Defeating the Destroyer (Mark 5)

We are currently in a message series on Spiritual Warfare. Jesus’ ministry on this earth was all about spiritual warfare. When you read the Gospel accounts, you find Jesus confronting demons and evil spirits on every other page.

Acts 10:38 (NIV2011)  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

In this verse, Jesus’ ministry is summarized as “healing all who were under the power of the devil.” In Jesus’ ministry healing of the sick and casting out of demons were often intertwined. When Jesus set someone free from the power of Satan, they were healed. Jesus’ ministry of spiritual warfare was continued by the early church as recorded in the book of Acts. Yet, today, churches seldom speak of demons and setting people free from the power of the devil. In fact, most people today do not believe that Satan and his demons are real.

In the insightful book Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis, two demons named Wormwood and Screwtape discuss their strategy in dealing with people.

“Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves. … I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient in the dark. The fact that “devils” are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that … he therefore cannot believe in you.”

So, the belief in Satan and his demons are regarded by many, even in the church, as old-fashioned and unscientific thinking. Of course, what better strategy for our enemy Satan could there be than to convince people he and his demons don’t exist.

On July 26, a massive 9 ft tall, 2000 lb statue of Satan was unveiled in Detroit to hundreds of Satanic worshippers. The spokesperson of the Satanic Temple said that Satan is simply a symbol of man’s nature and not a supernatural being. Right! Don’t believe anything that Satan or his followers say, he is a liar.

Today, our message is entitled “Defeating the Destroyer.” Satan and his demons are very real and he is the destroyer. He is out to destroy people created in the image of God. Jesus said in John 10:10 of Satan …

John 10:10 (NIV2011)  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Satan is a thief, out to steal, kill and destroy every good in the world. The demons of Jesus’ time are still with us. They are spirits and can’t be killed. Do we see people stealing, killing and destroying in our time? Of course, and behind that destruction and killing is the destroyer, Satan and his demons. Today, we’re going to learn from Jesus how to defeat the destroyer.

Message Audio, Outline & Study Guide

Spiritual Warfare Message Series

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