Are Evil Spirits Real?
Pastor KC Liu / October 30, 2015
Event: Halloween Harvest Festival
Audience: Kids and Youth
Good Evening everybody! How are you doing? Did you have fun with all the games? Well, I am really glad that you are here today. If you are a guest with us tonight, or if someone invited you to our church for the first time, would you just raise your hand? We want to welcome you and say Hi to you.
Tonight, I will be sharing, “Are Evil Spirits Real?” Well, as you all know, this is the week of Halloween. You have seen people dress up in scary and silly costumes. Do you know why people dress up in costumes? Did they teach you at school why there is Halloween? Who can take a guess? Well, about 2000 years ago, in the country of Ireland, there was a Celtic festival called the Samhain (sao-win). They believed that there is a time period between Fall and Winter, where the ghosts of the dead people will come roaming around. Why? Because it’s the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. So the living people lit up bonfires and dressed up as fake ghosts so the real ghosts wouldn't bother them. People would put food and wine at their doorsteps as a sacrifice so the ghosts would eat it, and not bother them anymore. So we see that the ancient Irish people definitely believed that ghosts were real. It was not a family friendly, trick-or-treating time for them. They were actually fearing for their lives, so they did all these things to please the ghosts.
In fact, the Chinese people in Taiwan and China also have a ghost festival, which is around July 14. And they also have huge bonfires and sacrifice food to the ghosts as well. In fact, I would guest 9 out of 10 people in the entire world believe in ghosts. Only 1 out of 10 people do not believe in anything supernatural. So this begs the question, “ARE GHOSTS REAL?” I believe that only the Word of God, The Bible, can give us the true answer. I do not think that any other opinions will matter.
Usually when we use the word “ghost”, we are talking about the spirits of dead people. That’s what the scary movies are all about. Mythical creatures like zombies, vampires, ghosts, they are all talking about the dead coming to haunt you. Are they real? Does the bible talk about the living dead? Fortunately for us, the Bible does talk about that! Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” This shows that when people die, they are judged by God, and sent either to Heaven, or to Hell. This means that, the living dead are not real! They don’t stay here on Earth to haunt people. Therefore, don’t be afraid of ghosts or any living dead. They're only stories written to scare you and make money off of you.
However, the Bible does talk about Angels and Demons a lot. Therefore, these spiritual beings are real. Most of the angels are good; they were created by God to help human beings. But there are fallen angels who rebelled against God, and they became evil spirits, or demons, that can influence the lives of people mostly through lies and deception. But don’t believe what Hollywood says about them in popular movies. Study the Bible yourself to find out what God says about them.
The Bible says that God created Lucifer as his chief angel. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.13 You were in Eden, the garden of God, every precious stone adorned you: … Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. 14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you."
Wow, God created him as a magnificent creature. Strong, beautiful, wise. His name, Lucifer, actually means “shining star”. He was the most powerful of all angels, and he led other angels in worshiping our Creator God. But what happened? How did he turn into Satan (Which means the Enemy)?
Just like man, angels were created with free will. They can choose to serve God, or to disobey his commandments. We read in Isaiah 14:12-15, which choice Lucifer made for himself:
"How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit."
Satan used the phrase “I Will” 5 different times. He chose not to do God’s will, but followed the desires of his own heart. This was what turned him from Lucifer, the Shining Star, to Satan, the Enemy of God. This is an important lesson for us to learn. Don’t let pride and self-centeredness be a barrier to your relationship with God.
The Bible says that God, our Creator, created angels and humans to worship him and to love him, as children love their parents. But because of our disobedience towards our God, our unbelief in God, through living a selfish life that is marked by the banner of “I Will”, we have fallen into Sin. And the result of sin is spiritual death. But God sent his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sin. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus defeated Satan and paid the price for our disobedience on the cross.
Jesus shed his blood for us, so that we might be reunited with our Heavenly Father once again. So that we can live a life, not “I Will,”, but “God, Your will be done”. You are here tonight, not by accident. Your Father in heaven brought you here. He says to you, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
Will you respond to the love of God. Only He can satisfy the emptiness and longing in your heart. Only He can offer you the forgiveness of your sin. Only He can help you defeat the demons in your life. Only He can give you the gift of eternal life. Would you like to surrender your life to him tonight? I want to give you a chance to do that. Let’s bow our heads in prayer.
First, I want to invite Christians to pray. For some of you, deep down you know that you are living a self-centered life. Most decisions are made with your own will in mind, and not God’s will. Pride and self-centeredness have crept into your life. If that’s you, and you want to ask God for forgiveness, say YES in your heart right now. God can hear you. Pray to him.
Second, I want to invite those who have not put your faith in Jesus. If you want to surrender your life to him, for the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life, would you say YES in your heart right now. God can hear you. Go ahead, take a moment to pray to Jesus.
If you said YES to either one of those prayers, would you tell the person who brought you here tonight? And share what you prayed? Or share with me, and I can pray for you. Thank you for coming tonight! May God bless you and keep you, and shine His face upon you and give you peace. Amen.
