Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The problem of demon-possession (The Gospels)

a) The victim is controlled by a demon or more

b) The victim is helpless

2. The Power of the Lord Jesus

a) He came to destroy the works of the devil

b) He cast out all demons who possessed human beings

THE POWER OF DARKNESS

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Ephesians 2:1-3

1. A sobering statement of the pre-salvation stage

a) Dead in trespasses and sins

b) Walked according to the course of this world

c) According to the prince of the power of the air

d) The spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience

2. The victims

a) They are helpless

b) They cannot get out of darkness on their own

c) They need to be delivered from the power of darkness

THE DELIVERANCE GOD GIVES

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:4-10

1. God made us alive together with Christ

2. Why would God do this?

a) Because of His mercy

b) Because of His great love

c) Because of His kindness

3. Is God still working on us?

a) He is still working on us

b) We are His workmanship

c) We are to display His great grace in our life

THE KINGDOM OF GOD’S SON

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,

4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’

7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’

12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Matthew 25:1-13

1. The Coming Kingdom of God

a) It includes an aspect where we await the 2nd Coming of the Lord

b) We are to be ever watchful and ready for His Return

2. The Kingdom of God likened to a Wedding Feast

a) It is the Marriage of the Lamb

b) The Bride is the Church

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To be among the 5 Wise Virgins who were waiting faithfully for the Coming of the Lord

2. To be sure that we are not among the 5 Foolish Virgins who were lazy and unprepared for the Return of the Lord