Jesus' Authority Over Demons (Mark 9:14-29)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
7 May 2023
Demons are no match for Jesus.
Here was a lad possessed by an unclean spirit. Jesus drove out the demon. He alone has authority over the demonic world.
The boy was deaf and mute. His need was great. His father was desperate. But no situation is too desperate for Jesus.
Nothing is impossible with Jesus. Jesus' disciples could not drive out the demon for they were unbelieving (Matt. 17:20). Unbelief is rebuked but belief shall be rewarded.
The disciples were in dispute with the scribes. The scribes probably mocked them for their inability to drive out the demon.
The disciples were being taught humility. They had argued among themselves as to who was the greatest.
Jesus arrives. The people run to him. Better to run to Jesus than remain with disputers.
Jesus, the great physician, knows the boy's condition. The lad was deaf and mute. He would foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth and attempt suicide. The devil destroys; the Saviour delivers.
The devil knows his time is short. His evil is deadliest when his demise is near. The avalanche of evil we see in our country today is evidence of the destructive work of the devil in his last hour.
Today we see destruction of individuals, families, church, institutions, values and distinctives. Behind this destruction is the devil and his demonic forces.
Jesus spoke of a certain kind of demon. Just as there are holy angels assigned to certain tasks e.g. Gabriel and Michael, so Satan, the great counterfeiter, assigned specific demons to specific tasks. One particular demon was sent to destroy this poor boy.
Note the father's desperation. Jesus said all things were possible to him who believes. The father expressed belief but also his own weakness of unbelief.
Jesus then cast out the demon with a word. The demon gave one last assault and left the boy. Jesus’ power makes demons cower. Demons must flee; their victims set free.
The lesson for the disciples and us is that Jesus alone has authority to overpower demonic forces.
The devil earlier tried to destroy Jesus by tempting him to jump from the pinnacle of the temple. Jesus resisted. His followers also will not yield to self destruction.
This demon could only be cast out by prayer and fasting. But whose prayer? Whose fasting? Not the disciples. Not ours. It is only the prayer and fasting of Jesus that prevails.
Jesus often prayed and fasted. He has prevailed and in him we have a reservoir of power and authority. His gospel is the only way to overpower demonic forces.
Let us have confidence in the gospel. Proclaim it. Teach it. Demons will flee. People will be liberated.