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“…The demons also believe, and tremble…” (Jas. 2:19). DEMONS. I. WHAT ARE THEY?. A. Demons Are Spirits (Lk. 4:33, 35, 36). 1. They are persons: “him” (Lk. 4:35). 2. They know & use words (Lk. 4:41). 3. They believe & tremble (Jas. 2:19).
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DEMONS I. WHAT ARE THEY? A. Demons Are Spirits (Lk. 4:33, 35, 36). 1. They are persons: “him” (Lk. 4:35). 2. They know & use words (Lk. 4:41). 3. They believe & tremble (Jas. 2:19). B. Demons Are Unclean Spirits (Lk. 4:33, 35, 36; 7:21). 1. God created all (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 12:9). 2. Just as God created man upright (Eccl. 7:29). 3. God created angels upright (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6).
DEMONS II. WHAT DO THEY DO? A. They Work With The Devil (Mt. 25:41). 1. Oppose God’s will (Jn. 8:44-47). 2. Hinder men from faith (Lk. 8:12). 3. Promote idolatry, false doctrines & other sins (1 Cor. 10:19-21; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; Jas. 3:14-15).
DEMONS III. WHAT ABOUT DEMON POSSESSION? A. Possession Was More Than Just Temptation: 1. Often caused physical problems (Mt. 12:22). 2. Controlled the person’s behavior (Lk. 8:27-29). 3. While similar in some ways to sicknesses & lunacy; yet there was clear evidence: a. Super-natural strength (Lk. 8:29). b. Super-natural knowledge (Lk. 8:28; Acts 16:16). c. Tangible evidence - the swine (Mt. 8:30-34).
DEMONS III. WHAT ABOUT DEMON POSSESSION? B. Why Did God Allow It? 1. Give proof of Jesus’ authority & power (Mt. 12:22-29; Lk. 4:36; 11:20). 2. Affirm the apostle’s authority (Acts 19:13-17). 3. God gave a visible demonstration, to illustrate what we could not see (Eph. 6:10-13; Col. 2:15).
DEMONS III. WHAT ABOUT DEMON POSSESSION? C. Does Possession Still Happen? 1. Time of miracles has ended (1 Cor. 13:8-13). 2. It’s purpose was fulfilled (Mt. 12:22-29). 3. Compare: MODERN CLAIMS BIBLE EXAMPLES No purpose. Clear purpose (Mt. 12:22ff). Doubtful & subjective results. Clear evidence (Lk. 8:29). Cast out by ones who are not strong in God’s word. Cast out by ones who know the Truth.
DEMONS IV. THINGS TO LEARN FROM DEMONS A. Be careful of going beyond God’s boundaries (2 Pet. 2:1-10; Jude 5-10). B. The real threat is temptation, not possession (1 John 2:16-17). C. It is not enough to just “clean house” (Mt. 12:43-45). 1. While we must EMPTY our lives of sin (2 Tim. 2:19-22a); 2. We must also FILL our lives with righteousness (2 Tim. 2:22b)!
DEMONS CONCLUSION: 1. Demon’s know Jesus (Mk. 3:11). 2. Demon’s know the apostles (Acts 19:15). 3. Demon’s know there is a Hell prepared especially for them (Mt. 8:29; Mt. 25:41, 46). 4. Demon’s believe & tremble (Jas. 2:19). BUT THEY DO NOTOBEY (Jas. 2:19)! Is Your Faith Better Than The Demon’s Faith?
DEMONS What Kind Of Faith Saves? 1. Baptized Called “Believers” (Acts 2:41) (Acts 2:44) 2. Baptized “Having believed” (Acts 16:33) (Acts 16:34) 3. Told to “believe Were baptized on Him” in His name (Acts 19:4) (Acts 19:5) Saved Believers = Obedient Believers