BEYOND BELIEF: THE DEMONS IN THE GRAVEYARD

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Today we will continue our study of many of the miracles of Jesus during his earthly ministry. The purpose of the study is for us to never lose sight of the power of Jesus in our lives even today. There are no problems the people of the first century encountered which are not also present today. Thus, it’s a good idea to never lose sight of what Jesus can do in our lives.

Luke 8:26-37 (NKJV) Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. 34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

1. The isolation of sin

Vs 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.

• This was a man who had been so decimated by the power of demons in his life, he had been driven from all connection to others: “This is the goal of Satan in our lives, to disconnect us from the influence of others so we can be controlled by him”
• Demon possession was not an uncommon occurrence, though this time it was particularly intense
• Sin in our lives has this same effect, the more we let it get a foothold in our lives, the easier it is for to be isolated from righteousness

Vs 29b For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.

1. The power of God over all

Vss 30-33 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

• The use of the word “legion” indicates a multitude of demons possessed this man. In the Roman empire, a legion of soldiers was between 3,000 and 6,000 men.
• With a word (and Jesus’ permission), the demons left the man and entered the pigs
• After this healing, the people of that region wanted Jesus to leave for they feared His power, and they feared his influence on their sources of income

1. Even the evil recognizes the power and presence of Jesus

Vs 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!”

• The instant the man encountered Jesus, the demons knew they were in trouble. They knew exactly who Jesus was and they feared Him greatly.
• They didn’t run from Him, nor did they attempt to argue with Him, they simply fell at His feet.

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

Application:

1. The attacks of Satan are just as real today as they were 2,000 years ago (Eph. 6:12, John 10:10)

• The tombs where we live today are found in the recesses of isolation, the internet, drugs and alcohol, and other sin
• Satan’s plan is to get you away from the light as quickly and as far as possible

1. The greatest tools we have to combat the influence of evil is running after truth

• Reading the Bible, prayer, fellowship with other believers, service

1. When Satan gets a foothold, we have nothing to fear. Bring Jesus into the room!