Divine authority
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle B
Theme For The Day: Divine authority. Deuteronomy has Moses predicting that God will send a prophet like him, who will rule with authority. The Gospel features Jesus acting with authority by casting out demons. In the Second Lesson Paul reminds us that our actions must be governed by love's authority.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15--20 (C, RC, E)
The book of Deuteronomy reinterprets the laws of Moses for a new generation. It comes in the form of addresses by Moses as the Israelites are about to enter the promised land. This is probably the book that was found during the reign of Josiah and served as the basis for religious reforms, namely, the centralization of the cult in Jerusalem. In this passage Moses promises that God will send a prophet like himself who will preach and act with authority. God will judge those who refuse to listen to his prophet.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1--13 (C); 1 Corinthians 8:1b--13 (E)
Eating meat offered to idols was a bone of contention for early Christians in the Roman empire. Some of the meat offered at the pagan temples was sold at the marketplace. Some Christians thought that it was all right to eat this meat, others did not. Here was another situation regarding this meat. All of the Christians had relatives and friends who might invite them to a banquet at one of the rooms in a pagan temple. The Christian might rightly reason that idols don't really exist and so it's all right to banquet socially at a pagan temple. Paul counsels that it might be all right to dine on this meat but not if it would cause a weaker believer to eat such meat and be conscience stricken. The situation described by Paul doesn't exist any longer but the underlying principle remains: all that we do should be governed by love for the neighbor.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 7:32--35 (RC)
Gospel: Mark 1:21--28 (C, RC, E)
After calling four disciples, Jesus launches his ministry in the town of Capernaum, along the Sea of Galilee, by teaching in the synagogue. Jesus astounds his listeners by speaking with such authority; he taught as if he had a direct line from God, not quoting the noted rabbis. This sense of authority was doubly reinforced by his confrontation with a man possessed by a demon. Jesus immediately drove out the unclean spirit. This exorcism dramatically illustrates his mastery over the powers of evil.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 111 (C, E) - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (v. 10).
Psalm 94 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
Great God, you have empowered your Son with your Holy Spirit and empowered him to preach, teach and heal with authority. Strengthen our faith in him that we might speak and act as one who bears the stamp of your Word and Spirit. In Jesus' powerful name we pray. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15--20
Mediators of the covenant. The Israelites shunned the immediate presence of God; it was too frightening (v. 16). They demanded someone to stand between them and God. Moses was the greatest of all the Old Testament mediators of God's covenant. In this passage Moses promises that the Lord will send another prophet of his stature to speak God's word. Actually, the Lord sent someone greater than Moses to mediate his presence and pronounce his word; he sent Jesus to stand between us and the white--hot holiness of the Lord.
Puppet or interpreter? The Lord promises to put his words in the mouth of his special prophet (v. 19), but how does he do so? Is the prophet merely a puppet and God the ventriloquist communicating his message word for word? Or does the prophet stand in the presence of God's holy ones and attempt to report what he has seen and heard but in his own language and thought form? I feel more comfortable with the latter analogy. I don't think God takes pleasure in making puppets.
Hear and heed. The responsibility of the prophet is to speak the Lord's message. The recipients of the prophet's message are required both to hear and heed the word of the Lord. Consider this interaction between father and son.
Father - Please cut the grass this afternoon.
Danny - (Silence)
Father - Did you hear me?
Danny - Yes, father.
The father comes home in the evening and the lawn hasn't been touched.
Father - Didn't you hear me tell you to cut the lawn?
Danny - I did hear you but I never said I'd do it.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1--13
Knowledge in the service of love. "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (v. 1). Some people spend their lives in the pursuit of knowledge; others devote themselves to the art of loving. Paul indicates that love looms larger than knowledge on God's scale of values. We ought not disparage knowledge and particularly the pursuit of truth. Yet knowledge is dangerous because it tends to puff up with pride. Love, on the other hand, concentrates on the other person and seeks to build him up. Knowledge is valuable but must be placed in the service of love.
God the Father, the destination; Jesus, the way. Paul maintains that there is one God and Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. God the Father is the destination; Jesus Christ is the means to this destination. Jesus said himself, "I am the way..." and, according to the book of Acts, early Christians were known as the followers of the way.
