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Listen "The Gospel of Luke: Doubts, Demons, Disappointments, and the God Who Conquers Them - Audio"
Episode Synopsis
Sermon notes 7/6/25
Luke 9:37-45
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Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg
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A man does not ever want to see his child harmed. And in this passage, it’s easy to see why this man has turned to Jesus - to help his son.
We’re going to look at 5 things:
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Dad
Danger of the Demonic
Disappointment of Doubt
Demand for the Divine
Declaration of deliverance.
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The dad - Jesus is now back to his normal routine after the amazing transfiguration. This man describes his son to Jesus in dire terms. This demon is torturing his son, “shattering him.” In 3 different gospels, we have descriptions of this torment. But they all describe an affliction that is trying to kill him. Do you think this father’s desperation is justified? The same God who meets the son in his desperation, meets you as well. So bring your desperate and weary heart to Him!
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The danger - Demons are real. Luke is a doctor - a physician. Yet, he is willing to look beyond the physical. Now, we should not make the mistake of viewing every illness as demonic, but do not make the mistake of not believing in spiritual warfare at all! In this story, there is a real demonic force tormenting this child. The aim of demons is to torment - to create as much chaos as they can. The targets of the demonic are our peace with God, and our faith in God.
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Disappointment of doubt - Jesus answers this man. Upon hearing his begging, we hear Jesus’ incredulous response. We spent all last week, highlighting Jesus’ transfiguration - shining light, the dead alive, thundering voice of God. They saw that the day before, yet this day, their faithlessness is highlighted. But, it’s easy to look at our own lives as see just how much we have to ask God “God… do you have me?” It’s a regular pattern in our lives to see God show up, and then immediately wonder if He’s ever going to show up again. But Jesus uses the word “twisted.” We are flooded with disorder and chaos in dealing with the world. But here we see the disciples struggling with the same thing. The devil is busy trying to chill your faith and living for God. The heart must hear that God loves us to the end in order for us to have our peace in God. So make no mistake, God loves YOU!
.
Demand for the Divine - Spiritual forces are real. And they do jab and poke in a way that disrupts your faith. But God is so merciful, He will meet you where you are. Jesus will answer us with love and grace in the midst of our faithlessness. Prayer and communion with God reminds us. Prayer deepens our faith, and reminds us of God’s love.
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Declaration of Deliverance - Jesus tells his disciples that He was going to be killed. This story begins with a father begging Jesus to save His son. But this story ends with a declaration of a Father giving away His only Son. But, Jesus will go toward the darkness, despite the weakness of our faith - in love and in grace - and will bring love and eternal deliverance to us.
.
The forces of darkness cannot have their final say because we serve a Son, the only Son, who went to the cross to one and for all vanquish those forces. So let that be what is rehearsed in your heart, again and again, when the forces of darkness try to drive you to despair.
Luke 9:37-45
.
Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/
Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg
.
A man does not ever want to see his child harmed. And in this passage, it’s easy to see why this man has turned to Jesus - to help his son.
We’re going to look at 5 things:
.
Dad
Danger of the Demonic
Disappointment of Doubt
Demand for the Divine
Declaration of deliverance.
.
The dad - Jesus is now back to his normal routine after the amazing transfiguration. This man describes his son to Jesus in dire terms. This demon is torturing his son, “shattering him.” In 3 different gospels, we have descriptions of this torment. But they all describe an affliction that is trying to kill him. Do you think this father’s desperation is justified? The same God who meets the son in his desperation, meets you as well. So bring your desperate and weary heart to Him!
.
The danger - Demons are real. Luke is a doctor - a physician. Yet, he is willing to look beyond the physical. Now, we should not make the mistake of viewing every illness as demonic, but do not make the mistake of not believing in spiritual warfare at all! In this story, there is a real demonic force tormenting this child. The aim of demons is to torment - to create as much chaos as they can. The targets of the demonic are our peace with God, and our faith in God.
.
Disappointment of doubt - Jesus answers this man. Upon hearing his begging, we hear Jesus’ incredulous response. We spent all last week, highlighting Jesus’ transfiguration - shining light, the dead alive, thundering voice of God. They saw that the day before, yet this day, their faithlessness is highlighted. But, it’s easy to look at our own lives as see just how much we have to ask God “God… do you have me?” It’s a regular pattern in our lives to see God show up, and then immediately wonder if He’s ever going to show up again. But Jesus uses the word “twisted.” We are flooded with disorder and chaos in dealing with the world. But here we see the disciples struggling with the same thing. The devil is busy trying to chill your faith and living for God. The heart must hear that God loves us to the end in order for us to have our peace in God. So make no mistake, God loves YOU!
.
Demand for the Divine - Spiritual forces are real. And they do jab and poke in a way that disrupts your faith. But God is so merciful, He will meet you where you are. Jesus will answer us with love and grace in the midst of our faithlessness. Prayer and communion with God reminds us. Prayer deepens our faith, and reminds us of God’s love.
.
Declaration of Deliverance - Jesus tells his disciples that He was going to be killed. This story begins with a father begging Jesus to save His son. But this story ends with a declaration of a Father giving away His only Son. But, Jesus will go toward the darkness, despite the weakness of our faith - in love and in grace - and will bring love and eternal deliverance to us.
.
The forces of darkness cannot have their final say because we serve a Son, the only Son, who went to the cross to one and for all vanquish those forces. So let that be what is rehearsed in your heart, again and again, when the forces of darkness try to drive you to despair.
In God we trust