Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev19960421.htm

MATTHEW: JESUS AS ISRAEL'S MESSIAH AND HIS MESSIANIC KINGDOM
Part VIII: The Proof Of Jesus As Israel's Messiah
D. Christ's Authenticating Authority Over Demonic Powers And Authorities
(Matthew 8:28-34)
  1. Introduction
    1. One of the deep challenges the believer faces in today's world of deepening apostasy is the increasing exposure of people to the world of evil spirits. Rise of occultism is common even here in Connecticut, and its promotion in the sec ular sectors of business and government can be easily documented.
    2. With this rise in evil and its powers, the believer may be tempted to shy away from the Great Commission, thinking that going to certain areas or to people is too dangerous due to the presence of demons there.
    3. Matthew 8:28-34 evidences the enormous sovereignty of Jesus Christ over the world of demons at their greatest power, and offers encouragement to have a balanced view of spiritual opposition we face.
  2. Christ's Authenticating Authority Over Demonic Powers And Authorities, Matthew 8:28-34.
    1. When Jesus came to the area of the Gergesenes, He faced great demonic opposition, Mtt. 8:28.
      1. The area was the eastern shore of Galilee, an area with limited Jewish influence and dominated by godless Gentiles and deep spiritual darkness, cf. Z.P.E.B., vol. Two, p. 81-84.
      2. In this region were two demon possessed men of such spiritual influence that it was impossible for other people even to pass that area lest they lose their lives, Mtt. 8:28.
        1. These men spent time in the many cave tombs along the steep slopes leading down to the sea, 28b.
        2. They were very fierce, frightening others away and threatening human life, 28c with Mk. 5:4-5.
    2. However, Christ's enormous spiritual dominance and power over demons was displayed in this contact:
      1. These demoniacs cried out in fear of Jesus, expressing dread at possibly having to face hell's torment before the time that God had planned to put demons in the Lake of Fire, Mtt. 8:29.
      2. They did not want to lose their current jurisdiction by being removed from the region, so they requested they enter a herd of swine being herded by godless Gentiles on top of the steep slopes by the sea, 8:30f.
      3. With the simple command from Jesus for them to "Go," an amazing series of events occurred, demonstrating the enormous sovereignty and power of Christ over demonic powers, Mtt. 8:32-34:
        1. Jesus simply ordered these demons to "go" from the demon possessed men, Mtt. 8:32a.
        2. When He did so, at least 2,000 evil spirits left the men and entered a herd of pigs, 8:32b; Mk. 5:13.
        3. The pigs all became terrified at the demons, and in a panicked state began to run. As they ran, they went in the wrong direction, off of the level mountain top and over the steep slope down toward the Sea of Galilee below, Mtt. 8:32c with Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, vol. 1, p. 612. Being unable to stop due to the steepness of the slope, the whole herd crashed into the water and drowned in a violent act of great squealing and thrashing, Mtt. 8:32d.
        4. The herdsmen who had witnessed Christ's interaction with the demoniacs and the resulting death of their herd were terrified, and fled into the city to report what they had seen, Mtt. 8:33.
        5. The whole city, knowing the frightful nature of the demoniacs, and knowing that Jesus had more power than these demons, were so terrified of Jesus that they all came out and begged Him to leave their area lest some worse even occur und er His influence, Mtt. 8:34.
      4. We know that this troublesome event may have seemed like a setback for the Gospel, but it was turned around by Jesus to be the start of the discipling of that whole area:
        1. The healed demoniac who wanted to follow Jesus after this event was encouraged by Christ to go back to the people who knew him in the area and witness of his salvation, cf. Mk. 5:19.
        2. When he did this, the crowds marveled, impressed with Jesus, Mk. 5:20.
        3. Because of this man's testimony, the area was opened to Christ's later work, and in that area He performed the miracle of the feeding of the 4,000, Mk. 7:31 with 8:1-9!
Lesson: Jesus demonstrated that He had the power to enter an area of great darkness influenced by many, powerful demons and produce a great change of heart in the whole region. He is God incarnate.

Application: Our Savior and His power is divine, and He is totally sovereign over all wickedness powers we face. Thus, we should not shy away from being a witness out of intimidation in any way.