The sermon discusses the concept of unclean spirits and their influence, emphasizing that simply removing negative influences is not enough; one must also replace them with positive actions and spiritual growth. It highlights biblical teachings that stress the importance of living a godly life and warns against the dangers of being spiritually unprepared, as unclean spirits may return with greater force if the house (body) is left empty. The message concludes with the assurance that individuals can overcome evil by following the teachings of Christ and engaging in positive actions.

1. Out with old and in with the new
by
Brian Birdow
Sermon text: Matthew 12:43-45
www.cmcoc.org

2. Unclean spirits
• In the first century, unclean spirits actually
indwelled people.
• The reason for such was to prove that
Christ and His apostles had power and
authority over the Devil and the demons of
hell.

3. Unclean spirits
• Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again
with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are
subject unto us through your name.
• Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld
Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
• Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to
tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all
the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by
any means hurt you.

4. • Jesus makes an analogy between the
casting out of an unclean spirit and the
godly life. It is not good enough to get rid
of the bad, but something good must be
put in its place

5. First put off the old man!
• Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is
gone out of a man, he walks through dry
places, seeking rest, and finds none.
• Notice the devil is relentless! (1 Peter 5:8)
• Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man
is crucified with Him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, that henceforth we
should not serve sin.

6. The old Man
• 1 Corinthians 6:9 Know you not that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
• 1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit
the kingdom of God.
• 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but
you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the
Spirit of our God.

7. A choice of life and death!
• Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded is life
and peace.

8. Matthew 12:44
• Matthew 12:44 Then he said, I will return into
my house from where I came out; and when he
is come, he finds it empty, swept, and
garnished.
• A house is made for dwelling. If we have a bad
tenant in it, then we are keeping a good tenant
out. A bad tenant will destroy the house.
• We cannot have both the Devil and God
dwelling in the same house!!!

9. Water and Grease!
• 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be you not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
has righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what partnership has light with darkness?
• 2 Corinthians 6:15 And what harmony has
Christ with Belial? or what part has he that
believes with an infidel?

10. Water and Grease!
• 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement has
the temple of God with idols? for you are the
temple of the living God; as God has said, I will
dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be
their God, and they shall be my people.
• 2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore come out from
among them, and be you separate, says the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you,

11. Water and Grease
• We cannot have both the Devil and God
dwelling in the same house!!!
• Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two
masters: for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to
the one, and despise the other. You
cannot serve God and mammon.

12. Matthew 12:45
• Then he goes, and takes with himself
seven other spirits more wicked than
himself, and they enter in and dwell there:
and the last state of that man is worse
than the first. Even so shall it be also
unto this wicked generation.

13. We must make an exchange!
• One cannot stop the practice of evil without trying to
replace it with good.
• When the unclean spirit comes back, he finds the
house empty, swept and garnished. However, he
finds seven other spirits more wicked than himself
and brings them with him.
• The occupant of the house (body) had chosen not to
improve self. Therefore, he was open for the
unclean, ungodly spirit or influences

14. No more….but______
• Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no
more: but rather let him labour, working with
his hands the thing which is good, that he may
have to give to him that needeth.
We can overcome!
• 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and
have overcome them: because greater is he
that is in you, than he that is in the world.

15. Law of Grace (rom.6:14-18)
Heard and Learned
Believe
Repent
Confess
Be Baptized
John 6:45
John 8:24
Acts 2:38, 3:19,17:30
Luke 13:3,5
Rom 10:10, Acts 8:37
Matt 28:18,19, Acts
8:35-39; Mark 16:15-16