Consideration for your neighbor's conscience. Paul argues that Christians need to gauge the appropriateness of their behavior not only by their conscience but by the conscience of other people. He seems particularly concerned that Christians not do anything to cause other believers spiritual harm. Paul invokes the principle of love; if my action harms another person, even though it may be all right in itself, love dictates that I desist. Eating meat offered to idols was a moral issue for the apostolic church. Gambling presents a contemporary issue that lifts up the same principle. It can be argued that for millions of people gambling is harmless fun. They know how much they are willing to lose and stop when they reach that limit. They have control over their gambling. But let's say that a church member sees a leader in the church gambling. He thinks, "Well, it's all right" and proceeds to roll the dice. This person, however, has little internal control over his gaming. In fact, he soon becomes addicted and plummets into financial ruin. Does not the principle of Christian love dictate that we, persons of knowledge and control, desist from gambling for the sake of our weaker brothers and sisters?
Gospel: Mark 1:21--28
Immediately. Right after picking some of his disciples, Jesus wasted no time before engaging in ministry. It was the Sabbath day and "immediately" he entered the synagogue and taught. Jesus didn't have to decide whether or not he was going to synagogue. It was his custom to worship with the community of believers and so he went immediately. Jesus was a man with a mission to bring in the kingdom of God. There was no time to lose! The logical place to begin was the religious community, immediately!
Taught with authority. Those worshippers were astonished by the authority with which Jesus taught. What are the components of such authority? (1) To speak and act in a way that leaves no doubt that you know your subject. Jesus didn't just know about his subject; he knew his subject (the kingdom of God) firsthand. (2) To have your actions and your life corroborate your words. Casting out the demon gave credence to Jesus' teachings. (3) There must be immediacy. Hearers must see how the teachings can make a difference in their lives right now. Jesus employed everyday images, symbols and stories to make God's truth come alive.
Spiritual battle. The man who entered the synagogue was probably seeking wholeness though such a person was not supposed to enter a holy place. A community of unclean spirits had splintered his being. In the presence of Jesus the spirits felt threatened. "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?" (v. 24). Precisely! He was launching his initial attack against the forces of evil.
Know your enemy (v. 24). The unclean spirits knew Jesus' identity. It's interesting to note that they are the first to acknowledge his identity. Jesus likewise recognized what he was dealing with. The first rule of war is to know your enemy, because if you don't he will launch a surprise attack that could devastate you. Unfortunately, some churches seem to regard other churches that hold different ideas as the enemy. How the forces of evil must rejoice at such times! Let us join together in a united front against our common enemy, the Prince of Darkness.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15--20
Sermon Title: How To Distinguish A True Prophet
Sermon Angle: The people of Israel are promised a prophet like Moses. What are the characteristics of a real prophet? How will the people be able to know when he arrives? (1) He will not raise himself up, God will. (2) He will mediate between the Lord and the people. (3) God will put his words in the prophet's mouth. How can we tell if the message comes from the Lord? It will not conflict with what God has already revealed.
Sermon Title: Hear And Heed
Sermon Angle: God says that anyone who doesn't listen to his prophet will have to answer to the Lord himself. It isn't enough just to hear God's prophet, one must also heed his or her message. Sometimes we preachers wonder if anyone really listens to us. That is, does it alter their values, behavior and so forth? I was pleasantly surprised when a member of the church I serve called and reported that my sermon had inspired him to give a goodly amount of money. He wanted to know what the needs were. Praise the Lord! Worshippers do hear and heed, some of them, the message the Lord gives us to preach.
Outline:
1. God puts his word into the mouth of his preachers.
2. God expects us to take his prophets seriously.
3. This involves not only hearing but heeding his or her message.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1--13
Sermon Title: The Biggest Fool Is A Knowledgeable Fool
Sermon Angle: You've heard the saying, "There's no fool like an educated fool." Knowledge and education can puff one up with pride. Paul states that the person who thinks he really knows something does not know as he ought (v. 2). Rather than seek knowledge for its own sake, the child of God should seek to know God as perfectly as he knows us. We come to know God, the fount of all knowledge and wisdom, not through our mind but through the power of love.
