1. Unit Two: The Divine Drama of Spiritual Conflict in the New Testament

2. Act 4: Freedom Established on the Cross Matthew - John
Events
Jesus' temptation (Matt. 4)
The declaration of war (Matt. 4:23-24)
Releasing captives
The Gerasene demoniac (Mk. 5:1-20)
The epileptic demonized boy (Mk. 9:14-29)
The events of the cross
Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42)
Christ's death (John 19:30)
The resurrection (Luke 24:36-53)
Themes
The Kingdom of God:
Power (to defeat Satan)
Authority exercised and delegated
Ethics (fighting evil with good)
God's plan and Satan's anti-plan

3. Jesus’ Encounters with Demons
1. The temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
2. The mute man (Matt. 9:32-33)
3. The blind and mute man (Matt. 12:22-23 and Luke 11:14)
4. The Canaanite woman’s daughter (Matt. 15:22-28; Mark 7:24-30)
5. The man in the synagogue (Mark 1:23-27; Luke 4:31-37)
6. The Gerasene demoniac(s) (Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-37)
7. The young boy (Matt. 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43)
8. The demons silenced (Matt. 8:16; Mark 1:32-35; Luke 4:40-41)
9. The daughter of Abraham (Luke 13:10-17)

4. Mark 5:1-20 Observations
The demonized person demonstrated obedience and rebellion simultaneously
The demonized person had periods of clarity and periods of demonized power
The demons did not instantly leave at Jesus’ command
The demons implore Jesus by God not to send them to the abyss—yet they rebel against God!
Jesus took the time to discover the demon’s name (why?)
The pigs drowning in the Sea of Galilee
Symbolizes the demons being cast into the abyss
Demonstrates the desire of demons for their victims
The once-demonized man becomes a powerful witness of Christ
The people of the town cared more for the pigs than the person (miracles do not always result in repentance or conversion)

5. Mark 9:14-29: Observations
The young boy was afflicted from early childhood
This form of demonization linked to disease (epilepsy)
The father’s faith was directly linked to the boy’s release
The demon was defeated, but tried to get in one last blow
The demon was addressed by function (deaf and mute spirit) rather than name
The disciples were unable to expel the demon(s)
Jesus express exasperation with their quality of faith
They had previously been successful in casting out demons; a reminder that “victory” in immediate circumstances is not a “sure thing”
Prayer (and fasting? not in the best mms) seems to imply an attitude rather than simply the mechanical act

6. A Kingdom System . . . On the one hand . . .
Enable people to show that they are made in the image of God by living according to His design for the creation.
We acknowledge that we are owned and seek to live controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Live in line with God's kingdom ethics: harmony, love, forgiveness, salt and light, etc.
Trust God for all our needs and live above our circumstances.
Recognize that we are children of God and live in a way that shows the truth.
Freely choose to live so as to please God.
On the other hand . . .
Cause people to live out of harmony of the image of God by perverting ourselves through rebellion.
We are demonized (controlled) by evil spirits (either in great fear or in ignorance).
Live out of harmony with God's kingdom ethics, whether by bending them or outright denial of them, resulting in strife, enmity, and bitterness.
Trust anyone (or anything) but God to meet our needs and/or surrender to our circumstances.
Be ignorant of our heritage, consider ourselves spiritual orphans (or as Satan's children).
Live in bondage to Satan and his hosts and think of it as "freedom."

7. Act 5: Freedom Inaugurated in the Church Acts - Revelation 18
Events
Acts: many power encounters; few demons
Peter's great escape (Acts 12:1-19)
The pagan fortune teller (Acts 16:16-18)
The sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-20)
Epistles: call to a knowledge and correct application of truthful thinking and acting
The immoral Corinthian (1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2)
Satan’s tactics against the Church (2 Cor. 11:2-15; 2 Thess. 2:7-11; 1 Tim. 4:1-4)
Paul's thorn (2 Cor. 12:1-10)
Paul thwarted by Satan (1 Thess. 2:17-18)
The war in heaven (Rev. 12:1-11)
Themes
The lack of explicit (ritual) methodology of confronting demons
Other metaphors of spiritual conflict
Believer's identity and purpose
The extent of demonic control
Weapons and means of engaging in conflict

