Power Over the Supernatural

In one paragraph

This message was part of an ongoing Harmony of the Gospels series. Pastor Ray walked through the account of the Gerasene demoniac as told in Matthew, Luke, and Mark, showing Jesus exercising authority over the supernatural. The three versions of the same story, taken together, build a picture of a man utterly destroyed who was completely restored. Pastor Ray opened by noting that the three gospel...

Read together

1. Psalm 34:8 quoted during offering prayer: 'taste and see that the Lord is good, all the joys of those who take refuge in him'
2. Matthew 8 one of the three gospel accounts examined for the story of the Gadarene demoniac
3. Mark 5 one of the three gospel accounts examined for the story of the Gadarene demoniac
4. Luke 8:26-39 one of the three gospel accounts examined for the story of the Gadarene demoniac
5. James 2:19 quoted to show that even demons believe and tremble, in context of the demon recognizing Jesus' authority
6. Psalm 34:4 quoted at close of service: 'I sought the Lord and he answered me and he delivered me from all of my fears'

Talk about it

1. Pastor Ray mentioned that when Jesus shows up and people recognize his power, the reaction is either faith or fear. What do you think makes the difference between those two responses, and have you ever experienced one of them yourself?
2. The people of the Gadarenes asked Jesus to leave after he healed the demoniac, partly because his presence threatened their way of life. Are there areas of your own life where you have hesitated to invite Jesus in because of what it might cost you?
3. Jesus told the healed man to go home and tell his friends what God had done for him rather than letting him come along as a disciple. Has there ever been a time when God kept you where you were instead of sending you somewhere you wanted to go, and how did that turn out?
4. Pastor Ray talked about what he called the neglected middle, the overlap between the spiritual and physical realms that we tend to ignore. Why do you think we are more comfortable praying for God's good work than we are acknowledging real spiritual opposition in our lives?
5. Justin shared briefly at the end about being set free and wanting to be an example to his son. How does hearing a live testimony like that land differently than reading one in a book, and who in your own life might need to hear what God has done for you?