Audience: Kids and Youth
Good Evening everybody! How are you doing? Did you have fun with all the games? Well, I am really glad that you are here today. If you are a guest with us tonight, or if someone invited you to our church for the first time, would you just raise your hand? We want to welcome you and say Hi to you.
Tonight, I will be sharing, “Are Evil Spirits Real?” Well, as you all know, this is the week of Halloween. You have seen people dress up in scary and silly costumes. Do you know why people dress up in costumes? Did they teach you at school why there is Halloween? Who can take a guess? Well, about 2000 years ago, in the country of Ireland, there was a Celtic festival called the Samhain (sao-win). They believed that there is a time period between Fall and Winter, where the ghosts of the dead people will come roaming around. Why? Because it’s the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. So the living people lit up bonfires and dressed up as fake ghosts so the real ghosts wouldn't bother them. People would put food and wine at their doorsteps as a sacrifice so the ghosts would eat it, and not bother them anymore. So we see that the ancient Irish people definitely believed that ghosts were real. It was not a family friendly, trick-or-treating time for them. They were actually fearing for their lives, so they did all these things to please the ghosts.
In fact, the Chinese people in Taiwan and China also have a ghost festival, which is around July 14. And they also have huge bonfires and sacrifice food to the ghosts as well. In fact, I would guest 9 out of 10 people in the entire world believe in ghosts. Only 1 out of 10 people do not believe in anything supernatural. So this begs the question, “ARE GHOSTS REAL?” I believe that only the Word of God, The Bible, can give us the true answer. I do not think that any other opinions will matter.
Usually when we use the word “ghost”, we are talking about the spirits of dead people. That’s what the scary movies are all about. Mythical creatures like zombies, vampires, ghosts, they are all talking about the dead coming to haunt you. Are they real? Does the bible talk about the living dead? Fortunately for us, the Bible does talk about that! Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” This shows that when people die, they are judged by God, and sent either to Heaven, or to Hell. This means that, the living dead are not real! They don’t stay here on Earth to haunt people. Therefore, don’t be afraid of ghosts or any living dead. They're only stories written to scare you and make money off of you.
However, the Bible does talk about Angels and Demons a lot. Therefore, these spiritual beings are real. Most of the angels are good; they were created by God to help human beings. But there are fallen angels who rebelled against God, and they became evil spirits, or demons, that can influence the lives of people mostly through lies and deception. But don’t believe what Hollywood says about them in popular movies. Study the Bible yourself to find out what God says about them.
The Bible says that God created Lucifer as his chief angel. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.13 You were in Eden, the garden of God, every precious stone adorned you: … Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. 14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you."
Wow, God created him as a magnificent creature. Strong, beautiful, wise. His name, Lucifer, actually means “shining star”. He was the most powerful of all angels, and he led other angels in worshiping our Creator God. But what happened? How did he turn into Satan (Which means the Enemy)?
Just like man, angels were created with free will. They can choose to serve God, or to disobey his commandments. We read in Isaiah 14:12-15, which choice Lucifer made for himself:
"How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit."
Satan used the phrase “I Will” 5 different times. He chose not to do God’s will, but followed the desires of his own heart. This was what turned him from Lucifer, the Shining Star, to Satan, the Enemy of God. This is an important lesson for us to learn. Don’t let pride and self-centeredness be a barrier to your relationship with God.
The Bible says that God, our Creator, created angels and humans to worship him and to love him, as children love their parents. But because of our disobedience towards our God, our unbelief in God, through living a selfish life that is marked by the banner of “I Will”, we have fallen into Sin. And the result of sin is spiritual death. But God sent his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sin. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus defeated Satan and paid the price for our disobedience on the cross.
Jesus shed his blood for us, so that we might be reunited with our Heavenly Father once again. So that we can live a life, not “I Will,”, but “God, Your will be done”. You are here tonight, not by accident. Your Father in heaven brought you here. He says to you, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
Will you respond to the love of God. Only He can satisfy the emptiness and longing in your heart. Only He can offer you the forgiveness of your sin. Only He can help you defeat the demons in your life. Only He can give you the gift of eternal life. Would you like to surrender your life to him tonight? I want to give you a chance to do that. Let’s bow our heads in prayer.
First, I want to invite Christians to pray. For some of you, deep down you know that you are living a self-centered life. Most decisions are made with your own will in mind, and not God’s will. Pride and self-centeredness have crept into your life. If that’s you, and you want to ask God for forgiveness, say YES in your heart right now. God can hear you. Pray to him.
Second, I want to invite those who have not put your faith in Jesus. If you want to surrender your life to him, for the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life, would you say YES in your heart right now. God can hear you. Go ahead, take a moment to pray to Jesus.
If you said YES to either one of those prayers, would you tell the person who brought you here tonight? And share what you prayed? Or share with me, and I can pray for you. Thank you for coming tonight! May God bless you and keep you, and shine His face upon you and give you peace. Amen.
