had the legion Sitting and clothed and in his right mind and they were afraid Because you got to remember this guy was in the tombs cutting himself. No man combined him with fetters They would put shackles upon him and fetters upon him. He just burst him asunder. No one can handle this guy except for the son of god Son of god came cast out those devils and what did he do? He was sitting and clothed and in his right mind and it caused the multitudes to be afraid of him Because they're like one who what power is this? What authority is this? verse 16 and they saw Excuse me And they saw it and they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil And also concerning the swine and they began to pray him to depart out of their coast They're like just get out of here. We have nothing to do with you guys And when he was coming to the ship he that had been possessed with the devil prayed to him that he might be with him I mean, that's awesome. Right? Like, you know, he's just healed of all these demons. Jesus is like, can I go with you? Jesus like you changed my life Living amongst the graves and the tombs and his life was completely transformed verse 19 how be it Jesus suffered him not but saith unto him Go home to thy friends and tell them how great things the lord had done for thee and had compassion on thee he says Look, um, this is a picture of salvation right here, right? And and that'll be my second point but you know, he tells them look Go home and tell everyone about the power of god upon your life And obviously we understand that when people get saved, you know We don't base whether someone is saved or not based upon the change they make in their life, right? But you know, there are individuals that when they get saved they change They do change And it's evident. Oh, man. This guy is serious about this stuff. He wants to serve god He loves the lord. He is one of the nine lepers who came back to give glory to god in other words, right? Now if he never came back, we would still say he's saved if he believed on the lord, jesus christ But sometimes people do change thereafter, okay? But if people are not released from demons They could potentially become a rapper at that point. It's too late for them Right You know just as we're born again Of the spirit there's people who could be damned again Dead again, and in fact the bible says they're what twice dead plucked up by the roots, okay? And let me just say this is that you know, because when we think about the doctrine of uh, the reprobate doctrine You know, we get a lot of pushback from people They're like, oh you're saying these people can never be saved. Well, the bible says they can never be saved We're just repeating what the bible says and we agree with the bible And it's like well, I think I still think that you know, jesus wants to save these people. Well Here's the thing, okay If they're demon possessed and they're a reprobate they can no longer be saved And the proof that jesus would not want to get them saved is who? judas Judas was with jesus for three years Do we ever see jesus trying to win him over Never in fact, he said that he knew that he was a devil from the beginning He didn't say well i'm gonna let this guy, you know, i'm gonna witness to this guy every single day Hopefully I win him over i'm gonna take him out to eat I'm gonna you know, uh, give him some bread and some fish and multiply before him so he can do it No, he just said I knew he's a devil from the beginning. I know he doesn't believe He didn't try to win him over. He already knew that he was a reprobate from the beginning Okay And I don't I don't think this means from the beginning like from when he was born From the beginning of the ministry. Okay is what that's referring to But that is the proof that Jesus does not want to see reprobate safe folks because one of the greatest reprobates of the bible is judas iscariot Who the bible says is the son of perdition? I mean he is the example of what the antichrist will follow Think about that to be labeled the son of perdition That is a damnable statement for that individual, right? They are a son of hell is what it's referring to the son of the devil And no you will never find me a verse in the new testament where jesus is trying to win him over never And in fact, he kind of helps him push him over the edge. Does he not? Because though he's possessed by a devil from the though he was a devil from the beginning What really sealed the deal is when he said that that i'll do is do is quickly And that's when satan entered into him As a satan just pushed his little minion out of the way. He's like this is a job for me You know because he's going to betray jesus christ So jesus did not want to see reprobate safe now again people who are possessed with devils not all of them are reprobates Some people have just opened themselves up to demonic oppression and folks. Let me just commercial break here That's why it's important that we don't celebrate halloween amen Well, you know, I like all those goblins and ghouls and all that stuff and the candy we can have that stuff without halloween Why is it that you think you need to have like dress up like a whore? And dress like a demon and a devil in order to have candy. Why are you going to teach your children that? Think about that for a second Why are you going to tell your children that in order for them to receive snacks and candy? They need to dress like demons and devils in order to do so you think that's honoring to god? And god forbid that any bible believing christians should partake in that stuff. It's a shame that pastors today don't preach against halloween I'm thinking what my pastor friends do But the majority of independent fundamental baptists don't you know why because their kids are out there trick-or-treating Hey, this is one area where we said the covet 19 is a blessing, right? They're not gonna they're not gonna let them trick or treat or whatever I'm sure they're gonna still dress up like demons and wicked individuals and partake of that like well It's for kids and you know, it's okay folks We should not have fellowship with devils according to the bible We cannot be partakers of the lord's table and of the table of devils You find me a bible verse that sanctions you going out there and worshiping satan Is there a reason why that on the 31st or the 30th? It's called the devil's night That's what it's called october 30th, it's called the devil's night Right October 31st comes after that when everyone goes out and they worship devils. I mean the the Founder of the church of satan said man. I'm thankful that christians give their kids at least one time a year to worship satan That's what he said LaVey, right Anton LaVey He was quoted as saying i'm thankful that christians give their children an opportunity to worship satan at least once a year And he's referring to halloween and you're still going to be a partaker of that It's innocent. Oh, yeah with all the blood gushing out And all