Kingdom Deliverance

Text from Sermon preached on 16th Feb 2025

• Evil is real.
• It may be uncomfortable but we are foolishly naïve if we don’t face this fact.
• We can see its influence on the TV news, reports of unspeakable cruelty and abuse, sexual exploitation and violent murder.  We can see it in any human group activity spoiled by jealous ambition.  We can see it, if we’re honest, in our own minds and hearts when we choose to welcome things that are selfish or dishonourable.
• The Bible tells us the origin of evil.  God created more than the physical universe, He created angels.  One of these, whose name ’Lucifer’ means ‘bright, shining one’ was found to be proud and ambitious, leading a rebellion against God.  As a result he and his fellow rebels were cast out of heaven. 
• Filled with resentment for he knows his time is limited and clearly unable to defeat God, the devil spitefully tries to strike back by hurting the apple of God’s eye, the crown of His creation, the human race.  Satan seeks to break God’s heart by corrupting and harming us.
• His principle weapon is deception.  He tries to persuade us that God is the enemy, the Lord is a spoilsport, that we’d be better off without God, we can make our own rules, we can choose our own destiny.  Adam and Eve were the first to fall for his lies and join the rebellion and the world has been suffering alienation from its Maker ever since.  Unless we turn and are saved we risk sharing the devil’s fate in the lake of fire forever!
• In some instances demons or ‘unclean spirits’ can take up residence in a human being and exert a dark, harmful influence.  The man in Mark 5 is a dramatic example.  He suffers mental turmoil.  He has a fixation with death, sleeping rough in a graveyard.  He exhibits unnatural strength and violence and is a danger to himself and others.  He roams naked, unable to enjoy normal family life or community. 
• This is an extreme case involving numerous demons.  Mark 1 records an encounter with a man in the synagogue who is described as being ‘possessed’.  Now he is clothed and attending worship but is nevertheless under the influence of an evil spirit.  As soon as Jesus comes in this man immediately becomes disruptive.  Later in ch9 there’s a case where a man brings his son to Jesus and it transpires this young man is troubled by a spirit causing physical disability and illness including deafness and violent seizures.
• Now this is unpleasant and disturbing reading but it offers important lessons.  Firstly let’s realise these evil forces are neither friendly or fun but merciless abusers who will corrupt, divide and hurt us any way they can.  They should not be pitied or romanticised.  They are a vicious enemy.
• How foolish then to come out on the street to celebrate pride and all kinds of immorality.  How foolish to decorate houses and dress up children with symbols of evil and death at Halloween.  Such things invite demons to make themselves at home in us and our families and more, they invite the righteous judgement of God!
• How good now, to be able to turn and consider Jesus and the kingdom of heaven He brings.  He was tempted by the devil but didn’t give in.  In every instance where He came across demon possession He drove the demons out and set the people free.  People were restored to good health, physically, emotionally and spiritually and were able to go home, ‘clothed and in their right mind’. 
• Jesus clearly has absolute authority over evil powers, His kingdom of grace and love ‘demolishes strongholds’ that kept people in darkness and bondage for generations.  He has come to reverse the Fall, to reconcile us sinners to God and liberate us to live in righteousness as His dear children.  We don’t have to stay bound by sin or evil.  Curses are broken in Jesus’ name.  He invites His followers to pray ‘Deliver us from the evil one’.  In His name we are delivered, rescued and released!
• It may seem ironic at first but victory over evil is actually accomplished at the cross.
• At first it looked like evil had won!  The most dreadful atrocity committed against the most innocent person.  He never did wrong.  He showed kindness to the poor and help to those in need but He was mocked, stripped and beaten and hung up to die in slow agony.  Unnatural darkness descended on the scene.  Surely this was the worst day ever?
• Amazingly no.  From heaven’s perspective this was the greatest day ever.  The day of atonement, the day of salvation, the day of deliverance.
• Shortly before this Jesus said, ‘Now is the time for judgement on this world, now the prince of this world will be driven out.  But I, when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all men to myself.’ (John 12 v 31-32)
• The Apostle Paul later writes, ‘Having disarmed the powers and authorities He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’  (Colossians 2 v15)
• Good has triumphed over evil!  Grace has trumped wickedness!  A sufficient offering has been made.  Forgiveness and cleansing have been made available and with them deliverance.  The work of the enemy is defeated, his kingdom invaded, his cruel dictatorship ended. 
• In Jesus’ name and by His blood Christians are no longer slaves to sin but, as Peter writes, ‘a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that (we) may declare the praises of Him Who called (us) out of darkness into His wonderful light’. (1 Peter 2 v 9)
• In this life before Christ returns there will still be struggles – personal temptations and public debates – but Paul writes to his congregation at Ephesus that the secret of daily success against evil is constant prayer.
• Let’s remember in prayer who Jesus is and what He has done and who we are in Him.  Let’s resist the enemy and celebrate the Kingdom of God!​