Outline:
1. The biggest fool is a knowledgeable fool.
2. Superior knowledge may make him feel superior in every way.
3. Love is the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 13), better than knowledge.
4. Knowledge puffs up, love builds up others in community.
Sermon Title: Christians Are In The Business of Raising, Not Razing
Sermon Angle: The apostle makes a key point concerning the nature of love. "It builds up" other people; it builds up the church; it builds up society. Prejudice and hatred, on the flip side of the coin, raze (demolish) everything in their sight. A sermon on this topic could encourage the members of your church to be constructive in all their words and actions. God gives us his love that we might build up both church and society.
Outline:
1. Knowledge or perceived knowledge causes some people to tear others down.
2. Love builds up the other by affirming them as inherently precious.
3. Are your words and deeds razing or raising (spell out both words) the lives of others?
4. God raised us up in Christ that we might raise up one another in love.
Sermon Title: The Burden Of Maturity
Sermon Angle: Paul makes a strong case that those who are spiritually knowledgeable (mature) have a responsibility to set an example for those whose faith is not as fully developed. In the case of eating meat offered to idols, he sees nothing inherently wrong with doing it. However, he cautions the Corinthians also to consider the effect their actions have on others. A less mature person might follow their example and engage in an activity that harms his conscience. The #1 ethical principle for the spiritually mature is the rule of love. Living by this principle might seem a burden but, in the end, will make everyone more free.
Outline:
1. Knowledge and maturity can be a burden. (Give examples.)
2. Part of the burden is determining what effect our actions have on others (the rule of love).
3. Paul uses the meat issue to illustrate the principle.
4. Where do we see the principle in a contemporary context? (Gambling?)
5. The love of Christ can make restrictions on our freedom seem no burden at all.
Gospel: Mark 1:21--28
Sermon Title: Mission Mandate: Minister With Christ's Authority!
Sermon Angle: All that Jesus did conveyed a sense of authority, which we see plainly in this lection. In the synagogue he taught with authority. He presented eternal truths in a fresh manner in a way that touched people's lives. His words of authority were backed by authoritative actions. He demonstrated the power of God in the exorcism. He had power over the forces of darkness. Christ commissions the church to minister with his authority, the authority of divine truth.
Outline:
1. Today's text highlights Jesus' authority.
2. We live in a world almost devoid of accepted authority.
3. Even in the church we have lost touch with Christ's authority and have substituted the latest psychological, sociological or political fad.
4. Relativism has also diluted Christ's authority.
5. Christ calls us to follow him as Lord and minister to the world with his authority.
Sermon Title: Jesus, The Exorcist
Sermon Angle: The ancients believed that demons were everywhere, a conception which most Westerners have difficulty accepting. Did Jesus believe in their existence or was he just utilizing the common conception? I choose to accept that Jesus did believe in the demonic and that the demonic is real. How can you not accept the reality of the demonic when you look around? Parents murder, rape and abuse their children. Authority figures abuse their position. Teenagers murder innocent children. Jesus, the Lord, has the power to cast out the demons that we let into our lives.
Outline:
1. The realm of the evil and demonic are real.
2. We permit demonic forces to enter our lives - gossip, jealousy, rage, war.
3. Jesus has power and authority over the demonic (illustrated in our text).
4. He can free us from demonic forces if we give him access.
__________
Over twenty years ago the movie The Exorcist was all the vogue. The story line had a raging demon take possession of a young girl, played by Linda Blair. Her parents seek help in the form of a priest exorcist who does battle with the demon in the name of God. The encounters between the exorcist and the possessed were so vivid that little kids who viewed the movie had nightmares for weeks. The possessed girl rolled her eyes into the sockets, out of her mouth gushed forth all manner of putrid fluid and in a guttural voice, straight out of hell, she cursed the exorcist. The demon was finally dislodged only after a gigantic struggle and the death of the first exorcist.