8. Demonic Encounters in Acts Many “power encounters”—but few demons!
1. The healing of those sick and afflicted by demons (5:5-16)
2. Philip casting out demons (8:6-7)
3. The pagan fortune teller (16:16-18)
4. Demons coming out in extraordinary ways (by Paul’s sweat rags; 19:11-12)
5. The sons of Sceva botch an exorcism (19:13-17)

9. The Immoral Corinthian (1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:5-11)
Judgment
Deliver him to Satan
In the name and with the power of Christ
The destruction of his flesh
Restoration
He has repented
He is to be forgiven in Christ’s authority
We don’t want Satan to gain an advantage

10. Satan’s Tactics against the Church (2 Cor. 11:2-15; 2 Thess
Satan’s Tactics against the Church (2 Cor. 11:2-15; 2 Thess. 2:7-11; 1 Tim. 4:1-4)
2 Cor 11: Satan attacks the mind through clever arguments by means of false apostles who preach a different Jesus
2 Thess 2: Satan works through counterfeit power, signs and wonders; God will allow the deception to succeed as his judgment on those who are deceived
1 Tim 4: Deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (e.g., false abstentions)

11. Paul's Thorn (2 Cor. 12:1-10) Thorn in the flesh: a physical malady?
Was given by God though it was delivered by a “messenger of Satan”
Paul’s prayers to have it removed were answered negatively
God used the thorn to shape Paul in humility and perseverance

12. Paul Thwarted by Satan (1 Thess. 2:17-18)
Paul was thwarted again and again
Note: no “territorial warfare”—this would be a perfect place to discuss territorial spirits

13. The War in Heaven (Rev. 12:1-11)
Michael and his angels defeat Satan and his hosts
Timing: Christ’s death on the cross? The end of the age?
Michael’s victory comes as a result of Christ’s triumph
Our participation:
The blood of the Lamb
Our witness (to the saving power of Christ)
Not being afraid of death

14. Types of Encounters
Truth: countering error and bringing people to correct understandings about Jesus
Commitment: countering false and wrong commitments and renewing relationship with Christ and to living out the Kingdom
Power: demonstrations of authority over the power of Satan and demons
Power
(Freedom)
Commitment
(Relationship)
(Understanding)
Truth

15. Spectrum of Demonic Attack
Blind, Lead astray
Torment, Blind
Tempt, Deceive
Demonize
Attack
Enslave
1 Thess 3:5 1 Tim. 2:14 Rev. 12:10b 2 Cor. 2:11
Luke 22:31 1 Thess. 2:18 2 Cor. 12:7?
Gal. 4:9 Col. 2:8 Acts 5:3
Eph. 2:2 Acts 10:38 2 Tim. 2:26 1 Cor. 12:2 2 Cor. 4:4 Rev. 12:9
Luke 6:18 Acts 5:16 Matt. 12:22 Matt. 15:22 Luke 8:29 Mark 9:17-18 Luke 9:39 Luke 9:42 Luke 13:16 1 Pet. 5:8?
Matt. 8:16 Matt. 9:32 Mark 5:2 Mark 9:17 Luke 8:30 Acts 16:18

16. Satan’s Strategies Core Approach: Fathering Lies
Attacking our minds through clever arguments (2 Cor. 2:10-11; 11:2-4)
Masquerading as angels or ministers of light (2 Cor. 11:14-15) though
presenting a different Jesus (2 Cor. 11:4)
or doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1-4)
and displaying counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders (2 Thess. 2:7-11);
Tempting us to meet our needs outside of God's will (1 Thess. 3:5) so that Satan can disgrace us later through revealing our pitfalls (1 Tim. 3:6-7)

17. Satan’s Strategies (2)
Frightening or intimidating us to keep us inactive while he goes about his business (1 Pet. 5:8);
Pitting us against each other to destroy the unity we share in Christ and discredit us with the world (2 Tim. 2:24-26)
Through their human agents, trying to secretly introduce destructive heresies, inventing stories to convince believers to follow them (2 Pet. 2:1-6).
Through false religious experiences, such as empowering idols which are worshiped as gods (1 Cor. 10:19-21) or false ecstatic experiences (1 Cor. 12:2-3)

18. Demons and the Christian Principles of Discussion
Scripture is not exhaustive on the subject of demons.
We must carefully define our terms--especially ‘possession.’
The issue is one of control, not ownership or physical location.
Satan's power was broken on the cross (Col. 2:15).
Satan is able to influence a believer, or else there would be no reason for the many NT warnings to resist him. The question is not his ability to influence us, but the extent to which he is able to do so.
A person having a demon is not the same as the demon "having" the person (i.e., controlling his or her eternal destiny).
Demons ‘own’ no Christian. The extent of the control given to any demon(s), however, is determined by the believer, who has the authority to yield his or her own life to whomever (s)he wishes.

