As our culture continues its fascination of evil and the occult and folly within the spiritual realm, this week’s sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part II: A Journey through Galilee demonstrates Christ power and authority over the spiritual realm as He exorcises a man of thousands of demons. Likewise, we are to humbly depend on Christ to defend us and deliver us from the enemy’s lies, accusations, and temptations.

Drew’s Main Points

• Satan torments us through lies, temptation, and fear.

• Jesus has authority over demonic forces.

• The transformative power of Jesus shows His power and mercy

Key Takeaways

• The Bible is the definitive authority on the spiritual realm, Satan, and demons.

• Demon possession is when an agent of Satan takes physical control over a person to cause physical harm or perform an evil act.

• The Bible portrays habitual sin and idolatry as invitations to demon possession.

• In light of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Christians cannot be possessed by demons. However, they can be oppressed, attacked, and influenced by Satan and his agents of evil.

• Satan torments us with lies not only about ourselves, but about God. We can overcome demonic forces through the power of the Holy Spirit, the truth of God’s Word, and prayer.

• God invites us confess our sins to Him and one another as well as our thought life, fears, and doubts.

• In this passage, demons beg for mercy from the tormentor of tormentors, Jesus Christ.

• When Jesus casts the demons into the pigs, it proves He has power and authority over the spiritual realm.

• If Jesus has the power and authority to release this man from thousands of demons, He has the power and authority to liberate us from what ails us and Satan’s attacks.

• In God’s infinite wisdom, He sometimes allows our tormenting, in order that His power might be displayed in our weakness.

• As quoted from J.C. Ryle, “No one is in their right mind until they are delivered from slavery to Satan.”

• Jesus sends this liberated man back to the people who rejected Him so that He might be a constant reminder and trophy of God’s grace

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• From what lies and destruction has God saved you? What lies are you currently prone to believe about God and yourself? This week, how will you take every thought captive with the truth of God’s Word amidst the enemy’s attacks?

Discuss with your community group:

• What lies, fears, ailments are currently tormenting you? Spend time in prayer and encouragement with one another.

• What area(s) of your life are you the least interested in letting God and community speak into? What is keeping you from complete surrender to God and authenticity with one another?

Passages Referenced

Luke 8:26-39; Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20; James 5:16; Psalm 91; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:18; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Worship Set List

Who is Like the Lord, Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord), Such an Awesome God, All Sufficient Merit, Holy, Holy, Holy