The Vineyard- February 7, 2016

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Luke 4:31-44

Pray for God to speak to you through the reading of His word. 

Read the passage. 

-          Are Demons Real?

o   We see Jesus casting our demons, so we know they existed.  And yet, our modern way of thinking often causes us to wonder if they still exist.  Some even suggest that the Bible referred to things we call disease (epilepsy, etc.) as demons. 

o   Some look for demons around every corner, others think they don’t exist at all.  Perhaps a better way of thinking about demons and the demonic is to realize that demons and the demonic are things that serve, or are of Satan. 

o   While is some cases a demon might manifest itself in a personal way, as they did with Jesus, most of the time the demonic presents itself it subtler ways.  Can anyone deny that the Swastika of Nazi Germany or the black flag of ISIS is a symbol of evil in our world?  Can anyone deny that demonic forces are still at work in world where millions of Jews can be murdered in gas chambers, Christians can be beheaded, and babies can be taken apart and sold in their mothers’ wombs?

-          A Broader Definition of Evil

o   Jesus rebukes the illness of Simon’s mother-in-law in the same way that he rebukes the demon in the synagogue. 

o   Could it be that Jesus sees illness and demon-possession in the same terms?

o   For Jesus, evil is not only that which is personified, such as a demon, but also anything that is contrary to the good intentions of God for his creation.  The fall brought illness, pain, and a host of others things, all of which are evil.  Jesus rebukes them in the same way he rebukes demons, because they all come from the same source, the devil. 

-          Preaching the Good News

o   Jesus preaching invoked a response from the demon possessing the man in Capernaum.  Even in our day, telling others of the good news of Jesus Christ can bring out evil. 

o   Are you prepared to confront evil around you by proclaiming the truth and goodness that is found in Jesus Christ?

Praise God for the courage to confront the evil around you by preaching Jesus Christ!

Consider this verses:

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:18-19 ESV)