Kingdom of God and Deliverance

Ken Fish explains that the purpose of sending the 12 disciples, as described in Luke 9, was to proclaim the kingdom of God, cure diseases, and drive out demons. He emphasizes that these three actions are inextricably linked and are all essential to the mission of the church. Key Points from Luke 9:1-2.

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

• Power and Authority: Jesus gave the 12 disciples power and authority over all demons and to cure disease.
• Mission: Jesus sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
• Interconnectedness: Fish explains that driving out demons is an essential part of their mission, not a footnote or something of passing interest. He says they would not be successful in declaring the kingdom and healing the sick if they were not also driving out demons.
• Inseparable Link: The gospel shows that the proper proclamation of the kingdom of God and the healing ministry are inseparably linked.
• Demonstration of the Kingdom: You cannot properly preach about the kingdom of God without healing, and when you heal you should declare the kingdom of God. Ken references a “John Wimber-ism” and says that Jesus was a word worker, linking proclamation of the word to demonstration of works.
• Authority over Demons: Fish points out that Jesus gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. He says that if they have authority over “all demons” that means they have authority over “none”.
• Essential for Success: Ken Fish notes that the disciples’ success in declaring the kingdom and healing the sick is dependent upon their ability to drive out demons. This idea is often overlooked in modern charismatic circles.
• Proof of the Kingdom: Fish further explains that driving out demons is a sign of the presence of the kingdom of God. He explains that if you have dominion over evil spirits people are going to pay attention.

In summary, Fish argues that Luke 9 makes it clear that the mission of the 12 disciples involved a three-pronged approach that is critical to the message of the kingdom of God: proclaiming the message of the kingdom, healing the sick, and casting out demons. He suggests that these are not separate ministries but essential, intertwined aspects of the same mission, and that the church today should also follow this model.

• Title: The Kingdom of God is a Message of Deliverance
• Speaker: Ken Fish
• Start Time: 22:15
• End Time: 31:10

Orbis Ministries – Link to Ken Fish’s Ministry material.