B-SIDES | When Demons Get Desperate

ScriptureMark 1:21-28

1:21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 1:22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 1:23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 1:24 and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 1:25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 1:26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 1:27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching--with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 1:28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Sermon Listen to the sermon: When Demons Get Desperate.

Moral of the Story A word from God, by definition, cannot be uttered aloud and return empty handed.

Things to Think About What do you think of modern-day miracles? Have you heard of the work of John of God? You can read one woman's story of her experience with John of God here. As you read it, what thoughts and questions come up for you? What resistance do you have to the possibility of it being true?

Where in your own life do you show up with authority? Is it in your family, at your job, or in your community? Where are people looking to you as an authority figure even though you may not have officially accepted the responsibility or "owned" your role?

Have you experienced a time in  your life when you felt the power of transformation as you took in words "from God" rather than "about God?" How did that feel for you? What was the difference that you felt as the transformation took place?

A Prayer Creator God, Speak up. Lift the sound of your voice above the other voices competing for our attention. Speak up above the sound of fear. Speak up above the sound of pride. Speak up above the sound of ambivalence. Speak up above the sound of self-pity. Speak up above the sound of demons and desires that reside within and around us but have nothing to do with you. Speak up. In the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.

An All-Ages Show These bite-size questions are designed specifically for the younger crowd. Parents, give these a whirl at the dinner table:

• Do you believe in miracles? Why or why not?
• How do you know the difference between learning about God and hearing from God?

Just for Fun "Hey Jude" by The Beatles was going to be the B-side to "Revolution," but it ended up the other way around.