the filth and perversion that takes place in during that night false folks And I haven't decided what we're gonna do for that night But i'm just thinking we should just have pizza and soda pop and candy for the kids here at the church Because look i'm not against the kids doing that We're not like oh you you're just the grinch that stole halloween or something. You just don't want the kids to have any fun How are you gonna do that you just don't want them to have fun i'm i'm all for kids having i'm not for me having fun Not just the kids I'm for us having fun. We put the fun in fundamentalists. Amen But look folks we don't have to be demonic about it We don't have to be satanic about it We can have a wholesome activity Absent of demons devils and whores And you know what still honor god and the kids can still eat pizza We can still sugar them up for you Before they go home You can still spike your your your insulin levels You know and you don't have to worship devils I know that's not popular today, but man it needs to be said more than ever sometimes It's like people get offended christian. I'm not obviously unsafe people. They don't know any better They don't have the word of god But when you have pastors and christians who have the word of god who still practice that shame on you Back to our regularly scheduled program, man Look what the bible says in luke chapter 11 go to luke chapter 11 in verse 21 This is why it's important to see people who to get people saved who are possessed with devil Look what the bible says in verse 21. I I alluded to this story, but let's read it says in verse 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace his goods are in peace But when it's stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him He take it from him all his armor wearing he trusted and divided his spoils He that is not with me is against me and he that gathereth not with me scattereth When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, you know, he's exercised He walketh through dry places seeking rest and fineth none He saith I will return into my house once I came out and when he cometh he findeth the swept and garnished What is he talking about? He's like, oh man, this guy cleaned up his life Then go with he 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 Now obviously this is a parable. This is this is a parable that jesus is using and we don't necessarily we can't Conjecture a hundred percent what this is referring to In context, I would say that this is talking about an individual Who had a demon cast out by these sons of siva these jews these vagabond jews And they cast them out. But you know what because they don't have the power of god. They don't have the gospel That unclean spirit returns with seven other unclean spirits and the the first the state of that man The last state of that man is worse than the first. So what is it telling us? It could only become worse from here This is why the catholic church has to constantly do exorcisms Over and over again because they can't legitimately cast out a devil permanently. Okay, go to luke chapter 13 Just a couple pages over Why were exorcisms in the bible because jesus wanted them to be saved But not only that exorcisms as I as I mentioned picture salvation, okay Look at luke chapter 13 verse 12, but when jesus saw her he called her to him and said unto her woman Thou are loosed from thine infirmity and he laid his hands on her and immediately she was made straight and glorified god And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation because that jesus had healed on the sabbath day and said unto the people There are six days in in which men ought to work and them therefore come and be healed and not on the sabbath day And the lord then answered him and said thou hypocrite Does not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman Being a daughter of abraham whom satan hath bound lo these 18 years be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day So look you say well, how does it picture salvation? We're all possessed by devils before salvation Go to ephsians chapter 2 if you would ephsians chapter 2 No, we were not all possessed by devils But I will say this is that the reason it pictures salvation Is because you think of an individual who's possessed by a devil they're basically under that devil's authority right In a sense they have influenced that individual they have authority over that individual look at ephsians 2 verse 1 And you have the quickened quickened means be brought back to life Who were dead in trespasses and sin? Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world According to the prince of the power of the air the spirit That now worketh in the children of disobedience Among all among whom also we all had our conversation in time past and the lust of our flesh Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath even as others So why does this picture salvation? Well, because of the fact that at one point we were under that influence, right? We walked according to the course of this world the prince of power of the air referring to satan the spirit Then now worketh in the children of disobedience so that spirit prior to us being saved worked in us To fulfill the desires of the flesh and of the mind and we were by nature the children of wrath We weren't children of the devil, but we were children of wrath, but it wasn't until a soul winner came Gave us the gospel God is saved, right? Then now we had the holy spirit of god. It was as if jesus came and cast out that spirit That demonic influence that spirit of this world the spirit of antichrist the spirit of the devil that wanted to influence us You know, we were cast that was cast out and we can believe on the lord. Jesus christ. We were saved. Amen And look who are the only ones that could cast out devils in the bible the apostles? And so when jesus ascended he gave them that power and said hey You have the power to cast out devils and let me say this that is a picture of soul winners Of soul winners Because you know what you need a soul winner to get another person saved Yeah, jesus is the one who cast out devils, but you know who uses his his apostles he uses his disciples to do so You know, so the picture there is today, you know How are we going to get people? Saved how are we going to get that spirit of disobedience away for them? We need to go and preach the gospel unto them Okay You know, obviously jesus can do it, but you know what jesus needs us to get people saved. Did you know that? They don't get saved by just reading the bible They don't get saved by reading a track They don't get saved by just oh there. I just saw it in the bible I saw what the bible says I discerned it for myself and therefore I got saved false. It's wrong We don't believe that the bible doesn't teach that Okay People need save people To be saved That's blasphemous. No, it's not because paul said that He saves people And if some have compassion making a