On Casting Out Demons

I’m really excited about a conference we’re having next week. The idea was born out of the What Would Jesus Hate series I did last year. One of the things I think Jesus would hate about the landscape of the 21st century church is our division. We’re working against each other.

 

One of his last prayers was for unity.

 

For "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21   

 

How did we do? Are we one? Did the Lord ’s Prayer get answered? The 2001 edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia says that we have over 33,000 different denominations of Christians in the world. We done good! Don’t you think?

 

One ……………33,000.  Pretty close

 

Maybe you saw this battle of the church signs.

 

It’s funny – because it’s not true. It would NOT be funny if it was true. There is actually a website where you can make funny church signs.

 

But it wouldn’t surprise me if it was true. This sectarian spirit started right from the beginning even during Jesus ministry. It’s human nature.

 

“Teacher,” said John,”"We saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:38-40 (NIV) 

 

C’mon you guys, he is casting out demons, ISN'T HE!

 

What was their problem? JEALOUSY. You see earlier in this same chapter we see that someone brought a boy to the disciples for them to cast out a demon and they couldn’t do it. And Jesus kind of got on them. 

 

“O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied,” "How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” Mark 9:19 

 

OUCH. Jesus was disappointed with them.

 

So then they find these other people who ARE casting out demons and they were jealous – and they told them to stop!

 

They couldn’t put their jealousy of the work of the Spirit aside and rejoice that the DEMONS WERE OUT!!!

 

And honestly, I know the feeling. In our early years at this church, when the demons were staying inJ - I would often find myself fighting jealousy over those places where God was moving. And now that we’re at a place where the demons are flying out left and right, I want to make sure to reach out to all the churches around us and make sure we’re doing everything we can to help them cast the demons out. I want to work together like Jesus prayed.

 

So we’re bringing in Mike Breaux from Heartland Community Church and we’re providing lunch and materials and doing it all for free. So if you know staff at another church around here, please invite them to sign up and come. We’d love to have them.

 

Below is the video invite I did last week.

 

And please be praying for us and “Synergy” next week.

 

Tim

 

P.S. - The Tape Ministry Booth will have Don Piper DVDs this weekend in case you missed him or want to share his experience with others.

 

Synergy 2010 - Pastor Tim Harlow from Parkview Christian Church on Vimeo.

 

Comments

[Paula]

Father, I want those You gave me
To be with me, right where I am,
So they can see my glory, the splendor You gave me,
Having Loved me
Long before there ever was a world.
Righteous Father, the world has never known You,
But I have known You, and these disciples know
That You Sent me on this mission.
I have made Your Very Being known to them—
Who You are and what You do—
And continue to make it Known,
So that Your Love for me
Might be in them
Exactly as I am IN them.

-Amen :)

[Jaime Zietara]

IM SO SCARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! please help me