It's not a great movie. I just want to make a couple of points. First, the demonic seldom exhibits itself through such theatrics. The devil prefers to operate incognito. Second, the demonic cannot take possession of us unless we open the door and permit entrance. However, once the demonic gets hold of us, there is no way to dislodge it except through the power of Christ. The movie agrees with the gospel account of Jesus' exorcism; demons will not leave willingly. Only superior spiritual force compels them to vacate, and then, kicking and screaming.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15--20 (C, RC, E)
The book of Deuteronomy reinterprets the laws of Moses for a new generation. It comes in the form of addresses by Moses as the Israelites are about to enter the promised land. This is probably the book that was found during the reign of Josiah and served as the basis for religious reforms, namely, the centralization of the cult in Jerusalem. In this passage Moses promises that God will send a prophet like himself who will preach and act with authority. God will judge those who refuse to listen to his prophet.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1--13 (C); 1 Corinthians 8:1b--13 (E)
Eating meat offered to idols was a bone of contention for early Christians in the Roman empire. Some of the meat offered at the pagan temples was sold at the marketplace. Some Christians thought that it was all right to eat this meat, others did not. Here was another situation regarding this meat. All of the Christians had relatives and friends who might invite them to a banquet at one of the rooms in a pagan temple. The Christian might rightly reason that idols don't really exist and so it's all right to banquet socially at a pagan temple. Paul counsels that it might be all right to dine on this meat but not if it would cause a weaker believer to eat such meat and be conscience stricken. The situation described by Paul doesn't exist any longer but the underlying principle remains: all that we do should be governed by love for the neighbor.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 7:32--35 (RC)
Gospel: Mark 1:21--28 (C, RC, E)
After calling four disciples, Jesus launches his ministry in the town of Capernaum, along the Sea of Galilee, by teaching in the synagogue. Jesus astounds his listeners by speaking with such authority; he taught as if he had a direct line from God, not quoting the noted rabbis. This sense of authority was doubly reinforced by his confrontation with a man possessed by a demon. Jesus immediately drove out the unclean spirit. This exorcism dramatically illustrates his mastery over the powers of evil.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 111 (C, E) - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (v. 10).
Psalm 94 (RC)
Prayer Of The Day
Great God, you have empowered your Son with your Holy Spirit and empowered him to preach, teach and heal with authority. Strengthen our faith in him that we might speak and act as one who bears the stamp of your Word and Spirit. In Jesus' powerful name we pray. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15--20
Mediators of the covenant. The Israelites shunned the immediate presence of God; it was too frightening (v. 16). They demanded someone to stand between them and God. Moses was the greatest of all the Old Testament mediators of God's covenant. In this passage Moses promises that the Lord will send another prophet of his stature to speak God's word. Actually, the Lord sent someone greater than Moses to mediate his presence and pronounce his word; he sent Jesus to stand between us and the white--hot holiness of the Lord.
Puppet or interpreter? The Lord promises to put his words in the mouth of his special prophet (v. 19), but how does he do so? Is the prophet merely a puppet and God the ventriloquist communicating his message word for word? Or does the prophet stand in the presence of God's holy ones and attempt to report what he has seen and heard but in his own language and thought form? I feel more comfortable with the latter analogy. I don't think God takes pleasure in making puppets.
Hear and heed. The responsibility of the prophet is to speak the Lord's message. The recipients of the prophet's message are required both to hear and heed the word of the Lord. Consider this interaction between father and son.
Father - Please cut the grass this afternoon.
Danny - (Silence)
Father - Did you hear me?
Danny - Yes, father.
The father comes home in the evening and the lawn hasn't been touched.
Father - Didn't you hear me tell you to cut the lawn?
Danny - I did hear you but I never said I'd do it.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1--13
Knowledge in the service of love. "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (v. 1). Some people spend their lives in the pursuit of knowledge; others devote themselves to the art of loving. Paul indicates that love looms larger than knowledge on God's scale of values. We ought not disparage knowledge and particularly the pursuit of truth. Yet knowledge is dangerous because it tends to puff up with pride. Love, on the other hand, concentrates on the other person and seeks to build him up. Knowledge is valuable but must be placed in the service of love.
God the Father, the destination; Jesus, the way. Paul maintains that there is one God and Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. God the Father is the destination; Jesus Christ is the means to this destination. Jesus said himself, "I am the way..." and, according to the book of Acts, early Christians were known as the followers of the way.
