Tag: Jesus’ Power Over Darkness

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The Majesty of God’s Word

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:37-43a. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on November 3, 2024.

The last time Jesus performed an exorcism, the reaction was striking. In Luke 8:28, the crowd asked Jesus to leave, trembling in terror at His power. But in Luke 9:43, after Jesus cast out a demon from a boy suffering seizures, the crowd responded differently: “And all were astonished at the majesty of God.” This shift in reaction reflects something profound—Jesus’ majesty wasn’t just reserved for mountaintop moments like His transfiguration. It was displayed even in the midst of human suffering.

This exorcism followed the Transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John glimpsed Jesus’ divine glory alongside Moses and Elijah. Peter misunderstood, suggesting that tents be built for all three figures, as if they were equals. But Jesus stands far above even the greatest prophets. Reflecting later on this moment, Peter declared, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). What they saw on the mountain was now revealed to the crowd through Jesus’ authority over evil.

However, the story begins with the disciples’ inability to help. A desperate father brought his afflicted son to them, but they could not cast out the demon. Luke 9:40 recounts the father’s plea: “I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” How could the disciples, who had been given authority over demons (Luke 9:1) and seen Jesus perform countless miracles, fail here?

The answer lies in where they placed their trust. Instead of relying on God, they relied on what had worked before. This shift is a common pitfall, one even Moses succumbed to. When God instructed him in Numbers 20 to speak to a rock to provide water, Moses struck it instead, as he had done previously. Though water flowed, Moses’ failure to trust God led to severe consequences. He acted out of habit, not obedience, and was barred from entering the Promised Land.

The disciples faced a similar issue. They had seen success in exorcisms and healings before, but this time, their faith faltered. Jesus addressed their lack of faith directly in Matthew 17:20, saying, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

What about us? How often do we fall into routines, trusting in past methods or our own strength instead of relying on God? Whether in ministry or daily life, it’s easy to go through the motions and lose sight of the One who empowers us. But God calls us to a deeper trust. Philippians 2:13 reminds us, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

To experience God’s renewing strength and majesty, we must seek Him intentionally—through Scripture, prayer, and worship. Let’s not let familiarity breed monotony. Instead, let’s marvel at His creation, like the northern lights or Niagara Falls, and be reminded of His glory. As Isaiah 40:31 promises, “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”

Ultimately, it’s Christ’s work in us that reveals His majesty. When we take up the rhythms of faith—reading, praying, and worshiping—we align ourselves with His power. Let’s trust in Him fully and find strength to carry on, proclaiming His glory in all we do.

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Trembling at God’s Word

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 8:26-39. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on September 1, 2024.

Did you know the Exorcist franchise now includes seven movies and a TV series? The original 1973 film, infamous for its terrifying portrayal of demonic possession, reportedly caused some moviegoers to faint or feel nauseated. While I’ve never seen the original, I recall a night in my early 20s when I watched Exorcist: The Beginning with friends. We didn’t plan to see it, but after an evening of all-you-can-eat sushi, we wandered into the theater. The film had been out for a while, so the theater was nearly empty, just us and a scattering of seats. Initially, we found this amusing and decided to spread out. But by the end, every one of us had huddled together, unnerved by what we’d seen. Even as Christians who believed in the existence of demonic powers, we were shaken, realizing the gravity of what Scripture teaches about the spiritual realm.

C.S. Lewis warned of two errors concerning the demonic: disbelieving in their existence or becoming excessively fascinated. Most of us fall closer to disbelief, brushing off the concept as myth or exaggeration. But the Bible doesn’t leave room for such dismissal. In Job, we see Satan walking “to and fro on the earth” (Job 1:7, ESV). In Ephesians, Paul reminds believers to be strong in the Lord and to “put on the whole armor of God…against the spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:11–12, ESV). These passages affirm that the spiritual battle is real, and we are not wrestling against mere flesh and blood. But while we must not dismiss the existence of the demonic, neither should we obsess over it. Balance is key.

Luke 8 gives us a vivid example of demonic possession. A man possessed by many demons lived among the tombs, naked and out of control. His torment was evident; the demons dehumanized and marginalized him, making him repulsive and frightening to others. When Jesus arrived, this man’s transformation demonstrated the power of Christ. The demons recognized Jesus as “Son of the Most High God” (Luke 8:28, ESV) and obeyed His command to leave the man, entering a herd of pigs that subsequently drowned. This account highlights two truths: the destructive power of the demonic and the supreme authority of Christ.

Some may try to explain this possession as a psychiatric condition. While mental health is a genuine concern, Scripture consistently portrays cases like this as spiritual battles. Hollywood’s exaggerated depictions can distort our understanding, but real spiritual warfare often manifests more subtly. The devil’s aim is to deceive and lead us into sin. As 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (ESV). Therefore, we must stay vigilant and rely on God’s strength.

Ultimately, Jesus’ authority over all things, including the demonic, offers hope. When the man was freed, his response was to proclaim how much God had done for him. This should be our response too. By submitting to God and resisting the devil, we draw near to Christ, who reigns in power and righteousness (James 4:7–8; Psalm 96:9–10). Let this truth ground us in faith, knowing that Jesus is Lord over all.