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In our study of Christ’s power over
demons a few weeks ago, I gave several questions to assist parents in taking
their children through this amazing passage in Matthew to expand their
understanding of these verses. I am now supplying a set of answers which I have
prepared to assist with these devotions. (Eph 6:4; Deut 6:6-7)
WHAT DOES THIS
PASSAGE TEACH US?
1. WHY DID THE “CITY”
IN MATTHEW 8:28-34 ASK JESUS TO LEAVE? [See parallel passages: Mark 5:15,18-20;
Luke 8:35-36, 38-39]
There could be no remaining doubt in the minds of
those who witnessed Jesus’ power over the demons that Christ possessed divine strength
over the demonic realm. The only conclusion that could be drawn from this was
that the individual who instantaneously, powerfully and authoritatively ended
the demonic oppression in this area was God Himself. Only divine power could
accomplish what Jesus achieved in this incident. One then must conclude that
they asked Him to leave because they wanted nothing to do with the Lordship that
Christ had demonstrated over the world and over their individual hearts in
particular.
2. ABOUT THE POWER
OF DEMONS OVER THE UNBELIEVING?
[Find 3 supportive passages] On the other hand, the suffering which these two
men endured under the oppression of this legion of demons shows the power of
darkness over natural humanity. This is
supported throughout God’s Word. (Acts 26:18; Eph 2:1-3; Col 1:13-14; Jn 5:18-19)
3. ABOUT WHY WE SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN PEOPLE REACT APATHETICALLY TO OUR
WITNESS? Man does
not naturally seek God, His Word or the things of the Spirit. (Matt 10:22-25; Jn 1:11; Jn 3:19-21; Jn 6:44; Rom 1:18; 3:11; 8:5-8)
4. ABOUT
THE NEED TO PRAY FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS & OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE NOT PRESENTLY
INTERESTED IN JESUS? John 6:44
states that no man can come to the Father unless God draws Him. Christ, looking at the communities of
unbelievers as spiritual harvest fields, commands that we pray for God
to raise up believers
who are willing to go out into the harvest to share liberally the seed of the
gospel. (Matt 9:36-38; Eph 6:19; Col 4:2-4; 2 Tim 4:2)
5. ABOUT THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL AND WHY
WE AND OTHERS ARE [OR CAN BE]
DELIVERED FROM SATAN'S POWER
TO DAMN THE SOUL? Even though we are
helpless enemies of God and do not want to receive the truth of the
Gospel knowing that Christ will then become the ruler of our hearts. God is stronger than our hearts and able to overcome the natural resistance
with which apart from God's grace we would respond to the preaching of the
gospel. (Jn 1:12-13;Jn 6:37,39; Acts 13:48; 16:14; Rom 1:16-17; 2 Cor 6:1-6; Col
1:13-14)
6. ABOUT WHY WE SHOULD BE CONFIDENT EVEN THOUGH DEMONS ARE PERSONALLY SEEKING TO PREVENT US FROM SPREADING THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL? Matt 8:28-34 reveals that legions of demons who previously were possessing,
controlling and harassing fallen men, tremble before the majestic
presence and omnipotent power of Christ when they are in His presence. The Great
Commission supports this principle on our behalf indicating that
when we advance the gospel we have been given all the authority that Christ has
on heaven and earth and that wherever and
whenever we share, Christ is present with us to enable us to produce results which the evil realm is unable to
thwart. (Matt 28:18-20)
7. ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYING FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH?
Notwithstanding the power of the Gospel, the Word, the Spirit and Christ also indwells the sacred,
believers are promised great trouble in the world when they share their faith. Thus
the need to pray for
those who are suffering for Christ is paramount.
(Lk 22:31-32; Jn
16:33; Eph 6:18-20)
8. ABOUT WHAT A LOVE FOR THE WORLD WILL DO TO OUR DESIRE FOR CHRIST AND SPIRITUAL THINGS? It will remove our
love for God and cause us to pursue that which dissipates and is
passing away: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and
boastful pride of life. (1 Jn 2:15-17)
9. ABOUT
HOW GRATEFUL WE SHOULD BE THAT WE HAVE
BEEN DELIVERED FROM THE FUTURE "TORMENT" MENTIONED
IN THIS PASSAGE? When
we consider the following passages where Christ
describes this "torment" that will be experienced not
only by demons but by all who die without saving faith in Christ, one can only bow in homage
for the boundless and merciful gift of salvation.
(Matt 5:22; 13:40,42,50;
18:34; 25:30, 41-46; Mk 9:42-49; Lk 16:19-31; Ps 32:1; Rom 4:7-8)
10. HOW
ARE WE TO RESPOND SPECIFICALLY WHEN WE ARE
ATTACKED BY DEMONS ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? [Find three
supportive verses] We are to resist the devil firm in our
faith and armed in the strength of the Lord. (Eph 6:10-18; James
4:7; 1 Pet 5:8-11)
11. HOW
HAS THE DEMONIC REALM EFFECTIVELY
HINDERED YOUR WALK THIS YEAR AND
WHY?
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