Main Idea: It’s time to kick the devil out and invite Jesus in.
Text: “Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.” (Luke 7:11-17 NIV).
Message: In this story, a large crowd was following Jesus. Another large crowd was gathered for the funeral. One crowd was full of life, the other crowd was mourning death. What happens when life meets death? The parade of death met the parade of life. When death encounters life, life wins.
The mother of the boy was wailing. The Bible says, “He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.” This is a perfect picture of what Satan comes to do. The Bible says in John 10:10, “The thief comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” But, Jesus said, “I have come to give life and life more abundantly.”
This funeral procession is a picture of the devil’s work. It was Satan who stole this woman’s son. It was Satan who killed this woman’s husband.
The thief comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. Perhaps Satan has been attacking you? Perhaps someone you love has died? I don’t know what sickness has been killing the men of your city, but Jesus is going to stop the death of your men.
Jesus was going IN the city. The funeral was going OUT of the city. It is time to kick the devil OUT and to invite Jesus IN.
Everyone say, “Devil, OUT” “Jesus IN”
“Sickness OUT” “Healing, IN.”
“Death, OUT” “Life, IN.”
When Jesus met the funeral, Jesus spoiled the funeral. Jesus spoiled the devil’s plans. Jesus messed up every funeral He ever went to including His own.
Jesus had compassion on the woman and He wiped away her tears. Today, Jesus has compassion for you and He wants to wipe away your tears.
The passage says, “Jesus stretched out his hand and touched the open coffin.” Today, Jesus is stretching out his hand to you. Reach out your hand to Jesus and touch Him now.
The dead boy came back to life and He began to speak. What was this man saying? He woke up and saw a man wearing his jacket, another man had his arm around his wife, another man was wearing his shoes. The man sat up and said, “Why are you wearing my jacket? Why are you putting your arm around my wife? Who gave you my shoes?” He said, “Give me my stuff back.” The devil must give you your stuff back. When you give your life to Jesus, He restores everything that the devil has tried to steal from you.
The passage says, “a dead man was being carried out…” The man was going out of the city to the graveyard, but Jesus turned everything around. Jesus will turn your life around. This is what the Biblical word “repent” means. To repent means “to turn around.” When you meet Jesus, your entire life gets turned around. The dead man was being carried out, but Jesus was coming in. Death always takes you out, but Jesus will take you in.
The Bible says that those who are without Christ are dead in sin. But, Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins and now if you repent from your sin you become alive in Christ (Romans 6:11). Jesus takes that which is dead and gives it new life.
The Bible says “the wages of sin is death.” Sin will kill you. It will put you in a box. Sometimes it kills you fast, and sometimes it kills you slowly. But sin will absolutely kill you. Addictions can kill you. Alcohol can kill you. Smoking can kill you. A bad relationship can kill you. But the gift of God is eternal life.
Today, if you repent of your sin, Jesus will turn your life around. Jesus will give you new life. Jesus will make you a new creation. Jesus will turn death into life, He will heal your body, and He will restore everything that Satan tried to steal from you. Tonight, I invite you to turn from death to life, from hell to heaven. Will you join the Jesus’ crowd?