Consideration for your neighbor's conscience. Paul argues that Christians need to gauge the appropriateness of their behavior not only by their conscience but by the conscience of other people. He seems particularly concerned that Christians not do anything to cause other believers spiritual harm. Paul invokes the principle of love; if my action harms another person, even though it may be all right in itself, love dictates that I desist. Eating meat offered to idols was a moral issue for the apostolic church. Gambling presents a contemporary issue that lifts up the same principle. It can be argued that for millions of people gambling is harmless fun. They know how much they are willing to lose and stop when they reach that limit. They have control over their gambling. But let's say that a church member sees a leader in the church gambling. He thinks, "Well, it's all right" and proceeds to roll the dice. This person, however, has little internal control over his gaming. In fact, he soon becomes addicted and plummets into financial ruin. Does not the principle of Christian love dictate that we, persons of knowledge and control, desist from gambling for the sake of our weaker brothers and sisters?
Gospel: Mark 1:21--28
Immediately. Right after picking some of his disciples, Jesus wasted no time before engaging in ministry. It was the Sabbath day and "immediately" he entered the synagogue and taught. Jesus didn't have to decide whether or not he was going to synagogue. It was his custom to worship with the community of believers and so he went immediately. Jesus was a man with a mission to bring in the kingdom of God. There was no time to lose! The logical place to begin was the religious community, immediately!
Taught with authority. Those worshippers were astonished by the authority with which Jesus taught. What are the components of such authority? (1) To speak and act in a way that leaves no doubt that you know your subject. Jesus didn't just know about his subject; he knew his subject (the kingdom of God) firsthand. (2) To have your actions and your life corroborate your words. Casting out the demon gave credence to Jesus' teachings. (3) There must be immediacy. Hearers must see how the teachings can make a difference in their lives right now. Jesus employed everyday images, symbols and stories to make God's truth come alive.
Spiritual battle. The man who entered the synagogue was probably seeking wholeness though such a person was not supposed to enter a holy place. A community of unclean spirits had splintered his being. In the presence of Jesus the spirits felt threatened. "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?" (v. 24). Precisely! He was launching his initial attack against the forces of evil.
Know your enemy (v. 24). The unclean spirits knew Jesus' identity. It's interesting to note that they are the first to acknowledge his identity. Jesus likewise recognized what he was dealing with. The first rule of war is to know your enemy, because if you don't he will launch a surprise attack that could devastate you. Unfortunately, some churches seem to regard other churches that hold different ideas as the enemy. How the forces of evil must rejoice at such times! Let us join together in a united front against our common enemy, the Prince of Darkness.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15--20
Sermon Title: How To Distinguish A True Prophet
Sermon Angle: The people of Israel are promised a prophet like Moses. What are the characteristics of a real prophet? How will the people be able to know when he arrives? (1) He will not raise himself up, God will. (2) He will mediate between the Lord and the people. (3) God will put his words in the prophet's mouth. How can we tell if the message comes from the Lord? It will not conflict with what God has already revealed.
Sermon Title: Hear And Heed
Sermon Angle: God says that anyone who doesn't listen to his prophet will have to answer to the Lord himself. It isn't enough just to hear God's prophet, one must also heed his or her message. Sometimes we preachers wonder if anyone really listens to us. That is, does it alter their values, behavior and so forth? I was pleasantly surprised when a member of the church I serve called and reported that my sermon had inspired him to give a goodly amount of money. He wanted to know what the needs were. Praise the Lord! Worshippers do hear and heed, some of them, the message the Lord gives us to preach.
Outline:
1. God puts his word into the mouth of his preachers.
2. God expects us to take his prophets seriously.
3. This involves not only hearing but heeding his or her message.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 8:1--13
Sermon Title: The Biggest Fool Is A Knowledgeable Fool
Sermon Angle: You've heard the saying, "There's no fool like an educated fool." Knowledge and education can puff one up with pride. Paul states that the person who thinks he really knows something does not know as he ought (v. 2). Rather than seek knowledge for its own sake, the child of God should seek to know God as perfectly as he knows us. We come to know God, the fount of all knowledge and wisdom, not through our mind but through the power of love.
