PEACE RESTORED - God has the power to deliver us from evil - all of it.  Part 1
Autor: EBD Life Matters | Publicado: 2012-07-25T07:10:00-07:00




Jesus’ Authority Over Darkness



Our world is obsessed with the paranormal.&nbsp; Horror flicks and movies about the supernatural top the box office.&nbsp; Metaphysical games sell millions in the gaming industry.&nbsp; Tales of zombies, vampires, and UFOs threatening to steal earth’s resources – it’s all there.&nbsp; Some might argue that our culture’s fascination with the spiritual realm is because we want to escape from normal life, but I would argue that to some extent, people are seeking explanations for the unpredictable, ever-present nature of the spirit world.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We know very little about the supernatural, which is why thinking about it can be unsettling.&nbsp; However, Scripture doesn’t dismiss the concepts of demons and evil powers at work in the world; it acknowledges that God possesses an even greater power to overcome that evil.&nbsp; He can restore peace to our lives and our chaotic world. 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mark 4 closes with a story of Jesus calming the storm with a command (Mark 4:35-41).&nbsp; Upon their arrival, the disciple would see Jesus calm another horrible storm, one that raged inside a person because of Satan’s reign over him.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As soon as their boat landed, a man living in that grim setting ran out to meet them.&nbsp; Apparently he had been watching their boat from a distance for quite a while before it finally came to shore.&nbsp; They barely got out of the boat before he ran to Jesus and knelt down before Him, not necessarily to worship Him but in recognition of His authority.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mark said that the man had an unclean spirit.&nbsp; Let’s take a look at this concept:

Unclean Spirit

(Mark 5:2)

In the Old Testament, being unclean 

before God implied that a person was 

physically, ceremonially, or spiritually impure.

In the New Testament, being unclean often 

carried the notion of being morally filthy and unholy

in God’s holy presence.&nbsp; Such a spirit of uncleanness

was understood as wicked, and people dominated

by it were considered to be controlled by evil.

The obvious connection between evil 

and Satan is highlighted in this passage 

as the man’s unclean spirit specifically related

to his being demon-possessed.



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The man was an outcast from society who lived among the tombs.&nbsp; He had superhuman strength that made it impossible for others to keep him under control, and he lived in anguish and bondage to the spirits, which made him cut himself with stones. This wrack of a man had absolutely no control of himself; chaos reigned within his being.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As Mark continued to describe what happened, he said that Jesus asked, “What is your name?” Of course, Jesus knew the answer to His question before He asked it.&nbsp; And Mark didn’t tell us why Jesus asked for the name.&nbsp; Some Bible Scholars have said that Jesus actually wanted to know the demon’s name.&nbsp; Knowing the evil spirit’s identity would be the first step toward having power over it.&nbsp; Others Scholars have suggested that Jesus wanted the man to tell Jesus his name so he himself could hear it.&nbsp; Having been under the tyranny of Satan for so long, the man may have lost sight of the fact that he had an identity apart from the evil spirit that ruled over him.&nbsp; Saying his name out loud would help him to restore his identity as a person in need who came to Jesus for help.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Share about a time when you suffered through an issue, problem, or sickness that at the time you weren’t able to address because its name was hidden. Post a comment!

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Once we can identify problems in our lives, we can then take steps to address and attack them.&nbsp; One of the most powerful aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous is when people finally stand and state their names and confess that they’re alcoholics.&nbsp; The same is true of any habitual stronghold on our lives.&nbsp; The first step of freedom from any spiritual, addictive, or demonic force is to name it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We have a Song to listen:&nbsp; “He is with you” by Mandisa from the album Freedom.&nbsp; Listen to this song allowing time for God to speak to you about our Sunday’s topic.







&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As Christians, we live in the complete confidence that Jesus has authority over evil in all of its shapes and sizes.&nbsp; Of course, we want to stay on the alert so we won’t be surprised by what Satan is up to around us.&nbsp; At the same time, however, we rest assured in Jesus’ absolute power over evil. 



God bless you all



Kaeyllane