Deliverance has changed everything in my life: the way I view myself, the way I pray, the way I worship, the way I see people, the way I do ministry, the way I evangelize, the way I preach, the way I write songs, the way I spend my time, and the way I do discipleship. Deliverance ministry has changed everything in my life because it is the hinge pin on which the Gospel turns. Deliverance is the power of the Gospel. Moses could tell the Israelites about a God who wanted to set them free from Egypt all day long. Still, until Moses performed miracles of deliverance, nobody took Moses seriously. The thing that set Jesus apart from all other teachers was and is the ministry of deliverance.
“Be quiet!” ordered Jesus. “And come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed the man, gave a great shout, and came out of him. Everyone was astonished. “What's this?” they started to say to each other. “New teaching -- with real authority! He even tells the unclean spirits what to do, and they do it!”
Word about Jesus spread at once all over the surrounding district of Galilee.
Mark 1:25-28 NTE
Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in the heavenly places. Until we send those spiritual powers packing, we will not arouse the attention of the prisoners in darkness.
Moses tried to deliver his countrymen in his strength, and he killed one of his/their enemies. This action jeopardized Moses’ life, enraged the enslavers, and did not win favor with Moses’ people. It was the power of God displayed in Pharaoh's court, the triumph of God’s power over the witchcraft of Egypt, and the power of the blood of the lamb over the spirit of death that got Israel’s attention, subdued the arrogance of Egypt, and set the captives free.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but power.”
1 Corinthians 4:20 CSB
Deliverance ministry changes everything and is the long-awaited return of the power of God in the Church.
When God displayed His power in deliverance, the people came to Jesus.
When the sun went down and evening came, they brought to Jesus everyone who was ill, all who were demon-possessed. Mark 1:32
Healing and deliverance are inseparable. I’ve seen more healing since doing deliverance in the last year than ever before in my life.
The whole town was gathered at the door. Jesus healed many people suffering from all kinds of diseases and cast out many demons. Mark 1:33-34
The model of Jesus’ ministry had people begging to see Jesus. How many churches have people begging to get into them? They do exist, but they are the few places where God’s power is on display through healing and deliverance.
Very early—in the middle of the night actually—Jesus got up and went off, out to a lonely place, and prayed. Simon, and those with him, followed. When they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you!” Mark 1:35-37
So many Christians complain about the wickedness of the current culture and generation. But if the power of God is on display, it will feel like the whole world is looking for Jesus.
The problem we currently face is not that people are so evil, nor that the Gospel is deficient. The problem is that the power of the Gospel has been displayed so little by the Church. The promise of God is: “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
We, the Church, must repent of our lack of obedience in exercising the deliverance ministry. Jesus gave a clear mandate to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons.” Matthew 10:8 NASB. We haven’t done it because of ignorance, fear, and pride. Therefore, we must repent because judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17).
If you are a Christian, but you have never cast out a demon, it may be because you have a demon. Many Christians have demons. We should not be surprised or ashamed by that fact. We have an enemy who attacks us, even from the moment of our conception. Don’t be too proud or embarrassed to admit you have inward struggles. If you want to see revival, you must become a demon slayer, and the way to become a demon slayer is first to slay the demons in your own life, then, as Jesus said, “You will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)
Personal revival begins right now if you take this mandate seriously.
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