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When Demons Rage
E.A. Johnston
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0:00 5:44
E.A. Johnston

When Demons Rage

E.A. Johnston · 5:44

E.A. Johnston warns that increasing societal violence is a manifestation of escalating demonic activity and calls the church to repent and seek a fresh anointing of the Spirit to overcome this spiritual darkness.
In this challenging sermon, E.A. Johnston addresses the alarming rise of violence in society as evidence of intensifying demonic activity in the last days. Drawing from Acts 19, he highlights the church's current spiritual impotence and calls believers to repentance and a renewed infilling of the Holy Spirit. Johnston urges the church to confront the spiritual realities behind societal chaos and to reclaim its authority through prayer and revival.

Full Transcript

I have a very disturbing message to bring before you today, friends, but it needs to be preached because we need to be aware of what's taking place in our society today. In the book of Acts, in chapter 19, beginning in verse 11, we read, And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus saying, We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth.

And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. This striking passage of scripture speaks of demonic activity where the demon overpowers these seven individuals, these seven sons of Sceva, who are completely powerless to deal with this demon.

And the demon prevails against them, beating them up, stripping them of their garments, and wounding them, sending them on the run. I believe we live in a day friends, right before the return of Antichrist, where we are seeing increased demonic activity in the land. Every time you see the news media report another mass shooting, you are witnessing demonic activity.

Why do you think someone intentionally goes out to gun down strangers? It's demons brother, demons. Demons who have taken control of an individual and threw that demon possessed person. Those demons rage, murder, and destroy.

The title of my message today friends is, When Demons Rage. We live in a violent society, and the violence is ratcheting up with increased activity. I believe the reason for this is, Satan knows he is a defeated foe, whose time is short, right before the Lord's return.

And in these last days in which we live, these end times, there is a noticeable increase in demonic activity. Now, you will never hear a news anchor or a talking head on TV attribute mass killings to demonic activity, but that's what is taking place. And sadly, the church is so stupefied by her spiritual declension, that you won't hear the church saying that these recent mass shootings are carried out by demons inside of people.

Nobody wants to talk about it and become a target of criticism. So the church deals with it by her silence, because she is impotent to do anything about it. No, the reason for the mass killings, the media tells us, is better gun control, social problems, environmental or psychological issues.

But nobody is telling you the truth, that it is a spiritual problem. It's demonic activity. We live in a sex-crazed society that has rejected the God of the Bible, and the church has so compromised herself that she is completely powerless, like these seven sons of Sceva.

I believe the words of Alan Redpath best sum up why the church today is so powerless, like these seven sons of Sceva. Listen to his words. Today, the Christian church is helpless behind the scenes and away from the public arena.

We are facing powers of darkness too strong for us, because somewhere in our personal lives, we have forfeited all right to the Spirit's anointing, His authority and His power. In His absence, all we can do is substitute planning and organization, schemes and techniques. Well, I believe Alan Redpath hit the nail on the head.

A few are prevailing in prayer today to push back the darkness in our communities until the church repents and confesses her lack. Demons will continue to rage. What the church needs is a fresh baptism of power from on high.

But to get that costs something, and few are willing to pay the price, while demons rage and wreck hell among us.

Sermon Outline

  1. I. The Reality of Demonic Activity
    • Scriptural example of the sons of Sceva being overpowered by a demon
    • Demonic forces are active and violent in today's society
    • Mass shootings are manifestations of demonic rage
  2. II. The Church's Powerlessness
    • The church is silent and ineffective against demonic forces
    • Compromise and spiritual declension have weakened the church
    • Alan Redpath’s insight on the church forfeiting the Spirit’s power
  3. III. The Need for Spiritual Renewal
    • A call for repentance and confession within the church
    • The necessity of a fresh baptism of power from the Holy Spirit
    • Few are willing to pay the price for spiritual revival

Key Quotes

“Every time you see the news media report another mass shooting, you are witnessing demonic activity.” — E.A. Johnston
“We are facing powers of darkness too strong for us, because somewhere in our personal lives, we have forfeited all right to the Spirit's anointing, His authority and His power.” — E.A. Johnston
“What the church needs is a fresh baptism of power from on high.” — E.A. Johnston

Application Points

  • Recognize that societal violence often has a spiritual root and pray accordingly.
  • Repent personally and corporately to restore the church’s spiritual authority.
  • Seek a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit to empower effective spiritual warfare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What biblical passage does the sermon focus on?
The sermon centers on Acts 19:11-16, which describes the sons of Sceva being overpowered by a demon.
Why does the speaker believe violence is increasing?
The speaker attributes the rise in violence, including mass shootings, to increased demonic activity in the end times.
What is the church's role according to the sermon?
The church is called to repent, confess its spiritual weakness, and seek a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit to combat demonic forces.
Why does the speaker say the church is powerless?
Because the church has compromised and forfeited the Spirit’s authority and power, relying instead on human planning and techniques.
What practical step does the sermon emphasize for believers?
Believers are urged to engage in prevailing prayer and seek spiritual renewal to push back darkness.

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