difference others save with fear pulling them out of the fire So there's a the picture that he's leaving there in regards to casting out devils is the fact that he gave the authority to His apostles to do the same and in like manner god has given us the authority to preach the gospel to others to get them saved To remove the spirit of disobedience from their life in order to help them to believe on the lord jesus christ, that's what we're doing You know, but there's a there's people out there today They want to claim well, you know, what are you gonna do? You know, they just have a bible. They just have a track they can be saved false folks They cannot be saved that way And if you come up to me and you tell me that that's how you're saved. I'll just tell you well, you're not saved then I had individuals come to this church and tell me that and say well, I saved myself How can you save yourself? He said well, I just read the bible and I saw it on there and I and I I just I already knew what it said But if you don't have the spirit of god to discern what the bible actually says, how are you able to like know that? How can you discern that? The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of god. Oh, but you're the exception though It's nonsense folks Unsafe people need Regenerated people to get them saved and you know what that is a lazy man's doctrine right there That is an old ifb lazy man's doctrine, that's right where it's just like well, you know, they can get saved brother They just if you just leave a track on the door. Okay, then let's just leave tracks on the doors Let's just give bibles to people and never give them the gospel Why does the bible tell us that we have to open our mouths bold to make knowing the mysteries of the gospel, right? It's nonsense for them to to teach that the apostles symbolize the importance of the human element You know, and now obviously we understand that they were able to cast out devils because of the fact that god was confirming the word through them But it was figurative of us getting people saved. Okay And lastly exorcism was exorcisms were done in the bible in order to demonstrate the power of god I mean when people saw This individual who was bound by satan they were wallowing in the fire and in the water They were being possessed by the devil and then jesus came and just cast that demon out Man, I mean that demonstrated the power of god in their lives Okay And in fact, if you remember there's times when the apostles couldn't cast out devils you remember that And he said, you know because they lacked what faith Well, you know why there's reasons why christians can't get other people saved they lack faith sometimes Well, god can't use me, you know, I can't do it, you know, i'm not that good or whatever it's like you lack faith And the reason why other individuals maybe in your family don't get saved because these these things come not come not out but by prayer and fasting There's times when for our family we have to fast we have to pray we have to implore the lord We have to work with someone in order to get them saved That's what we have to do But it demonstrates god's power. Why because the the gospel is the power of god and salvation and that's how we demonstrate the power today You know, we don't need to go to a door. We don't need to go in the corner with the blow horn And speak in tongues And do all the this this show Where people actually when they drive by they're just like that's weird Yeah, tell me where your church is so I don't go there Tell me tell me where it's located. So I so I stay away from that area You know, we don't need to do all that You know, what we need to do is just open up the bible preach the gospel and that is the power of god into salvation Showing them what the word of god says showing them that salvation is eternal and look folks Our message is different from everyone else's. Yeah, right You know our rod is different from their rod Our serpent will swallow up their serpent Yeah, they can use the same lingo. They can say the same things But you know what if they're teaching a workspace salvation what they teach you can lose your salvation. It's it's a false serpent It's a false rod And our rod will swallow up their rod like that Because you could do nothing against the truth before the truth the bible says You know at the end of the day look Scrutinize what we believe Look at what we believe look at it with the magnifying glass It will withstand the scrutiny of any individual who wants to challenge it Amen Why because it has the power of god behind it. Yeah. Okay. Look folks we have the finger of god And how many times have you gone out so when you preach the gospel you get someone saved and what do they tell you? Man, i've never heard someone say it like that before Have you had someone ever tell you that? Well, you're preaching the gospel to them and they're just like wow i've never heard it explained like that You know why because it's the finger of god. That's why Because it's the rod of erin, that's why Yeah, you probably heard it preached different ways you have to repent of your sins you have to be baptized you have to do this And that But no man ever speak like this With power So exorcism was were done in the bible in order to demonstrate that god has power over the winds and the waves Over demons doesn't matter who they are It doesn't matter what it is god's power is able to be demonstrated And to really cause people to be in awe of it and you know what it's still present today Not through casting out devils, but they're preaching the gospel And sometimes you're going to preach the gospel to someone today and you know what someone might say like wow They might not say like there's power behind it, but you know what they'll say i've never heard it like that before Because there's a big difference between our message and their message. Amen Let's keep exercising these demons Via preaching the gospel Our heads and our word of prayer father. We thank you so much for your word Thank you for the exciting stories in the new testament That you've placed forth and there's some symbolic meaning behind them And lord, there's plenty of people out there who claim to be exorcists. They claim to be able to cast out devils and have the power but Their father shall be made manifest just as janice and jambres was And there's a big difference between our rod and their rod And lord, we know that the hand of god is upon us not because we're anything special but because your word is being preached And anybody can have the power of god in their lives if they're actually preaching the word of god in the right gospel It's possible And lord help us to continue to be those human instruments and never Never depend on these foolish fables that these pastors are saying that We don't need to go out there people could get saved on their own it's a false doctrine it's not true It's nonsense and I pray god that you continue to fill us with your power in your spirit