Jesus’ Ministry at Capernaum

A few weeks ago, we studied about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Now today we will see the everlasting effects of the victory that He won over the enemy during that time. As we consider Luke 4, and Jesus’ deliverance of a man that was demon possessed.

When I first considered these verses for this sermon, I thought- “demon possession” “what relevance do these verses have for us today at FBC”? I have been in Christian ministry for 50 years; I want you to know that I have never casted out any demons.

I have never confronted anyone that I was fully convinced that was possessed of the devil- unless it a was a guy at a rental car place down in Miami.

And if we were not doing verse by verse expository preaching, this would probably be a text that I would choose to skip over. However, we want to be faithful in our study of the scriptures. And there are many valuable things that we can glean from this passage, as we can from any passage in the Word of God.

Before we get this section of scripture, I want to note that in the entire Old Testament, there are not any stories of demon possession, in the Epistles it is the same. But 12 different times we read that Jesus dealt with demon possessed individuals in the gospels. 7 times in the gospel of Luke.

However, we read of many demon possessed people and also in the Book of Acts. Then later in the book of Revelation once again we read of demons.

Up until this point the entire Book of Luke has been about the person of Jesus, who He was, His plan, His Messiahship.

Demon possession is a phenomenon that occurred on an amazing scale during the time of Jesus. In the rest of biblical history, it seems to be very rare. 

However, according to the scriptures, at the end of the age, just before Jesus returns, when He comes and raptures His church, takes the church out, removes the restraint. All hell breaks loose. I have to wonder if we are nearing that time.

The reason that three of the gospels give the story of demons being cast out is to show Jesus’ authority even over them.

1.  Please turn with me to Luke Ch 4.