19. Metaphors of the Christian Life
Identity
Citizenship
Household
Children
Transformation
Clothing
Metamorphosis
Growth
Walk
Discipline/Training
Engagement
Standing
Struggle
Fight, battle, war

20. The Personal Front Spiritual conflict fought with spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-5)
Believing the truth that God declares:
we have been given a totally new nature (2 Cor. 5:16-17),
transferred to a new kingdom (Col. 1:13), and
seated with Christ in the heavenlies, far above all Satanic powers and principalities (Eph. 1:18-23; 2:4-6)
Standing firm against Satan's attacks,
enabled (2 Cor. 1:21) and protected by God (2 Thess. 3:3)
by putting on His armor with prayer (Eph. 6:10-18) and
not counting our lives as important (Rev. 12:7-9).
Extending forgiveness to those who offend us (2 Cor. 2:10-11) and refusing to allow Satan to gain an advantage over us through anger or bitterness (Eph. 4:25-5:1)

21. The Personal Front (2)
Taking every thought captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-6) and refusing to be captivated by hollow and deceptive philosophies (Col. 2:8) and thus avoiding being "friends with the world" (James 4:4-9)
Rejoicing in and living in the light of the fact that death has no hold over us (1 Cor. 15:50- 58), and we have nothing to fear from it (Heb. 2:14-15).
Refusing to give in to Satan's intimidating tactics, secure in the knowledge that he has no hold on our destiny (1 John 5:18), that the One in us is greater than the one in the world (1 John 4:4), and that it is through the Church that Satan will be crushed (Rom. 16:20).
Being ever joyful, prayerful, and thankful (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

22. The Local Church Front God’s wisdom made known to the powers through the church (Eph. 3:10)
The Holy Spirit empowers and enables us to live so as to please God (Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:18-21)
Doctrinal standards are the basis to evaluate spiritual events (Gal. 1:8).
Awareness of Satan's fruit and schemes, which enable us to know his tactics (2 Cor. 2:11) and discern his agents (e.g., false teachers; 2 Pet. 2:1-6)
The total body of Christ with all of its giftedness (Eph. 4:7-11; Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor ).

23. The Local Church Front (2)
The freedom (and responsibility) to test the spirits (1 Thess. 5:19-21; 1 John 4:1-5)
The strength to withstand Satan (2 Thess. 3:3)
The authority and freedom from fear of death to come against Satan in Jesus' name (Acts 16:16-18; Rev. 12:10-11; Heb. 2:14-15).
Walking in the light (1 John 1:5-7), abstaining from evil (1 Thess. 5:19-22)
Refusing to submit to the judgment of this world and its standards (Col. 2:8; 15-22).

24. The Cosmic Front All of creation groans (Rom. 8:18-22)
We see direct angelic/demonic engagements (Jude 9).
The most massive is the battle between Michael and the angels and Satan and his angels (Rev. 12:7-9), which is won by Michael.
The last direct engagement is when an unnamed angel binds Satan and casts him into the abyss for 1000 years (Rev. 20:1-3).

25. The Cosmic Front (2)
Satan is unwittingly used of God to accomplish His ultimate glory. Through many examples we see that, at every step, God lovingly and mercifully thwarts Satan's attempts to pervert God's ultimate control over the universe:
Satan, together with all of creation, owes his continued existence to the grace and mercy of God (Col. 1:17).
The powers of this world crucified Jesus, which God used to effect our salvation (1 Cor. 2:6-8)
He was allowed to send Paul a thorn in the flesh, which taught Paul to depend on God and kept him humble after incredible revelations (2 Cor. 12:7-9)
Erring believers were given over to him for the preservation of their souls (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:19-20).

26. Act 6: The Parousia Revelation 19-22
Events
Satan bound and defeated
White throne judgment
The New Jerusalem
Themes
God’s sovereignty and glory and Christ’s all sufficient power
Worship will continue forever
Mission will be complete—as will spiritual warfare
Genuine “happily ever after” living