SERIES:  Reclaimed

TITLE:   Possessed

TEXT:  Luke 8:1-2 (p.864); Mt.27:55-61; John 20:11-18

“When we sin and mess up our lives, we find that God doesn’t go off and leave us- He enters into our trouble and saves us.”  Eugene Peterson quoted in Messy Spirituality- p.21

I.    FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

Lots of speculation surround Mary Magdalene.  What we do know is found in Mark 16:9 “Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.”

Magdalene tells us she was from Magdala, a tiny fishing village about 5 ½ miles SW from Capernaum.  It seems to be a hotbed of (demon activity).

Demon possession involves bondage to an (evil spirit).  It is portrayed as an (affliction) not a sin.  In the NT they were always portrayed as (tormented people).  They were regarded as (outcasts).

II.    FROM DISASTER TO DAYBREAK

Demon-possessed people never came to Christ to be delivered.   Reason: they knew they were (defeated) or would be defeated by Jesus.

Luke 11:24-26 is a key passage when dealing with this issue.

Turn to John 20: 11-18.

NEXT WEEK:   Hardened- Luke 22:32-43; Mk.15:32b; Matthew 27:61-65