~ LISTENING CENTER ~

Date: November 4, 2018 Title: The Authority of the Messiah (Pt 2 - Over Demons) Passage: Matthew 8:28-34 Speaker: Bob Corbin Sermon Note Sheet (PDF) Download Audio

* Focusing on the Messiah in the book of Matthew. Matthew was a Jewish man writing to a Jewish audience and giving testimony regarding the life and ministry of the Messiah who had been foretold by many of the Jewish prophets. * When Jesus had concluded His teaching, the people were astonished because 'He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.' * All authority intrinsically is backed by some power. Behind the 'exousia' (authority) there has to be some 'dunamos' (power). * In the previous message, we began considering the proof of the messianic authority of Jesus as it was revealed in His power over the physical and spiritual realms. First, we considered His authority over Disease and Nature. * Today's message considers Jesus' interaction with the demoniacs of the Garadenes. Many in our country, and even in the church, do not truly believe in the existence of demons. They may give intellectual assent to the spiritual but do not realize as Paul stated, 'We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.' (Eph 6:12) There are more than just the demoniacs involved in this event. There are actually four different groups of people to consider as we examine the passage: the disciples, the demoniacs, the swineherds and the citizens of the country. In the end, we are challenged to consider the worth of the soul.