Outline:
1. The biggest fool is a knowledgeable fool.
2. Superior knowledge may make him feel superior in every way.
3. Love is the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 13), better than knowledge.
4. Knowledge puffs up, love builds up others in community.
Sermon Title: Christians Are In The Business of Raising, Not Razing
Sermon Angle: The apostle makes a key point concerning the nature of love. "It builds up" other people; it builds up the church; it builds up society. Prejudice and hatred, on the flip side of the coin, raze (demolish) everything in their sight. A sermon on this topic could encourage the members of your church to be constructive in all their words and actions. God gives us his love that we might build up both church and society.
Outline:
1. Knowledge or perceived knowledge causes some people to tear others down.
2. Love builds up the other by affirming them as inherently precious.
3. Are your words and deeds razing or raising (spell out both words) the lives of others?
4. God raised us up in Christ that we might raise up one another in love.
Sermon Title: The Burden Of Maturity
Sermon Angle: Paul makes a strong case that those who are spiritually knowledgeable (mature) have a responsibility to set an example for those whose faith is not as fully developed. In the case of eating meat offered to idols, he sees nothing inherently wrong with doing it. However, he cautions the Corinthians also to consider the effect their actions have on others. A less mature person might follow their example and engage in an activity that harms his conscience. The #1 ethical principle for the spiritually mature is the rule of love. Living by this principle might seem a burden but, in the end, will make everyone more free.
Outline:
1. Knowledge and maturity can be a burden. (Give examples.)
2. Part of the burden is determining what effect our actions have on others (the rule of love).
3. Paul uses the meat issue to illustrate the principle.
4. Where do we see the principle in a contemporary context? (Gambling?)
5. The love of Christ can make restrictions on our freedom seem no burden at all.
Gospel: Mark 1:21--28
Sermon Title: Mission Mandate: Minister With Christ's Authority!
Sermon Angle: All that Jesus did conveyed a sense of authority, which we see plainly in this lection. In the synagogue he taught with authority. He presented eternal truths in a fresh manner in a way that touched people's lives. His words of authority were backed by authoritative actions. He demonstrated the power of God in the exorcism. He had power over the forces of darkness. Christ commissions the church to minister with his authority, the authority of divine truth.
Outline:
1. Today's text highlights Jesus' authority.
2. We live in a world almost devoid of accepted authority.
3. Even in the church we have lost touch with Christ's authority and have substituted the latest psychological, sociological or political fad.
4. Relativism has also diluted Christ's authority.
5. Christ calls us to follow him as Lord and minister to the world with his authority.
Sermon Title: Jesus, The Exorcist
Sermon Angle: The ancients believed that demons were everywhere, a conception which most Westerners have difficulty accepting. Did Jesus believe in their existence or was he just utilizing the common conception? I choose to accept that Jesus did believe in the demonic and that the demonic is real. How can you not accept the reality of the demonic when you look around? Parents murder, rape and abuse their children. Authority figures abuse their position. Teenagers murder innocent children. Jesus, the Lord, has the power to cast out the demons that we let into our lives.
Outline:
1. The realm of the evil and demonic are real.
2. We permit demonic forces to enter our lives - gossip, jealousy, rage, war.
3. Jesus has power and authority over the demonic (illustrated in our text).
4. He can free us from demonic forces if we give him access.
__________
Over twenty years ago the movie The Exorcist was all the vogue. The story line had a raging demon take possession of a young girl, played by Linda Blair. Her parents seek help in the form of a priest exorcist who does battle with the demon in the name of God. The encounters between the exorcist and the possessed were so vivid that little kids who viewed the movie had nightmares for weeks. The possessed girl rolled her eyes into the sockets, out of her mouth gushed forth all manner of putrid fluid and in a guttural voice, straight out of hell, she cursed the exorcist. The demon was finally dislodged only after a gigantic struggle and the death of the first exorcist.
It's not a great movie. I just want to make a couple of points. First, the demonic seldom exhibits itself through such theatrics. The devil prefers to operate incognito. Second, the demonic cannot take possession of us unless we open the door and permit entrance. However, once the demonic gets hold of us, there is no way to dislodge it except through the power of Christ. The movie agrees with the gospel account of Jesus' exorcism; demons will not leave willingly. Only superior spiritual force compels them to vacate, and then, kicking and screaming.
