Casting Out Demons: The Authority of Christ and the Calling of Believers

 

In this sermon, we will explore the biblical accounts of Jesus casting out demons, the instructions He gave His disciples regarding demonic forces, and the application for believers today. Demonic oppression and possession were real in the time of Christ, and the Bible gives us clear accounts of these encounters. Jesus dealt with them directly and empowered His followers to do the same. We will examine what Scripture says and how a believer should respond if they suspect they are afflicted by a demon.

Biblical Accounts of Casting Out Demons

 

One of the most well-known accounts of Jesus casting out demons is found in Mark 5:1–20. Jesus meets a man possessed by many demons in the region of the Gerasenes. The man lived among the tombs, was uncontrollable, and tormented. When Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out, the demons begged to be sent into a herd of pigs, and Jesus permitted it. The pigs rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned. This encounter demonstrates Jesus’ absolute authority over demonic powers and His compassion for the afflicted.

 

In Matthew 17:14–21, a man brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus after the disciples failed to cast the demon out. Jesus rebukes the demon, and the child is healed instantly. He tells His disciples that their failure was due to their lack of faith and that some kinds do not come out except by prayer and fasting. This shows the need for spiritual readiness and deep faith when confronting demonic forces.

 

 

Instructions to His Disciples

 

Jesus gave His disciples authority over unclean spirits. In Matthew 10:1, He called His twelve disciples and gave them authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. This commission was not limited to the twelve; in Luke 10:17–20, seventy others returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!' Jesus replied that He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven and assured them of their authority, but reminded them to rejoice more that their names are written in heaven.

Are Christians Still Casting Out Demons Today?

 

The New Testament never suggests that casting out demons was to cease. Instead, it emphasizes spiritual warfare and the authority believers have in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:10–18 reminds us we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of darkness. Mark 16:17 declares that signs will follow those who believe: they will cast out demons in His name.

 

 

What Can a Believer Do If They Believe They Have a Demon?

 

If a believer suspects demonic influence, they should examine themselves in light of Scripture, confess all known sin, renounce any involvement in occult practices, and seek the help of mature believers or church elders for prayer. James 4:7 says, 'Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.' Deliverance comes through submission to God, repentance, and faith in the authority of Jesus Christ. It is essential to stay grounded in the Word, maintain a life of prayer, and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

 

 

To God Be the Glory

 

We thank God for the mercy and power made available through Jesus Christ, who came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). As it is written: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). Amen.

 

 

 

Reference Scriptures (LSB)

 

Mark 5:1–20

"Then they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. And when He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, who had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. And constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and cutting himself with stones. And seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said, 'What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!' For He had been saying to him, 'Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!' And He was asking him, 'What is your name?' And he said to Him, 'My name is Legion; for we are many.' And he began to plead with Him earnestly not to send them out of the region. Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. And the demons pleaded with Him, saying, 'Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.' And He gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea. And their herdsmen ran away and reported it in the city and in the countryside, and the people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the 'Legion'; and they became frightened. And those who had seen it recounted to them how this had happened to the demon-possessed man and all about the swine. And they began to plead with Him to leave their region. And as He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was pleading with Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, 'Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you and how He had mercy on you.' And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him, and everyone was marveling."

 

Matthew 17:14–21

"And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying,15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.16 And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.”17 And Jesus answered and said, “O you unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”20 And He said to them, “Because of your little faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.21 [But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

 

Matthew 10:1

"And summoning His twelve disciples, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness."

 

Luke 10:17–20

"Now the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”18 And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”"

 

Ephesians 6:10–18

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the might of His strength.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.16 In addition to all, having taken up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one,17 also receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,18 praying at all times with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,"

 

Mark 16:17

"nd these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;"

 

James 4:7

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

 

Galatians 5:16

"But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

 

1 John 3:8

"The one who does sin is of the devil, because the devil sins from the beginning. The Son of God was manifested for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."

 

1 Corinthians 15:57

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."