Ministry of Deliverance Acts 5:16

5 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 5:16, KJV

43 When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Matthew 12:43-45, ESV

Jesus’ example for the ministry of deliverance.

++21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. 29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out,” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Mark 1:21-39 ESV

1. The message and authority comes from the kingdom of God.

Mark 1:21-22, ESV

28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 12:28, ESV

2. Jesus rebukes the demonic spirit _not the man_.

24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying “Be silent, and come out of him!”

Mark 1:24-25, ESV

3. Jesus expels the demon from the man _not_ the man from the synagogue.

4. There is a priority of deliverance.

23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out

Mark 1:23, ESV

5. Jesus addresses the demonic spirit not the _symptoms_ of the man.

24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying “Be silent, and come out of him!”

Mark 1:24-25, ESV

24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -the Holy One of God.”

Mark 1:24, ESV

There is a knowledge of Jesus that does not save…..

++A profession, not a practice.
++Lodges in the hand but never touches the heart.
++A faith that generates fear but never gains forgiveness.

Where did Jesus begin his ministry of deliverance, battle of demons?

1. Himself

++1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

Matthew 4:1-4, ESV

Satan could not conceive of Jesus submitting to the will of the Father when it meant _personal discomfort_.

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple. 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your food against a stone.'”Matthew 4:5-6, ESV

Testing God is not trusting God.

It’s no wonder why there us ab absence of God’s power in the church and in our lives today when we have ignored camouflaged, medicated and excused demonic vexation and oppression and strong holds.