Deliverance
Miracle - “when God in heaven intervenes here on earth”
(1.) The Bible makes it very clear demonic forces exist.
“ 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8
“ 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” —Ephesians 6:11-12
“ 33 Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—cried out, shouting, 34 “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
35 But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.
36 Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” —Luke 4:33-36
“ 40 As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. 41 Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.” —Luke 4:40-41
(2.) These demonic forces have no real power in comparison to King Jesus!
“ 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” —James 2:19
“ 28 Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!”; “ 31 The demons kept begging Jesus…”; “ 32 …and the demons begged him…” —Luke 8:28, 31-32
(3.) When we feel attacked by these dark forces, God gives us the tools to defend ourselves!
(a.) Put on the full armor! (Ephesians 6:10-18)
“ 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” —Ephesians 6:18
(b.) Remember the indwelling of the Holy Spirit!
“ 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” —Romans 8:10-11
- Assignment - Read Romans 8!!!
(c.) Form up!
- Rooted groups, Small Groups, DYC, Bible Studies, etc.
“ 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” —Hebrews 10:24-25
“ 11 So encourage each other and build each other up…” —1 Thessalonians 5:11a
“ 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.” —Galatians 6:2-3
What next step do you need to take to fight this battle?
- Follow Jesus!
- Get connected to community!
- Share your story and allow others to help lift the burden.