The Gospel of the Kingdom of God is the Power of God over Demons, Disease, Death, and Destruction

1. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God is the Power of God over Demons, Disease, Death, and Destruction Mark 1:21-28

2. Synagogue • In structure the synagogue was modeled after the temple. It was built, when possible, on high ground and often constructed so that the people could sit facing the direction of Jerusalem. There was a portable chest for the scrolls of the Law and the Prophets, and a platform for the reading of the Scriptures and for preaching. Men and women sat apart. The scribes loved the “chief seats” facing the people (Mk 12:39).

3. Mark 1:22 • And they were astonished at his doctrine: • for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. Why?

4. Scribe Defined • NOT someone who only copied Scripture • Scribes • Read the Word of God • Led the people in studying Scripture • Provided interpretation and guidance on application—essentially commentary • Oversaw the maintenance and organization of the scrolls and books

5. Mark 1:23 • And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; What is an unclean spirit?

6. Unclean Spirit = Demon Look at V. 34 • And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils[daimonion]; demons

7. Parallel Scripture • Luke 4:33 • And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil [daimonion], and cried out with a loud voice,

8. The Enemy of God in NT • Satan (36x) Satanas • Beelzebub (7x) • Devil (34x) diabolos • unclean spirit (10x) • evil spirit (2x) • devil/ demon (28x) daimōn • devil/demon (47x) daimonion Leader of Fallen Angels

9. What should we think of the demonic activity in the New Testament?

10. Matthew 4:24 • And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

11. Don’t think in terms of demon possession was the unscientific way of describing a mental illness or other sickness.

12. Demons and Illness Sometimes Demons Cause Illness • Luke 13:11 • And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

13. Paul Said • That we should not be ignorant about our enemy. • 2 Corinthians 2:11 • Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

14. Revelation 12:4 • And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

15. Evil Organization • Hierarchy • For 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. • Ephesians 6:12

16. Turn back to Daniel 10:10-14 Notice the “Prince of Persia” hinders Gabriel

17. Jude 9 • Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

18. What would Jesus have been teaching about? Look back at v. 15

19. Notice “The Kingdom of God” in vs. 15

20. The Kingdom of God Here is one man’s definition: • The sovereign rule of God, initiated by Christ’s earthly ministry and consummated when the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ (Rev 11:15). • Walter A. Elwell

21. This Helps Me Understand Why • Mark 1:23 • And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, He cries out because he is threatened.

22. Mark 1:24 • Saying, Let us alone; • what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? • art thou come to destroy us? • I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

23. Mark 1:25 • And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. Warning: This is NOT Exorcism

24. Exorcism • to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration a solemn oath Jesus said, “come out”

25. Mark 1:26 • And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

26. Question What is the relationship between the power to rebuke demons and the gospel?

27. Back to Mark 1:15 • And saying, • The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

28. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 • For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; • as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

29. What kind of gospel is powerful enough to take me to heaven but can’t deliver me from a demon before I get saved?

30. Acts 2:22 • Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

31. Romans 1:16 • For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

32. What does the gospel save me from? Sin and Self Demons, Death, Destruction and the Devil

33. Mark 1:27 • And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? • what new doctrine is this? • for with authoritycommandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

34. What new doctrine is this? It is the gospel of Jesus Christ of the Kingdom of God

35. Look back at vs. 27 “and they do obey him.”

36. Understanding the Gospel • The gospel is NOT just the message that gets people to heaven. • The gospel is a larger message that communicates God’s power/authority over everything including demons, disease, death, destruction, and even the devil. \

37. Turn to Revelation 12:7-12 John Visions “War in Heaven”

38. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.

39. Only Christ (his apostles) would know whether a disease or illness was caused by a demon.

40. Sources of Sin • The Heart of Man • The flesh/sin nature • Satan • Demon possession/unclean spirit • Mental Disorders • A result of living in a fallen world

41. Matthew 4:24 • And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

42. Only 1 Reference to Exorcists Acts 19:13 • 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 adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

43. Look at Acts 16: 16-22

44. Closing Facts • Nothing in the G. C. hints at having to exorcise demons before one can be saved • There is not a spiritual gift of exorcism • Unclean spirits do not abide in the same temple (body) as the Holy Spirit—no cohabitation • Nothing in the Bible indicate a physical cross is a tool for exorcism

45. Mark 1:28 • And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. His Fame